Kera Wooten Named the New Director of Dining Services at Ashby Ponds

(Ashburn, Va.) - Kera Wooten has recently been promoted to Director of Dining Services at Ashby Ponds, one of 17 retirement communities managed by Erickson Living.  Wooten has worked with Erickson Living in a variety of capacities for nearly 14 years.

As the Director of Dining Services at Ashby Ponds, Wooten will oversee a staff of over 130 employees including, but not limited to, chefs, restaurant managers, service managers, catering staff, and servers.  The community currently offers a full service restaurant and a café; this summer, a new building will open at the community providing residents with an additional dining venue.

Wooten has over 17 years of experience serving seniors through dining and culinary services.  Prior to joining Erickson Living, she was employed by Marriott International-Senior Living Services as a Dining Services Manager in both Wilmington, Del. and Fort Belvoir, Va.  In October 2000, Wooten joined Greenspring, an Erickson Living community in Springfield, Va., where she worked as a Service Manager, Staff Development Manager, and Restaurant Manager.  In 2013, she joined Ashby Ponds as a Restaurant Manager.

"I am truly looking forward to continuing to serve the residents of Ashby Ponds and shaping the future of the community's dining program," said Wooten.
Wooten received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Delaware State University.  She has also received Train the Trainer certification, Foundations of Leadership certification, TIPS Trainer certification, Food Manager Professional certification, Erickson Leadership Development certification, and Erickson Tactical Leadership certification.  Wooten has also served as the Chair of Family and Consumer Services for Fairfax County Public Schools and as a Board Member for the Ronald McDonald House of Northern Virginia.

About Ashby Ponds: Ashby Ponds, one of 17 retirement communities managed by Erickson Living, is situated on a scenic 132-acre campus in Ashburn, Virginia (approximately 30 miles west of Washington, D.C.). The community is home to over 725 residents and has over 120 resident-run and resident-driven clubs and groups, an indoor pool, a fitness club, transportation services, 24-hour security, and flexible dining options. More information about Ashby Ponds can be found at www.ericksonliving.com.