Veteran Leader Will Drive Lifespace’s Growth

Lifespace Communities, one of the nation’s 10 largest not-for-profit senior living systems, has tapped a veteran leader to champion its growth strategy.

Thomas L. Brod, who joined the Des Moines-based company in mid-February as senior vice president of business development, will leverage his financial expertise and extensive contacts to facilitate relationships with other providers. Brod brings to Lifespace a reputation for revenue-generation built on strategic planning.

“There are few people who offer Tom’s level of skill and expertise in finance and strategy for senior living,” said Lifespace CEO Sloan Bentley. “Those skills will be invaluable as we continue to seek opportunities to grow.”

Brod knows Lifespace well, having consulted with the organization as principal of North Shores Consulting Inc. of Columbus, Ohio. He has provided strategic and financial consulting for senior living communities across the country. With particular expertise in new project development plus financial restructuring, Brod has helped numerous organizations achieve growth targets.

“Tom’s reputation of helping organizations expand has elicited confidence in industry partners,” Bentley said. “That’s key as we intend to grow through mergers and acquisitions.”

Before becoming a consultant, Brod served as executive vice president of finance for Erickson Retirement Communities, a Baltimore-based company that develops and manages large-scale senior living communities with more than 23,000 residents and 11,000 team members.

In the mid-1990s, Brod joined the team at Ziegler Capital Markets, an investment bank specializing in health care and senior living. He served as managing director of Ziegler’s Senior Living Finance Group and opened the company’s first office on the East Coast. There he consistently excelled in revenue generation and won numerous awards for his dedication and outstanding service to the industry.

Prior to joining Ziegler, Brod led Charlestown Retirement Community in Baltimore, which has become the nation’s second-largest continuing care retirement community.

“Lifespace has been a long-term client of mine, and I’m excited to join it as part of the team,” Brod said. “I’m pleased to have the opportunity to help a great organization grow so that it can serve even more seniors.”

Lifespace has a promising future, he said. With annual revenue of nearly $200 million and assets valued at $773 million, the company enjoys an investment grade A rating from Fitch and high occupancy in its 12 life care retirement communities in seven states.

“With its history and financial strength, Lifespace is extraordinarily positioned to grow and share its many strengths with other communities and their residents,” Brod said.

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