# Essel W. Bailey, Jr.

> Essel W. Bailey, Jr. is a Michigan lawyer, private investor, and founder and former president and CEO of Omega Healthcare Investors. His later work includes an advisory role at Oxford Companies, co-ownership of Knights Bridge Winery, and educational and arts philanthropy with his wife, Menakka Bailey, including a $15 million Cranbrook commitment announced in 2026.

- **Role:** Managing Director at Alpha Capital; Advisor at Oxford Companies
- **Organizations:** Omega Healthcare Investors (founder; former president, CEO and chairman), Omega Worldwide (founder; former president and CEO), Alpha Capital, Oxford Companies, Knights Bridge Winery, Wesleyan University, The Nature Conservancy (documented past trustee/officer service), Dykema Gossett (former partner)
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Cranbrook School, Bachelor of Arts, Wesleyan University, Juris Doctor, University of Michigan Law School
- **Known for:** Founded and led Omega Healthcare Investors beginning in 1992., Organized and led two publicly listed companies., Co-founded Knights Bridge Winery with family and friends in 2006.

## Career timeline

- **1962** — Graduated from Cranbrook.
- **1966** — Graduated from Wesleyan University.
- **1969** — University of Michigan Law School class of 1969; admitted to Michigan bar.
- **1986–1992** — Managing director of Omega Capital.
- **1992** — Founded Omega Healthcare Investors and became president and CEO.
- **1995** — Became Omega chairman in July.
- **1999** — Omega proxy identifies him as president, CEO and director of separately listed Omega Worldwide.
- **2000** — Resigned as an Omega officer effective July 14; continued under a consulting agreement.
- **2006** — Joined Jim Bailey and Tom Costin in founding Knights Bridge Winery.
- **2013** — With Menakka, committed nearly $3 million for a visiting professorship at Wesleyan’s College of the Environment.
- **2017** — New $4 million commitment brought the couple’s support for that college to $7.5 million at that date.
- **2023** — Wesleyan’s College of the Environment carried the couple’s names.
- **2026** — Cranbrook announced the couple’s $15 million gift for renovation and permanent endowment of its performing arts center.

## Achievements

- Founded and led Omega Healthcare Investors beginning in 1992.
- Organized and led two publicly listed companies.
- Co-founded Knights Bridge Winery with family and friends in 2006.
- With Menakka Bailey, endowed visiting scholarship and student opportunities at Wesleyan.
- With Menakka Bailey, committed $15 million to Cranbrook’s performing arts center.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Cranbrook publicly announced a $15 million lead gift from Essel and Menakka Bailey to restore and permanently endow the performing arts center, to be renamed The Bailey Center for the Performing Arts.

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/essel-w-bailey
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23