Nov. 30. The Board of Directors of The Pines at Davidson has named Heather McKee to serve as interim executive director replacing Steve Jewell whose last day at The Pines will be Dec. 4.

In her interim role, McKee will focus on maintaining the health and safety policies, procedures and guidelines that protect The Pines from the spread of COVID-19 on its campus and on supporting and leading the staff in delivering high quality services; interacting with residents and families; and helping to ensure the successful completion of the campus expansion.

McKee is a native of Charlotte, a graduate of Davidson College and is well known in the Davidson community. Her resume includes numerous leadership positions in the fields of healthcare policy, ethics, and administration.

An executive search produced a number of worthy candidates and now is focused on a small group of finalists. A new CEO is expected to be on board in January or February of 2021. McKee has elected not to be considered for this position.

Jewell, who resigned in July, agreed to remain in his role with The Pines as the board commenced its search for a replacement.

Jewell’s extension enabled him to continue managing The Pines’ comprehensive response to COVID-19 and overseeing The Pines’ expansion project, underway since 2019. With the completion and opening on Nov. 20 of the two new nursing neighborhoods, each with 20 private residences, Pines’ Board Chair Harrison Marshall and Jewell agreed that this was an appropriate time to conclude Jewell’s tenure at The Pines.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Marshall thanked Jewell for his leadership of The Pines for over five years and noted Jewell’s accomplishments during the last four months that he lead The Pines while the search for a new executive director was underway:

• The Pines continued to remain a safe and caring place for residents, with very few cases of COVID-19.

• New residents continued to move to The Pines, including the 10 Independent Living households it welcomed during the 3rd quarter.

• Residents moved into the new nursing rooms, after the new addition obtained all regulatory approvals.

• The Department of Insurance granted approval for the opening of the 38 new Poplar Hill Villas, subject only to obtaining the Certificate of Occupancy. • Thirty-three of the 38 new Poplar Hill Villas were reserved, and the prospective residents remain excited about moving into the new villas beginning on December 28, 2020.

• Construction made great progress, with completion of the two new nursing neighborhoods and the projected completion of the new dining, fitness, meeting spaces and Villa buildings by December 2020 through January 2021.

• Fitch reaffirmed The Pines’ ‘BBB+’ rating on October 30, 2020 with a stable outlook, despite the construction and financial challenges of the pandemic. Jewell worked with David C. Rainey, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, on the Fitch review. Rainey will continue in his role at The Pines.