A vibrant assisted living community where staff and residents thrive together.
Aegis Living has named Dirk Burghartz as its new President, effective July 7, 2025. Burghartz aims to lead innovative changes in the assisted living sector, following the retirement of Sandra Preyale. With over 35 years of experience in luxury hospitality management, he plans to enhance operational excellence and foster a culture of compassion and improvement in Aegis’s many communities.
Aegis Living, a prominent national provider of assisted living and memory care services, has announced the appointment of Dirk Burghartz as its new President, effective July 7, 2025. This leadership change aims to steer the organization toward ongoing innovation and improvement within the assisted living industry.
Burghartz steps into the role following the retirement of Sandra Preyale, who served as President for seven years. The company conducted a rigorous selection process, considering over 70 candidates before selecting Burghartz, citing his combination of strategic insight, compassion, and bold decision-making as key qualities. The company’s founder and CEO, Dwayne J. Clark, emphasized that Burghartz’s selection was based on his balance of intellectual capacity, emotional intelligence, and resilience.
Dirk Burghartz brings more than 35 years of luxury hospitality management, most notably with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. His extensive experience includes leadership roles such as President of Arcis Golf, where he successfully expanded operations from $300 million to $500 million, demonstrating his ability to scale and manage large organizations. Prior to joining Aegis Living, he served as EVP of Operations for LIFE Properties International, overseeing private club communities with a focus on enhancing customer experiences and operational excellence.
In his new role, Burghartz will oversee the operations, team development, and strategic innovation across 39 existing communities and several new developments. Aegis Living is currently emphasizing advancements in health technology, culinary wellness, and memory care design as critical components to enhance resident experience and outcomes. Under Burghartz’s leadership, the organization intends to unify teams around a shared vision rooted in compassion and excellence.
Burghartz has personal connections to the industry, as both of his parents recently moved into assisted living facilities in Germany, providing him with firsthand insight into the needs of residents and families. He expressed enthusiasm about combining his expertise in hospitality and organizational leadership to contribute to the industry’s ongoing evolution. His initial approach involves spending significant time within Aegis communities to learn directly from staff and residents, aiming to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Alongside his wife, Kelly, Burghartz will relocate from Dallas to the Pacific Northwest to assume his new responsibilities. Both are eager to become active members of the local community and to understand regional preferences and needs within the assisted living sector.
Aegis Living has garnered recognition in recent years for its workplace environment and family support initiatives, receiving accolades in 2024 and 2025. The organization’s focus on integrating innovative care practices confirms its position as a leader in transforming assisted living services nationwide.
The appointment of Dirk Burghartz marks a significant step for Aegis Living as it continues to develop innovative solutions for aging populations, prioritizing quality care, technological integration, and compassionate service delivery.
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