Profiles of our Principals
Ken Jaeger, Founder/CEOMoral and ethical principles were planted early in Ken Jaeger as a farmer’s son in western North Dakota. One of 12 children, with parents of German and Hispanic descent, Ken grew up on a multi-generational farm. His was a childhood distinguished by honest, hard work. Lessons in economics and diligence were presented daily through tending the Jaegers’ 3000 acres.His grandparents were vital to everyday life on the Jaeger farm. By working alongside his grandfather, Ken learned a deep respect for seniors. From these roots, Ken emerged confident, down-to-earth, forthright. After earning his B.S. in Community Health from the University of Minnesota at Moorhead, Ken was drawn back to the further West by the beauty of Colorado. In 1983 he settled in Denver, beginning a career in health and human services. From 1987–2002, Ken proved his acumen for the Senior Living industry within executive roles, gathering experience in start-ups, acquisitions, turnarounds of distressed properties, and multi-site leadership. Ken grew adept in mentoring teams to profitability, while providing outstanding quality care. In 2002, an idea began to take shape, a pressing dream to create his own brand of Senior Living. Ken knew the industry inside and out at all levels. He had specific designs on how to deliver excellence. Market research backed him on every point. MorningStar was born.Ken lives in the Denver area with his wife, Shanna, and their children, John, Naomi and Christine.
Matthew Turner, Chief Financial & Development Officer
Matt Turner joined MorningStar Senior Living in 2009 as Chief Financial & Development Officer. Matt is responsible for managing all corporate growth initiatives, as well as all financial reporting and accounting for existing communities. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge to our company, with extensive investment, development, asset management, transaction and capital-raising experience.
From 2007–2009, Matt held a senior investment and finance role at a real estate development company focused on senior living, where he was responsible for asset management, capital structuring, pipeline underwriting, disposition activities, corporate finance and investor relations. Projects under his supervision totaled more than $900 million.
From 2004–2006, he held investment and corporate finance positions for Denver’s Black Creek Group, a real estate private equity firm with $6.9 billion in assets as of 2012. From 2001–2004, Matt worked in tax strategy and consulting at Deloitte & Touche and Arthur Andersen. He is a certified public accountant (inactive) and completed undergraduate and graduate studies in accounting and business.
Matt is on the board of LeadingAge Colorado (state ALFA affiliate), he is a member of the Urban Land Institute, a graduate of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s Leadership Denver program and a past member of its finance committee, and he is actively involved in several other non-profits and mission organizations both at home and abroad.
Kimberly Erickson, Vice President of Operations
Kimberly Erickson joined MorningStar in 2010, today overseeing the daily operations and management of all MorningStar communities. Kimberly’s broad management experience comprises over 15 years in various roles in the senior housing industry that have resulted in extensive expertise in new community openings, acquisitions and successful repositions of low-performing communities.
Prior to joining MorningStar, she was a Regional Program Manager for Sunrise Senior Living, where she gained multi-site experience ensuring quality and consistency in programs in over 40 communities throughout the United States.
Kimberly earned a bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a master’s degree in Counseling. She was awarded the Young Professional in Aging Award for Colorado and has sat on the Assisted Living Advisory Board for the Colorado Department of Health. She has been a trainer for the Alzheimer’s Association for the past 10 years and teaches in the Colorado Gerontological Society’s Administrator Training Program
