Our team members allow us to maintain our core principles and values. We are committed to providing a work environment that allows each member of our team to be motivated and enthusiastic to accomplish their responsibilities with pride while succeeding on many levels. This promotes the highest quality of life for our residents and our team alike.
At all times, we and our partners will act with integrity and compassion to partner with our residents in “Celebrating Life Every Day!”
Michael J. DamoneMr. Damone is currently President of Cedarbrook Senior Living. Mr. Damone has over 35 years of experience in the real estate development and construction industry, as well as the senior housing industry. During his career, he has been involved in the development, construction, ownership, or management of approximately 135 assisted living communities located in 19 states.
In 2007, Mr. Damone formed Cedarbrook Senior Living along with his partner Bob Mercer. The two of them teamed up to develop/acquire/renovate assisted living buildings in major metropolitan markets. To date, they have acquired, renovated, and sold two buildings in California and Colorado, as well as facilitated the successful acquisition of a $110 million, 6 building portfolio on the east coast.
In 2013, they broke ground on Cedarbrook of Bloomfield Hills, a 200,000 square foot Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) featuring 142 apartments of Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Nursing Care. This premier, full-service retirement community opened in December 2015.
Cedarbrook of Northville, a 223,107 SF, 201-unit community, including 19 cottage residences, opened its doors to residents in July 2017.
Cedarbrook of Rochester, a 193,037 SF, 151-unit community, opened in October 2019.
Mr. Damone holds a BA in Accounting from Michigan State University. He is active in several civic and charitable organizations in the Metropolitan Detroit. area and is a licensed builder in the states of California and Michigan
Robert MercerMr. Mercer is one of the co-founders of Cedarbrook Senior Living. He has been involved in the senior housing and healthcare industry since 1991.
Mr. Mercer was previously a founding member and principal of a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in independent living, assisted living, nursing home, and continuing care retirement communities. He has consulted and been involved with more than a thousand communities spanning the continental United States. Prior to Cedarbrook, Mr. Mercer had been a presenter at events for regional associations, the NIC and ALFA (now Argentum). Mr. Mercer is responsible for the overall operations of Cedarbrook, working directly with Erin Ottenbreit, Senior Vice President of Operations, and our corporate leadership team. He is also involved in the evaluation of investment opportunities, including new development and acquisitions.
Mr. Mercer holds a BS in Business Economics from the University of Delaware.
Christian PetersenMr. Petersen serves as Chief Financial Officer for Cedarbrook Senior Living as well as Aileron Holdings, a Real Estate Development and Construction company dedicated to the Cedarbrook brand. Mr. Petersen has overseen the financial aspects of development, construction, and transition to operations of our three senior living communities in Bloomfield Hills, Northville, and Rochester. Prior to Cedarbrook and Aileron, Mr. Petersen worked for our predecessor real estate company known as The Damone Group, which was involved in the expansion of over 100 senior living communities serving our for-profit market rate partners and non-profit subsidized partners on Tax Credit and HUD projects.
Mr. Petersen manages the day-to-day activities of accounting, finance, treasury, benefits, and risk management. His experience includes tax, investment planning, joint venture, capital, and debt closings. He also manages the administration of partnership and loan agreements, including periodic financial reporting and distribution of financial proceeds.
Mr. Petersen is a CPA who began his career with Deloitte and Touche, a Big Six public accounting firm. He has over thirty (30) years of experience spanning real estate development, construction, assisted living (including 25 years with our organization), advertising, hospitality, and public accounting experience with clients in national shopping mall ownership and management, healthcare, automotive and advertising.
Erin OttenbreitMs. Ottenbreit serves as Senior Vice President of Operations and is also a Partner at Cedarbrook Senior Living. She joined the Cedarbrook team in 2016 as an Executive Director. Her infectious passion for our residents, along with her talents brought well-earned promotions over the years, landing her in her current role. She oversees all community operations, working closely with Mr. Robert Mercer, Chief Operating Officer, and the corporate leadership team.
Ms. Ottenbreit holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Western Michigan University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Eastern Michigan University. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, a Teepa Snow Certified Positive Approach to Care Trainer, a Certified Assisted Living Director, and a Trainer for the Michigan Center for Assisted Living. Ms. Ottenbreit received a Nursing Home Administrator license from Michigan State University.
Prior to joining Cedarbrook, Ms. Ottenbreit was an Executive Director at a large national senior living operator. She held additional leadership roles in both healthcare and hospitality. Ms. Ottenbreit credits her time with Ritz-Carlton for shaping her personal approach to customer service. She leads with extraordinary care and compassion for our residents.