Discovery Senior Living Leadership

Chief Executive Officer

Richard J. Hutchinson

Mr. Hutchinson is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Senior Living; a family of companies which include: Discovery Management Group, Discovery Development Group, Discovery Design Concepts, Discovery Marketing Group, TerraBella and Morada Divisions, and Discovery At Home, a Medicare-certified home healthcare company.

During his almost 30-year career, he has negotiated and closed more than $5 billion in equity and debt transactions, while establishing relationships with many of the industries’ key financiers, investors and operators.

Through Mr. Hutchinson’s leadership, the family of companies has achieved significant growth; more than tripling in size over the last five years and ranking amongst the top 10 operators in the country. His vision of developing a business culture of innovation, integrity and creativity, while being analytically driven, has pushed the company to the leading edge of the industry, redefining seniors housing along the way. The companies have been recognized for their exceptionalism and ingenuity and have received accolades and awards from numerous national organizations.

As an industry leader in seniors housing, Discovery Senior Living currently operates both National Brands and Regionals brands across the United States primarily throughout the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Southern United States. The company has expanded to include an array of living options which include: senior apartments, independent living in both multi-apartment and villa environments, supervised independent living, personal care, assisted living and memory care. The successful and diverse rental portfolio features large luxury, resort-style campuses, state-of-the-art care communities, smaller village- inspired wellness and care communities and secured memory care neighborhoods.

He is actively involved in the following associations: Executive Board Member of the American Seniors Housing Association; Chairman of The Seniors Housing Political Action Committee; Member of the American Seniors Housing Association Strategic Planning Committee; The Florida Council of 100; Endicott College Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Academic Affair Committee, Member of the Compensation Committee; Chair of the Hutchinson Family Sports Foundation and a Member of the ALOIS Society of the Alzheimer’s Association

Mr. Hutchinson is married with two sons and served in the U.S. Army from 1986 to 1994 including a tour during Desert Storm. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. Leo College earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and is a former Certified Public Accountant.

Chief Operating Officer

Bill Sciortino

As Chief Operating Officer for Discovery Senior Living, Bill leads the corporate and regional teams who deliver the service, care, and enriching experiences that make up resident life in any of Discovery’s brands. Since joining the company in 2019, he is focused on attracting leaders and building the culture that will satisfy our residents, inspire our team members, and ensure maximum value for our capital partners.

Now in his 20th year in the industry, Bill works with his peers on Discovery’s Senior Team as they push the organization’s growth forward while meeting challenges like workforce management, aging assets, regulatory compliance, financing…and a once-in-a-century pandemic. His two decades include 18 years with Chicago-based Vi where he was that organization’s first Chief Information Officer before expanding his reach to lead traditional operations plus sales and marketing for their full continuum, luxury life plan communities.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Bill graduated magna cum laude from Hiram College with a degree in Business Management. His career started in paper sales before moving to the construction industry where he implemented cost accounting and estimating systems. That work led him to Chicago and a consulting position with Ernst & Young’s real estate technology practice. A CIO role for a multi-state contractor was his last stop before jumping to seniors housing.

Bill connects with the larger senior living industry through his work with the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) and Argentum.

Chief Financial Officer

Thomas J. Costello

Mr. Costello is the Chief Financial Officer for Discovery Senior Living. He previously held the position of Senior Vice President of Finance, Accounting and Information Technology and managed the treasury and IT operations for over a decade. In that role his responsibilities included managing cash flow, short- and long-term planning, financial analysis and reporting, as well as risk management. Additionally, he was responsible for constructing the pro forma financial models for all new projects and he worked closely with the CFO on all major financing transactions.

Mr. Costello brings a wide range of experience to Discovery beyond debits and credits. He began his career in Boston in the property & casualty insurance industry where he gained proficiency in many of the nuances of risk management. In 1994 he relocated to Tampa, Florida, where he went to work for Price Waterhouse providing research and analysis to the firm’s management. It was also at Price Waterhouse where Mr. Costello began building complex financial models and database applications. These solved many of the firm’s logistical problems.

