Brian Farley Joins Acadia Healthcare as General Counsel Amid Major Growth Initiative
In a strategic move aimed at bolstering its legal framework, Acadia Healthcare has appointed Brian Farley as its new General Counsel and Secretary. This transition, effective July 26, 2023, comes as the healthcare provider seeks to expand its operations significantly, with a goal to double revenue by 2028. Farley brings a wealth of experience from his previous role as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at GoHealth, one of the largest publicly traded Medicare Advantage marketplaces in the United States.
Farley’s responsibilities at Acadia involve overseeing a dedicated legal team that manages all facets of the organization’s legal affairs. His expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of areas, including securities law, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation. This comprehensive skill set positions him as a key strategic advisor to the executive team and the Board of Directors, ensuring that the company navigates the complex legal landscape of the healthcare sector effectively.
Before his tenure at GoHealth, Farley made significant contributions at Allscripts, where he served as General Counsel and played a pivotal role in the company’s legal and administrative functions. His career also includes notable positions at Motorola Mobility, where he was involved in major corporate transactions, including the company’s $12.5 billion sale to Google. This extensive background in legal leadership within the healthcare and technology industries equips Farley to handle the challenges faced by Acadia as it aims to enhance its market position.
Acadia Healthcare, headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, positions itself as the largest stand-alone behavioral health company in the nation, boasting a market capitalization of approximately $7 billion and a workforce of 23,000 employees across 250 facilities in 39 states. With ambitious plans to grow annual revenue from $2.6 billion to as much as $5 billion by 2028, Acadia is set to implement a strategy focused on constructing new facilities, pursuing joint ventures, executing acquisitions, and investing in advanced technologies.
Farley is taking over the legal helm from Chris Howard, who is retiring after 12 years in the role. Howard will continue to provide advisory support until February 2024 to facilitate a seamless transition. This change in leadership reflects Acadia’s commitment to maintaining a robust legal framework amidst its ambitious growth trajectory.
Educationally, Farley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economics from Colorado College and a Juris Doctor from The George Washington University National Law Center. Additionally, he has an Executive Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Colorado, equipping him with a well-rounded perspective that blends legal acumen with business strategy.
As Acadia continues to navigate the complexities of the healthcare landscape, Brian Farley’s extensive experience and strategic insight are expected to play a vital role in steering the company towards its ambitious goals, ensuring compliance and fostering a sustainable growth environment in the ever-changing world of behavioral health services. His appointment was noted by Law.com as a key turning point for the company.