Exceptional performances create exceptional experiences.
Joel Nelson
As chief executive officer of LCS, Joel Nelson is responsible for executing the business strategy across all business lines in the LCS Family of Companies. Joel provides leadership and direction for business growth, service excellence, and enhancing the company’s stability and value among financial partners, property owners, and other stakeholders in the senior living field. Joel joined LCS in 1986 and has held several executive roles during his long-tenured career with LCS. Today, he is responsible for the oversight of serving nearly 40,000+ seniors and 27,000 employees.
Joel serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of LCS Holding Company, LLC, is a member of the compensation committee and is a trustee of the Company’s 401(k) benefits program. Outside LCS, Joel serves on various industry and community boards. Within the industry, Joel is the current chairman of the Argentum Board of Directors, and a member of the National Investment Center operator advisory board and an executive member of the American Senior Housing Association. Joel is active in the Des Moines community and serves as chair of the ChildServe Board of Trustees. As a past board member, he remains active with the Alzheimer's Association and the Central Iowa United Way Board of Directors.
Chris Bird
Capitalizing on his reputation as a change agent, Chris Bird brings his expertise to the communities LCS serves. By leading operations, building community occupancy, fostering capital partner relationships, and developing new business, Chris implements strategies to deliver on the expectations of owners and shareholders. As president, chief operating officer, Chris oversees Life Care Services, CPS, legal, IT, and onboarding operations. His ability to analyze issues, devise continuous process improvements, and incorporate business process initiatives drives performance improvement for the overall operation.
At LCS, Chris mentors future leaders by providing guidance, expertise, and resources to develop professional skills in the senior living industry. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Directors of LCS Holding Company, LLC. Chris is a member of the Argentum Advisory Council and the Argentum Chief Operating Officer Roundtable. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Memphis, Tennessee.
Diane Bridgewater
As a high-energy, results-driven executive, Diane Bridgewater leads LCS Strategy, including oversight of strategic imperatives across the company resulting in strong financial performance and growth. In 2024 Diane will begin transitioning chief financial and administrative responsibilities, including all financial and business operations, the company’s insurance business line, information technology, compliance, regulatory, and legal matters, through a thoughtful succession plan.
At LCS, Diane serves on the Board of Directors of LCS Holding Company, LLC and its related audit committee, compensation committee, investment committee, and retirement fiduciary committee.
Outside the organization, she is a member of Argentum. Diane is a member of the board and chair of the audit committee at Guide One Insurance and recently completed her term on the board of Casey’s having chaired the audit and nominating and governance committees. Diane has been recognized as a Des Moines Business Record’s Women of Influence, Deloitte CFO of the Year, and named to the Women Inc. magazine’s 2023 Most Influential Corporate Board Directors. She holds bachelor’s degrees in accounting and French from the University of Northern Iowa.
Monica Friedman
In support of the LCS vision, Monica leads the human resources team to ensure the LCS Family of Companies has an appropriate holistic talent strategy. In her role as executive vice president, chief human resources officer, Monica oversees effective recruitment, employee engagement, professional development, and the delivery of a competitive compensation and benefits program. In addition, she ensures that diversity, equity, and inclusion are a part of all that we do at LCS. Her focus on fostering a highly engaged workforce and a strong culture ensures that LCS is the employer of choice in the senior living industry. By effectively executing on the Extraordinary Impressions framework, Monica assures LCS is well-positioned to create opportunities for purposeful living filled with rich experiences for its employees and senior living residents.
Monica holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial relations human resources with highest distinction from The University of Iowa along with SPHR and SHRM-SCP designations. In addition, she is a graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Community Leadership Program and was named to the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty under 40. Monica has been recognized as the Dentons Davis Brown HR Professional of the Year, a Women of Influence honoree and awarded the American Red Cross Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership. She is the chair of the MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center board and is a member of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire CHAASE board. She is a past member of the Business Education Alliance and United Way of Central Iowa boards, is the past board chair of the American Red Cross Iowa Chapter, and is the past chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership Inclusion Council. At LCS, Monica is a member of the LCS Foundation Board of Directors and chairs the LCS Foundation Professional Development Committee.
Charles Murphy
As the executive vice president/senior managing director of development, Chuck Murphy is responsible for the strategy and performance oversight of LCS Development, serving internal and external clients in developing and enhancing senior living communities nationwide. Capitalizing on his experience in developing, acquiring, and managing commercial real estate for more than 30 years, Chuck directs development strategy and builds strategic partnerships to enhance the services LCS provides.
Applying his expertise in working with a range of property types including hospitality, residential, land development, and health care within private equity, public, and entrepreneurial platforms domestically and internationally, Chuck leads his teams to create special three-dimensional experiences for the seniors we serve.
Chuck’s development and investment experience includes leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company, GE Capital Real Estate, and Hammes Healthcare.
At LCS, Chuck is a member of the LCS Investment Committee. Outside the organization, he is a Benefactor of the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association and serves as a board member of the James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate at The University of Wisconsin. Chuck also serves as a board member of Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity and First Friday Club of Chicago and is a member of the United Way of Central Iowa Tocqueville Society.
Chuck earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in real estate investment analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.