REIMAGINING SENIOR LIVING
MorningStar Senior Living is a leading developer and operator of premier communities within the senior living landscape, headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
Our portfolio encompasses over 40 communities in operation or under development representing 4,000 units, with an ownership interest in the majority. Whether for a new build, acquisition or turnaround property, MorningStar consistently delivers operating margins above industry norms and exceptional overall returns to investors and partners
MorningStar’s footprint is geographically diverse yet, with communities clustered in the western half of the U.S., our executive leadership can support local operations with a significant degree of touch and an array of centralized resources.
KEN JAEGER
FOUNDER/CEO
Ken Jaeger founded MorningStar Senior Living on a basic, but profound truth: to honor God in all aspects of our business practices and relationships, which transcends to a superior quality of life for MorningStar’s residents. With a principled approach and adherence to our original mission, MorningStar has enjoyed prodigious growth since inception. As a reflection of that success, Ken was named a recipient of the prestigious EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016 award in the Mountain Desert region in the Healthcare and Lifesciences category.
Ken brings over 25 years of operational experience in the senior living industry, including successful startups, acquisitions, turnaround of distressed properties and multi-site leadership. Earlier in his career, he held executive level positions where he was responsible for operating 50 communities in the western United States. From 1998 to 2002, Ken served as VP of Operations for Sunrise Senior Living, where he was responsible for the successful startup of 17 new communities.
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Ken brings over 25 years of operational experience in the senior living industry, including successful startups, acquisitions, turnaround of distressed properties and multi-site leadership. Earlier in his career, he held executive level positions where he was responsible for operating 50 communities in the western United States. From 1998 to 2002, Ken served as VP of Operations for Sunrise Senior Living, where he was responsible for the successful startup of 17 new communities.
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MATTHEW TURNER
MANAGING PARTNER
Matt Turner and Ken Jaeger were drawn to each other as business partners as much by their complementary skills in senior care as by their shared calling to serve the poor in developing nations. (More on that at www.morningstarseniorliving.com/foundation)
Their united efforts have propelled MorningStar to national prominence as a brand that is successfully blending margin and mission. The platform has become a fully integrated developer, owner and operator of first-class senior living communities.
Today Matt serves as Managing Partner of MorningStar and Ovation, MorningStar’s affiliated real estate investment and development arm, which he founded in 2011. Under his leadership, the portfolio has grown to over 30 properties in the western half of the U.S., comprising over 4,000 units for independent and assisted living and memory care.
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Managing Partner Matt Turner describes the powerful blend of Mission and Margin that has made MorningStar successful.
Their united efforts have propelled MorningStar to national prominence as a brand that is successfully blending margin and mission. The platform has become a fully integrated developer, owner and operator of first-class senior living communities.
Today Matt serves as Managing Partner of MorningStar and Ovation, MorningStar’s affiliated real estate investment and development arm, which he founded in 2011. Under his leadership, the portfolio has grown to over 30 properties in the western half of the U.S., comprising over 4,000 units for independent and assisted living and memory care.
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Managing Partner Matt Turner describes the powerful blend of Mission and Margin that has made MorningStar successful.
ALEXIS MARTINI
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Alexis Martini has invested the past 20 years working with seniors, demonstrating strategic leadership as both an operator and in sales. Her professional career has spanned assisted living, personal care, skilled nursing, home care, independent living, dementia care, commercial real estate and 55+ real estate. Her areas of specialized expertise are in community start-ups, acquisitions and rebranding.
As the 2017 Argentum Best of the Best Under 40 Award winner, Alexis took on growing leadership roles in Sales and Marketing and in Operations, culminating in VP of Sales for Sunrise Senior Living, Eastern Division. Alexis drove NOI, increasing occupancy across her Sunrise supervisory portfolio of 116 communities spanning 24 states and Canada. She most recently served as VP of Operations for RLB/Greenfield Senior Living, managing their senior living communities and various commercial real estate assets.
