ATLANTA — Regional Health Properties Inc. (NYSE: RHE), a self-managed healthcare real estate investment company based in Atlanta that invests primarily in senior living and long-term care, has hired Ben Waites as chief financial officer and vice president.
Most recently, Waites spent 10 years as vice president of finance and assistant treasurer for Cajun Operating Company Inc., the franchisor and operator of over 1,600 restaurant locations. In this role, he refinanced the organization’s debt, realizing more than $8 million in annual interest savings and restructured all bank relationships.
Waites previously spent two years as chief accounting officer of Lavie Healthcare, an operator of 125 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, and 11 years at RARE Hospitality, operator of LongHorn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille. In these positions, Waites developed and led financial teams that supported domestic and international growth platforms. He also led efforts to significantly reduce costs and improve organizational efficiency.
Waites started his career in public accounting, with positions in both the Entrepreneurial Services Group and audit department of Ernst & Young.
Waites graduated from Harding University, and is a certified public accountant in Georgia.