SEATTLE — Merrill Gardens, a Seattle-based owner-operator, has named Jason Childers as chief operating officer. Childers brings over 20 years of experience to his new role, including the past five years as senior vice president at Merrill.
Childers sets the strategy for the company’s assisted living, memory care and wellness programs as well as dining operations. He also leads the company’s acquisitions efforts and sets the strategic direction of business development initiatives. In addition, he oversees transitions of new communities into the portfolio, and he recently spearheaded the emergence of Truewood by Merrill, the company’s middle-market brand.
Before joining Merrill Gardens in 2019, Childers spent three years as executive vice president of strategy at Blue Harbor Senior Living. Prior to that he was a founding principal at 2Ten Consulting. Childers’ experience also includes 11 years at Leisure Care Senior Living, rising from market research analyst to partner and executive vice president.
Childers was an inaugural member of the NIC Future Leaders Council and is currently a member of the Argentum COO Roundtable. He also serves as chair of the education innovations, marketing and enrollment, and curriculum subcommittees for the Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living at Washington State University.