Additionally, Mr. Costello has worked as a consultant with companies such as the New York Times, Inc. to streamline efficiencies in finance and accounting operations through rigorous workflow analysis and identifying and implementing best practices.

In 2000 Mr. Costello joined Discovery’s predecessor, Aston Care Systems, Inc. while the Aston Gardens portfolio was in development. Mr. Costello managed the cash flows and cost reporting for the last four projects Aston developed. He also developed the pro-forma models for each of the projects, which planned the projects from land acquisition, development, fill-up, stabilized operations and, ultimately, to sale.

Mr. Costello graduated from Bentley College with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity. He lives in Land O Lakes, Florida, and when he is not spending time with his wife and two children he is active in Tampa’s live music scene playing bass and guitar.

Senior Vice President of Marketing and Product Development

Diana Ferrante Thies

Ms. Thies has a diverse marketing background ranging across a number of different industries, including banking, corporate products and consumer retail products. After leaving her home state of New York and moving to Florida, Ms. Thies entered seniors housing. She joined the company in 2001, where she was responsible for the leadership, strategic direction and new initiatives of Discovery Senior Living and its affiliated entities’ marketing and sales, as well as corporate and community branding, and increasing revenue and occupancy growth and overall census; ensuring all remain consistent with the company’s vision; while holding the position of Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales.

In 2022, she became Senior Vice President of Marketing and Product Development. She continues to serve the industry with cutting-edge marketing, while developing creative marketing and operational programs, innovative community clubhouses and apartments spaces and exceptional resident experiences for the company’s newest product line called Choreograph; a collection of destination, resort-style 55+ living communities. These creative marketing strategies and innovative ideas have propelled Discovery Senior Living to become a leader in the industry.

Ms. Thies graduated Cum Laude from Pace University, Lubin School of Business and holds a B.B.A. in Marketing with a minor in Advertising and Promotion. While at Pace, she was a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society. Ms. Thies is a co-founder and Vice President of Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue, a non-profit animal rescue organization. When she isn’t boating or enjoying the outdoors with her husband and her dogs, she can be found rescuing animals, volunteering and fighting for animal rights.

Senior Vice President of Human Resources

Lisa Lacy

Lisa Lacy has more than twenty years’ experience in human resources, with the majority specifically in the senior living industry. Lisa has a bachelor’s degree and has completed her certification in Human Resource related law. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and has obtained the credentials as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Senior Vice President of Sales

Lou Maranto

Lou Maranto is the Senior Vice President of Sales for Discovery Senior Living and its affiliated brands. He is directly responsible for sales strategies and leadership across both Discovery’s National Brands and Regional Brands, which operate throughout the United States. He also provides leadership support for Discovery’s operational divisions; Morada and TerraBella. Lou joined Discovery Senior Living in 2018 and during that time the company experienced unprecedented growth; more than doubling its unit count and number of communities.

He was also instrumental in the design, creation and implementation of an in-house Sales Contact Center, which launched in 2021. Lou’s leadership lead the sales department to full occupancy recovery; reached in June 2021 from February 2020 pre-pandemic levels; a feat very few senior living operators were able to achieve within that timing.

Prior to joining Discovery, Lou’s 10 years in the senior living industry were spent in various sales leadership positions with Erickson Senior Living including Sales Director, Director of Sales Education and Talent Development and Senior Director, Sales Operations. He developed a multitude of sales best practices and customer-focused programs, while designing and delivering sales education and leadership development programs.

Lou graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and earned his M.B.A. from Loyola University of Maryland. He also was awarded a Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Instructional Systems Development.

General Counsel

Tim Cesar

Timothy Cesar is a prominent healthcare law specialist and popular presenter at national healthcare seminars. In his current role as General Counsel, he manages legal and regulatory issues, licensing, employment and contract law, corporate compliance and other, key responsibilities for the Discovery Senior Living organization and its multi-brand portfolio of current and upcoming communities.

Prior to joining Discovery Senior Living, Cesar served as Vice President of Legal at Brookdale Senior Living, where he held multiple roles throughout a 20-year tenure. There, he was responsible for the creation of a legal department and risk management best practice programs, all while managing the company’s litigation and claims.

