T. Andrew Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Smith became Brookdale's Chief Executive Officer in February 2013. Prior to that he served as Brookdale's Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary since 2006. From 1985 to 2006, Mr. Smith was with Bass, Berry & Sims PLC in Nashville, Tennessee. He was a member of that firm's corporate and securities group, and served as the chair of the firm's healthcare group. His private practice focused on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions of public and private companies, public offering of debt and equity securities and structuring strategic relationships.
Andy is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, and earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University.
Mark W. Ohlendorf
Co-President and Chief Financial Officer
Mark Ohlendorf became Co-President of Brookdale Senior Living in August 2005. He joined Alterra Healthcare through the 1997 merger of Alterra and Sterling House Corporation, where he was Chief Financial Officer. In April 2003, Mark was elected by the board of directors to serve as Alterra’s President and was appointed CEO in December 2003. His background encompasses nearly 25 years of experience in various sectors of the health care industry, including skilled nursing and hospice services. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) and in 2011 was installed as its Chairman.
Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Illinois Wesleyan University, and is a certified public accountant. He is a member of the board of directors of the Assisted Living Federation of America and American Seniors Housing Association.
John P. Rijos
Co-President and Chief Operating Officer
John P. Rijos is Co-President and Chief Operating Officer of Brookdale Senior Living Inc. Since he joined Brookdale in August of 2000, the Company has grown from 22 senior living communities with less than $100 million in sales to become the largest owner and operator of senior living communities in the U.S.
Before joining Brookdale, Mr. Rijos spent 16 years as President and Chief Operating Officer of Lane Hospitality Group, which owns and operates more than 40 hotels and resorts. During his tenure there, he spent three years as Chairman for ITT Sheraton’s International Owners Association and two years on the Board of International Association of Holiday Inn Owners.
From 1981 to 1985, Mr. Rijos served as President of High Country Corporation, a Denver-based hotel development and management company. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Operations and Development for several large real estate trusts specializing in hotels. Altogether, he has more than 25 years’ experience in the acquisition, development and operation of hotels and resorts.
During his distinguished business career, Mr. Rijos has served on numerous tourist-related operating boards and committees, as well as advisory committees for Holiday Inns, Sheraton Hotels and the City of Chicago. He has achieved a Certified Hospitality Administrator designation. He also has been a member of American Seniors Housing Association’s (ASHA) Executive Committee since 2005.
In 1975, Mr. Rijos was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University – graduating with distinction. He was recently elected by the university’s Board of Trustees to serve a multi-year term on the Cornell University Council. While attending Cornell Mr. Rijos was a member of Ye Hosts Honorary Society.
Bryan D. Richardson
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Bryan Richardson serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Bryan joined Brookdale though the merger with American Retirement Corporation where he served as Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer and previously served as its Senior Vice President, Finance since April 2000. Mr. Richardson was formerly with a national graphic arts company from 1984 to 1999 serving in various capacities, including Senior Vice President of Finance of a digital prepress division from May 1994 to October 1999, and Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer from 1989 to 1994. Mr. Richardson was previously with the national public accounting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
Bryan is a CPA and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Niagara University.
Gregory B. Richard
Executive Vice President, Field Operations
Greg Richard serves Brookdale Senior Living as Executive Vice President, Field Operations. He joined the company through the merger of American Retirement Corporation and Brookdale. Greg joined ARC in January of 2000 and brought a wide range of operational experience to the company. Prior to ARC, he was President and CEO of PediaNet, a physician practice management company for pediatric medical care. From 1986 until 1996, he was Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer with Rehability Corporation.
Greg received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia and a Master of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina.
H. Todd Kaestner
Executive Vice President, Development
Mr. Kaestner joined Brookdale through the merger with American Retirement Corporation. He currently serves as Executive Vice President, Development. Mr. Kaestner served in the same role for ARC for approximately thirteen years. Mr. Kaestner served in various capacities for ARC's predecessors, including Vice President - Development from 1988 to 1993 and Chief Financial Officer from 1985 to 1988.
Todd received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business Administration from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Louisville.
Kristin A. Ferge
Executive Vice President and Treasurer
Kristin Ferge has served as Executive Vice President and Treasurer since August 2005. From 1998 to 2005, Kristin held various positions at Alterra Healthcare Corporation, serving in the roles of Vice President of Finance and Treasurer prior to assuming responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer in December 2003.
Prior to joining Alterra, Kristin worked in the audit division of KPMG LLP. She received a bachelor degree in accounting from Marquette University, and her master of business administration from the University of Wisconsin. Kristin is a certified public accountant.
George T. Hicks
Executive Vice President, Finance
George T. Hicks became our Executive Vice President in July 2006. Previously, Mr. Hicks served as Executive Vice President-Finance and Internal Audit, Secretary and Treasurer of ARC since September 1993. Mr. Hicks 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.
Mr. Hicks received a BA with distinction in philosophy from Stanford University in 1979 and an MBA in finance from the University of Tennessee in 1982. He also holds an inactive CPA license.