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As the 2017 Argentum Best of the Best Under 40 Award winner, Alexis took on growing leadership roles in Sales and Marketing and in Operations, culminating in VP of Sales for Sunrise Senior Living, Eastern Division. Alexis drove NOI, increasing occupancy across her Sunrise supervisory portfolio of 116 communities spanning 24 states and Canada. She most recently served as VP of Operations for RLB/Greenfield Senior Living, managing their senior living communities and various commercial real estate assets.
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TRACY JAEGER
EXECUTIVE VP AND CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
Joining MorningStar in 2022 is as clear a divine appointment as any Tracy Jaeger has experienced. “As a woman of faith, to be in a setting where I can speak to those motivations, to be part of a company with a soul…well, there is no doubt I have found that unparalleled opportunity here at MorningStar.”
As to seniors, close relationships with the elders in her family significantly shaped Tracy’s childhood. She was impacted by a strong bond with Great Aunt Anne and Uncle Frank. “They encouraged me always and loved me unconditionally.” In later years, watching her mother struggle through the challenges of advanced age, Tracy’s respect for seniors deepened, as did the desire to return to them the respect and rewards they so richly deserve.
As Chief Strategy Officer, Tracy brings to MorningStar Senior Living a deep reservoir of knowledge in healthcare, marketing and strategy-driven leadership. Hers is a 20-year career in building strong partnerships that leverage the full capabilities of an enterprise for customer-centric, profitable growth. Tracy delights in using data to discover the path forward, combining intuitive creativity with strong analytics and a holistic understanding of the voice of the customer, all to open areas of greatest opportunity.
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As to seniors, close relationships with the elders in her family significantly shaped Tracy’s childhood. She was impacted by a strong bond with Great Aunt Anne and Uncle Frank. “They encouraged me always and loved me unconditionally.” In later years, watching her mother struggle through the challenges of advanced age, Tracy’s respect for seniors deepened, as did the desire to return to them the respect and rewards they so richly deserve.
As Chief Strategy Officer, Tracy brings to MorningStar Senior Living a deep reservoir of knowledge in healthcare, marketing and strategy-driven leadership. Hers is a 20-year career in building strong partnerships that leverage the full capabilities of an enterprise for customer-centric, profitable growth. Tracy delights in using data to discover the path forward, combining intuitive creativity with strong analytics and a holistic understanding of the voice of the customer, all to open areas of greatest opportunity.
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ERIC SPENCER
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Eric Spencer offers this on his calling to serve, “Seniors have mentored me throughout my life, helping me in times of need with critical decisions. Carrying their words of wisdom, I’ve replayed them in my mind when seeking the best path. My Grandmother Jocelyn was an inspiration in many ways by her modeling of how to give, love and connect with others. She put a lot of energy into keeping our family close, which returned great joy to her and everyone around her. Mine is a deep respect and strong connection with seniors. I’m honored to be in a position that serves them through giving back.”
Eric’s career in finance and accounting spans over 25 years. Early in his career, at Great West Life, he led a financial analysis team that identified and corrected system issues that impacted clients group health insurance plans. Next, he served as Assistant VP of Budgeting and Forecasting and as Assistant Controller for GMAC/CapMark which ranked #3 on the Fortune 500. There, Eric performed modeling and forecasting within its real estate investment banking division.
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Eric’s career in finance and accounting spans over 25 years. Early in his career, at Great West Life, he led a financial analysis team that identified and corrected system issues that impacted clients group health insurance plans. Next, he served as Assistant VP of Budgeting and Forecasting and as Assistant Controller for GMAC/CapMark which ranked #3 on the Fortune 500. There, Eric performed modeling and forecasting within its real estate investment banking division.
