Meet Bryan Bee, Avery Point's New Executive Director

Avery Point, the Erickson Senior Living community in Short Pump, Va., is proud to welcome Bryan Bee as the new executive director!
Although Bee is new to the community, he is not new to Erickson Senior Living. He recalls hearing about the industry-leading company and its continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire while studying long-term care and health care administration.
"I learned about various CCRC models in college, and Erickson was doing it differently as a larger model with a ‘home for life' concept," recalls Bee, who was so impressed that he later applied to join one of the company's communities.
With a rich background in health care and his experience as associate executive director for more than four years at Tallgrass Creek, the Erickson Senior Living community in Overland Park, Kans., Bee is well positioned to succeed in his new role.
Change of course
When Bee began his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, he didn't declare a major. In fact, majoring in health care wasn't even on his radar--until a family experience changed his course.
"When my grandfather had his second stroke, he needed long-term care. My family helped move him to several different places--until we found one that we believed in from a quality of care perspective," Bee recalls. "We had finally found a community where everything felt so much better."
He adds, "The differentiator was that the community leaders were present and visible. They knew the residents, and they knew their team. That inspired me to learn more about heath care."
That's when Bee found the health care administration program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, interviewed for it, and was accepted.
"The rest is history," he says, with a laugh.
‘An awesome company'
In 2016, Bee got his start working at a CCRC in Wisconsin.
Then, through his volunteer work with the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards, he met someone who, at the time, was the associate executive director at Linden Ponds, the Erickson Senior Living community in Hingham, Mass.
Bee went for a visit, altering the course of his future once again.
"It was amazing to see an Erickson community in person. Everyone was so welcoming--the residents, the staff. I could see the difference in the care they offer, and there were so many amenities," says Bee. "Being there for just a few days reminded me that this is an awesome company!"
"So," he adds, "I kept my eyes open, and as soon as a community posted a listing for an associate executive director role, I put my hat in the ring."
After accepting the position at Tallgrass Creek, he, his wife Rachel, and their two daughters Alayna and Payton made the move to Kansas.
"We moved from Wisconsin with a then 2-year-old and a then 6-month-old in June 2020," says Bee, "and it was the best decision we could've possibly made--not only for my career, but for our family. Erickson has been a great company to work for."
Lots to love
When the opportunity to become Avery Point's executive director arose, Bee was excited.
"I was really interested in helping the community grow," he says. "Avery Point is a fast-moving and expanding community."
Another significant appeal was the community's location.
"In the Richmond area, we're just two hours away from the ocean, the mountains, and Washington, D.C. And there's so much history here!" Bee says. "Erickson Senior Living finds central locations to build so that residents can stay or become connected to the area around them."
Although there are dozens of amenities and activities located right on campus, it's easy for Avery Point residents to venture out to nearby restaurants, wineries, sports games, shops, theaters, concerts, museums, and much more.
Time to flourish
Although it came as no surprise, Bee is grateful that he was welcomed with open arms by both residents and staff.
"It's been amazing. Lots of residents are interested in my journey and my family, and I've loved getting to know all of them. They're a great group of active and engaged residents," says Bee.
Although he's still the new kid on the block, Bee has big plans for the community.
"I'm really excited about helping our teams grow and develop," he says. "I also want to lead this community to the next level--we're transitioning from having one neighborhood on campus to two. That's quite an achievement, and I'm happy to be a part of it!"
To learn more about affordable, independent senior living at Avery Point, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.