Newport — As it prepares to break ground for a 24-unit addition, Summercrest Senior Living Community, the assisted and independent-living facility, announced on Friday that Angela Pelletier will be its new executive director, replacing Steven Gunnerson, who is stepping down after 16 years to assume the new position as CEO of Summercrest.

“While spending less time at Summercrest, Steve’s main objective will be to assist in overseeing the upcoming expansion at Summercrest in which 24 new units will be added to the community,” Summercrest’s Director of Marketing Leigh Stocker said in a news release.

Currently Summercrest, which has been in operation for 20 years, has 36 independent and assisted-living units and another 18 memory care residential units, Stocker said on Friday.

Demand is on the increase for additional services for the aging baby boom population,” Stocker said.

“They are calling it the ‘silver tsunami,’ ” Stocker said, about the increase in demand. That demand could have accommodated 80 units but Stocker said they preferred a smaller expansion.

“It is approved and we are ready to break ground in March,” Stocker said.

The project has received all necessary local permits. The anticipated completion date is this fall but that is not certain, she added.

Stocker was not able to provide the cost of the project.

Prior to arriving at Summercrest, Pelletier was Director of Operations with WoodBine Senior Living. She has worked in the senior living field for more than 30 years, beginning when she was a caregiver as a teen. She has served in several capacities in the industry including nurse, clinical director, executive director and a senior executive director.

Based in Maryland, WoodBine has a number of locations, including one in Dover, N.H.

“As a key player in developing many of WoodBine’s East Coast communities, she has become an expert in opening new communities in various markets and will be a great asset during the expansion of Summercrest,” the release said about Pelletier’s experience and background.

Gunnerson was praised for his tenure as executive director at Summercrest and his ability to manage the complexities of programs including Choices for Independence, Mediciad waiver and Seasons Memory Care. Summercrest said Gunnerson was widely respected in the senior living industry and “active contributor” to area businesses and organizations.

Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.

Patrick O'Grady covers Claremont and Newport for the Valley News. He can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com