false 0000765880 0000765880 2022-10-06 2022-10-06

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 6, 2022

 

 

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   001-08895   33-0091377

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

5050 South Syracuse Street, Suite 800

Denver, CO

  80237
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, include area code: (720) 428-5050

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common stock, $1.00 par value   PEAK   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 5.02.

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Thomas M. Herzog Stepping Down as Chief Executive Officer and Director

On October 6, 2022, Healthpeak Properties, Inc. (the “Company”) and Thomas M. Herzog mutually agreed that Mr. Herzog would step down from his position as Chief Executive Officer and from the board of directors (the “Board”) of the Company, effective immediately. Mr. Herzog’s decision to step down was not due to any disagreements on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

In connection with Mr. Herzog stepping down from his position, subject to his execution and non-revocation of an effective release agreement (the “Release Agreement”) and compliance with certain restrictive covenants set forth in the Release Agreement, Mr. Herzog will be entitled to receive the following severance payments and benefits under the Company’s Executive Severance Plan (as amended, the “Severance Plan”):

 

   

An amount in cash equal to three times the sum of (i) Mr. Herzog’s base salary plus (ii) the greater of his target annual bonus or his actual 2021 annual bonus;

 

   

A pro-rated 2022 annual bonus, based on actual performance (except that the portion of the bonus based on individual performance (i.e. forty percent (40%) of such bonus) will be no less than Mr. Herzog’s target bonus attributable to such portion);

 

   

Continued vesting of Mr. Herzog’s outstanding time-based restricted stock units covering Company common stock in accordance with their terms for twenty-four months following separation, after which any remaining unvested portion of such restricted stock units will fully vest;

 

   

Continued vesting of Mr. Herzog’s outstanding performance-based restricted stock units covering Company common stock in accordance with their terms with respect to the applicable performance requirements (with such awards becoming fully vested with respect to any time-based vesting requirements); and

 

   

An amount equal to three years of Mr. Herzog’s monthly COBRA premiums.

The Company expects to record an accounting charge for severance and related expenses of approximately $25 million to $30 million upon execution of the Release Agreement. This does not represent the actual value of Mr. Herzog’s severance payments and benefits, which will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to the Company’s future stock price and future total shareholder return, and, accordingly, cannot be quantified with any certainty at this time. The foregoing description of the Release Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Release Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated by reference herein. Further, the foregoing description of the Severance Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Severance Plan, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 1, 2016, and which was amended as described in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2022, as filed with the SEC on August 3, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Appointment of Scott M. Brinker as President and Chief Executive Officer and Election as Director

On October 6, 2022, the Board appointed Scott M. Brinker, the Company’s President and Chief Investment Officer, as President and Chief Executive Officer, and elected him to the Board, effective immediately.

Mr. Brinker, age 46, served as President and Chief Investment Officer of the Company since January 2020. He was previously Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Company. Prior to joining the Company in 2018, Mr. Brinker served in various investment and portfolio management-related roles at Welltower Inc., a healthcare REIT, between July 2001 and January 2017, most recently as its Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer.

Following his appointment, Mr. Brinker will be eligible to receive the severance benefits provided to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company under the Severance Plan and the Company’s Executive Change in Control Severance Plan (the “CIC Severance Plan”).


The foregoing description of the CIC Severance Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the CIC Severance Plan, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016, filed with the SEC on November 1, 2016, and which was amended as described in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2022, as filed with the SEC on August 3, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01.

Regulation FD Disclosure.

A copy of the Company’s press release announcing changes to the executive team, including the departure of Mr. Herzog as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board, and the appointment of Mr. Brinker as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information in Item 7.01 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

10.1    Release Agreement for Thomas M. Herzog, dated October 6, 2022
99.1    Press Release, dated October 6, 2022
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    Healthpeak Properties, Inc.
Date: October 6, 2022     By:  

/s/ Peter A. Scott

    Name:   Peter A. Scott
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 10.1

RELEASE AGREEMENT

This Release Agreement (this “Release Agreement”) is entered into this 6th day of October 2022, by and between Thomas M. Herzog, an individual (“Executive”), and Healthpeak Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”).