Mr. Cesar received his law degree and M.B.A. from Marquette University, graduating with several honors. He received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. Additionally, he holds an Associates in Risk Management designation.

Prior to working at Brookdale, Cesar was a member of the healthcare and litigation teams at one of the oldest law firms in the state of Wisconsin. He has also taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in negotiation at Marquette University School of Management.

In his free time, he and his wife enjoy leading active lifestyles, traveling and spending time with their dog.

Chief Accounting Officer

Paul Rozelle

Paul Rozelle joined Discovery Senior Living as its Chief Accounting Officer, with responsibility for all financial accounting, reporting and analysis, as well as its centralized billing and payable functions, for Discovery’s Communities, with its multiple Capital Partners and for its Corporate entities.  Paul has 20 years of Real Estate finance, accounting and operations experience, spanning most Real Estate sectors, including Residential (Multifamily and Single-Family Rental). Commercial (Office, Industrial/Logistics, Retail and Self-Storage), Commercial Mortgages and now Senior Living.

Prior to joining Discovery, Paul was Senior Vice President of Accounting & Finance at Bridge Homes, a Single-Family Rental Asset Management and Property Management firm launched in November 2016 and now managing > 4,600 properties across 13 Markets in 11 States.  Paul was responsible for Client Accounting for 2 large, sophisticated investment firms, delivering timely and accurate financial reporting for 9 Funds, for Lease Accounting, ensuring Resident Ledger integrity throughout the Lease lifecycle, and for its Corporate Accounting and Budgeting and Forecasting.  Prior to Bridge, Paul invested 11 years in developing and optimizing the Commercial Real Estate and Multifamily platform for Nuveen Real Estate’s >$100 Billion global Real Estate portfolio as Managing Director – Head of Financial Operations, Global Real Estate and Alternative Investments.  In this role Paul led the transformation of Nuveen’s Real Estate systems and processes, including creation of industry-first Property Management and Data Governance programs that transformed the Owner-Property Manager relationship while producing $250 Million of incremental Total Returns for investors.  Before shifting his career focus to Real Estate as Vice President – Controller of publicly-traded Multifamily REIT Summit Properties (acquired by Camden Property Trust – NYSE: CPT), Paul began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers and then moved to the semiconductor industry in Controllership and FP&A roles with Photronics, growing revenues from $30 million to >$400 million to become the world’s 3rd largest Photomask manufacturer.

In the highly competitive Real Estate industry it is essential that the Real Estate professional doesn’t just meet the needs of its Capital Partners…instead they must “Make Their Day” and continuously improve.  To instill this drive in his team, beginning with his teams at Nuveen and continuing today, Paul passionately embraces, lives and evangelizes the FISH! Philosophy:  Choose Your Attitude, Be There, Make Their Day…and Play!

Senior Vice President of Operations

Kevin Bowman

Kevin Bowman recently joined Discovery Senior Living in the role of Senior Vice President of Operations. He brings over 32 years of senior living experience to the organization and is passionate about serving seniors and helping them continue to find meaning and purpose in their lives.

He started in senior living as a Nursing Home Administrator with Beverly Enterprises, which was the largest skilled nursing provider in the country at that time. Kevin immediately fell in love with the profession and committed himself to honoring the elderly throughout his career. After a few years operating single facilities, he began working in operations roles supervising multiple skilled and senior living communities in California and later throughout the entire country. Prior to joining Discovery, Kevin worked for the nation’s largest senior living provider as an Execuitve Vice President leading over 650 senior living communities across 41 states.  He attributes much of his desire to serve seniors to his “Granny” who he had the opportunity to spend most of his teenage summers with and witnessed her kindness, respect, and compassion toward others.

In 1984, he joined the U.S. Army and learned to speak Czech as part of his job in the military intelligence field; he served until late 1988 with the First Armored Division in Germany. After his military service, Kevin completed his undergraduate degree in Speech Communication at California State University, Fullerton.  Away from work, he enjoys travel, hiking, camping, and anything that takes him outdoors!  He has four grown sons, two daughters in law, and two “grand dogs” all of whom live in southern California and are excited to visit him in Florida.

