Des Moines-based senior living communities company LCS announced today that Joel Nelson has been promoted to CEO and president of the company, effective Jan. 1. Ed Kenny will continue as chairman of the board of Life Care Companies LLC and LCS Holdings Inc. “LCS has an impressive track record specific to CEO succession planning,” Kenny said in a release. “After 38 wonderful years with LCS, it was time that I put in place a planned retirement strategy for my role within the company. I know Joel will do a great job in his new role, and we are confident about the future of LCS under his leadership.” Nelson has been with LCS for more than 30 years, and has been president and chief operating officer since 2015.