JKV Appoints Melissa B. Honig President & Chief Executive Officer
January 5, 2026
John Knox Village (JKV) (www.johnknoxvillage.com) in Pompano Beach, FL, announces the historic appointment of Melissa B. Honig, LNHA, MHSA, as its new President & Chief Executive Officer. Honig becomes the first woman to hold the CEO position in JKV’s 58-year history and is its 14th Chief Executive Officer.
Honig steps into the CEO role with a long-standing connection to JKV and a deep appreciation for its resident-centered philosophy. Honig states, “I felt called to return to a place that left a lasting impression on me. My first encounter with JKV was in 2011 during my work with The Green House Project, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation initiative. I am inspired by JKV’s commitment to forward-thinking senior living solutions. JKV was the first community in Florida to adopt the Green House model. This innovative, person-directed care environment demonstrates a commitment to improving the lives of both residents and team members.”
In her previous position, Honig served as the Executive Director of Valle Verde in Santa Barbara, a HumanGood Life Plan Community, California’s largest nonprofit provider of senior housing and the sixth-largest nonprofit senior living organization in the nation. During her tenure, Valle Verde was rated the nation’s number one retirement community by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek. She served there for the past 11 years before moving to Boca Raton this fall with her husband and son to join John Knox Village.
Recently retired Dr. Salvatore Barbera, longtime JKV Board Member and President/CEO for the past four years, shared in Honig’s leadership. “Melissa Honig is the right leader for JKV at the right time. She has an exceptional ability to stay focused on people with intention. She is highly educated and has built an impressive career in senior living. I have full confidence that Melissa will take JKV to new heights while continuing to honor and value both residents and team members,” states Dr. Barbera.
Honig’s leadership priorities include building strong relationships across campus, fostering organizational transparency, and advancing initiatives that elevate the quality of life, services, and amenities for residents. Under her leadership, JKV will continue strengthening its reputation as a national model for engaged, purposeful, and wellness-focused senior living.
JKV’s Board of Directors expressed resounding enthusiasm for Honig’s appointment. “Melissa’s leadership style, deep industry expertise, and unwavering commitment to resident well-being and team support made her the ideal choice to lead John Knox Village,” said Jack Crissy, Chairman of the Board. “We are confident she will inspire our community and guide JKV into an exciting new chapter.”
About Melissa Honig, President & Chief Executive Officer
Melissa Honig earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration with a double minor in Business and Gerontology from James Madison University’s School of Integrated Science and Technology. She holds a Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) with a concentration in Management and Leadership from The George Washington University’s School of Public Health and Health Services. Honig currently serves on LeadingAge’s Education Committee and maintains her Nursing Home Administrator and Dementia Care licenses. Her speaking engagements and conference participation include the LeadingAge Leadership Summit, Environments for Aging, The Alzheimer’s Association, and the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. In November 2025, Honig relocated from Santa Barbara, CA, to East Boca Raton, FL, with her husband and son. Florida has long been a second home to her family—her grandparents moved from Long Island when she was young, followed by her parents. Honig has fond childhood memories of Fort Lauderdale and looks forward to creating lasting experiences for her family in the Sunshine State.
About John Knox Village, Pompano Beach
John Knox Village (JKV) is an internationally award-winning Life-Plan Retirement Community in Pompano Beach, FL, renowned for its innovative and forward-thinking approach to senior living. Since 1967, JKV has provided an upscale, enriching lifestyle within a supportive, stress-free environment. As a Life Plan community, JKV offers a comprehensive continuum of care—from independent and assisted living to short- and long-term skilled nursing—providing residents with lifelong peace of mind. JKV combines exceptional amenities with lifelong learning opportunities, wellness programs, and services that nurture the mind, body, and spirit. Home to approximately 1,000 residents, JKV’s dedicated team brings the community’s mission to life every day, consistently exceeding expectations in modern retirement living.