Andy Isakson is the visionary leader of Isakson Living. Through his steadfast research and compassionate commitment, the future of senior living has been redefined. Andy’s blend of hands-on commercial real estate experience and abundant creativity were the driving forces behind Park Springs and Peachtree Hills Place. Andy’s leadership continues to guide the firm through construction, presale and future projects through the Southeastern region. Andy has been recognized widely for his contributions, especially in the area of community health. In 2008, he was a recipient of the Joseph D. Greene Community Service Award by the Healthcare Georgia Foundation for his efforts to improve the health of Georgia’s children. In 2023, Andy accepted the Atlanta Neuroscience Foundation Community Leadership Award on behalf of the Isakson family for their service and impact on the lives of people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Recognizing a growing need for innovation in an outdated industry, Tim Gary began his first senior living project in 1996. Although the industry presented complex challenges, it also provided the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of seniors and their loved ones. For 20+ years, Tim continued to own, develop, and manage senior living communities that fostered the dignity, comfort, and happiness of residents. Today, Tim’s Galerie and the Fynn teams continue to elevate the senior living experience through vision, leadership, care, service and technology.

Marissa joins The Benoit Group as a Director of Development with over 18 years of experience in the real estate industry. Her career in real estate began with GE Capital’s equity investment team as an Associate where she underwrote multi-family, retail, office, and industrial assets. Marissa then transitioned to being a Portfolio Manager at Atlanta Housing where she managed the redevelopment of Atlanta Housing’s original communities. She was then promoted to roles in project management with Truist Community Capital and U.S. Bank. As an investor and lender, Marissa has collectively underwritten and funded over $1.5 Billion in equity and debt for the construction and rehabilitation of housing across the country.

Prior to joining The Benoit Group, Marissa worked in development as a project manager for organizations such as National Church Residences, the nation’s largest non-profit developer of senior housing, and at CIM Group, the master developer for the $5B investment in downtown Atlanta, known as Centennial Yards.

A graduate of The Art Institute of Atlanta with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, Melissa Banko founded Banko Design with 10+ years of experience in the industry. Her creative and leadership skills were recognized early; she led the interior studios of Rule Joy Trammell + Rubio and played a vital part in building project teams at TVS Design. She brings a comprehensive approach to each project, with an ability to implement cutting edge designs, timeless aesthetics, and incomparable project management. As Founder and Principal of Banko Design, Melissa oversees the day-to-day operations of a 50 person team of designers, interior architects, purchasing agents, warehouse staff and administrative personnel. Under Melissa’s guidance, Banko Design is renowned for offering great design and unparalleled project management at an incredible value to each of our clients.

Chris Chelette is Senior Vice President, Facilities Services at Children’s Healthcare

of Atlanta. Chris is accountable for planning, design, development, and

construction at existing and future facilities within the Children’s system, as well as

executive oversight to the facilities operations teams including engineering, security,

safety, parking, environmental services, food services, healthcare technology

management, and emergency management / preparedness. Additionally, Chris

oversees the master facility plan for all Children’s locations and all facility-related

issues that support the strategic plan, ensuring that space and facility needs of the

organization are met.

Since 2016, Chris has led the master planning, design, and construction of the

more than $2 billion North Druid Hills campus, which includes the Center for

Advanced Pediatrics, the Support Center for non-clinical offices and training, and

Arthur M. Blank Hospital, which is a 446-bed replacement hospital for Egleston

Hospital that recently opened on September 29, 2024.

For over 27 years, Chris has centered his career on healthcare and life science

construction. He has provided direct project management and executive oversight

on projects across the country in both the non-profit and for-profit healthcare

sectors. Specifically in Georgia, Chris has been involved with several of the large

hospital systems in Atlanta, Augusta, and Savannah.

Growing up in Nashville, Tennessee, Chris earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil

Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a Master’s Degree in

Construction Engineering and Management from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Adam Boswell, an Associate at Martin/Martin, Inc.—a 370+ employee-owned, full-service civil, structural, and survey engineering firm headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with nine offices nationwide, including Atlanta—brings over 17 years of experience in designing and delivering large-scale projects, with a focus on healthcare facilities. His portfolio includes new medical facilities, as well as repairs and mechanical upgrades to existing healthcare infrastructure, including several VA clinics in the southern United States. As the leader of Martin/Martin’s Atlanta office, Adam combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of regional market dynamics to drive successful project outcomes.

As Healthcare Regional Director, Rafi oversees TLC Engineering Solutions’ staff and technical project excellence in the Carolinas, Atlanta, North Florida. He has extensive engineering design experience in healthcare facilities including new hospitals, patient towers, master planning, medical office buildings, surgery centers, emergency departments, and various other healthcare projects. With over two decades of design and leadership experience, Rafi brings a client‑first approach, frequently partnering directly with clients to ensure successful outcomes.

John brings over 20 years of executive corporate real estate management expertise, with a strong track record of building successful strategies for clients in complex real estate environments. As the VP of Business Development at Shaw Industries, John works closely with strategic financial equity clients to develop long-term strategies that address capital renewal needs across intricate portfolios. His ability to navigate the complexities of healthcare and senior living real estate, combined with a focus on cost management, sustainability, and operational efficiency, ensures tailored solutions that meet both client objectives and market demands.

John’s extensive experience includes leadership roles at CBRE, where he gained global expertise across multiple industry sectors, Terwilliger Plaza as the VP Operations for 1,000+ resident community and skilled nursing facility, and Oregon Health Sciences University, where he managed over 3 million square feet of complex academic and research facilities and infrastructure. His diverse background also encompasses manufacturing, product development, and hospitality, all of which inform his unique approach to real estate strategy. This breadth of experience is built on the foundation of being a noncommissioned officer in the US Army as a decorated combat medic and trauma nurse deployed to multiple combat zones. This enables John to deliver creative, people-first solutions that drive lasting business results.

Beyond his professional achievements, John enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest and traveling the globe with his wife, Dyann, savoring food and wine from around the world.