WHEREAS, Executive has been employed by the Company; and

WHEREAS, Executive’s employment by the Company has terminated effective as of October 6, 2022 (the “Separation Date”) and, as a condition to Executive’s receipt of certain severance benefits under the Company’s Executive Severance Plan (as amended, the “Plan”), the Company and Executive desire to enter into this Release Agreement upon the terms set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants undertaken and the release contained in this Release Agreement, and in consideration of the obligations of the Company (or one of its subsidiaries) to pay severance benefits (subject to and conditioned upon Executive’s timely execution and non-revocation of this Release Agreement and compliance with the other terms and conditions contained herein) under and pursuant to the Plan, Executive and the Company agree as follows:

1. Separation Date. Effective as of the Separation Date, Executive’s status as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, as a member of the Company’s board of directors and as an employee, officer and director of the Company and its affiliates terminated. Executive shall, at the Company’s request, execute and deliver to the Company Executive’s resignation from all such directorships.

2. Release. Executive, on behalf of himself, his descendants, dependents, heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, and successors, and each of them, hereby acknowledges full and complete satisfaction of and covenants not to sue and fully releases and discharges the Company and each of its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, past and present, as well as its and their trustees, directors, officers, members, managers, partners, agents, attorneys, insurers, employees, stockholders, representatives, assigns, and successors, past and present, and each of them, hereinafter together and collectively referred to as the “Releasees,” with respect to and from any and all claims, wages, demands, rights, liens, agreements or contracts (written or oral), covenants, actions, suits, causes of action, obligations, debts, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, judgments, orders and liabilities of whatever kind or nature in law, equity or otherwise, whether now known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, and whether or not concealed or hidden (each, a “Claim”), which he now owns or holds or he has at any time heretofore owned or held or may in the future hold as against any of said Releasees (including, without limitation, any Claim arising out of or in any way connected with Executive’s service as an officer, director, employee, member, stockholder or manager of any Releasee, Executive’s separation from his position as an officer, director, employee, manager, stockholder and/or member, as applicable, of any Releasee, or any other transactions, occurrences, acts or omissions or any loss, damage or injury whatever), whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, resulting from any act or omission by or on the part of said Releasees, or any of them, committed or omitted prior to the date on which Executive signs this Release Agreement, including, without limiting the generality


of the foregoing, any Claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act; the California Family Rights Act, the California Labor Code, California Wage Orders, California Business & Professions Code Section 17200, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), the Colorado Lawful Off-Duty Activities Statute (LODA), the Colorado Personnel Files Employee Inspection Right Statute, the Colorado Labor Peace Act, the Colorado Labor Relations Act, the Colorado Equal Pay Act, the Colorado Minimum Wage Order, the Colorado Genetic Information Non-Disclosure Act, or any other federal, state or local law, regulation, or ordinance, or any Claim for severance pay, bonus, sick leave, holiday pay, vacation pay, life insurance, health or medical insurance or any other fringe benefit, workers’ compensation or disability; provided however, that the foregoing release shall not apply to: (a) Executive’s right to receive the Severance Benefits (as defined below), which Severance Benefits (among other things) are good and valuable consideration for this Release Agreement (subject to Section 4 hereof); (b) any rights Executive has in Executive’s capacity as a holder of any equity-based awards previously granted by the Company to Executive, to the extent that such awards continue after the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan (subject to Section 4 hereof); (c) any right to indemnification that Executive may have pursuant to the Sixth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, its corporate charter or under any written indemnification agreement with the Company (or any corresponding provision of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company) with respect to any loss, damages or expenses (including but not limited to attorneys’ fees to the extent otherwise provided) that Executive may in the future incur with respect to his service as an employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; (d) any rights that Executive may have to insurance coverage for losses, damages or expenses described under the foregoing clause (c) under any Company (or subsidiary or affiliate) directors and officers liability insurance policy; (e) any rights to continued medical or dental coverage that Executive may have under COBRA; (f) any rights to payment of benefits that Executive may have under a retirement plan sponsored or maintained by the Company that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; or (g) any vested deferred compensation or supplemental retirement benefits that Executive may be entitled to under a nonqualified deferred compensation or supplemental retirement plan of the Company. In addition, this release does not cover any Claim that cannot be so released as a matter of applicable law. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he has received any and all leave and other benefits that he has been and is entitled to pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

