New Leadership Welcomes 60th Year At Pickering Manor In Newtown

NEWTOWN, PA - Pickering Manor begins its 60th year with a new Chief Executive Officer at the helm.

David Woodhead, former Chief Operating Officer, assumed his new duties on December 1 following the retirement of longtime CEO Michelle Knobloch.

Knobloch’s legacy with Pickering extends 26 years. She joined Pickering in 1997 as a Director of Social Services and Admissions and became the Chief Executive Officer of Pickering in 2010. Woodhead has been with the Manor for nearly 13 years and the Chief Operating Officer the past three years.

“It is with both sadness and joy that we announce the retirement of our valued leader and friend [Chief Executive Officer Michelle Knobloch],” said Pickering Manor’s Board President John Parry. “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,” said Knobloch. “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.”

She continued, “As Pickering moves forward into the 60th year, I am confident David Woodhead [as Chief Executive Officer] 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.”

Woodhead added, “It is never easy to bid farewell to a friend and mentor. Michelle has been a beacon of strength and resilience, a guiding light for Pickering! On behalf of all of us here at Pickering Manor, we would like to wish Michelle nothing but the best that life has to offer and our best wishes for a long and healthy retirement!”

Woodhead will guide Pickering in its mission of supporting the people of the community who are in need of its assistance in achieving their highest level of independence, personal fulfillment, and continued quality of life.

“David most recently served as the COO at Pickering Manor and for over a decade he has shown an understanding for how Pickering operates,” said Parry. “He possesses the qualifications and expertise to take Pickering to the next level for our residents, staff and community - we look forward to taking this journey with him.”

Woodhead has dedicated nearly 13 years to Pickering Manor, joining in 2010 and served as the Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure, David successfully reorganized and solidified the internal operations of the back office and implemented efficient processes and procedures that allowed Pickering Manor to be positioned competitively in the senior living community.

Most recently, Woodhead, his predecessor, former CEO Michelle Knobloch, and the Community Welfare Council of Newtown worked closely on the planning and opening of Pickering Manor’s largest expansion to date, a 26,000 square foot Life Plan Community offering the full continuum of care. This was a significant achievement in Pickering Manor’s history, made possible by the generosity of the late Sidney T. Yates, Pickering supporters and the Newtown Community.

“In these turbulent times of staffing and all the challenges the pandemic created in our industry, I want to make sure that we retain, empower and engage our current staff,” said Woodhead of his new role. “Our staff is the life blood of our community; without them we would not have the reputation and good will in which we possess, quality care by people who care.”

Woodhead adds, “I will continue the legacy and build on the foundation my predecessors have given us, providing the highest quality of care while enhancing the great qualities of Pickering. I will do this through creating exciting activities and opportunities that will encourage our residents to embrace their dreams and gifts. One of the things that has always set us apart as a non-profit is we look at our residents and their loved ones more holistically, if they are happy our heart is happy.”