Meet Our Team | Discovery Village Vero Beach

Eric Sajid

Executive Director

Executive Director, Eric Sajid, LPN, is managing the Active Independent Living community at Discovery Village Vero Beach. Prior to joining the team, Sajid served as the Executive Director of a different senior living community for more than two years and has also served more than four years as the Director of Nursing in a senior living community. He brings more than 16 years of professional senior living industry experience to the table, including skilled nursing and rehabilitation, independent living, assisted living, and memory care.  Sajid, born and raised in New York City, attended Columbia Greene College in Hudson, N.Y. He is fluent in five languages. Sajid resides in Indian River County, his home for more than 13 years, with his wife, Paula, and their three children. He loves animals and enjoys traveling, learning, and assisting others.

Angela Ameling

Assistant Executive Director

Assistant Executive Director, Angela Ameling, moved to Vero Beach, Florida from Honolulu, Hawaii in December 2019 with her husband Ryan. She has more than 5 years of experience in the senior living industry both as an Activities Director and a Chief Operating Officer.  Prior to that, she held a career focused in non-profit museums and cultural institutions. She holds a Masters’s Degree from George Washington University and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. Angela enjoys knitting and crocheting in her spare time as well as spending time with her pet rabbit.  

Meridith Schulze

Senior Lifestyle Counselor

Senior Lifestyle Counselor, Meridith Schulze, has been with Holiday Retirement since 2019.  She has worked in the senior living industry in both Florida and Georgia for over five years.  Prior to beginning her career in senior living, she developed and implemented  the Division of Senior Services for the City of Wellington in Palm Beach County Florida. She also served as a Constituent Liaison for a United States Congressman for over ten years.   With over 18 years of civil service, she fully understands the importance and value of serving others.  She is committed to our residents and the needs of our community and is always willing to lend a helping hand. 

Wayne Chapman

Assisted Living Wellness Director

Wayne Chapman, Assisted Living Director of Health & Wellness, Wayne has been a nurse for more than 40 years and has devoted the last decade of his career to the senior living indsurty. Originally from Canada, he has lived in Florida for more than 30 years and enjoys collecting antiques, good food, and traveling.

Denise Bloomfield

Director of Celebrations

Denise Bloomfield, Director of Celebrations, has worked at Discovery Village Vero Beach since 2007. She was a housekeeper for 10 years before transferring to the Activities department. She found her passion for working with seniors as a 15-year-old volunteer in nursing homes. She has 21 years of experience as a caregiver. She earned a certificate as a Certified Patient Care Assistant from the Indian River Community College. Denise enjoys working with seniors and receives joy and satisfaction by caring for the elderly. She is also passionate about her family, church, and local mission.

Jerry Rodriguez

Executive Chef

Executive Chef, Jerry Rodriguez has more than 25 years of experience in the culinary industry. One of the most prestigious affiliations was when he worked with the Ritz Carlton/Marriott family. He is diverse in the types of cuisines he can prepare including Italian, classic French, Indian, Asian and Mediterranean. He has had the fortune to work with talented Chefs from all over the world to enhance his craft. The culinary industry has not just been a job for him, but a life experience that seasons his creativity. Jerry loves taking in the Florida sun by driving his Jeep with the top off, and going to the beach. He also loves spending time with his dog Harley.

Lynette Gerbounka

Resident Experience Coordinator

Resident Experience Coordinator, Lynette Gerbounka, started her career at Holiday in 2017 as a receptionist and moved into the Resident Experience Coordinator role in September, 2021. Lynette is originally from New Jersey but has called Florida home since 2017. She is a proud mother of John Michael, who earned a full ride scholarship for a digital arts degree. She also likes collecting seashells and shark teeth on the beach and making our Isles residents smile.