3. Acknowledgment of Payment of Wages; Severance. Except for accrued vacation (which the parties agree totals approximately 228 hours of pay) and salary for the pay period in which the Separation Date occurred, Executive acknowledges that he has received all amounts owed for his or her regular and usual salary (including, but not limited to, any bonus or other wages) and usual benefits through the date of this Release Agreement. Provided Executive timely executes this Release Agreement and does not revoke the release of Claims set forth in this Release Agreement, such that this Release Agreement becomes effective and irrevocable on the eighth (8th) day after Executive executes this Release Agreement, and subject to Section 4 hereof, the Company shall pay or provide (as applicable) to Executive the payments and benefits provided for under Section 5 of the Plan (the “Severance Benefits”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

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4. Clawback. In the event that (a) Executive breaches any of Executive’s obligations, agreements or covenants under this Release Agreement or otherwise imposed by law, or (b) the Company determines, following the Separation Date, that circumstances existed on or prior to the Separation Date that would have constituted “Cause” (as defined in the Plan) under clauses (iv), (v) or (vi) thereof for the Company to terminate Executive’s employment (subject to Section 16 below in the event of any dispute between the Company and Executive as to whether “Cause” existed), the Company will be entitled to (i) cease paying any then-unpaid Severance Benefits, and (ii) recover any previously-paid Severance Benefits from Executive, including, without limitation, the proceeds received from the sale of any shares of Company common stock acquired by Executive in connection with the acceleration or continued vesting of Executive’s equity awards under the Plan in connection with his termination of employment with the Company, and the Company will be entitled to obtain all other relief provided by law or equity. Executive agrees to promptly repay to the Company, within ten (10) days after written demand therefor, any Severance Benefits that the Company is entitled to recover pursuant to the preceding sentence. Further, any Severance Benefits which are subject to recovery under any law, government regulation, order or stock exchange listing requirement, or under any policy of the Company adopted from time to time, will be subject to such deductions and clawback (recovery) as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation, order, stock exchange listing requirement or policy of the Company. Executive specifically authorizes the Company to withhold from future wages or future payments of Severance Benefits any amounts that may become due under this Section 4.

5. Waiver of Unknown and Unsuspected Claims. It is the intention of Executive in executing this Release Agreement that the same shall be effective as a bar to each and every Claim hereinabove specified. In furtherance of this intention, Executive hereby expressly waives any and all rights and benefits conferred upon him or her by the provisions of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code (“Section 1542”), as well as any other similar statute or common law doctrine that may apply, and expressly consents that this Release Agreement shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including those related to unknown and unsuspected Claims, if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims hereinabove specified. Section 1542 provides:

“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.”

Executive acknowledges that he may hereafter discover Claims or facts in addition to or different from those which Executive now knows or believes to exist with respect to the subject matter of this Release Agreement and which, if known or suspected at the time of executing this Release Agreement, may have materially affected this settlement. Nevertheless, Executive hereby waives any right, Claim or cause of action that might arise as a result of such different or additional Claims or facts. Executive acknowledges that he understands the significance and consequences of such release and such specific waiver of Section 1542 and any similar applicable statute or doctrine of law.

 

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6. ADEA Waiver. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that by entering into this Release Agreement, Executive is waiving any and all rights or Claims that he may have arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (the “ADEA”), which have arisen on or before the date of execution of this Release Agreement. Executive further expressly acknowledges and agrees that:

(a) In return for this Release Agreement, Executive will receive consideration beyond that which Executive was already entitled to receive before entering into this Release Agreement;

(b) Executive is hereby advised in writing by this Release Agreement that Executive has the right to and should consult with an attorney before signing this Release Agreement;

(c) Executive has voluntarily chosen to enter into this Release Agreement and has not been forced or pressured in any way to sign it;

(d) Executive was given a copy of this Release Agreement on October 6, 2022 and informed that he had 21 days within which to consider this Release Agreement and that if he wished to execute this Release Agreement prior to expiration of such 21-day period, he should execute the Endorsement attached hereto;

