FellowshipLIFE, a Basking Ridge-based provider of aging services, announced Tuesday the appointment of two seasoned leaders to its executive team.
Lori Vernachio has been named the new executive director at Pines Village in Whiting, while David Van Den Heuvel takes the helm as Lifestyle and Hospitality Director at Riverwalk Village at The House of the Good Shepherd in Hackettstown.
With over 20 years of leadership in senior care, Vernachio transitions into her role with a reputation for “whole-person” care. Her background spans the full continuum of aging services, including skilled nursing, assisted living, and hospice care.
A licensed nursing home and assisted living administrator, Vernachio previously served as executive director of Brighton Gardens of Edison. At Pines Village, she will oversee all daily operations with a specific focus on resident experience and team engagement.
“I am thrilled to build upon the strong foundation and collaborate with the team to continue enhancing the aging experience for all who call Pines Village home,” Vernachio said.
Meanwhile, Van Den Heuvel, who joined the FellowshipLIFE system in late 2025, brings two decades of experience in human services and education to his new role in Hackettstown. As the Lifestyle and Hospitality director, his mission will be to modernize community life programming.
Van Den Heuvel is tasked with creating innovative social connections and daily experiences for residents at Riverwalk Village, ensuring that “vibrant living” remains a cornerstone of the community’s culture.
The appointments come at a time when senior living providers are increasingly focusing on hospitality and holistic well-being to meet the evolving expectations of New Jersey’s aging population.
Brian Lawrence, president and CEO of FellowshipLIFE, emphasized that these hires are critical to the organization’s core philosophy.
“David and Lori are important additions to our system of experienced, trained professionals, who live out the FellowshipLIFE philosophy of transforming the aging experience and enriching lives,” he said.
