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Get filing alertsAmerican Healthcare REIT names Jeff Hanson permanent CEO, elevates Gabe Willhite to President
Filed July 22, 2026 · Period ending July 20, 2026 · ~1 min read
Key Changes
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Jeff Hanson, who served as Interim CEO since February 2026 during Danny Prosky's medical leave, was appointed permanent CEO effective July 21, 2026, while continuing as Chairman of the Board.
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR → -
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Danny Prosky retired as CEO and President effective July 21, 2026, following a serious health event in February 2026, but remains on the Board as a non-employee director and advisor to management.
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR → -
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Hanson's permanent CEO compensation includes $965,000 base salary, 160% target bonus, and approximately $4.1 million in time-based and performance-based RSUs vesting through December 2028.
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR → -
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Gabe Willhite, COO since 2022, was promoted to President and COO with a $100,000 base pay increase, 125% target bonus, and approximately $696,000 in RSUs.
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR → -
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Scott Estes, former Welltower CFO and current Audit Committee Chair, was appointed Lead Independent Director with an additional $40,000 annual retainer.
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR →
Summary
American Healthcare REIT formalized its leadership transition following founder Danny Prosky's February 2026 medical leave. Jeff Hanson, who stepped in as Interim CEO during Prosky's absence, was appointed permanent CEO while retaining his Chairman role. Prosky, who led the company since its formation, retired from executive duties but remains engaged as a Board member and advisor.
The succession appears orderly: Hanson had been serving in the role for five months, and the company elevated COO Gabe Willhite to President to strengthen the executive team. The compensation structure for Hanson's permanent appointment is substantial, with approximately $4.1 million in equity grants on top of a $965,000 base salary and 160% target bonus.
Performance-based RSUs cliff-vest in December 2028, tying a portion of his compensation to multi-year corporate goals. The appointment of Scott Estes as Lead Independent Director provides independent board leadership alongside the CEO-Chairman structure. For shareholders, the key question is execution: Hanson inherits a healthcare REIT navigating sector headwinds, and his track record in the permanent role will determine whether this transition preserves operational momentum.
Section-by-Section Diff
Event · Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation filed; see Key Changes for terms.
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
In addition, the Company, American Healthcare Opps Holdings, LLC and Mr. Prosky entered into a release of claims agreement, dated July 21, 2026, in favor of the Company and its affiliates (the “Release Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Prosky will be entitled to receive (i) in acknowledgment of the expenses that Mr. Prosky is expected to incur with respect to continuation coverage under the Company’s medical plans, a lump sum payment of $35,000, and (ii) accelerated vesting of the unvested portion of his Restricted Stock Award Agreement, granted as of February 9, 2024, and which was scheduled to vest on February 9, 2028.
As part of his retirement, Prosky will receive a $35,000 lump sum payment for medical coverage continuation and accelerated vesting of restricted stock originally scheduled to vest in February 2028. He will also receive benefits under the company's Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan.
Show 1 minor / wording change
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
On July 21, 2026, the Board appointed Scott A. Estes, a current non-employee director of the Company, as Lead Independent Director, effective July 21, 2026. In connection with such appointment, Mr. Estes will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $40,000.
Scott A. Estes was appointed Lead Independent Director and will receive an additional $40,000 annual retainer for this role. This appointment provides independent board leadership alongside the CEO who also serves as Chairman.
Event · Exhibit 99.1
American Healthcare REIT announces CEO succession: Jeff Hanson named CEO, Gabe Willhite elevated to President, Danny Prosky retires as CEO.
Added in current filing · view on EDGAR →
Jeff Hanson has been named the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, while he continues in his role as Chairman of the Board. ... Gabe Willhite has been elevated to President, in addition to his ongoing role as Chief Operating Officer. ... Danny Prosky, who had served as President and Chief Executive Officer since the Company’s formation, has retired from his executive role and continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and as an advisor to the management team.
Jeff Hanson, who had served as Interim CEO since February 2026 during Danny Prosky's medical leave, has been permanently appointed CEO while continuing as Chairman. Gabe Willhite, who joined in 2016 and became COO in 2022, has been elevated to President. Danny Prosky has retired from his executive role after serving as CEO since the company's formation, but remains on the Board as a director and advisor.
Added in current filing · view on EDGAR →
Scott Estes, an independent member of the Board of Directors, has been appointed Lead Independent Director. ... Estes is the former Chief Financial Officer of Welltower Inc. (NYSE: WELL), where he served from 2006 to 2017 and led capital markets activity that raised more than $24 billion in equity and unsecured debt capital.
Scott Estes, who has served as an independent director since August 2022 and Chair of the Audit Committee since June 2023, has been appointed Lead Independent Director. Estes brings significant healthcare REIT experience as former CFO of Welltower and currently serves as Chairman of Essential Properties Realty Trust and on the board of JBG SMITH Properties.
Added in current filing · view on EDGAR →
Hanson had served as Interim Chief Executive Officer since February 2026, when Prosky began a medical leave of absence following a serious health event. After thoughtful consideration, Prosky has elected to step back from day-to-day executive responsibilities.
The CEO transition follows Danny Prosky's medical leave that began in February 2026 after a serious health event. While Prosky has recovered well, he has chosen to step back from day-to-day executive responsibilities to prioritize his family, though he remains engaged as a director and advisor.
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Figures/quotes linked to EDGAR · Narrative written by AI · Jul 23, 2026 · How we verify