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Brookdale Leadership Team
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Lucinda (“Cindy”) Baier is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors of Brookdale Senior Living, the nation's premier operator of senior living communities. As of year-end 2021, the $2.8 billion company operates nearly 700 senior living communities and has the ability to serve approximately 60,000 residents through its independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities. The company's 30,000+ employees are taking care of America's seniors.
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Lucinda (“Cindy”) Baier is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors of Brookdale Senior Living, the nation's premier operator of senior living communities. As of year-end 2021, the $2.8 billion company operates nearly 700 senior living communities and has the ability to serve approximately 60,000 residents through its independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities. The company's 30,000+ employees are taking care of America's seniors.
Executive Vice President – Community Operations
Kevin W. Bowman joined Brookdale in April 2016 and has served as our Executive Vice President – Community Operations since October 2021. He previously served as our Division Vice President – Operations for the West Division from April 2020 until October 2021, our Senior Regional Vice President – Operations from January 2017 until April 2020, and our Regional Vice President – Operations prior to that. Before joining Brookdale, Mr. Bowman served 25 years in senior living, holding roles of escalating responsibility. Mr. Bowman received a B.A. in Communication from California State University, Fullerton, and was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1988 after serving four and a half years.
Executive Vice President – Community Operations
Kevin W. Bowman joined Brookdale in April 2016 and has served as our Executive Vice President – Community Operations since October 2021. He previously served as our Division Vice President – Operations for the West Division from April 2020 until October 2021, our Senior Regional Vice President – Operations from January 2017 until April 2020, and our Regional Vice President – Operations prior to that. Before joining Brookdale, Mr. Bowman served 25 years in senior living, holding roles of escalating responsibility. Mr. Bowman received a B.A. in Communication from California State University, Fullerton, and was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1988 after serving four and a half years.
Executive Vice President – Finance and Treasurer
George T. Hicks became our Executive Vice President – Finance and Treasurer in July 2006, and our Treasurer in January 2016. Prior to July 2006, George served as Executive Vice President - Finance and Internal Audit, Secretary and Treasurer of American Retirement Corporation (ARC) since September 1993. George had served in various capacities for ARC’s predecessors since 1985, including Chief Financial Officer from September 1993 to April 2003 and Vice President-Finance and Treasurer from November 1989 to September 1993.
Executive Vice President – Finance and Treasurer
George T. Hicks became our Executive Vice President – Finance and Treasurer in July 2006, and our Treasurer in January 2016. Prior to July 2006, George served as Executive Vice President - Finance and Internal Audit, Secretary and Treasurer of American Retirement Corporation (ARC) since September 1993. George had served in various capacities for ARC’s predecessors since 1985, including Chief Financial Officer from September 1993 to April 2003 and Vice President-Finance and Treasurer from November 1989 to September 1993.
Executive Vice President – Corporate Development and President – CCRCs
H. Todd Kaestner became our Executive Vice President – Corporate Development and President – CCRCs in August 2021. Prior to that, Mr. Kaestner served as the Company’s Executive Vice President – Asset Management and Division President – Entry Fee since June 2019 and Executive Vice President – Corporate Development since July 2006. Prior to joining Brookdale, Mr. Kaestner served as Executive Vice President – Corporate Development of American Retirement Corporation since September 1993 and served in various capacities for ARC’s predecessors since 1985, including Vice President – Development from 1988 to 1993 and Chief Financial Officer from 1985 to 1988.
Executive Vice President – Corporate Development and President – CCRCs
H. Todd Kaestner became our Executive Vice President – Corporate Development and President – CCRCs in August 2021. Prior to that, Mr. Kaestner served as the Company’s Executive Vice President – Asset Management and Division President – Entry Fee since June 2019 and Executive Vice President – Corporate Development since July 2006. Prior to joining Brookdale, Mr. Kaestner served as Executive Vice President – Corporate Development of American Retirement Corporation since September 1993 and served in various capacities for ARC’s predecessors since 1985, including Vice President – Development from 1988 to 1993 and Chief Financial Officer from 1985 to 1988.
Executive Vice President – Human Resources
Jaclyn Pritchett joined Brookdale in 2016 and has served as Executive Vice President–Human Resources since March 2022. She previously served as Senior Vice President–Human Resources since January 2021, Senior Vice President–HR Field Operations and Talent Management from October 2020 until January 2021, Vice President of HR Field Operations from March 2019 until October 2020, and in other human resources management roles from 2016 to February 2019.
