DECEMBER 2017 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 29
Peconic Landing is a nationally recognized,
equity-based Continuing Care
Retirement Community in Greenport
overlooking the breathtaking Long Island
Sound. Located on the North Fork of Long
Island, their 144-acre campus is bordered by
grapevines and golfing greens, situated on a halfmile
of private beach. The organization works
on a mission of being the retirement community
of choice for individuals age 62 and better
by encouraging members to enjoy a vibrant
lifestyle and presenting ample opportunity for
members to pursue their interests and passions
to the fullest. The Long Island Press recently
caught up with Robert J. Syron, President &
CEO of Peconic Landing in Greenport. Here
are excerpts of the conversation.
Long Island Press: What is your business
philosophy?
Robert J. Syron: Focus on our members.
Our purpose is to serve others to the best of
our ability. Our goal is to consistently exceed
expectations by being innovative in our approach
to doing business. As the saying goes, ‘The train
will never get to the station’ when it comes to
advancing hospitality and healthcare for our
members. We will continue to set new standards
and reach broadened goals.
LIP: How did you get started? How long have
you been at Peconic Landing?
RJS: I got started in 1987 with an internship
with an excellent young administrator named
Frank Tripodi. He provided me with the
opportunity to see the real meaning and purpose
in serving seniors as a way for me to develop
a career, make a difference and earn a living. I
will be at Peconic Landing 14 years in January,
and in that time Peconic Landing has grown
from a two-company business to a five company
business.
LIP: What is the most memorable experience
in your career?
RJS: One of the most memorable and probably
the most meaningful experiences in my career, I
had a member come to me and say ‘I know you
were away at a conference, but I am glad that
you’re back because I always feel safer when you
are here.’ For me, understanding the difference
we can make in people lives is what drives me;
Peconic Landing CEO Robert Syron talks tech
and living life to the fullest
the ability to provide peace
of mind to our members and
their families, and to help
employees grow and advance
in their careers. These are the
memorable experiences for
me. There are so many great
things about this job. I am
lucky to have it.
LIP: How do you use
technology in your work?
RJS: I can’t operate without
technology. From smartphones keeping me
connected to business 24/7 to being able to get
up at 4 a.m. and work on a report delivered to my
inbox when I wake up. I can look at our community
smartphone app to see what events are going on,
so I can show up and be present. As a community,
we’ve recently incorporated a smartphone app
for members to help with Community Life and
introduced smart-technology fitness equipment
that sets an individual’s personal workout with the
swipe of a card. The key is figuring out the best
uses of technology and making them effective
for our members.
LIP: What is the most effective way to use
technology?
RJS: Any way that improves the quality of life
for the people that we serve. There are many
things that we are currently using thanks to
Custom Computer Specialists, and we are
consistently looking for new options to explore.
With nearly 400 members and 300 employees,
technology works to keep
us all connected and keep
operations running smoothly.
Creative uses for technology,
from our television station
to our “Community Life”
smartphone application
help to do the job. Our
smartphone application
was recently recognized
by McKnight’s Senior
Living’s 2017 Excellence in
Technology Awards, which was a great honor.
LIP: How do residents respond?
RJS: Our tech-savvy courses were
oversubscribed, and upwards of 300 people
have downloaded the app, accounting for more
than half of our community and many of their
families. Our members are demanding efficient
and up-to-date technologies, and we know how
well these new technologies are working by
engagement. We measure member satisfaction
by how well they are engaged.
Custom Computer Specialists is proud to
sponsor Spotlight LI. Since 1979, Custom
has been dedicated to providing Long
Island’s schools, local government agencies,
healthcare facilities and businesses with
advanced technology solutions and
support. To learn more about Custom
Computer Specialists, or to be considered
for a future Spotlight LI, please email
info@customtech. com.
Custom Computer Specialists
Right People. Right Results.®
Spotlight Long Island