Recognizing that the needs and interests of our residents are paramount over our own, we serve them with joy, humility, and gratitude.
We express our gratitude through our actions, acknowledging that service to others is the most enduring of human pleasures.
Meet the Leaders
Chris Isherwood
Executive Director
Chris has been leading The Virginian team since January 1995. Prior to joining The Virginian he had more than 26 years experience in the hospitality industry in various positions encompassing sales and marketing and general management in England, Canada, and the United States. He is currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging (VANHA). He is also a member of the Board of Directors of The Temple Foundation. Chris is married and lives in Lake Ridge with his wife and rescued hound. He has two grown children.
Priscilla Kneisley
Health Care Administrator
Responsible for the day to day management of the Assisted Living and Nursing levels of care at The Virginian, Priscilla has enthusiastically served the elderly in this capacity for over 15 years. Upon graduation from Mary Baldwin College, she taught high school biology, worked as a patient representative at Virginia Hospital Center and discovered her passion for geriatric service during her nine years with Medical Facilities of America. Family, reading, children’s ministry, and hiking comprise a few of her extracurricular activities.
Mark Ridgely
Chief Financial Officer
Mark is a graduate of the Merrick School of Business at the University of Baltimore. For nearly 30 years he worked for a multi-state chain of 40 retail stores as Controller and Secretary-Treasurer. In 2000, he became the Director of Accounting at The Virginian and is responsible for the financial operations of the Foundation and the facility. Mark was elected to the Board of Directors of the Temple Foundation in 2007.
Cheryl Bell
Director of Marketing & Admissions/Assistant Licensed Assisted Living Administrator
Cheryl has been part of The Virginian team since 2005 and has held various positions in Administration, Human Resources, and Marketing. She is currently the Director of Marketing & Admissions and the Assistant Assisted Living Administrator. In February 2012, she began her Administrator in Training program to become a Health Care Administrator. Passionate about our Residents and their quality of life, she works diligently to promote independence, joy and a positive life experience. In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her grandson, gardening and antiquing. She’s a native New Englander and a graduate of Goddard College.
Norwu Howard Wesson, RN, MSN
Director of Nursing
Born and educated in Liberia, West Africa, Norwu received her Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Cuttington University and her Master’s degree in Nursing (Nurse Practitioner program) from Marymount University. A dedicated nurse with over 15 years of experience and a strong background in diverse health care settings, including critical care, internal medicine and cardiac care, Norwu is responsible for the oversight and management of all nursing functions at The Virginian.
