Aegis Living CEO Dwayne Clark Retired

The founder of Aegis Living announced his retirement after leading the senior housing company for three decades.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Seniors

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Aegis Living founder Dwayne Clark has announced his retirement after three decades, with Dirk Burghartz named as the new CEO. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In September 2026, founder Dwayne Clark announced his retirement from Aegis Living. He will transition the CEO role to Dirk Burghartz, though Clark remains the primary owner of the company.

Why it matters

The leadership change marks a significant shift for the operator of three dozen senior communities. Clark, who founded the business 30 years ago, plans to relocate to Arizona.

Aegis Living currently operates three dozen senior communities throughout Washington, Nevada, and California. The business was established by Dwayne Clark approximately 30 years ago.

The players

Dwayne Clark

He is the founder and primary owner of Aegis Living who led the company for three decades.

Dirk Burghartz

He is the incoming CEO of Aegis Living who was appointed to lead the firm during the transition period.

Aegis Living

This organization operates three dozen senior communities located across Washington, Nevada, and California.

The details

Dirk Burghartz has been appointed as the new CEO to succeed the founder. The transition process is currently underway and is expected to continue into next spring.

Timeline

  1. Dwayne Clark announced his retirement in September 2026.

  2. The CEO transition period is scheduled to conclude in spring 2027.

Culture Shift

The leadership transition at Aegis Living reflects a broader evolution as founder-led senior housing firms shift toward professional executive structures. This trend mirrors the professionalization of the wider healthcare services sector as companies scale to meet growing demand.

Residents and families across the company's three dozen locations should anticipate stability throughout the leadership handoff. There are currently no announced changes to day-to-day operations or service policies at these senior facilities.

The takeaway

Leadership successions in long-standing companies require clear, multi-year plans to maintain operational continuity. Stakeholders in such facilities should prioritize communication with local administration during extended executive transition periods.

What happens next

The CEO transition process is scheduled to conclude in spring 2027.

Further reading

For more on the industry landscape, explore Seniors trends across the country.

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Do you trust companies to maintain service quality after their founder steps down as CEO?