(e) Executive was informed that he had seven days following the date of his execution of this Release Agreement in which to revoke this Release Agreement, and this Release Agreement will become null and void if Executive revokes this Release Agreement during that time. Any revocation must be in writing and must be received by the Company during the seven-day revocation period. In the event that Executive exercises his right of revocation, neither the Company nor Executive will have any obligations under this Release Agreement and Executive will not become entitled to the Severance Benefits;

(f) Executive understands that this Release Agreement shall become effective, irrevocable, and binding upon Executive on the eighth (8th) day after his execution of it, so long as Executive has not revoked it within the time period and in the manner specified in clause (e) above;

(g) Nothing in this Release Agreement prevents or precludes Executive from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs from doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law.

7. No Transferred Claims; No Admission of Liability. Executive warrants and represents that Executive has not heretofore assigned or transferred to any person not a party to this Release Agreement any released matter or any part or portion thereof and he shall defend, indemnify and hold the Releasees harmless from and against any claim (including the payment of attorneys’ fees and costs actually incurred whether or not litigation is commenced) based on or in connection with or arising out of any such assignment or transfer made, purported or claimed. It is the intention of the parties that this indemnity does not require payment as a condition precedent to recovery by the Releasees against Executive under this indemnity. Executive understands that neither the payment of any sum of money nor the execution of this Release Agreement shall constitute or be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever by the Releasees, or any of them, who have consistently taken the position that they have no liability whatsoever to Executive.

 

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8. Covenants. Executive by executing this Release Agreement expressly agrees to each of the following provisions of this Section 8:

(a) Confidentiality. Executive shall not at any time directly or indirectly, disclose or make available to any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, any Confidential Information (as defined below); provided, however, that this Section 8(a) shall not apply when (i) disclosure is required by law or by any court, arbitrator, mediator or administrative or legislative body (including any committee thereof) with apparent jurisdiction to order Executive to disclose or make available such information (provided, however, that Executive shall promptly notify the Company in writing upon receiving a request for such information), or (ii) with respect to any other litigation, arbitration or mediation involving this Release Agreement, including but not limited to enforcement of this Release Agreement. As of the date of this Release Agreement, all Confidential Information in Executive’s possession that is in written, digital or other tangible form (together with all copies or duplicates thereof, including computer files) has been returned to the Company and has not been retained by Executive or furnished to any third party, in any form except as provided herein; provided, however, that Executive shall not be obligated to treat as confidential, or return to the Company copies of any Confidential Information that (x) was publicly known at the time it was disclosed to Executive, (y) becomes publicly known or available thereafter other than by any means in violation of the Plan or any other duty owed to the Company by any person or entity, or (z) is lawfully disclosed to Executive by a third party. As used in this Release Agreement, the term “Confidential Information” means: information disclosed to Executive or known by Executive as a consequence of or through Executive’s relationship with the Company, about the suppliers, customers, employees, business methods, public relations methods, organization, procedures or finances, including, without limitation, information of or relating to supplier lists or customer lists, of the Company and its affiliates (collectively, the “Company Group”). Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Release Agreement to the contrary, Executive shall not be prohibited from reporting possible violations of federal or state law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal or state law or regulation, nor is Executive required to notify the Company regarding any such reporting, disclosure or cooperation with the government.

(b) Noncompetition. Executive acknowledges that the nature of the Company Group’s business and Executive’s position with the Company is such that if Executive were to become employed by, or substantially involved in, the business of a competitor of the Company Group during the 12 months following the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, it would not be possible, or would be very difficult, for Executive not to rely on or use the Company Group’s trade secrets and Confidential Information. Thus, to avoid the inevitable disclosure of the Company Group’s trade secrets and Confidential Information, and to protect such trade secrets and Confidential Information and the Company Group’s relationships and goodwill with customers, for a period of 12 months after the termination date (the “Restricted Period”), Executive will not directly or indirectly engage in (whether as an employee, consultant, agent, proprietor, principal, partner, stockholder, corporate officer, director or otherwise), nor have any ownership interest in, or participate in the financing, operation, management or control of, any

 

