IRVINE, CALIF. — Michael McKee, executive chairman of Irvine-based healthcare REIT HCP Inc. (NYSE: HCP), has announced he plans to retire on March 1.
Following his official retirement, McKee will continue to serve on the board of directors as a consultant until HCP’s annual meeting on April 26. Dave Henry, previously the lead independent director, has been appointed to serve as non-executive chairman.
McKee has served as HCP’s executive chairman since May 2016 and as a member of the board since 1989. From July to December 2016, he served as interim president and CEO, filling the gap between Lauralee Martin’s departure and Tom Herzog’s promotion.
McKee has been one of the few constants for a REIT that underwent massive changes in recent years. In his 20 months as executive chairman, the company spun off its 320-property HCR ManorCare skilled nursing portfolio into a separate REIT known as Quality Care Properties Inc. (NYSE: QCP).
Additionally, the executive team saw nearly constant change during this time. Herzog was re-hired to his previous position of CFO and eventually promoted to CEO following Martin’s tenure. The company was also able to woo longtime industry veterans Justin Hutchens and Kai Hsiao, before losing them both to other companies.
Last March, HCP completed the sale of a portfolio of 64 assets leased to Brookdale Senior Living on a triple-net basis to affiliates of Blackstone Real Estate Partners VIII for $1.1 billion. That reduced the concentration of Brookdale-operated properties in HCP’s portfolio from approximately 35 percent to 27 percent, according to the company.