Legacy Pointe at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½, a ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½-affiliated life care retirement community has named Josh Smith ’04 as its new executive director.

β€œFrom his beginnings in the culinary service to his in-depth management experience, to his passion for ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½, he’s the perfect match.”
β€” Bob Holmes

Smith, who graduated with a hospitality management degree from ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, is returning to Orlando for the first time since graduating in 2004 to lead the way at the community’s life-enriching campus, expected to open its doors summer 2021 near the main campus.

Smith, a graduate of both ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ and Liberty University, brings 16 years of senior living knowledge and working experience to Legacy Pointe at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½. Previously, Smith served as executive director at Life Care Services and Brookdale Senior Living in Bradenton, Florida, and he also held various operational roles with Virginia Baptist Homes (now LifeSpire of Virginia) based in Richmond, Virginia. He says he has always been a true caregiver at heart with a passion for providing hospitality to others.

β€œJosh Smith brings so much to the table at Legacy Pointe,” says Bob Holmes, Legacy Pointe board chairman. β€œFrom his beginnings in the culinary service to his in-depth management experience, to his passion for ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½, he’s the perfect match.”

Located in Oviedo, Legacy Pointe at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ is a senior living facility scheduled to open in 2021.

Legacy Pointe at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ is managed by Greystone and is under construction on Old Lockwood Road, Oviedo, just north of McCulloch Road and directly across from Seminole County’s Econ River Wilderness Area. Future residents will have the opportunity to live independently or assisted, in either spacious villas or apartment homes on campus. Residents will also have lifelong access to assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.

β€œ[Smith] was one of, if not the first, student to graduate from our program and then go into the senior living industry.”
β€” Abraham Pizam

β€œIt is a pleasure to welcome Josh Smith to the Greystone team. Josh has over 16 years of experience in senior living, plus brings the hospitality approach via his studies at the Rosen College, which recently launched a new degree in senior living management. Josh is a Florida native and is thrilled to be returning to the Orlando area to pay forward his senior living experiences to the source where it all began,” says R. Edward Thorne, first vice president of Greystone.

Researched and planned by thought leaders at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½, Legacy Pointe’s physical proximity and working affiliation with the university will elevate practically every aspect of community life for its residents. As a result of partnerships with respective colleges at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½, Legacy Pointe residents can expect:

  • Access to a multigenerational campus with a ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ student ID card, given to all Legacy Pointe residents, to enjoy academic opportunities at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½
  • Lifelong learning programs that will help advance successful aging within the community
  • Opportunities to enjoy ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ arts and cultural facilities and activities, sporting events and more
  • Vibrant interns and students who will form meaningful relationships with residents
  • Cutting-edge, resident-centered care
Living options at Legacy Pointe range from independent living to memory and skilled nursing care.

While serving as executive director at Legacy Pointe, Smith also plans to reap the benefits of ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s proximity to Legacy Pointe, returning as a student at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ to earn his PhD in Hospitality Management.

β€œJosh was always an active and good student from my recollection. He thought about the senior living industry and the opportunity to apply the culture of hospitality to that industry from the very start,” says Abraham Pizam, Linda Chapin Eminent Scholar Chair in Tourism Management at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½, founding dean of Rosen College, and a board member at Legacy Pointe. β€œBack when he was an undergraduate student, a lot of Josh’s peers weren’t thinking about careers in senior living. He was one of, if not the first, student to graduate from our program and then go into the senior living industry. His passion for this kind of hospitality has always been evident. His return to ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ is really just the perfect storm.”

Legacy Pointe at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ is expected to open its doors under Smith’s direction in 2021.

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