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person, firm, corporation or business anywhere in the United States and Mexico (the “Restricted Area”) that competes with any member of the Company Group in the healthcare real estate acquisition, development, leasing, management, investment or financing industry (a “Competing Business”); provided, that Executive may purchase and hold only for investment purposes less than two percent of the shares of any corporation in competition with the Company Group whose shares are regularly traded on a national securities exchange. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in the event Executive accepts employment with or provides services to a business (the “Service Recipient”) that is affiliated with another business that engages in a Competing Business or which derives a de minimis portion of its gross revenues from Competing Businesses, Executive’s employment by or service to the Service Recipient shall not constitute a breach by Executive of his or her obligations pursuant to this Section 6(b) so long as each of the following conditions is satisfied at all times during the Restricted Period and while Executive is employed by or providing service to the Service Recipient: (i) no more than 10% of the gross revenues of the Service Recipient are derived from Competing Businesses; (ii) no more than 10% of the gross revenues of the Service Recipient and those entities that (directly or through one or more intermediaries) are controlled by, control, or are under common control with such Service Recipient, together on a consolidated basis, are derived from Competing Businesses; and (iii) in the course of Executive’s services for the Service Recipient, a material portion (no more than 10%) of Executive’s services are not directly involved in or responsible for any Competing Business. The foregoing covenants in this Section 8(b) shall continue in effect through the entire Restricted Period regardless of whether Executive is then entitled to receive any Severance Benefits from the Company.

(c) Non-Solicitation of Employees. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not directly or indirectly solicit, induce, attempt to hire, recruit, encourage, take away, or hire any employee or independent contractor of the Company Group whose annual rate of compensation is then $50,000 or more or cause any such Company Group employee or contractor to leave his or her employment or engagement with the Company Group either for employment with Executive or for any other entity or person. The foregoing covenants in this Section 8(c) shall continue in effect through the entire Restricted Period regardless of whether Executive is then entitled to receive any Severance Benefits from the Company.

(d) Non-Solicitation of Customers. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not directly or indirectly influence or attempt to influence customers, vendors, suppliers, licensors, lessors, joint venturers, associates, consultants, agents, or partners of the Company Group to divert their business away from the Company Group to any Competing Business, and Executive agrees not to otherwise interfere with, disrupt or attempt to disrupt the business relationships, contractual or otherwise, between any member of the Company Group and any of its customers, suppliers, vendors, lessors, licensors, joint venturers, associates, officers, employees, consultants, managers, partners, members or investors. The foregoing covenants in this Section 8(d) shall continue in effect through the entire Restricted Period regardless of whether Executive is then entitled to receive any Severance Payments from the Company.

(e) Non-Disparagement. During Executive’s employment with the Company Group and thereafter, Executive shall not make any statement, publicly or privately, that would or would be reasonably expected to disparage the Company or its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, or agents. Nothing in this Agreement or otherwise prevents Executive from making any truthful statement (a) to the extent required or protected by law or legal process or (b) to a governmental agency or any judicial, arbitral or self-regulatory forum.

 

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(f) Disclosures. The Company agrees that, with respect to any statements or communications relating to Executive’s service as (or departure as) an employee and/or Chief Executive Officer of the Company and/or a member of the Company’s Board of Directors that are intended for mass distribution to the Company’s employees and/or the public, the Company will provide Executive with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such statements and communications prior to their distribution; provided, that this Section 8(f) shall not prohibit the Company from making statements or communications (including filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission) that legal counsel advises the Company are required or protected by applicable law or legal process.

(g) Understanding of Covenants. Executive, by signing this Release Agreement, represents as follows: Executive (i) is familiar with the foregoing covenants set forth in this Section 8, (ii) is fully aware of Executive’s obligations hereunder, (iii) agrees to the reasonableness of the length of time, scope and geographic coverage of the foregoing covenants set forth in this Section 8, (iv) agrees that the Company Group currently conducts business throughout the Restricted Area and (v) agrees that such covenants are necessary to protect the Company Group’s confidential and proprietary information, goodwill, stable workforce, and customer relations.

