The Buckingham, Houston’s premier senior living community, is pleased to announce the appointment of Darrell Sheaffer to executive director of The Buckingham. The announcement was made by Stan Waterhouse, president and CEO of Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation (SQLC), sponsor of The Buckingham. Sheaffer comes to The Buckingham with a background in managing luxury hotels and resorts. Throughout his esteemed career, Sheaffer has supervised complex operations, managed real estate development and overseen large construction and renovation projects. He has always committed himself to operational and service excellence at every level during his career, which parallels the standards and expectations of The Buckingham.
“Darrell has the ideal background, skillset and knowledge to serve as executive director of The Buckingham,” said Waterhouse. “As the community nears completion of its $72 million expansion, we are pleased to have Darrell oversee the remainder of the project. We are looking forward to witnessing how he works to foster an environment of excellence in our community. He is a natural leader and will continue to provide the high-quality lifestyle and care The Buckingham is known for throughout Houston.”
“It’s an honor to take on this role, and I look forward to continuing to provide a superior lifestyle and high-quality health services for our residents,” said Sheaffer. “It’s incredibly important to ensure that each resident is receiving personalized care, and the team must have the ability to adapt as each individual’s needs change. Having worked in the hospitality industry, I understand what people expect when it comes to an exceptional experience, and I intend to elevate the level of hospitality in our community. As executive director it is my responsibility to exceed expectations and make sure that The Buckingham continues to provide outstanding service for years to come.”
With over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Sheaffer has worked in the U.S. and abroad for some of the world’s finest hotel groups, including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Fairmont-Raffles Hotels & Resorts. Sheaffer earned an associate degree in business with an emphasis in hospitality management from Lansing College and a certificate in financial management from Cornell University. Throughout his career, Sheaffer has been active in Rotary International in various cities, and plans to continue that while in Houston. Additionally, his commitment to serving others extends outside of his professional commitments, as he has even been recognized by the National Capitol Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America for his volunteer efforts on behalf of the organization.
“I’m excited to be a part of the expansion here at The Buckingham, and look forward to seeing the project come to completion,” said Sheaffer. “Our most immediate need as a community will be to prepare for the grand opening of the tower, and to make sure our future residents settle into their new homes and feel comfortable. It takes time and effort to make everyone feel at home, and I will work to the best of my ability to provide a welcoming and hospitable environment.”
Due to his previous experience, Sheaffer can confidently handle the day-to-day activities of the community while cultivating a successful team environment and maintaining the satisfaction of residents and their families. Darrell believes in encouraging a people-first environment and is committed to providing outstanding personalized service for residents while working to develop high-performing employees and recruiting the best associates to join The Buckingham family.
“Darrell has an impressive background, and his personal commitment and dedication of time and energy to help our residents is remarkable. We are thrilled to have him as executive director,” said Cathy Lightfoot, director of marketing at The Buckingham. “We couldn’t ask for a better leader than Darrell as we work to continue a legacy of exceptional service for area seniors.”