IRVINE, CALIF. — American Healthcare Investors, an Irvine-based investment firm specializing in the acquisition and management of healthcare-related properties, has hired Christopher Belford as executive vice president, asset management.
Belford joins American Healthcare Investors from Brookdale Senior Living, the largest owner and operator of seniors housing communities in the United States, where he served as the president of the western division. While with Brookdale, Belford managed 269 senior living and retirement communities, representing 24,400 units and over 14,000 employees in 11 Western states.
In his new role, Belford will oversee all seniors housing, skilled nursing and hospital properties within American Healthcare Investor’s $8 billion portfolio of assets under management. Christopher Rooney, who holds the same title as Belford, will continue to oversee all medical office buildings within the portfolio.
Prior to Brookdale, Belford worked as senior vice president of operations for Emeritus Assisted Living from January 2001 until its merger with Brookdale in July 2014. With Emeritus, he was responsible for the operation of 270 communities in 18 states across the Western U.S. He also previously served in executive capacities with BPM Assisted Living/Regent Assisted Living and ERA Care Inc., where he began his healthcare career in 1991.
Belford received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington State University and completed post-graduate studies at Seattle University.