(h) Right to Injunctive and Equitable Relief. Executive’s obligations not to disclose or use Confidential Information and to refrain from the solicitations described in this Section 8 are of a special and unique character, which gives them a peculiar value. The Company cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in damages in an action at law in the event Executive breaches such obligations, and the breach of such obligations would cause irreparable harm to the Company. Therefore, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief without bond or other security in the event of such breach in addition to any other rights or remedies which the Company may possess. Furthermore, Executive’s obligations and the rights and remedies of the Company under this Section 8 are cumulative and in addition to, and not in lieu of, any obligations, rights, or remedies created by applicable law relating to misappropriation or theft of trade secrets or confidential information.

(i) Cooperation. Executive shall respond to all reasonable inquiries of the Company about any matters concerning the Company or its affairs that occurred or arose during Executive’s employment by the Company, and Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Company in investigating, prosecuting and defending any charges, claims, demands, liabilities, causes of action, lawsuits or other proceedings by, against or involving the Company relating to the period during which Executive was employed by the Company or relating to matters of which Executive had or should have had knowledge or information. Further, except as required by law, Executive will at no time voluntarily serve as a witness or offer written or oral testimony against the Company in conjunction with any complaints, charges or lawsuits brought against the Company by or on behalf of any current or former employees, or any governmental or administrative agencies related to Executive’s period of employment and will provide the Company with notice of any subpoena or other request for such information or testimony.

 

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9. Certain Exceptions; Defend Trade Secrets Act Notice of Immunity Rights. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit Executive from communicating directly with, cooperating with, or providing information to, any government regulator, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or the U.S. Department of Justice. Executive acknowledges that the Company has provided Executive with the following notice of immunity rights in compliance with the requirements of the Defend Trade Secrets Act: (i) Executive shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of proprietary information that is made in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, (ii) Executive shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of proprietary information that is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal, and (iii) if Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Employee may disclose the proprietary information to his or her attorney and use the proprietary information in the court proceeding, if Executive files any document containing the proprietary information under seal, and does not disclose the proprietary information, except pursuant to court order.

10. Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties hereto that the provisions of this Release Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Release Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable under any present or future law, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Release Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction; furthermore, in lieu of such invalid or unenforceable provision there will be added automatically as a part of this Release Agreement, a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Release Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

11. Counterparts. This Release Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.

12. Governing Law. THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNITED STATES FEDERAL LAW AND, TO THE EXTENT NOT PREEMPTED BY UNITED STATES FEDERAL LAW, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF COLORADO OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN UNITED STATES FEDERAL LAW AND THE LAW OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAW AND, TO THE EXTENT NOT PREEMPTED BY APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAW, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTION’S CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.

 

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13. Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Release Agreement may be amended and waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and Executive, and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Release Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Release Agreement or any provision hereof.

14. Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings of this Release Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Release Agreement.

15. Construction. Where specific language is used to clarify by example a general statement contained herein, such specific language shall not be deemed to modify, limit or restrict in any manner the construction of the general statement to which it relates. The language used in this Release Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

16. Arbitration. Any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Release Agreement shall be submitted to arbitration in accordance with the arbitration provision set forth in the Plan.

17. Nouns and Pronouns. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used herein shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural and vice-versa.

18. Legal Counsel. Each party recognizes that this is a legally binding contract. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he has read and understands this Release Agreement completely, is entering into it freely and voluntarily, and has been advised to seek legal counsel of his own choice prior to entering into this Release Agreement and he has had ample opportunity to do so.

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The undersigned have read and understood the consequences of this Release Agreement and have voluntarily signed it. The undersigned declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Colorado that the foregoing is true and correct.

EXECUTED this 6th day of October 2022.

 

EXECUTIVE

/s/ Thomas M. Herzog

Thomas M. Herzog

 

HEALTHPEAK PROPERTIES, INC.,

a Maryland corporation

By: /s/ Peter A. Scott

Name: Peter A. Scott
Title: Chief Financial Officer


ENDORSEMENT

I, Thomas M. Herzog, hereby acknowledge that I was given 21 days to consider the foregoing Release Agreement and voluntarily chose to sign the Release Agreement prior to the expiration of the 21-day period.

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States and the State of Colorado that the foregoing is true and correct.

EXECUTED this 6th day of October 2022, at                         ,                         .

