Jesse Singler didn’t just want to run a restaurant or do something else merely to make money. He wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.

That’s why he’s the new director of Dining Services at Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge. Here, he has a lot of great people depending on him to provide the best dining experience possible.

“I wanted to be impactful on those around me,” and this job is more like being a member of a family than running a business. In Dining Services, “We’re the mom of the house. We cook the dinner. We’re the sole provider in a lot of ways. It’s one of the reasons why I came to senior living.”

Jesse started at the end of February. Since then, he says things have gone “really well.” Not only does WCBR have “fantastic residents,” but Dining Services is a “super-good, super-skilled team.”

Since the Jefferson Room is now back open two days a week – he’s taking a harder look at catered living. “I’ve got a couple of things going right now” to make that area even better.

He and his family didn’t just move here for WCBR. Jesse’s wife has family in the area, folks they wanted to be closer to. The Singlers and their three boys are settling in.

He said he’s looking to buy some property and find some elbow room. He sees a lot of opportunity for that. Right now, the family is renting a farmhouse on 21 acres, about 20 minutes south from the WCBR campus. It’s a good place for the boys – and also for the family’s five chickens.