Daniel A. Decker has been named a Class I director and the nonexecutive chairman of the board of Brookdale Senior Living, effective Oct. 1, the company announced. Decker will fill a board vacancy resulting from the recent passing of Granger Cobb.

Over the past 20 years, Brookdale said, Decker has been involved in the investment of about $2.5 billion of assets across a spectrum of independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing communities and operations, through one private and four public companies. In a 2013 investment, he joined with KKR and Beecken Petty O’Keefe & Co. to acquire the operations of Sunrise Senior Living.

During his career, Decker has served on the boards of several real estate investment trusts and seniors housing companies, including Omega Healthcare Investors (where he served as executive chairman and then as chairman of the board), Sentio Healthcare Properties, Health Care REIT and Forum Group.

“Dan is a wonderful addition to the board, and we are excited to welcome him to lead our board and to advise and counsel Brookdale’s management team as we continue to refine and execute our strategy to create shareholder value,” said Jeffrey R. Leeds, nonexecutive chairman of the board of directors of Brookdale. “Dan is a demonstrated leader and has been a successful investor in the senior housing industry for many years. We look forward to benefiting from his significant industry experience and insight.”

Decker will succeed Leeds as nonexecutive chairman of the board. Leeds has served in such role since 2012 and will continue to serve as an independent director.