Derek Graham
– Wildewood Downs Supernova Winner 2020 –
The Supernova is the highest individual honor that our company gives and each year, one individual on the leadership team at Wildewood Downs is voted as the community’s Supernova. The winner of this award is voted on by their colleagues and the honor is bestowed upon them at the company’s yearly Annual Meeting.
The criteria for voting are based on upholding our company’s mission to be caring professionals dedicated to quality services. Additionally, this individual will consistently deliver excellent customer service (to Members and colleagues), lead positively with integrity, take accountability, put the team before themselves and will embody the company’s vision to create communities where people live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
This year, we are proud to congratulate our Director of Dining Services, Derek Graham as the recipient of the 2020 Wildewood Downs Supernova Award. This honor was bestowed during the Wildewood Downs Supernova Celebration on Friday, August 28th at Saluda’s in Columbia, South Carolina.
“It is our honor and our privilege to serve those who have already served us.”
Derek is a food service industry veteran with over twenty years in the industry, sixteen of which have been in healthcare food services management. His long term goal has always been to spend to provide leadership and an excellent dining experience for retirement communities.
Interview with Derek Graham
How do you feel being chosen as your community’s Supernova by your peers?
I feel blessed more than words can express. My immediate response was to Thank everyone in the room for all that they do each day. Thank everyone in the room for allowing me to do what I love to do each day. Thank God for placing us in the service of others so that we may be more to his liking.
In your position, how do you fulfill the company’s Guiding Principles (People First Always, We Exist To Serve Our Members and We Have A Responsibility to be Full)?
It is as simple as it sounds: People First Always starts with our residents first, and then our staff and if we all stay focused on these principles our responsibility to be full will be easier to achieve.
What do you want people to know about living at a retirement community?
I would want them to know that it is our honor and our privilege to serve those who have already served us.
Positions that are eligible to vote and win the Supernova Award include: HR Director, Business Manager, Assistant Business Manager, Care Services Administrator, Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, Resident Care Director, Lifestyle Advisor, Lifestyle Advisor – Care Services, Move-In Coordinator, Social Director, Activity Director, Wellness Director, Director of Facility Services, Director of Dining Services, Executive Chef, Client Services Manager (Live Long Well Care).
