New Director Installed

At Nunnawauk Meadows

By Nancy K. Crevier

New Nunnawauk Meadows Executive Director Linda Manganaro has been actively involved in the local elderly housing community since 2004, when outgoing director Frank DeLucia asked her to consider serving on the board of directors there.

“I had just come off of serving nine years on the Commission on Aging,” said Ms Manganaro, “and I had just retired from the Bank of America after 27 years.”

She was interested, though, submitted her resume, and soon found herself a board member for the Nunnawauk Meadows community. Ms Manganaro served as president of the board from 2006 to 2009, and then as treasurer from 2009 to 2010.

“I’ve always had an interest in the elderly population,” Ms Manganaro said Tuesday, April 5. “The elderly have a rich history that often goes unnoticed, and I appreciate that history,” she said.

Even while working for the Bank of America, she took an interest in the older clients. “Sometimes I would just sit down and talk with them a little. I enjoy listening to people and hearing their experiences,” said Ms Manganaro.

As a Nunnawauk Meadows board member, she made an effort to attend as many of the social events as she could. “I like being with the residents. It helps give a better feel for how things are here, and it’s good to interact with the residents,” she said.

When Mr DeLucia recently announced his retirement, Ms Manganaro began to think about applying for the position, with the encouragement of friends. Despite continuing to serve on various church and community boards, and volunteering, she was beginning to feel at loose ends.

“Retirement does leave a void, and the last year I have really felt something was missing,” she said. Looking at her activities and interests, she realized that her passions lay with the aging population. “So when this came up, I worked up my resume, typed up a cover letter, and applied,” said Ms Manganaro.

She was pleasantly “shocked,” said Ms Manganaro, to quickly receive a job offer, and on March 29, the board of directors at Nunnawauk Meadows approved her as executive director, unanimously. On March 30, she met with the staff, “and by April 1, I was in the office,” she said.

Her banking background and managerial experience were advantageous in applying for the position, she believes, as was her familiarity with Nunnawauk Meadows.

“I think they selected me in part because I know a lot of the residents and staff, and have a good rapport with both of them,” she said. Serving on the board of directors gave her a foot up, as well.

Her strong customer service capabilities are also a strong point for this position, said Ms Manganaro.

“I’m comfortable in many situations, and can deal with the many personalities we come across,” she added.

Ms Manganaro will be working closely with Mr DeLucia during a transition period of two to three months. “It’s a great opportunity,” she said. “Frank has been here so long, knows so many people, and he’s a wealth of information. We’re in the middle of a lot of rehabilitation to the buildings right now, so he is bringing me up to speed on these projects, as well as the ongoing upkeep projects,” said Ms Manganaro.

She feels ready to take on her new duties, including fiscal responsibilities. Having served on the board of directors, she has experienced the budget process while working with Mr DeLucia, and experience in the loan and mortgage services as a banker will work to her advantage, as well, she said.

Her immediate goals are focused on immersing herself in the community. She is following Mr DeLucia’s suggestion that she accompany a maintenance worker on the yearly inspection of each unit at Nunnawauk Meadows.

“This will help me familiarize myself with the residents and their homes,” she said. “I plan to sit down with each of the ten employees and get to know them better, too, and I need to familiarize myself with the work scheduled to be done in the next couple of years.”

While the position as executive director of a 134-unit housing facility might be daunting to some, Ms Manganaro said that she feels strangely at ease already.

“I’m comfortable here. The staff is great. We have many long-term employees who have offered to help me, and the residents are very supportive. Frank told me, ‘Go by the book, ask questions, and you’ll be okay.’ And I know that everyone is here to support me.

“I think in anything one does, there will always be something thrown at you. But for now, Frank said I could call him anytime. So my comfort level is pretty high,” Ms Manganaro said, “and I’m happy to be here.”