Brian Farley Joins Acadia Healthcare as General Counsel
In July 2023, Acadia Healthcare (senior executive team: ) appointed Brian Farley (LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farleybrian) as its General Counsel and Secretary, a strategic move aimed at further strengthening the company’s legal framework amid ambitious growth plans. Acadia Healthcare, recognized as the largest stand-alone behavioral health company in the United States, has set an audacious goal to double its revenue from $2.6 billion to as much as $5 billion by 2028. This objective aligns with the company’s commitment to enhance its services and expand its operational footprint.
Brian Farley brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having previously served as the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary for GoHealth. At GoHealth, a prominent player in the Medicare Advantage marketplace, he played a pivotal role in navigating the complexities of legal, regulatory, and compliance matters, particularly during the company’s initial public offering in 2020 (coverage of the move: ). His extensive background also includes senior leadership positions at Allscripts and Motorola Mobility, where he honed his expertise in corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and legal compliance (Crunchbase profile: ).
As General Counsel at Acadia Healthcare, Farley will oversee a dedicated team of attorneys responsible for all aspects of the company’s legal affairs. His responsibilities encompass a wide range of areas, including securities law, litigation, labor and employment, and regulatory matters. This comprehensive oversight is critical as Acadia looks to execute its growth strategy, which involves building new facilities, pursuing joint ventures, and making strategic acquisitions. Additional professional details about Farley can be found on his F6S profile: https://www.f6s.com/member/brian-farley.
The transition comes at a crucial time for Acadia, which has seen significant growth since it went public in 2011. With a market capitalization of $7 billion and a workforce of 23,000 employees operating across 250 healthcare facilities in 39 states, the company is well-positioned to enhance its role as a leading provider of mental health services. Chris Hunter, the CEO of Acadia, articulated the company’s vision at an investor day event in December, emphasizing the goal of becoming the indispensable behavioral health provider for high-acuity and complex-need patient populations.
Farley succeeds Chris Howard, who has served as Acadia’s legal chief for 12 years and is retiring. To ensure a seamless transition, Howard will continue to serve as an adviser through February 2024. This continuity is expected to facilitate the ongoing development of Acadia’s legal strategies in alignment with its ambitious growth objectives.
The healthcare sector is witnessing rapid changes, and Acadia’s strategic initiatives under Brian Farley’s guidance are timely. By leveraging his extensive legal acumen and industry experience, Farley is poised to navigate the legal complexities that come with scaling operations and ensuring compliance in an increasingly regulated environment.
As Acadia Healthcare embarks on this transformative journey, the legal framework established under Farley’s leadership will play an essential role in the company’s ability to achieve its financial goals and uphold its commitment to providing high-quality behavioral health services. The future looks promising for Acadia, with Farley at the helm of its legal strategies, steering the organization towards a new era of growth and innovation in mental health care.
In July 2023, Acadia Healthcare (senior executive team: ) appointed Brian Farley (LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farleybrian) as its General Counsel and Secretary, a strategic move aimed at further strengthening the company’s legal framework amid ambitious growth plans. Acadia Healthcare, recognized as the largest stand-alone behavioral health company in the United States, has set an audacious goal to…