State of Senior Living

Growth dynamics, potential for investment & supply requirements locally

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  Andy Isakson

  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.

  Isakson Living

  President & Founding Managing Partner

  Andy Isakson

  President & Founding Managing Partner

  Isakson Living

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  Tim Gary

  Recognizing a growing need for innovation in an outdated industry, Tim Gary began his first senior living project in 1996.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.

  Galerie Living

  CEO & Founder

  Tim Gary

  CEO & Founder

  Galerie Living

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  Marissa Phipps

  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.

  The Benoit Group

  Development Director

  Marissa Phipps

  Development Director

  The Benoit Group

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  Melissa Banko

  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.

  Banko Design

  Founder and Principal

  Melissa Banko

  Founder and Principal

  Banko Design

• Moderator

  Connor Moore

  VP

  Brown & Brown

Meeting Demand Through Healthcare Development

Development pipeline to service the growth in the Atlanta metro's outer reaches, and addressing the gap in coverage in Atlanta's urban center

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  Christopher Chelette

  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.

  Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

  SVP, Facilities Services

  Christopher Chelette

  SVP, Facilities Services

  Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

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  Ketan Sanghvi

  VP - Real Estate

  Piedmont Healthcare

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  Adam Boswell

  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.

  Martin/Martin

  Associate, Atlanta Office Manager

  Adam Boswell

  Associate, Atlanta Office Manager

  Martin/Martin

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  Rafi Wartan

  As the Regional Director for TLC Engineering Solutions’ North Florida / Georgia / Charlotte Operations, Rafi oversees technical project excellence and staff supervision. He has over 30 years of experience in the engineering industry. Rafi received a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Jacksonville University. He has extensive engineering design experience in healthcare facilities including new hospitals, patient towers, master planning, medical office buildings, numerous renovations, surgery centers, emergency departments and various other healthcare projects.

  TLC Engineering Solutions

  Regional Director

  Moderator

  Rafi Wartan

  Regional Director

  TLC Engineering Solutions

Remarks from the Podium

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  John Bernatz

  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.

  Shaw Industries

  VP

  John Bernatz

  VP

  Shaw Industries