 

/s/ Thomas M. Herzog

Thomas M. Herzog

Exhibit 99.1

Healthpeak Properties Announces Changes to Executive Team

Scott Brinker Appointed President and Chief Executive Officer and Elected as Member of the Board

Tom Herzog Steps Down as Chief Executive Officer and Board Director

Scott Bohn Named Chief Development Officer and Adam Mabry Appointed Chief Investment Officer

DENVER, Oct. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – Healthpeak Properties, Inc. (NYSE: PEAK) today announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) has appointed Scott Brinker, the Company’s President and Chief Investment Officer, as President and Chief Executive Officer, and elected him to the Healthpeak Board, effective immediately. Mr. Brinker succeeds Tom Herzog, who mutually agreed with the Board to step down as Chief Executive Officer and from the Board to pursue other endeavors.

Healthpeak also announced that Scott Bohn, Executive Vice President – Co-Head of Life Science, was appointed Chief Development Officer, in addition to retaining his role as Co-Head of Life Science, and Adam Mabry, previously Senior Vice President – Investments, was promoted to Chief Investment Officer.

“Healthpeak’s financial and operational results over the last several quarters underscore the momentum of the business, which positions it well to continue to succeed and deliver value,” said Brian Cartwright, independent Chairman of the Board. “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Tom for his many contributions over his six-year plus tenure and setting a solid foundation for the business moving forward. Scott has played a critical role in Healthpeak’s performance and we are pleased that he will step into the CEO role and welcome him to the Board.”

Mr. Brinker served as President and Chief Investment Officer of Healthpeak since January 2020. He was previously Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Company. Prior to joining Healthpeak in 2018, Mr. Brinker served in various investment and portfolio management-related roles at Welltower Inc., a healthcare REIT, between July 2001 and January 2017, most recently as its Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer.

On the appointment of Mr. Brinker, Mr. Cartwright continued, “Since joining Healthpeak, Scott has consistently proven his operational expertise, strategic acumen and experience driving growth and profitability. He has been essential in both shaping and executing our growth strategies while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation. Scott is exceptionally qualified to serve as CEO and the Board is confident that he will continue to deliver long-term value for all our stakeholders.”

Mr. Brinker commented, “I am honored to step into this role and excited about Healthpeak’s future. I look forward to working closely with our world-class team and Board to capitalize on our scale and expertise in life science, medical office, and CCRC real estate. We expect our high-quality portfolio and platform to produce consistent internal growth through the inevitable market cycles. Our land bank and relationships should drive attractive opportunities for accretive external growth, while we remain disciplined about capital allocation. This is an exciting time to take the helm, as our operating results and balance sheet are in good shape amidst a more chaotic economic environment. I am grateful to Tom for his substantial efforts and I look forward to building on the successful foundation he built for Healthpeak.”


“It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of Healthpeak and I am deeply proud of what we have been able to achieve together for our investors and stakeholders over the last several years,” said Mr. Herzog, outgoing CEO. “I am confident that Scott is the right leader at the right time to drive Healthpeak forward, building on our strong momentum and continuing to generate sustainable long-term value for our shareholders, employees and customers. I would like to thank the Board, Scott and the entire management team for their partnership and I look forward to watching Healthpeak’s continued success.”

Mr. Bohn has served as Executive Vice President – Co-Head of Life Science since February 2022, previously serving as Senior Vice President – Co-Head of Life Science. Prior to joining the Company in 2012, he held various development, acquisition and leasing positions at Terreno Realty Corporation , AMB Property Corporation and RREEF/Deutsche Bank.

Mr. Mabry, a CFA charterholder, has served as Senior Vice President – Investments since September 2018, previously serving as Senior Vice President – Corporate Transactions from February 2018 to September 2018, and Vice President – Corporate Transactions from June 2017 to January 2018. Prior to joining Healthpeak, he was a Vice President at The Wolff Company and a Vice President at Barclays in the real estate investment banking group.

About Healthpeak Properties

Healthpeak Properties, Inc. is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) and S&P 500 company. Healthpeak owns and develops high-quality real estate in the three private-pay healthcare asset classes of Life Science, Medical Office and CCRC. At Healthpeak, we pair our deep understanding of the healthcare real estate market with a strong vision for long-term growth. For more information regarding Healthpeak, visit www.healthpeak.com.

