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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.
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.
Division Vice President – West
Laura Fischer joined Brookdale in 2017 and has served as the Divisional Vice President of Operations over the West Division since fall of 2021. She previously served as Regional Vice President from 2019 to 2021 and as District Director of Operations from 2017 – 2019. Ms. Fischer has more than 20 years of experience in operations in the senior living industry beginning her career as an Administrative Director in 2002. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Business from W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and is currently pursuing her MBA from ASU.
Division Vice President – West
Laura Fischer joined Brookdale in 2017 and has served as the Divisional Vice President of Operations over the West Division since fall of 2021. She previously served as Regional Vice President from 2019 to 2021 and as District Director of Operations from 2017 – 2019. Ms. Fischer has more than 20 years of experience in operations in the senior living industry beginning her career as an Administrative Director in 2002. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Business from W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and is currently pursuing her MBA from ASU.
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.
Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Tara Jones joined Brookdale in May, 2020 and has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer since August, 2020. She previously served as Vice President of IT Applications and Project Management from May, 2020 until August, 2020. Before joining Brookdale, Ms. Jones served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Hospitals and Health Systems for Tenet Healthcare, Chief Information Officer of The Detroit Medical Center, and Vice President Enterprise Solutions for Vanguard Health Systems.
Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Tara Jones joined Brookdale in May, 2020 and has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer since August, 2020. She previously served as Vice President of IT Applications and Project Management from May, 2020 until August, 2020. Before joining Brookdale, Ms. Jones served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Hospitals and Health Systems for Tenet Healthcare, Chief Information Officer of The Detroit Medical Center, and Vice President Enterprise Solutions for Vanguard Health Systems.
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 and Chief Financial Officer
Dawn Kussow joined Brookdale in March 2007 and has served as Brookdale’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February 2023. Ms. Kussow previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer from January 2016 until January 2023, Vice President and Corporate Controller from February 2014 to January 2016, Senior Director of Financial Reporting from June 2009 until January 2014, and Director of Financial Reporting from March 2007 until May 2009. Ms. Kussow is a Certified Public Accountant.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Dawn Kussow joined Brookdale in March 2007 and has served as Brookdale’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February 2023. Ms. Kussow previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer from January 2016 until January 2023, Vice President and Corporate Controller from February 2014 to January 2016, Senior Director of Financial Reporting from June 2009 until January 2014, and Director of Financial Reporting from March 2007 until May 2009. Ms. Kussow is a Certified Public Accountant.
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.
Division Vice President – East
Ben Ricci joined Brookdale in August, 2013 and has served as Divisional Vice President of Operations for the East Division since July 2021. He previously served as our Senior Regional Vice President of Operations from 2013 until 2018. Before joining Brookdale, Mr. Ricci was a Regional Vice President of Operations for the New England Region with Horizon Bay. In 2011, he was part of Brookdale’s Acquisition of Horizon Bay and became the Regional Vice President of Operations for the Northeast Region.
Division Vice President – East
Ben Ricci joined Brookdale in August, 2013 and has served as Divisional Vice President of Operations for the East Division since July 2021. He previously served as our Senior Regional Vice President of Operations from 2013 until 2018. Before joining Brookdale, Mr. Ricci was a Regional Vice President of Operations for the New England Region with Horizon Bay. In 2011, he was part of Brookdale’s Acquisition of Horizon Bay and became the Regional Vice President of Operations for the Northeast Region.
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.
Chief Sales Officer
Rick Wigginton joined Brookdale in May 2019 and has served as our Chief Sales Officer since January 2023. He previously served as our Senior Vice President of Sales from May 2019 until December 2022. During his tenure at Brookdale, Wigginton has led work to optimize the sales and operational processes most aligned to topline growth. Mr. Wigginton has been an industry leader since 2005.
Chief Sales Officer
Rick Wigginton joined Brookdale in May 2019 and has served as our Chief Sales Officer since January 2023. He previously served as our Senior Vice President of Sales from May 2019 until December 2022. During his tenure at Brookdale, Wigginton has led work to optimize the sales and operational processes most aligned to topline growth. Mr. Wigginton has been an industry leader since 2005.