Brookdale Appoints Daniel A. Decker as a Director and as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Sept. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE: BKD) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Daniel A. Decker as a Class I director and as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, effective October 1, 2015.  Mr. Decker will fill the vacancy on the Board resulting from the recent passing of Granger Cobb.

Mr. Decker has been investing in the senior living industry for more than 20 years. During that period, he has been involved in the investment, through one private and four public companies, of approximately $2.5 billion of assets across a spectrum of independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing communities and operations.  His recent investments include joining with KKR and Beecken Petty O'Keefe & Company to acquire the operations of Sunrise Senior Living in 2013.  During his career, Mr. Decker has served on the boards of several REITs and senior housing companies, including Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (where he served as Executive Chairman and then as Chairman of the Board), Sentio Healthcare Properties, Inc., Health Care REIT, Inc. and Forum Group, Inc.

"Dan is a wonderful addition to the Board, and we are excited to welcome him to lead our Board and to advise and counsel Brookdale's management team as we continue to refine and execute our strategy to create shareholder value," said Jeffrey R. Leeds, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Brookdale.  "Dan is a demonstrated leader and has been a successful investor in the senior housing industry for many years.  We look forward to benefiting from his significant industry experience and insight."

Mr. Decker will succeed Mr. Leeds as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.  Mr. Leeds has served in such role since 2012 and will continue to serve as an independent director.  "Jeff has been a vital member of the Board for nearly a decade, and as Chairman for the past three years has been a thoughtful and cohesive leader," said T. Andrew Smith, Brookdale's CEO.  "On behalf of the Board, I thank Jeff for his many contributions, and we certainly look forward to his continued service and influence on the Board."

Daniel A. Decker

Mr. Decker is the President and owner of CoastWood Senior Housing Partners, LLC, an investment firm specializing in seniors housing and related services, which he founded in 2006. In January 2013, CoastWood joined with KKR and Beecken Petty O'Keefe & Company to acquire the operations of Sunrise Senior Living, one of the leading operators of assisted living properties in the United States.  The group sold its interest in Sunrise in 2014.  Prior to forming CoastWood, Mr. Decker was a partner from 1990 to 2006 at The Hampstead Group, LLC, a private equity firm with a focus on real estate related, operating intensive businesses such as lodging and seniors housing.  Mr. Decker was an attorney at the law firm of Decker, Hardt, Kopf, Harr, Munsch & Dinan (now known as Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.) from 1985 to 1990, which he co-founded in 1985, and was an attorney at Winstead PC from 1980 to 1985.

Mr. Decker served on the Boards of Directors of Sentio Healthcare Properties, Inc. (a public, non-listed REIT) from March 2013 until September 2015, during which time he served as a member of the Investment Committee, and Health Care REIT, Inc. from October 2011 until August 2012, during which time he served as a member of the Audit, Investment, Nominating/Corporate Governance and Planning Committees. Mr. Decker earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in economics from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

About Brookdale Senior Living

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is the leading operator of senior living communities throughout the United States.  The Company is committed to providing senior living solutions primarily within properties that are designed, purpose-built and operated to provide the highest-quality service, care and living accommodations for residents.  Currently Brookdale operates independent living, assisted living, and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers, with approximately 1,135 communities in 47 states and the ability to serve approximately 110,000 residents.  Through its ancillary services program, the Company also offers a range of outpatient therapy, home health, personalized living and hospice services.  Brookdale's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BKD.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brookdale-appoints-daniel-a-decker-as-a-director-and-as-non-executive-chairman-of-the-board-300150287.html

SOURCE Brookdale Senior Living Inc.

Copyright 2015 PR Newswire