Two local residents are the first hires for The Retreat at Lady’s Island, an assisted living and memory care community currently under construction at 9 Sunset Blvd. in Beaufort.&nbsp;

Valerie Howe will lead The Retreat as executive director, with Rachel Longino Simpkins serving as sales director. Both women currently reside in Shell Point.&nbsp;

A 30-year resident of the Beaufort area, Howe has worked in the healthcare industry for 20 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and a Master of Business in Healthcare Administration from South University.&nbsp;

Howe is licensed in the state of South Carolina as both a Community Residential Care Facility Administrator and a Licensed Practical Nurse.&nbsp;

As an executive director hired during The Retreat’s construction, Howe will play many roles.&nbsp;

During the building phase, she will coordinate with construction teams and assist the sales director with the promotion and marketing of the new community.&nbsp;

Once construction is complete, the focus will shift to preparing for state certification and making ready for the first residents. After the grand opening she will assume a traditional executive director role, overseeing The Retreat’s daily operations.&nbsp;

Howe is a board member of the South Carolina Association of Residential Care Homes. She is also president of the Healthcare Network Group of the Lowcountry, a regional organization working to enhance the quality of care for all Lowcountry residents by creating a network of local healthcare professionals.&nbsp;

Rachel Longino Simpkins comes to The Retreat at Lady’s Island with experience in senior living and hospice.&nbsp;

A Georgia native, Simpkins joined the Marine Corps in 1994, serving in communications for the 3rd Force Service Support Group – a vocation that took her as far away as Japan and eventually to Beaufort.&nbsp;

Simpkins chose to stay in the area to finish college and make her home.&nbsp;

As sales director, Simpkins will work with seniors and their families to find the right fit of services and accommodations for each person.&nbsp;

She will also promote The Retreat through presentations and other events.&nbsp;

Expected to open in early 2018, The Retreat at Lady’s Island will offer three stories of senior living with views of the waterway, marina and nearby marsh.&nbsp;

Retreat residents will enjoy private assisted living suites and studios, each with a private bathroom and kitchenette.&nbsp;

On the first floor, those with Alzheimer’s disease or similar memory issues will find a refuge in the secured Memory Care wing. Other on-site amenities will include a waterfront patio, fitness center, physical therapy center, movie theater, salon, chapel and more.&nbsp;

For more information on The Retreat at Lady’s Island, call 843-379-9502 or visit The Retreat’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RetreatLI.