Executive Vice President – Human Resources
Jaclyn Pritchett joined Brookdale in 2016 and has served as Executive Vice President–Human Resources since March 2022. She previously served as Senior Vice President–Human Resources since January 2021, Senior Vice President–HR Field Operations and Talent Management from October 2020 until January 2021, Vice President of HR Field Operations from March 2019 until October 2020, and in other human resources management roles from 2016 to February 2019.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Steven E. Swain joined Brookdale as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in September 2018. Prior to joining Brookdale, Mr. Swain served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of DISH Network Corporation from October 2014 to August 2018, after having served as its Senior Vice President of Programming from April 2014 to October 2014, and as its Vice President of Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis since joining the company in 2011.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Steven E. Swain joined Brookdale as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in September 2018. Prior to joining Brookdale, Mr. Swain served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of DISH Network Corporation from October 2014 to August 2018, after having served as its Senior Vice President of Programming from April 2014 to October 2014, and as its Vice President of Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis since joining the company in 2011.
Executive Vice President – General Counsel and Secretary
Chad C. White joined Brookdale in February 2007 and has served as our Executive Vice President since January 2018, our General Counsel since March 2017 and our Secretary since March 2013. He previously served as our Senior Vice President and General Counsel from March 2017 until January 2018, our Senior Vice President and Co-General Counsel from July 2014 to March 2017, our Vice President and Co-General Counsel from March 2013 to July 2014, and our Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary prior to that.
Executive Vice President – General Counsel and Secretary
Chad C. White joined Brookdale in February 2007 and has served as our Executive Vice President since January 2018, our General Counsel since March 2017 and our Secretary since March 2013. He previously served as our Senior Vice President and General Counsel from March 2017 until January 2018, our Senior Vice President and Co-General Counsel from July 2014 to March 2017, our Vice President and Co-General Counsel from March 2013 to July 2014, and our Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary prior to that.
Dawn L. Kussow
Interim Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Dawn L. Kussow joined Brookdale in 2007 and has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer since January 2016. She has also served as Interim Chief Financial Officer since August 2022. She previously served as Brookdale’s Vice President and Corporate Controller from February 2014 to January 2016 after serving in financial reporting leadership roles of escalating responsibility.
Dawn L. Kussow
Interim Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Dawn L. Kussow joined Brookdale in 2007 and has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer since January 2016. She has also served as Interim Chief Financial Officer since August 2022. She previously served as Brookdale’s Vice President and Corporate Controller from February 2014 to January 2016 after serving in financial reporting leadership roles of escalating responsibility.
Chief Marketing Officer
David Cygan joined Brookdale in August 2014 and has served as our Chief Marketing Officer since October 2019. He previously served as our Senior Vice President of Marketing from August 2014 until October 2019. During his tenure at Brookdale, Cygan has helped transform the company’s digital and social media presence. Before joining Brookdale, Mr. Cygan served as Vice President of Marketing for Kindred at Home and Director of Marketing and Advertising for AT&T.
Chief Marketing Officer
David Cygan joined Brookdale in August 2014 and has served as our Chief Marketing Officer since October 2019. He previously served as our Senior Vice President of Marketing from August 2014 until October 2019. During his tenure at Brookdale, Cygan has helped transform the company’s digital and social media presence. Before joining Brookdale, Mr. Cygan served as Vice President of Marketing for Kindred at Home and Director of Marketing and Advertising for AT&T.
Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer
Kim Elliott joined Brookdale in July 2014 and has served as our Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer since August 2021. She previously served as our Senior Vice President of Clinical Services from July 2014 until August 2021. Elliott has more than 27 years of experience in senior living and has developed a care philosophy based on the importance of individualized care, personal choice and resident independence. Before joining Brookdale, Ms. Elliott served as Senior Vice President of Clinical Quality and Compliance for Centerre Healthcare Corporation and Director of Compliance and Risk Management for Kindred Healthcare.
Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer
Kim Elliott joined Brookdale in July 2014 and has served as our Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer since August 2021. She previously served as our Senior Vice President of Clinical Services from July 2014 until August 2021. Elliott has more than 27 years of experience in senior living and has developed a care philosophy based on the importance of individualized care, personal choice and resident independence. Before joining Brookdale, Ms. Elliott served as Senior Vice President of Clinical Quality and Compliance for Centerre Healthcare Corporation and Director of Compliance and Risk Management for Kindred Healthcare.
Senior Vice President, Resident and Family Engagement and Experience
Sara Terry joined Brookdale in November 2003 and has served as Senior Vice President of Resident and Family Engagement since January 2016. She previously served as our Vice President of Resident and Family Engagement from November 2003 until January 2016. In January 2016, her role expanded to include the Dining, Dementia Care, and Environmental Services functions. Before joining Brookdale, Ms. Terry served as Vice President of Operations, Clinic Management for CRAssociates.
Senior Vice President, Resident and Family Engagement and Experience
Sara Terry joined Brookdale in November 2003 and has served as Senior Vice President of Resident and Family Engagement since January 2016. She previously served as our Vice President of Resident and Family Engagement from November 2003 until January 2016. In January 2016, her role expanded to include the Dining, Dementia Care, and Environmental Services functions. Before joining Brookdale, Ms. Terry served as Vice President of Operations, Clinic Management for CRAssociates.