CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The Center at Belvedere has selected Melanie Benjamin as its next executive director.

This, according to a release, comes after Peter Thompson announced he would be retiring by the end of the year in February.

The center reports applications came in from across the country, with Benjamin’s standing out due to her “appreciation and respect for the needs of seniors” in the community.

Benjamin actually came to the Center at Belvedere in 2019 as the philanthropy director.

She has more than 20 years of experience in educational development and advancing organizations’ goals at major universities.

Benjamin will take on the executive director’s role on Nov. 1.