Contact:

Andrew Johns, CFA

Senior Vice President – Investor Relations

720-428-5400

Forward Looking Statements

Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding our and our officers’ intent, belief or expectation as identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “project,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “target,” “forecast,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “could,” “would,” “should” and other comparable and derivative terms or the negatives thereof. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations and views about


future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect our future financial condition and results of operations. While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith belief and assumptions we believe to be reasonable based upon current information, we can give no assurance that our expectations or forecasts will be attained. Further, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any such forward-looking statement contained in this release, and such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the Covid pandemic and health and safety measures intended to reduce its spread, the availability, effectiveness and public usage and acceptance of vaccines, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume within the markets in which we operate; the ability of our existing and future tenants, operators and borrowers to conduct their respective businesses in a manner sufficient to maintain or increase their revenues and manage their expenses in order to generate sufficient income to make rent and loan payments to us and our ability to recover investments made, if applicable, in their operations; increased competition, operating costs and market changes affecting our tenants, operators and borrowers; the financial condition of our tenants, operators and borrowers, including potential bankruptcies and downturns in their businesses, and their legal and regulatory proceedings; our concentration of real estate investments in the healthcare property sector, which makes us more vulnerable to a downturn in a specific sector than if we invested in multiple industries and exposes us to the risks inherent in illiquid investments; our ability to identify and secure replacement tenants and operators and the potential renovation costs and regulatory approvals associated therewith; our property development, redevelopment and tenant improvement activity risks, including project abandonments, project delays and lower profits than expected; changes within the life science industry; high levels of regulation, funding requirements, expense and uncertainty faced by our life science tenants; the ability of the hospitals on whose campuses our MOBs are located and their affiliated healthcare systems to remain competitive or financially viable; our ability to maintain or expand our hospital and health system client relationships; operational risks associated with third party management contracts, including the additional regulation and liabilities of our RIDEA lease structures; economic and other conditions that negatively affect geographic areas from which we recognize a greater percentage of our revenue; uninsured or underinsured losses, which could result in significant losses and/or performance declines by us or our tenants and operators; our investments in joint ventures and unconsolidated entities, including our lack of sole decision making authority and our reliance on our partners’ financial condition and continued cooperation; our use of fixed rent escalators, contingent rent provisions and/or rent escalators based on the Consumer Price Index; competition for suitable healthcare properties to grow our investment portfolio; our ability to foreclose on collateral securing our real estate-related loans; our ability to make material acquisitions and successfully integrate them; the potential impact on us and our tenants, operators and borrowers from litigation matters, including rising liability and insurance costs; an increase in our borrowing costs, including due to higher interest rates; the availability of external capital on acceptable terms or at all, including due to rising interest rates, changes in our credit ratings and the value of our common stock, volatility or uncertainty in the capital markets, and other factors; cash available for distribution to stockholders and our ability to make dividend distributions at expected levels; our ability to manage our indebtedness level and covenants in and changes to the terms of such indebtedness; changes in global, national and local economic and other conditions; laws or regulations prohibiting eviction of our tenants; the failure of our tenants, operators and borrowers to comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations, including resident health and safety requirements, as well


as licensure, certification and inspection requirements; required regulatory approvals to transfer our senior housing properties; compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and fire, safety and other regulations; the requirements of, or changes to, governmental reimbursement programs such as Medicare or Medicaid; legislation to address federal government operations and administration decisions affecting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; our participation in the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund and other Covid-related stimulus and relief programs; provisions of Maryland law and our charter that could prevent a transaction that may otherwise be in the interest of our stockholders; environmental compliance costs and liabilities associated with our real estate investments; our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT; changes to U.S. federal income tax laws, and potential deferred and contingent tax liabilities from corporate acquisitions; calculating non-REIT tax earnings and profits distributions; ownership limits in our charter that restrict ownership in our stock; the loss or limited availability of our key personnel; our reliance on information technology systems and the potential impact of system failures, disruptions or breaches; and other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Except as required by law, we do not undertake, and hereby disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.