Orchard Estate of Woodbury Appoints Community Relations Directors

Orchard Estate of Woodbury, a Benchmark assisted living and memory care community under construction in Woodbury, N.Y., today announced it has appointed Jeanne Schultz and Lauren Sklarin as directors of community relations. The pair will lead local sales and marketing efforts for the community, which is scheduled to open by early fall. Both hail from Long Island, share the experience of having cared for their own parents and/or grandparents, and are committed to keeping area seniors connected to what matters most.

A life-long resident of Long Island, Schultz returned to Benchmark in April 2018 and helped open the company’s first New York community, Whisper Woods of Smithtown, in Smithtown, N.Y. Prior to returning to Benchmark, she served as regional director of sales and as an area controller for Sunrise Senior Living. Schultz graduated from Adelphi University with a bachelor’s degree in business and an MBA. She lives in West Islip, N.Y., with her husband of 30 years and has two sons. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, playing the piano, doing puzzles and dancing.

Sklarin brings 25 years of marketing and public relations experience to Orchard Estate. She previously served as director of community relations for Home Instead Senior Care for Central Suffolk County. Prior to joining Benchmark, she served in account management roles for a number of public relations agencies, including Publicis and Edelman. She lives in Smithtown, N.Y., with her son and daughter who are both attending Smithtown High School West. Sklarin is a licensed soccer coach and in her spare time she teaches acting classes to children. She graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

“Jeanne and Lauren are the perfect additions to the Orchard Estate leadership team because their values align with those of Benchmark,” says Doug Cormack, executive director of Orchard Estate. “Both are enthusiastic about elevating human connection, serving residents and families and creating a living environment where everyone thrives. The relationships they’ve already made in the area are outstanding, and we look forward to reaching more people as we get closer to opening our much-anticipated community.”

Orchard Estate of Woodbury is named after Theodore Roosevelt Jr.’s beloved family home, Old Orchard, which was gifted to him and built on former farmland. When completed, the community will offer 89 assisted living and memory care apartments for up to 102 residents and spacious common areas. Set on 3.8 prime acres located on 900 Woodbury Road near the intersection of Route 135 and the Long Island Expressway, the environmentally friendly community will feature a modern, contemporary design and amenities such as a bistro, wellness center, family room with full kitchen and dining room, second floor balcony and landscaped walking paths. The community will have an enhanced assisted living license enabling it to provide a wide range of care; licensure is pending.

Orchard Estate will be Benchmark’s second community in New York. For more information, visit the Welcome Center at 550 Woodbury Road in Plainview or call (516) 595-0599.