A finance and lending career spanning Bank of America and one of the world’s largest talent management firms laid the groundwork for Butler’s transition to senior living leadership. Since becoming CEO of Erickson Senior Living in 2010, he has overseen a national network of continuing care retirement communities serving more than 30,000 residents and employing over 16,000 team members.
He previously spent 14 years as treasurer of Allegis Group Inc. and served as president of Redwood Capital Investments. Butler chairs the University of Maryland Medical System board and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University Maryland.
What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today?
The senior living industry is entering a pivotal moment as the first Baby Boomers turn 80 this year. This milestone underscores the urgency to provide senior living options to support this rapidly growing demographic. The real challenge will be to scale thoughtfully and consistently to meet that demand while delivering an experience that aligns with this generation’s expectations.
At Erickson Senior Living, we’ve spent decades creating communities that provide stability, wellness and connection. Today, we’re building on those fundamentals while evolving to meet the expectations of a more active, health-conscious and tech-savvy customer. Boomers want more than a place to live; they want a lifestyle that supports their independence, well-being and sense of purpose.
Today, the biggest challenge facing senior living is effectively executing large, multiyear development initiatives in an increasingly complex economic environment while maintaining quality, service and value. Our robust pipeline, outlined in the previous question, reflects how we are meeting this challenge.
To navigate this unprecedented growth, we are balancing long-term strategy with disciplined execution, expanding our national network of communities while continuing to invest in the systems, services and people to support residents over time.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received came from my parents, who encouraged me to be authentic and stay true to who I am. That guidance has shaped both my personal values and professional approach. Because I’ve carried that mindset throughout my career, I’ve been able to build genuine relationships with people from many backgrounds and to show up consistently as the same person today as when I started.
How do you define success?
I define success as doing the right things consistently, staying disciplined, focused and trusting that results will follow.
At Erickson Senior Living, success means living our mission every day: helping people live better lives. That commitment shows up in how we continue to bring our distinctive lifestyle to more seniors, while maintaining our position as an industry leader in both resident and employee satisfaction. For us, true success is creating communities where residents thrive and a workplace where team members feel supported, valued and proud of the difference they make.