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BRANDON LESNIAK
CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Brandon Lesniak joined MorningStar in 2017 as Senior VP of Investments, bringing 14 years of senior living experience in development, acquisitions, capital structuring, underwriting and asset management. In 2022 he was promoted to Chief Investment Officer. In his career, he’s operated and/or managed over $4 billion of real estate assets, 500+ communities and 15+ developments across the US.
“I want to be part of more than a thriving business enterprise. My personal values insist upon it. MorningStar is on such a course. The company makes its priorities clear; upfront, it’s about honoring God. The mission of MorningStar is lived out with authenticity and integrity. It’s put into action. That’s rare, and that struck me at my core.”
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“I want to be part of more than a thriving business enterprise. My personal values insist upon it. MorningStar is on such a course. The company makes its priorities clear; upfront, it’s about honoring God. The mission of MorningStar is lived out with authenticity and integrity. It’s put into action. That’s rare, and that struck me at my core.”
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TAMARA EWART
SENIOR VP OF SALES AND MARKETING
In her role as Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, Tamara Ewart brings 30 years of sales and marketing expertise, 22 of them in senior housing. Her executive leadership roles have encompassed sales and marketing, sales training and development, operational strategy, multi-site management, strategic planning and new product development.
As the oldest of five girls, Tamara remembers wryly, “I was never the favorite child in our household. But my grandmother, Maxine Arnold, always treated me as if I were the most important person in the world. As a young adult, I lived with her for three months. Her ladies group would come over every week for dinner and Canasta. I spent hours listening to their stories and laughing myself out of the chair. Grandma passed away at 93 in 2018 and I’ve missed her every day since.”
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As the oldest of five girls, Tamara remembers wryly, “I was never the favorite child in our household. But my grandmother, Maxine Arnold, always treated me as if I were the most important person in the world. As a young adult, I lived with her for three months. Her ladies group would come over every week for dinner and Canasta. I spent hours listening to their stories and laughing myself out of the chair. Grandma passed away at 93 in 2018 and I’ve missed her every day since.”
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ASHLEY GUIDO
SENIOR VP OF WELLNESS
Ashley Guido joined MorningStar Senior Living in March 2019 as Regional VP of Resident Care at a time when she was finishing a double Master’s at Grand Canyon University (earning in September of that year an MBA and a Master’s of Nursing).
While her father’s naval career moved the family many times, Ashley recalls her childhood years in rural North Carolina with fondness where Grands and Great Grands helped shaped her values—and her cooking skills. Her choice of a nursing career had its origins in caring for a failing family member which, while difficult, affirmed that here was her calling, here lay her gifts.
As a young adult, she ventured to Georgia’s Armstrong Atlantic State University, there earning a BSN and RN license. Landing in Colorado Springs in 2011, she has invested 11 years in serving seniors through skilled nursing facilities, hospice and home health agencies, including a stint as Executive Director.
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While her father’s naval career moved the family many times, Ashley recalls her childhood years in rural North Carolina with fondness where Grands and Great Grands helped shaped her values—and her cooking skills. Her choice of a nursing career had its origins in caring for a failing family member which, while difficult, affirmed that here was her calling, here lay her gifts.
As a young adult, she ventured to Georgia’s Armstrong Atlantic State University, there earning a BSN and RN license. Landing in Colorado Springs in 2011, she has invested 11 years in serving seniors through skilled nursing facilities, hospice and home health agencies, including a stint as Executive Director.
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“Every once in a while I get to work with and meet people who have something very special and very right going on. There is a tone here at MorningStar and you can feel it. I want to congratulate you for that, and encourage you to move forward. And keep doing it.”
– Dr. Nathan Mellor, Strata Leadership
CORPORATE OFFICE
7555 E HAMPDEN AVE, SUITE 501 | DENVER, COLORADO 80231
PHONE: (303) 750-5522 | FAX: (303) 750-3376
7555 E HAMPDEN AVE, SUITE 501 | DENVER, COLORADO 80231
PHONE: (303) 750-5522 | FAX: (303) 750-3376
