Pickering Manor’s Chief Executive Officer Michelle Knobloch retired as of Nov. 30, from the nonprofit life plan community in Newtown after 26 years.
Knobloch joined Pickering in 1997 as a director of social services and admissions and became the CEO in 2010.
Pickering Manor’s Board President John Parry commented, “It is with both sadness and joy that we announce the retirement of our valued leader and friend. It is difficult, if not impossible to sum up Michelle’s achievements over her many years of dedicated service to Pickering Manor and the impact she has made on all of us both personally and professionally. She will be greatly missed by everyone here but will move on to enjoy this well-deserved retirement.”
“It has been a blessing and privilege to be a part of Pickering Manor for 26 years, and it will forever hold a special place in my heart. Thank you to all the residents, families, staff and community for the gift of your love and support that you have shown Pickering over the years and during my tenure,” said Knobloch.
“As Pickering moves forward into the 60th year, I am confident David Woodhead will continue to be an exceptional leader and proceed with the same high-quality care and dedicated service for which we are known, and our reputation was built.”
Pickering Manor’s board of directors, Community Welfare Council of Newtown, unanimously elected Woodhead, current chief operating officer, to succeed Knobloch as chief executive officer, effective Dec. 1. Woodhead has been with the firm for nearly 13 years and the chief operating officer the past three years.
Knobloch wrote in a letter to friends, “I often think back to the first resident I ‘admitted’ on January 7, 1997 and can see her face; remembering she was ‘old Newtown’ when I didn’t even know what ‘old Newtown’ meant at the time! Her sister was later admitted, and the family would visit both at the same time. It didn’t take long to understand how very special Pickering Manor was to the Newtown Community.”
She related some of the history of Pickering Manor.
“Russell Pickering and his parents built a home on this parcel of property on N. Lincoln Ave in the late 1800s-early 1900s. Russell would later bequest it upon his passing for the purpose of caring for the aging in Newtown. Sidney Yates, along with the Community Welfare Council of Newtown saw his vision and Pickering Manor opened in January, 1963.
“From there, Sidney Yates continued the legacy of growth by leaving a similar bequest to Pickering Manor, which insured its growth and sustainability into the next generations. To say I’m deeply honored to have been a small part of the history of this facility would be an understatement.”
Knobloch ended her letter with thanks to the Pickering Manor community. “I received so much more than I could ever give. And for that, I thank Pickering Manor and this Newtown community for accepting this ‘kid’ from Kentucky and loving her as one of your own.”
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