Aegis Living Appoints New President to Drive Innovation

News Summary

Aegis Living has announced Dirk Burghartz as its new President, succeeding Sandra Preyale. Burghartz brings over 35 years of luxury hospitality experience and aims to modernize assisted living with a focus on health technology, culinary wellness initiatives, and employee engagement. His personal experience with assisted living enhances his leadership approach. Aegis Living, recognized for its supportive workplace, is poised for transformation under Burghartz’s guidance, with plans for new developments and operational excellence.

Seattle, WA – Aegis Living, a national leader in assisted living and memory care, has announced the appointment of Dirk Burghartz as its new President, effective July 7, 2025. Burghartz succeeds Sandra Preyale, who retired after serving seven years in the role, during which she contributed significantly to the company’s growth and operations.

Burghartz brings a diverse background to Aegis Living, having accumulated over 35 years of luxury hospitality experience, primarily with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. His expertise includes leadership at Arcis Golf, where he successfully increased operations from $300 million to $500 million. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President (EVP) of Operations for LIFE Properties International, specializing in private club communities, a role that solidified his reputation for excellence in team leadership.

With his appointment, Aegis Living aims to modernize and innovate within the assisted living sector. The founder and CEO of Aegis Living, Dwayne J. Clark, emphasized Burghartz’s exceptional qualities, noting he was selected from more than 70 candidates for his unique blend of head, heart, and guts. At Aegis Living, Burghartz will oversee operations, team development, and innovation across 39 existing communities, with plans for several new developments on the horizon.

As part of Aegis Living’s strategic focus, Burghartz is set to enhance health technology implementations, culinary wellness initiatives, and memory care design. His leadership goals will include cultivating a culture that unites staff under a shared vision of compassion and excellence in care. Burghartz’s prior experience leading teams of over 6,000 employees positions him well to inspire and motivate the staff across various Aegis Living locations.

Burghartz’s decision to transition into the assisted living sector is deeply personal. He has recently experienced the challenges of assisted living firsthand, as both of his parents moved into a facility in Germany. This experience has shaped his understanding of the needs and emotions surrounding care for the elderly and will influence his approach to leadership at Aegis Living.

In his initial months at Aegis, Burghartz plans to spend significant time within the company’s communities, learning directly from staff members who provide care daily. This hands-on approach is intended to inform and refine the company’s initiatives as he merges his extensive hospitality skills with the specific needs of the assisted living industry.

As Aegis Living navigates the evolving landscape of assisted living, the organization remains committed to fostering an engaging and supportive work environment. Aegis Living has been recognized by Newsweek in both 2024 and 2025 for its exemplary workplace environment and robust support for parents and families.

Burghartz, along with his wife Kelly, will be relocating from Dallas to the Pacific Northwest, where they are looking forward to becoming integrated into the local community. The leadership transition marks a pivotal moment for Aegis Living as it embarks on a journey of transformation and innovation in the assisted living sector, aiming to set new standards in resident care and operational excellence.

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• Le Lézard
• Wikipedia: Assisted Living
• Senior Housing News
• Google Search: Assisted Living
• McKnight’s Senior Living
• Google Scholar: Assisted Living Innovation
• PR Newswire
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Assisted Living