Career Opportunities

Meet our STARS

At Brightview, our core values – STARS – are more than just words on a page. The STARS principles guide our interactions with co-workers, residents and business partners; influence the way that we do our jobs; and inspire us to deliver exceptional service to both internal and external customers. Associates in all of our communities are eligible to receive monthly or quarterly STARS awards and from that group of community winners, we select five individuals to receive our coveted annual STARS awards. Recipients of the 2008 awards and their guests were invited to attend our annual leadership conference in Orlando, Florida, to receive their awards. Meet our STARS below and hear their Brightview stories.

2010 STARS Award Winners

Crystal DeGrace, Caregiver Associate of the Year

Resident Assistant/Medicine Technician
Wellspring Village, Brightview Catonsville

“When I came to work at Brightview Catonsville in 2005 I had some customer service experience but had never worked in senior living. I thought it was just a job and I’d give a try. I never dreamed that I would love it so much. One of the best things about Brightview is the great teamwork that we all have and the opportunities for advancement. I had no experience or training at all but with the help of my supervisor, I learned the job of the Resident Assistant then became a licensed Medicine Technician and now I supervise the department when our Wellspring Director is out. What I really love about working in Wellspring with our memory impaired residents is helping to redirect them. They often get fixed on something that makes them sad or upset and it’s a challenge to figure out how to get them onto something else to make them happy again. Each resident is so different and so special they’re all like family to me.”

Leigh Ann Lochary, Caregiver Supervisor of the Year

Wellspring Director, Brightview Bel Air

“My father had a severe heart attack in May 2005. At the same time, my mother was fighting her battle with end stage dementia. Because my father was my mother's primary caregiver, married for 63 years, I decided to leave my career of 27 years to help care for my mother as my dad continued his hospitalization and rehab. After 2 months of a hospital stay and rehab, my dad was ready to be discharged. I was told that dad could no longer stay at home without 24/7 care. I moved my parents, together, at the same time, to a nice assisted living community here in Harford County, although not nearly as nice as Brightview. My dad passed 6 months later, and my mom passed 4 months after him. I was reading our local newspaper one evening and came across an ad for Brightview Senior Living of Bel Air. It stated something like, if you are an ambitious, enthusiastic individual that enjoys working with the elderly population, please call............ Well, I decided to stop by BVBA that next day. I was hired that same day and started as a Resident Assistant approximately 2 weeks later on October 23, 2006. On December 7, 2007 I became the Director of our Wellspring Community here at BVBA. I feel as though this is where I was meant to be. I'm sure that my parents are smiling down on me everyday and are sooooo proud of me. My job here is challenging at times, but rewarding every single day. I have an awesome staff and they make my job a whole lot easier. When you are as lucky as I am to work with these Wellspring residents, you go home every day with a smile and a feeling of "I did good today!!"

Jack Dunville, Hospitality Associate of the Year

Driver, The Montclair

I was retired from the Air Force and came to The Montclair as the Maintenance Supervisor shortly after it opened in 1988, excited about the responsibility of keeping it looking like new for many years to come. And, I did that for twelve years. We have a beautiful community that looks like new and I’m very proud of that. One of the extra things I did was also one of my favorite jobs - to drive the resident bus. So, when I decided to retire again in 2000, I agreed to stay on part time to drive the bus for a Friday morning Men’s Breakfast outing and as a back up driver when they needed me. Friday mornings led to a Tuesday every month, then to filling in for vacation and eventually to the 30+ hours I work every week, driving our residents to their appointments, outings and events. We laugh and have so much fun that it doesn’t seem like work at all. In fact, it turns out that working is lots more fun than retirement when you’re working with your friends! Many of the staff and even some residents have been here with me since the early days of The Montclair and we have an awful lot of fun together. They’re all hard to leave so here I am, nine years after I “retired”, still doing what I love with people I love. It’s a great retirement!

Donna Doyle, STARS Story Winner of the Year

Program Assistant
Brightview Baldwin Park

With a lot of prior experience in activities and care giving, I was excited to begin work at Baldwin Park. I worked in the recreation department at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation, a local establishment that provides services to those with physical and other disabilities, and other settings where care is provided. I’ve also had opportunities to work as a volunteer coordinator. I found it very rewarding to make a difference in the lives of people who are in so much need of love and care.

When I started my job at this community I knew it would provide a big chance to make a difference, but I had no idea how much it would give back to me. At Baldwin Park I flourish because I can take every experience I’ve had helping people and apply them all here. I was overjoyed that no talent would be wasted. I’ve been able to work with our volunteers, coordinating and overseeing their participation at our community. It is so rewarding to make a positive change in the lives of the kids who come for community service and provide a learning experience for those who come offering their time out of the kindness of their hearts. I was able to create my own devotional group where I can support and encourage our residents as much as I have been. Being asked to manage our community fundraiser yard sale made me feel valued and trusted, and I was proud of myself when everything turned out so well. Not only are my skills fully utilized, I am always encouraged to use my experiences and continue my development by a very supportive management team and my coworkers.

Baldwin Park has an atmosphere where we can flourish. When I come to work I feel like I’m coming home. The residents and my teammates have become almost like family, and I love them very much. We all work together toward a common goal, supporting each other. We get to be ourselves at work and are appreciated for who we are. We have fun! It is especially wonderful working with the residents. Each personality has been formed by different life experiences, challenges, tragedies and triumphs, and getting to know them as individuals only deepened my love and appreciation of how complex and beautiful life truly is. Every day I am inspired to do my best. When I have a tough day I only have to look at our residents and I remember why I am here. I am able to work with confidence – I know I can do it.

Greg Wrisk, Hospitality Supervisor of the Year

Dining Services Director
Brightview Avondell

Working for Brightview Senior Living has brought more rewarding experiences in the last two years, than I've had in the last twenty two years in the restaurant business. Knowing that what we do on a daily basis brings happiness to our senior residents truly gives me fulfillment and gives me the motivation to create a vibrant dining experience for them every day.

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