Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. announced the passing of Samuel Zell, the Company's Chairman. Sam served as Chairman of Board of Directors since March 1995 and as Chief Executive Officer from March 1995 to August 1996. Sam was an entrepreneur and investor with a global perspective and is recognized as a founder of the modern real estate investment trust industry.

In addition to his service at ELS, Sam served as chairman of Equity Group Investments, the private investment firm he founded more than 50 years ago, Equity Residential, a publicly traded apartment REIT, Equity Commonwealth, a publicly traded office REIT and Equity International, a private investment firm focused on real estate-related companies outside the United States. Sam was an active philanthropist with a focus on entrepreneurial education. Through the Zell Family Foundation, he led the sponsorship of several leading entrepreneurs programs, including programs at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, Reichman University in Israel and the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

Consistent with the Company's long-standing succession plans, the Board of Directors named Thomas Heneghan to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Heneghan has served as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors since May 2018 and was Co-Vice Chairman from 2013 to 2018. Mr. Heneghan served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from January 2004 to February 2013.