Civitas Senior Living has named Cooper Vittitow president and chief executive officer, elevating the company’s longtime operations leader as part of a planned leadership transition.

Vittitow, who previously served as president, succeeds co-founder Wayne Powell as CEO. Powell will move into the role of chairman of the board, where he will continue to guide Civitas’ vision, governance, and long-term strategy.

Civitas said the transition reflects years of deliberate succession planning and is designed to support the company’s next phase of growth.

“This transition reflects years of thoughtful succession planning,” Powell said in a statement. “I was inspired early in life to give seniors a place to call home. Cooper shares that same commitment. His approach to people, operations, and long-term thinking makes him the right person to guide Civitas into its next era.”

A leadership path built from operations up

Vittitow has held multiple leadership roles at Civitas, including executive director and chief operating officer, and brings more than 18 years of experience in the senior living industry. The company said his career has been shaped by hands-on operational leadership and a long-term strategic perspective.

Civitas traces its roots to Powell’s early life experiences, including being raised by his grandparents—an influence he has often cited as shaping his desire to improve senior living communities. With Jay Dempsey, managing partner and co-founder, Powell launched Civitas in 2012 with a focus on building communities where both residents and employees could thrive.

That philosophy also guided Powell’s mentorship of Vittitow, whom he met early in Vittitow’s career in senior living. Civitas said the leadership transition reflects the continuity of that partnership.

“I am honored to step into this role,” Vittitow said. “Civitas has always believed that when you care deeply about people, everything else follows. That philosophy has shaped my entire career. I look forward to continuing our work with residents, families, and employees across every community.”

Civitas said the leadership change is part of a multi-year succession plan intended to ensure continuity, stability, and long-term organizational strength.

Today, the company said it owns and operates 32 communities across several states, supported by a team of more than 2,500 employees serving more than 5,000 seniors nationwide. The company is known for its resident-centered operations, employee-driven culture, and signature Passion Programming, including its “My Miracle Moment” initiative.

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