Welltower Appoints COO and EVP

Industry veteran, John F. Burkart joins the firm from Essex Property Trust, where he served for the past 25 years.

TOLEDO, OH – Welltower Inc. has appointed John F. Burkart as EVP and chief operating officer, effective July 19, 2021.

Burkart will serve on Welltower’s executive team and investment committee. He will assume leadership responsibilities across the organization, including platform-wide operations, asset and portfolio management, data analytics, research, and joint-venture partnerships.

Within his new roles, Burkart will utilize a data-driven approach to drive platform efficiencies, capital allocation decisions and technical innovation throughout the company.

Burkart will report to Welltower CEO and CIO, Shankh Mitra.

Burkart holds extensive operational expertise. Prior to joining Welltower, Burkart most recently served as senior EVP and chief operating officer at the multifamily REIT, Essex Property Trust, where he spent the past 25 years. As COO of Essex Property Trust, Burkart oversaw operations, redevelopment and capital maintenance, research and information technology. While at Essex Property Trust, he notably developed the firm’s revenue management platform, implemented numerous technology and optimization initiatives, and assisted in executing the firm’s capital deployment strategy.

“We are extremely fortunate to welcome someone of John’s caliber to the Welltower team,” states Mitra. “I have known John for over a decade and have witnessed the tremendous value he and his team have created for shareholders through operational innovation and astute capital allocation.”

Mitra adds, “As with Welltower, John shares a passion for data-driven decision-making in all facets of an organization. His expertise, leadership, and strategic vision will be invaluable as we embark on a number of growth opportunities in the coming years.”

“It is with great excitement that I join the extraordinary team at Welltower,” says Burkart. “I am confident that my nearly three decades of operational experience will allow me to quickly contribute to the company’s numerous internal and external opportunities. Welltower is positioned to drive exceptional long-term growth and I am humbled to play a role in executing the company’s strategy.”