Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Our management, under the supervision of and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer each concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management's Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Based on the Company's evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023. Management reviewed the results of their assessment with our Audit Committee. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as stated in their report which is included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
Insider Adoption or Termination of Trading Arrangements
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, none of our directors or officers adopted or terminated a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement," as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
To the extent not set forth herein, the information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the discussions under the headings "Election of Directors," "Corporate Governance," and "Executive Officers" in our Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC by April 29, 2024.
Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all employees, directors, and officers, including our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, our principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, as well as a Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers, which applies to our President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer, both of which are available on our website at www.brookdaleinvestors.com. Any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of such codes of ethics granted to a principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or person performing similar functions, or to any executive officer or director, will be posted on our website.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the discussions under the headings "Director Compensation" and "Executive Compensation" in our Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC by April 29, 2024.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
To the extent not set forth herein, the information required by this item regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated by reference from the discussion under the heading "Stock Ownership Information" in our Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC by April 29, 2024.
The following table provides certain information as of December 31, 2023 with respect to our equity compensation plans (after giving effect to shares issued and/or vesting on such date).
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, and rights Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
Plan category (a) (1)
(b) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (2)
$ 7,061,805 $ — $ 5,149,718
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (3)
— — 35,936
Total $ 7,061,805 — $ 5,185,654
(1) The table above includes 141,817 shares issuable pursuant to vested restricted stock units and 6,919,988 shares potentially issuable pursuant to unvested restricted stock units, including 658,877 shares that may be issued for performance achievement in excess of target. Our 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan allows awards to be made in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, unrestricted shares, performance awards, and other stock-based awards.
(2) The number of shares remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans approved by security holders consists of 5,149,718 shares remaining available for future issuance under our 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, excluding those reported in column (a).
(3) Represents shares remaining available for future issuance under our Director Stock Purchase Plan. Each non-employee director has the opportunity to elect to receive either immediately vested shares (issued pursuant to the Director Stock Purchase Plan) in lieu of up to 50%, or restricted stock units (issued pursuant to the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan) in lieu of up to 100%, of his or her quarterly cash compensation. Under the director compensation program, all cash amounts are
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payable quarterly in arrears, with payments to be made on April 1, July 1, October 1 and January 1. Any immediately vested shares that a director elected to receive under the Director Stock Purchase Plan were to be issued at the same time that cash payments are made. The number of shares to be issued were to be based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of issuance (i.e., April 1, July 1, October 1 and January 1), or if such date is not a trading date, on the previous trading day's closing price. Fractional amounts were to be paid in cash. In addition, each non-employee director has the opportunity to elect to defer up to 100% of his or her quarterly cash compensation pursuant to the Brookdale Senior Living Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan. The Board of Directors initially reserved 100,000 shares of our common stock for issuance under the Director Stock Purchase Plan.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the discussions under the headings "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" and "Director Independence" in our Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC by April 29, 2024.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the discussion under the heading "Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2024" in our Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC by April 29, 2024.
104
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1) Our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 202 3 and 202 2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 202 3 , 202 2 , and 202 1
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 202 3 , 202 2 , and 202 1
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 202 3 , 202 2 , and 202 1
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
All schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or are not required, or the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.
2) Exhibits:
Exhibit No.
Description
2.1 Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of February 24, 2021, by and among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and certain subsidiaries of HCA Healthcare, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 24, 2021 (File No. 001-32641) ). †
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 5, 2019 (File No. 001-32641)).
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company dated October 29, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2019 (File No. 001-32641)).
4.1 Form of Certificate for common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Amendment No. 3) filed on November 7, 2005 (File No. 333-127372)).
4.2 Description of the Company's securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10- Q filed on May 9, 202 3 (File No. 001-32641)) .
4.3 Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2021, by and among the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as trustee, governing the 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 1, 2021 (File No. 001-32641)).
4.4 Form of 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (included in Exhibit 4.3).
4.5 Indenture, dated as of November 21, 2022, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 22, 2022 (File No. 001-32641)).
4.6 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 21, 2022, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 22, 2022 (File No. 001-32641)).
4.7 Form of 10.25% Senior Amortizing Notes due 2025 (included in Exhibit 4.6).
4.8 Purchase Contract Agreement dated as of November 21, 2022, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as purchase contract agent, as attorney-in-fact for holders of the purchase contracts referred to therein and as trustee under the indenture referred to therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 22, 2022 (File No. 001-32641)).
4.9 Form of 7.00% Tangible Equity Units (included in Exhibit 4.8).
105
4.10 Form of Purchase Contracts (included in Exhibit 4.8).
10.1.1
Letter Agreement dated as of July 26, 2020 by and between the Company and Ventas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 10, 2020 (File No. 001-32641)). ††
10.1.2
Amended and Restated Master Lease and Security Agreement dated as of July 26, 2020 by an among certain subsidiaries of the Company as Tenant and certain subsidiaries of Ventas as Landlord (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 10, 2020 (File No. 001-32641)).† †
10.1.3
Amended and Restated Guaranty dated as of July 26, 2020 by and among the Company as Guarantor, certain subsidiaries of the Company as Tenant, and Ventas and certain of its subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 10, 2020 (File No. 001-32641)).† †
10.1.4
Warrant dated July 26, 2020 by and between the Company and Ventas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 10, 2020 (File No. 001-32641)) .
10.1.5
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of July 26, 2020 by and between the Company and Ventas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 10, 2020 (File No. 001-32641)).
