Riderwood Welcomes New Sales Manager Arvie Santos

Riderwood, an Erickson Senior Living community in Silver Spring, Md., is pleased to announce that Arvie Santos has been promoted to sales manager!

Santos, a dedicated leader with a talent for connecting with both current and prospective residents, most recently served as a sales associate at Woodleigh Chase, an Erickson Senior Living community that opened last year in Fairfax, Va.

"I really enjoy meeting and learning from our residents and my fellow team members,"says Santos. "I've had the unique position of supporting a vibrant, established community and witnessing the successful launch of a new one."

He adds, "In each case, the best part of my job was forming meaningful relationships with the people who chose to move to our communities. I look forward to helping more people call Riderwood home--a move that will help them experience an exciting new lifestyle!”

Family legacy

Santos and his family moved from the Philippines to the United States when he was 13. His parents, both working as chefs at Greenspring (a Erickson Senior Living community in Springfield, Va., introduced him to the many benefits of the Erickson Senior Living culture.

"My mom and dad are my role models when it comes to working hard,"he says. "When I was a teenager, I decided to follow in their footsteps and see what working at Greenspring was all about.”

While attending George Mason University for a degree in management, Santos worked as a student server in Greenspring's restaurants before being promoted to communications specialist.

After he graduated, he consulted with Greenspring's Human Resources department to identify his next step.

"I was looking for a new challenge and received a lot of support,"he says. "I became an operations associate, a new position at the time, which allowed me to rotate through multiple departments at Greenspring, really getting to know the foundation of how our business operates. It was the greatest gift for my career."

Insightful leadership

For two years, Santos worked closely with managers in Greenspring's General Services, Sales, Resident Life, and Finance departments.

Recognized for his skill and dedication, Santos was promoted to business office manager and then offered the opportunity to grow with the new sales team at Woodleigh Chase.

"We started out as a small team, learning about the new floor plans, the Fairfax area, and the differences between an established and new community,"he says. "The experience was incredible because of the relationships I developed. While meeting with future residents of Woodleigh Chase, I got to know them and appreciate becoming part of their journey.”

Following the opening of Woodleigh Chase last spring, Santos' mentors encouraged him to consider the sales manager position at Riderwood.

"I've always been interested in pursuing new opportunities, ways to keep growing,"he says. "I consider myself fortunate to have this chance to learn from others and to help peers within my team grow too. Servant leadership is my style. I'm a big believer that you find success in other people's success.”

Since arriving at Riderwood, Santos has enjoyed connecting with both his team members and incoming residents.

"Our residents are my greatest educators,"he says. "I've learned how to best meet the needs of future residents by connecting openly and honestly with our current residents. These connections also help me and my team better understand the decisions that go into making a move.”

Santos encourages anyone considering a move to Riderwood to stop by for a campus tour.

"I always encourage people to come without any expectations and just experience the lifestyle,"he notes.

"One of our residents said it best. She said, ‘When I was in my former house, I was fine. But there comes a time when you ask yourself--is there anything better than fine? That's when I realized I was sitting in the complacency of fine. There is so much more out there!'”

Each month, Santos and his team meet prospective residents at lunches and brunches on campus, designed to provide information and an opportunity to ask questions.

"For many, these events are the first time people are visiting Riderwood,"he says. "There is never any pressure--just a great chance to soak it in and meet other people who are learning too.”

To learn more about senior living at this vibrant community, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.

By Kelly Shue