It’s the people who make the difference at Plantation Village: the people who were originally responsible for setting up our wonderful community as a nonprofit, and the people who consistently donate their time in an effort to make it a better place to live. Having status as a nonprofit means the necessary funds to improve, refine and enhance our community are typically available. This makes the role of the Plantation Village Board and Resident Council an especially vital component of our mission to not only maintain and improve the community but also to enrich the quality of life for our residents.

Everyone who donates their time to our community deserves a note of gratitude, but for this month we have chosen to highlight Jack Fuller, President of the Board, and Becky Nesbitt, Board Member and Resident Council President. Jack spent 38 years at GE until he retired in 2011 as the CEO of the Nuclear Division. With a background that includes 10 years of service as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Board at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, his experience navigating the complexities of senior living and the issues that affect the aging population made him an excellent choice for Board President.

Along with the majority of our residents, Jack has broken the stereotype of the senior citizen. Fresh off the boat, on a fishing trip in Florida with his wife, he took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions about his past and position as Board President. “From the moment I initially toured Plantation Village, I was blown away by what an active and engaged group of people the residents are, both physically and mentally,” said Jack. “Seeing all of the residents taking part in such a great lifestyle was very enticing for me.”

He also noted that the Hardship Policy was a key difference from other communities and a motivating factor in his decision to join the community. The Hardship Policy ensures that residents have a home for life at Plantation Village, even if they outlive their resources.

“I was very lucky to come on board after all of the recent expansions,” laughed Jack, “so I didn’t have to manage the logistics and nuances of the construction process. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the leaders and board members for the time and effort they applied to make those projects a success.”

For Jack, the most rewarding aspect of his role as Board President is the opportunity to apply his efforts to help Plantation Village residents gain access to the things they love to do the most, such as a new event, the wood working shop, garden or fitness center. Becky Nesbitt echoed that sentiment, pointing out that she enjoys focusing her time and effort to serve as an advocate and a communicator for the residents.

“You could not imagine a more caring and dedicated group of people than the board at Plantation Village,” said Becky. “Our main goal is truly resident satisfaction.”

Becky’s professional background was the perfect preparation for her to meet the challenges of being Resident Council President. With an advanced degree from Furman University and a master’s degree from State University in New York, she had a long and impressive career in hospital administration.

Drawing from her vast experience in hospital development, planning, marketing, and facilitating the ongoing operations of the hospital foundation, Becky solves problems, overcomes obstacles and helps the residents find and identify any issues that need to be addressed. She is an extremely active individual with a passion for golf, reading and Mah Jong, who volunteers her time to serve as a tutor for English as a Second Language with the Cape Fear Literacy Council. Becky and her husband moved to Plantation Village from Kenansville in 2011 and they have never regretted the decision.

For more information about Plantation Village or the people that make our community a great place to live, give me a call at (910) 821-8036. You are also welcome to pop by for a visit or guided tour. Check us out on the web at www.PlantationVillageRC.com.

Lisa Polanski is the director of marketing at Plantation Village. Plantation Village is a non-profit continuing care retirement community that offers independent living on a 56-acre campus in Porters Neck, just minutes from downtown Wilmington and area beaches. Residents enjoy first-class services in a wide variety of home styles, from one- and two-bedroom apartments to cottage homes and two-bedroom villas. Plantation Village is managed by Life Care Services™, the nation’s thirdlargest elder care management company. For more information, visit plantationvillagerc.com.