News Summary
Aegis Living has appointed Dirk Burghartz as its new President, effective July 7, 2025, following the retirement of Sandra Preyale. Burghartz, with over 35 years of experience in luxury hospitality and leadership roles, aims to drive innovation and enhance services in the assisted living sector. His personal connection to assisted living informs his vision to improve residents’ lives. Under his leadership, Aegis Living plans to focus on health technology, culinary wellness, and memory care advancements, maintaining its commitment to a supportive work culture for its team.
Redmond, WA – Aegis Living, a national leader in assisted living and memory care, has appointed Dirk Burghartz as its new President, effective July 7, 2025. Burghartz’s appointment signals a strategic shift within the organization as it seeks to innovate and enhance its services in the assisted living sector.
Replacing Sandra Preyale, who retired after a seven-year tenure, Burghartz was selected from more than 70 candidates. Aegis Living’s Founder and CEO, Dwayne J. Clark, highlighted Burghartz’s unique combination of experience, proven leadership skills, and personal commitment to enhancing the quality of life for seniors.
Burghartz brings with him a wealth of experience in luxury hospitality, having spent over 35 years with renowned establishments like Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. His previous role as President of Arcis Golf saw him manage a significant increase in operations revenue, growing it from $300 million to $500 million. He has led large teams, managing up to 6,000 employees, and is known for cultivating a respectful and collaborative work environment.
In his most recent position as Executive Vice President of Operations for LIFE Properties International, Burghartz was responsible for overseeing private club communities. At Aegis Living, he will have the task of managing operations, nurturing team development, and driving innovation across the company’s 39 existing communities and several more that are currently in development.
Aegis Living is poised to enhance its focus on several key areas, including health technology advancements, culinary wellness programs, and innovative memory care design. With Burghartz at the helm, the organization aims to foster a culture of compassion and excellence, uniting its staff under a shared vision to improve the lives of residents.
Burghartz has a personal connection to the assisted living sector, as both of his parents recently moved to an assisted living facility in Germany. This experience has shaped his understanding of the needs and challenges faced by residents and their families, providing him with a unique perspective he intends to leverage within the company.
He is eager to immerse himself in the Aegis communities during his initial months, aiming to learn directly from the staff who provide care and support to residents. This hands-on approach will allow him to better understand the daily realities and expectations of both the employees and the individuals they serve.
Upon his relocation from Dallas to the Pacific Northwest, where Aegis Living is headquartered, Burghartz and his wife, Kelly, are looking forward to becoming active members of the local community.
Aegis Living has distinguished itself in the industry, earning recognition from Newsweek in both 2024 and 2025 for its exemplary workplace environment and support systems for parents and families. This new leadership chapter under Burghartz’s guidance is expected to further solidify Aegis Living’s commitment to providing high-quality care while maintaining a supportive work culture for its team.
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Additional Resources
- 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
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