IRVING, Texas — Seniors housing developer The LaSalle Group Inc. has promoted David Starr to the position of senior vice president and general counsel. He most recently served as the company’s vice president and general counsel.
The company concurrently named three new vice presidents — Marika Johnson, vice president of operations and senior living; Daphne Bernstein, vice president of sales; and Lynette Choplin, vice president – health and wellness.
As the company’s highest ranking legal officer, Starr will continue to oversee the legal department that services Autumn Leaves, The LaSalle Group and other corporate brands, including its four divisions: Winfield Design LLC; MWW Development LLC; Lake Superior Contracting LP; and Constant Care Family Management.
Starr will report directly to CEO and co-owner Mitchell Warren and serve on the executive leadership team. He will also continue to oversee the company’s risk management program and serve as corporate secretary.
Prior to joining The LaSalle Group in 2014, Starr served as vice president and deputy general counsel for Belo Corp. Prior to his time with Belo, Starr served as in-house counsel for American Airlines as an attorney with the international law firm of White & Case. He is licensed to practice law in Texas, California and New York.
Johnson brings more than 15 years of experience in operations to her new position. She holds numerous certifications related to assisted living operations and administration, and has been certified in dementia care by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.
Bernstein is a leader with more than 25 years of successful sales management experience in senior living and healthcare services. An inductee into the National Gerontology Academic and Professional Society of Sigma Phi Omega, Bernstein was a recipient of the Aging Services Capstone Project Award by the University of Massachusetts and served two terms on the Colorado Commission on Aging.
Choplin, RN, has 18 years’ experience in senior living. In her new role, she will help to strategically increase operational effectiveness by focusing on departmental collaboration, relationship development and professional growth.
Family-owned and -operated since 1990, The LaSalle Group designs, develops, builds, manages and owns more than 40 Autumn Leaves memory care assisted living communities, as well as other specialized real estate and businesses throughout the United States.