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Community Corner
Seabrook is pleased to welcome Brian Cassidy, who was named the community's new sales director in May!
Petra Shaw, Community Contributor
Seabrook, an Erickson Senior Living community in Tinton Falls, N.J. is pleased to announce the arrival of Brian Cassidy as the community's new sales director. Most recently serving as the sales director at Lantern Hill, an Erickson Senior Living community in New Providence, N.J., he is a dedicated and effective leader with a talent for connecting with residents and staff. Bringing over 15 years of Erickson Senior Living experience to this leadership position, Cassidy works diligently to exceed resident expectations every day.
"I love the relationships I've built over the years and I look forward to forging new relationships at Seabrook," he says. "There's nothing more fulfilling than meeting residents and prospective residents and learning their stories. Getting to know them and learning about their lives is special."
An early start
Cassidy began his Erickson Senior Living career at age 14, working as a student server at Cedar Crest, an Erickson Senior Living community in Pompton Plains. Working through high school and several years during college, he remembers his time with the residents fondly.
"I love the resident connections I made during my time as a server," he says. "Cedar Crest was a special place. I had 2,000 extra grandparents. In fact, a group of nine or 10 residents even attended my high school graduation."
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Cassidy then took what he calls "a sabbatical" to complete his communications degree from William Paterson University. He then spent nearly two years managing a craft beer tavern. The hours were long, and, in his heart, he yearned to reconnect with the people at Cedar Crest.
In 2014 when a sales associate position became available there, he jumped at the opportunity. Cassidy quickly learned that being part of the sales team, like his former role as a server, was about building relationships with people.
"We are people people," he says. "The sales team builds relationships and shares the community with prospective residents. We show people how they can live their best lives, sharing what we see and hear from residents every single day."
For the next six years, Cassidy helped hundreds of prospective residents call Cedar Crest home, advancing to senior sales associate and then sales manager.
Making his mark
In 2021, Cassidy was promoted to sales director at Lantern Hill, where he excelled for three years before taking the new position at Seabrook.
"I was able to make my mark at Lantern Hill and help the team succeed there," he says. "Seabrook presented an opportunity for growth while creating another opportunity for someone else within the company to grow as well."
In addition to leading a sales department three times larger than the one at Lantern Hill, Cassidy appreciates Seabrook's enviable location 15 minutes from the Jersey Shore. And as a native of New Jersey, he's proud to have served all three of the Erickson Senior Living communities in his home state.
Renewing friendships
Cassidy has also reconnected with his former student server coworkers including Ryan Trent, continuing care business office manager, and Samantha Mazart, Intermissions program coordinator.
"It is like we are back in the restaurants together," he says. "It seems like no time has passed."
These friendships are the same type of connections Cassidy hopes to nurture with Seabrook residents.
"Our mission is to help people live better lives and we do that by making friends and finding common interests," he says. "From day one, residents told me they had to meet 'the new guy in sales' and that they are glad to have me. There's a culture within Erickson Senior Living that is felt at every community. It's such a warm, welcoming feeling to be here."
In his new role, Cassidy plans on expanding many of the great programs already in place at Seabrook. "I want to give visitors more reasons to come and see the community," he says. "I'd like to add another Live the Life suite to allow more prospective residents the opportunity to spend an overnight and experience all there is to life at Seabrook."
When not at work, Cassidy enjoys taking lakeside walks with his 10-year-old Schnauzer mix, Brody, or spending his time at the Highlands, a sleepy beach town. He also periodically embarks on detours to the beach in Asbury Park on his way home from work.
"I'm taking advantage of the closeness to the Jersey Shore," he says. "The beach is where I want to be, even in the colder months."
Cassidy also looks forward to building new relationships at the community. "I'm getting to know residents, prospective residents, and their families. I love hearing all about their backgrounds and sharing stories with them. That's what I love most about what we do in sales. Now I'm getting to do it all over again in a different place. It's the greatest thing ever!"
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Written By Linda Esterson
The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?