Discovery Senior Living Leadership

Chief Executive Officer

Richard J. Hutchinson

Richard J. Hutchinson is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Senior Living and its affiliates. During his 30-plus year career, he has negotiated and closed billions in equity and debt transactions, while establishing close relationships with many of the industries’ key financiers, investors and operators.

Through Mr. Hutchinson’s leadership, the family of companies has achieved exponential growth and currently ranks as the largest privately owned seniors housing operator in the United States with nearly 47,000 units under management. His vision of developing a business culture of innovation, integrity and creativity, while being analytically and performance driven, has pushed the company to the leading edge of the industry, redefining seniors housing along the way. The company has been recognized for their exceptionalism, ingenuity and innovations and has received accolades and awards from numerous national organizations. He is also a passionate, leading advocate for the seniors housing industry, dedicating significant time on Capitol Hill to champion the needs and rights of older adults.

As an industry leader in seniors housing, Discovery Senior Living operates both National Brands and Regionals Brands across the United States, serving residents in an array of different markets with a range 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.

Mr. Hutchinson is actively involved in the following associations: Vice Chair of American Seniors Housing Association, Member of the American Seniors Housing Association Strategic Planning Committee, Member of The Florida Council of 100, Chair of the Hutchinson Family Sports, Foundation and 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.

Chief Operating Officer

Bill Sciortino

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

Now in his 25th 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, and awareness of our industry as a family choice and a viable asset class. His seniors housing experience includes 18 years with Chicago-based Vi where he was that organization’s first Chief Information Officer before expanding his reach to traditional operations, sales, and marketing for their luxury life plan communities. When he joined Discovery, the company managed 51 communities in 14 states.  Today Bill helps lead 9 different management companies overseeing 350+ communities in 38 states – the largest privately-held operator in the industry.

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), Argentum, and various state organizations.

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.

Executive Vice President of Brand Management & Corporate Communications

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 continued 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.

With the expansive growth of Discovery, Ms. Thies once again was promoted to a newly developed role within the organization as Executive Vice President of Brand Management and Corporate Communications. She oversees and strategically manages the company’s numerous brand identities, their branded programs, develops and executes comprehensive branding strategies and oversees all corporate and investor communications and crisis management.

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 and Shelter, a non-profit animal rescue organization. When she isn’t boating or enjoying the outdoors, she can be found rescuing animals, volunteering and fighting for animal rights.

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

Esmerelda Lee

Esmerelda Lee is the Senior Vice President of Operations at Discovery Senior Living (DSL), She is at the forefront of assisting in executing DSL’s growth strategy, supporting the scaling of its national footprint, unlocking operational efficiencies, and driving transformative improvements across DSL’s portfolio. She is known for building high-performance teams that deliver outsized results and for relentlessly pursuing opportunities to elevate community performance and value creation.

Prior to joining DSL, Esmeralda served as EVP and COO of Century Park Associates, where she led operations across 19 states, stabilized turnover, grew occupancy, and consistently increased NOI. She has also held senior leadership roles with Enlivant Senior Living and Life Care Centers of America, further establishing her reputation as an operator who delivers impact at scale.

Esmeralda holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lee University and a Master of Public Health in Health Care Administration from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She remains an active voice in the industry, having served on Argentum’s Women in Leadership, the National Center for Assisted Living Board, and as President of the Tennessee Center for Assisted Living.

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 Strategic Marketing

Heidi M. LaVanway

Heidi is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing for Discovery Senior Living. An experienced corporate strategist and implementer, Heidi has been developing marketing, sales and creative strategies for highly matrixed healthcare, real estate, and tech enterprises for nearly twenty five years.

Heidi is directly responsible for the organizations’ strategic marketing vision, including prospect lead generation and lead conversion as well as direction of STAT Marketing Creative and Digital Agency. She plays a critical role in high-level strategic decision-making to directly impact growth, market positioning and overall revenue. She is highly focused on operational excellence and efficiency, optimizing processes, streamlining workflows and leveraging data-driven strategies to enhance team performance and maximize ROI.

After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Michigan State University, she served large-scale, Chicago-based healthcare entities, leading the development and execution of traditional and digital marketing programs, branding and communications initiatives, creative and content production, as well as user experience and other key strategic functions.

Heidi is actively involved in the American Seniors Housing Association’s Sales & Marketing Committee and Where You Live Matters Task Force. She is a graduate of Argentum’s inaugural LEAD Program, a Certified Direct Marketing Professional, and multiple national award winner for outstanding media and specialized print publications. Her combined senior living, healthcare and real estate industry experience, and ability to leverage data-driven analysis and modern marketing technologies has empowered high-performance lead generation success and supported the continuing expansion of Discovery Senior Living’s vast portfolio.

Heidi is a proud volunteer and contributor to multiple charitable and healthcare organizations. She enjoys traveling, spending time with family in the Midwest and Rocky Mountains, and downhill skiing and outdoor activities. She resides in Florida with her husband and son.

Senior Vice President of Sales

Brennan Hughes

With more than 20 years of sales leadership experience, including 18 years in the senior living industry, Brennan Hughes serves as Senior Vice President of Sales overseeing the Company’s national sales organization, including the Central Sales Support Group, Sales Conversion Hub, and a growing team of national leaders across hundreds of communities.

Ms. Hughes brings a deep track record of scaling sales organizations, driving performance through data and systems, and building high-performing teams. Her approach blends operational execution, CRM optimization, and a sales vision that aligns execution with occupancy, revenue optimization, and long-term growth.

Prior to joining Discovery in 2021, she held senior leadership roles at Brookdale, Emeritus, Horizon Bay, and Caring.com, where she served as Vice President of Customer Success. She later returned to Brookdale as Divisional Sales Director overseeing a 100+ community portfolio, and also served as Regional Operations Director gaining experience across both sales and operations leadership.

At Discovery, Ms. Hughes was instrumental in scaling the company’s Sales Conversion Hub, building new sales analytics models, evolving CRM workflows, and driving enhancements to onboarding, training, and compensation structure. She previously served as AVP and later as VP of Sales Strategy and East Support positioning teams for enterprise-wide growth.

Originally from Michigan, Ms. Hughes holds a Master’s degree from Western Michigan University. Outside of work, she is most often found cheering from the sidelines at basketball tournaments with her children across the state or spending time with her family.

President,
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.

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.