REIMAGINING SENIOR LIVING
MorningStar Senior Living is a leading developer, owner and operator
of premier communities
Our portfolio encompasses 40+ communities in operation or under development representing 5,000+ 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.
Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, MorningStar executives support local operations with a significant degree of touch and an array of centralized resources for its geographic footprint in the western half of the U.S. (Find Your MorningStar). Offering independent living, assisted living and memory care, MorningStar is privileged to elevate life for those who taught the rest of us how to live.
OUR VISION
In pursuit of excellence, MorningStar resolves to be a company of
servant-minded, purpose-driven leaders in our senior communities and throughout the world.
In pursuit of excellence, MorningStar resolves to be a company of
servant-minded, purpose-driven leaders in our senior communities and throughout the world.
HOME OFFICE
7555 E HAMPDEN AVE, SUITE 501 | DENVER, COLORADO 80231
PHONE: 303.750.5522 | FAX: 303.750.3376
EXECUTIVE BIOGRAPHIES
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 35 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 35 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.
STEVE H. MARTIN
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
As Chief Operating Officer, Steve Martin brings to MorningStar 36 years of experience in senior housing and long-term care. Through executive positions with several major brands Steve has proven himself to be a creative, culture-driven leader, recognized for superior performance in functional management, increased sales, operating income, market penetration and customer service.
Steve speaks to his underlying motivation: “Boyhood summers were spent with my grandparents in East Tennessee. My deep admiration and love for “Mamaw” and “Papaw” was formative not only of my character but of my life’s work. In college I sealed my professional path on discovering a new program in the School of Business for Long-Term Care Administration, the first of its kind in the nation.
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Steve speaks to his underlying motivation: “Boyhood summers were spent with my grandparents in East Tennessee. My deep admiration and love for “Mamaw” and “Papaw” was formative not only of my character but of my life’s work. In college I sealed my professional path on discovering a new program in the School of Business for Long-Term Care Administration, the first of its kind in the nation.
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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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CHRIS LIVESAY
CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER
Chris Livesay joined MorningStar in January 2020 as VP of Human Resources, becoming Chief HR Officer in April 2023. Remarks Chris, “MorningStar leadership is clear in its shared vision and mission, making this a culture where we’re encouraged to live by our Core Values: love, kindness, honesty, goodness, fairness and respect.
An accomplished and impassioned professional, Chris has worked in his chosen field since 2001, managing the many facets of human resources for companies with upwards of 50,000 employees. Among them have been nonprofits and property management firms with multi-state operations. For a year he was Director of HR for PreCare, engaged in the design of safe workplaces, then investing another two years as Regional HR Director for a large hospice. For five years Chris was HR Director for PASCO, a home healthcare company with 1700 employees.
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An accomplished and impassioned professional, Chris has worked in his chosen field since 2001, managing the many facets of human resources for companies with upwards of 50,000 employees. Among them have been nonprofits and property management firms with multi-state operations. For a year he was Director of HR for PreCare, engaged in the design of safe workplaces, then investing another two years as Regional HR Director for a large hospice. For five years Chris was HR Director for PASCO, a home healthcare company with 1700 employees.
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BRANDON LESNIAK
CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Brandon Lesniak joined MorningStar as Senior VP of Investments in 2017 and in 2022 he was promoted to Chief Investment Officer. In his nearly 20-year Senior Living career, he’s operated and/or managed over $5 billion of real estate assets, 500+ communities and 50+ developments across the US. Over his career, he’s lead development, acquisitions, capital structuring, underwriting and asset management.
“I want to be a part of something that’s more than a thriving business enterprise. My personal values insist upon it, and MorningStar is on such a course. Our values are more than just words, our authenticity and integrity are at the root of what we do, and our faith and actions are there for all to see. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished thus far together and I’m proud to work alongside a team that’s committed to hold ourselves to the highest standard. Read More
“I want to be a part of something that’s more than a thriving business enterprise. My personal values insist upon it, and MorningStar is on such a course. Our values are more than just words, our authenticity and integrity are at the root of what we do, and our faith and actions are there for all to see. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished thus far together and I’m proud to work alongside a team that’s committed to hold ourselves to the highest standard. Read More
JAVI ARCENEAUX
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES
As Executive VP of Sales Javi Arceneaux is responsible for driving sales strategy and growth initiatives, leveraging 15 years in senior housing sales and operations, real estate, project management, financial analysis, asset management and business development. Throughout her career, Javi has demonstrated a keen ability to build and lead high-performance teams whose solid strategic performance drives revenue, increases market share and improves profitability.
With positive intensity and a dynamic style, she approaches challenges head-on and leads with heart. The exceptional results of her teams are a credit to Javi’s analytical skills rooted in a focus on healthy, collaborative culture.
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With positive intensity and a dynamic style, she approaches challenges head-on and leads with heart. The exceptional results of her teams are a credit to Javi’s analytical skills rooted in a focus on healthy, collaborative culture.
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MELISSA CLEMENT, RN, MSN
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF WELLNESS
Melissa Clement traces her calling to serve seniors to the grandparents who figured large in her girlhood in small town Nebraska. In high school, Melissa became a certified nurse aide, soaking up more of the wisdom seniors have to offer. “Through the years they have taught me the importance of relationships, to never take a moment for granted, to embrace the days.”
Melissa joined MorningStar in 2020 with proven executive leadership in project management, staffing, budgeting and finance, team building, strategic planning and decision making. She reflects, “I was drawn by the company’s core values and its emphasis on servant-leadership. Ours is such a collaborative team, always looking for the next opportunity to improve.”
First as a Regional, now as Senior Vice President, Melissa engages in multi-state oversight of clinical programs, works with risk management to strengthen resident outcomes, implements QAPI programs and coaches a growing team of nurses and care managers in 11 states.
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Melissa joined MorningStar in 2020 with proven executive leadership in project management, staffing, budgeting and finance, team building, strategic planning and decision making. She reflects, “I was drawn by the company’s core values and its emphasis on servant-leadership. Ours is such a collaborative team, always looking for the next opportunity to improve.”
First as a Regional, now as Senior Vice President, Melissa engages in multi-state oversight of clinical programs, works with risk management to strengthen resident outcomes, implements QAPI programs and coaches a growing team of nurses and care managers in 11 states.
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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
HOME 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