10.1.6
Amendment No. 1 dated effective April 15, 2021 to Amended and Restated Master Lease and Security Agreement by and between certain affiliates of the Company as Tenant and certain subsidiaries of Ventas as Landlord (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2021 (File No. 001-32641)).†
10.1.7
Amendment No. 2 dated effective July 12, 2021 to Amended and Restated Master Lease and Security Agreement by and between certain affiliates of the Company as Tenant and certain subsidiaries of Ventas as Landlord (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 6, 2021 (File No. 001-32641)).†
10.1.8
Amendment No. 3 dated effective July 15, 2022 to Amended and Restated Master Lease and Security Agreement by and between certain affiliates of the Company as Tenant and certain subsidiaries of Ventas as Landlord (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 8, 2022 (File No. 001-32641)).†
10.1.9
Amendment No. 4 dated effective October 23, 2023 to Amended and Restated Master Lease and Security Agreement by and between certain affiliates of the Company as Tenant and certain subsidiaries of Ventas as Landlord.††
10.2.1 Master Credit Facility Agreement (Senior Housing) dated as of August 31, 2017, by and between Jones Lang LaSalle Multifamily, LLC and the Company's subsidiaries named as borrowers therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2017 (File No. 001-32641)). †
10.2.2 Amendment No. 1 to Master Credit Facility Agreement (Senior Housing) dated as of November 1, 2018, by and between Jones Lang LaSalle Multifamily LLC and the Company's subsidiaries named as borrowers therein.
10.2.3 Reaffirmation, Joinder and Second Amendment to Master Credit Facility Agreement (Seniors Housing) dated as of December 15, 2023, by and between JLL Real Estate Capital, LLC, Fannie Mae and the Company's subsidiaries named as borrowers therein. †
10.3 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated November 3, 2021 by and between the Company and Lucinda M. Baier (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2021 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.4.1
Amended and Restated Brookdale Senior Living Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2019 (File No. 001-32641)) (the "Omnibus Incentive Plan").*
10.4.2
Amendment No. 1 to Omnibus Incentive Plan effective February 12, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 19, 2020 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.4.3
Amendment No. 2 to Omnibus Incentive Plan effective January 26, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 15, 2022 (File No. 001-32641)).*
106
10.5 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan (2020 Time-Based Form for Executive Officers) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on April 29, 2020 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.6 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan (2020 Performance-Based Form for Executive Officers) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on April 29, 2020 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.7 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan (2021 Time-Based Form for Executive Officers) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2021 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.8 Form of Performance-Based Cash Award Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan (2021 Performance-Based Form for Executive Officers other than CEO) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2021 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.9 Performance-Based Cash Award Agreement dated as of February 22, 2021, by and between the Company and Lucinda M. Baier (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2021 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.10 Form of Letter Agreement dated February 22, 2021 Providing for Voluntary Forfeiture of Certain 2019 and 2020 Long-Term Incentive Awards (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2021 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.11 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan (2022 Time-Based Form for Executive Officers) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 6, 2022 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.12 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan (2022 Performance-Based Form for Executive Officers) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 6, 2022 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.13 Form of Outside Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2016 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.14 Amended and Restated Tier I Severance Pay Policy dated February 10, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 15, 2022 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.15 Form of Severance Letter Under Amended and Restated Tier I Severance Pay Policy dated August 6, 2010 (applicable to Todd Kaestner) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 6, 2010 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.16 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan dated as of February 15, 2023, by and between the Company and Lucinda M. Baier (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2023 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.17 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan (2023 Time-Based Form for Executive Officers other than CEO) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2023 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.18 Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan dated as of February 15, 2023, by and between the Company and Lucinda M. Baier (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2023 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.19 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan (2023 Performance-Based Form for Executive Officers other than CEO) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2023 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.20 Performance-Based Cash Award Agreement dated as of February 15, 2023, by and between the Company and Lucinda M. Baier (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2023 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.21 Offer Letter Agreement dated as of January 12, 2023 by and between the Company and Dawn L. Kussow (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2023 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.22 Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors and Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2011 (File No. 001-32641)).*
10.23 Summary of Brookdale Senior Living Inc. Director Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on June 30, 2009 (File No. 333-160354)).*
107
10.24 Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan dated December 12, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 22, 2023 (File No. 001-32641)).*
19 Brookdale Senior Living Inc. Insider Trading Policy.
21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
97 Brookdale Senior Living Inc. Clawback and Forfeiture Policy.
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104 The cover page from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101).
* Management Contract or Compensatory Plan
† Schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish supplementally a copy of any of the omitted schedules and exhibits upon request by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
†† Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING INC.
By: /s/ Lucinda M. Baier
Name: Lucinda M. Baier
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: February 21, 2024
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
/s/ Guy P. Sansone Non-Executive Chairman of the Board February 21, 2024
Guy P. Sansone
/s/ Lucinda M. Baier President, Chief Executive Officer and Director February 21, 2024
Lucinda M. Baier (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Dawn L. Kussow Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer February 21, 2024
Dawn L. Kussow (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Jordan R. Asher Director February 21, 2024
Jordan R. Asher
/s/ Marcus E. Bromley Director February 21, 2024
Marcus E. Bromley
/s/ Frank M. Bumstead Director February 21, 2024
Frank M. Bumstead
/s/ Victoria L. Freed Director February 21, 2024
Victoria L. Freed
/s/ Denise W. Warren Director February 21, 2024
Denise W. Warren
/s/ Lee S. Wielansky Director February 21, 2024
Lee S. Wielansky
109