Granger Cobb, the former CEO of senior living company Emeritus Corp. before it was acquired by Brookdale Senior Living, died this week, Brookdale disclosed in a news release. His age and cause of death were not immediately available.
Cobb continued to serve on Brookdale's board of directors after Emeritus' acquisition in July 2014. He had served as Emeritus' CEO since 2011 and as president and co-CEO since 2007.
He had a long career in the senior living industry, and was the founder of a California-based senior living company, Cobbco Inc., in 1989. Nine years later, he sold the company to Summerville Senior Living. Cobb then served as Summerville's CEO from 2000 until its sale to Emeritus in 2007.
"Granger Cobb was a true pioneer and leader in our industry,” said Andy Smith, Brookdale's CEO, in the release. “He had a tremendous impact on the lives of countless seniors and their families and all of the associates who benefited from his leadership and vision.”
Smith added that Cobb had been instrumental in the $2.8 billion deal that created the country's largest senior living company. At the time of its acquisition, Emeritus had more than 500 senior living communities in 45 states.