President,
Discovery Development Group
& Discovery Design Concepts

Akash Gaur

As the President of Discovery Development Group and Discovery Design Concepts, Akash leads the in-house development, construction and design division of the Discovery Senior Living organization. He is an established real estate development executive with more than 20 years of experience directing from prospect to building closeout and activation a wide range of commercial, mixed-use and hospitality projects on behalf of prominent development groups.

Prior to joining the Discovery organization, Akash served as Director of Development for Legacy Ventures, a role which saw him serve as project executive for multiple, large-scale builds under concurrent development. He also managed the company’s inter-disciplinary design and construction department.

Earlier in his professional career, he worked as an architect before becoming Senior Design Manager at Perkins + Will, a position he held for more than 12 years. He joined Cortland Partners as a Director of Development in 2013, bringing strong leadership and innovation to functional areas including pre- planning and analysis, entitlements and permitting, financial modeling and project management. He also built the company’s first Virtual Design & Construction Team.

In his current role with Discovery, Akash’s experience with different building types and talent for facilitating creative building solutions to projects with complex programmatic needs, site requirements and financial structures is crucial for continually advancing new construction and remodeling initiatives which span our multi-brand, national and regional community portfolio each year.

Well-versed in project management, analytics, cost control and financial analysis, Akash earned a Bachelor of Architecture in his native India before completing his Masters of Architecture at the University of Florida and MBA studies at Emory University in Atlanta. He holds multiple, professional certifications, is a Registered Architect, member of the American Institute of Architects, and is LEED- accredited by the US Green Building Council.

COO, LakeHouse Senior Living

Brad Poterack

Brad Poterack brings to Discovery Senior Living more than 25 years of experience as a forward-thinking, solution-minded leader with proven success across two dynamic industries, retail and senior living. He most recently served as Senior Vice President, Operations for Enlivant, a post he occupied since 2019.

Brad began his career in the retail industry with Marshall Fields, followed by Macy’s for 13 years where he most recently was a District Vice President responsible for sales, P&L, executive development, customer experience, operations, merchandise and visual execution for a 22-store district with 3,000 employees and $700 million in annual sales.

When Brad’s sons graduated college, he decided to make a career transition and had the opportunity to join Enlivant, where he began a fulfilling career in seniors housing. He had direct accountability for 10 regions across 10 states consisting of 122 assisted living communities totaling 5,694 units and 3,600 employees.

His prior experience has been integral as Brad joined the fast-growing Discovery enterprise in 2023 as Division COO of LakeHouse Senior Living, the company’s newest division and regional brand.

Originally from Iowa, Brad is a graduate of Iowa State University, earning his Bachelor of Science in business management. He and his wife Theresa now live outside of Chicago in Aurora, IL. He loves to spend time with his family, friends and his two German Shepherd rescue dogs.

COO, Arvum Senior Living

Richard Totorico

Richard has more 30 years of healthcare administration experience working in acute care, community-based, and senior living settings. He served as an Analyst, Human Resource Director, Administrative Director 5, and Deputy Executive Director with various Louisiana State Agencies, including the Louisiana Health Care Authority, LSU Medical Center, Medical Center of New Orleans, University Hospital and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. He received his Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Human Resources from the University of New Orleans where he was a Board Member of Alpha Theta Epsilon Honor Society and was elected to the Student Government Association as a member of the House of Representatives. He received his MBA from South Eastern State University. He holds or has held a certification as a Level 4 Assisted Living Administrator, Certified Public Manager, Professional of Human Resources, and has served on the Boards of the Louisiana State Personnel Council, The New Orleans Compensation Association, the Department of Health and Hospital Hurricane Task Force, and the Greater New Orleans Society of Human Resource Professionals.

Richard served as the Executive Director of The Trace for six years and then Regional Director of Operations for the SummerHouse regional brand before being promoted to Division Chief Operating Officer for Arvum Senior Living. Richard prides himself on his accessibility to residents, their families and the community on matters of senior care and advocacy.

Richard is a veteran of the armed forces and as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force he received the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal for his work as an F-15 Crew Chief.