LCS CEO Joel Nelson will step down subsequent 12 months, and present LCS President and COO Chris Chicken will develop into the corporate’s fifth chief in its 53-year historical past.
Underneath the deliberate management transition, efficient Jan. 1, 2025 and introduced in the present day, Chicken will lead the corporate’s operations as president and CEO. Nelson will stay chairman of the LCS board of administrators and a member of the corporate’s funding committee.
Nelson mentioned his successor is “exceptionally certified” to steer LCS to its “subsequent chapter of development.”
“One of many key determination factors once we employed Chris seven years in the past was his perception in and dedication to the LCS tradition and values,” Nelson mentioned in a information launch concerning the transition. “I’m excited to leverage Chris’ expertise, vitality, and keenness to proceed evolving the LCS technique into the long run.”
Chicken added that LCS “wouldn’t be the place we’re in the present day” with out Nelson on the helm.
“He has led LCS by way of large development and championed a few of our Most worthy initiatives,” Chicken mentioned within the information launch. “I’ve profound gratitude for all he has invested to make our group among the best within the senior residing business.”
LCS operates 132 communities in 31 states and is the third-largest senior residing supplier within the U.S., in response to the 2024 Argentum Prime 150 Suppliers checklist.
Nelson has labored at LCS since 1986. After serving in a number of government roles, Nelson was tapped to launch LCS’ actual property enterprise, LCS Actual Property in 2011. He was promoted in 2015 to work as president and COO, and later was named CEO in 2018. Nelson has additionally served as chair of the Argentum Board of Administrators since Could 2022.
“As I mirror on my profession with this announcement, I’m humbled by all we’ve completed and grateful for the individuals and companions which have helped to make all of it attainable. I can’t think about the next function and any higher individuals to spend almost 40 years of my life with,” Nelson mentioned.
Chicken is taking the reins after almost two years as president. He first ascended to the position in 2022 after working as government vice chairman and COO. Chicken first joined LCS in 2018 to steer the corporate’s rental senior housing operations.
In a 2022 SHN Changemakers interview, Nelson highlighted his position in launching LCS Actual Property as one thing he was “most happy with.” He famous it was “transformational for the corporate,” resulting in the expanded development of the LCS universe of firms, from LCS Growth and past.
“As CEO, it’s essential that I get the following generations ready to proceed the legacy of LCS,” Nelson mentioned within the 2022 interview. “With the ability to pivot and adapt to new modifications is lots simpler than making an attempt to combat it and go towards the grain. After they come, execute as greatest you’ll be able to, study from these errors, and apply these within the subsequent spherical of modifications.”
In January, LCS launched a new information platform to assist operations. This comes because the group surpassed pandemic-era occupancy ranges in 2022 and noticed a report variety of gross sales for its life plan communities in 2023.
“We’re fairly excited concerning the funding we’ve made with our information science group and the perception analytics group, that are driving us to make data-driven choices,” Chicken advised SHN earlier this 12 months. “Not that we didn’t earlier than, it’s simply now extra refined than it ever was.”
