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Leadership Team With Nearly 25 Years of Experience Acquires Lendlease Group’s Military Housing and Lodging Portfolio and Launches New U.S.-Based Business

Based in Nashville, Tenn., the new company, Centinel Public Partnerships, LLC, will continue to serve military members and families across 59 U.S. Army and Air Force installations 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 31, 2025) – The team behind nearly 25 years of success in privatized military housing and lodging today announced its launch as a wholly owned business under a new name. Centinel Public Partnerships, LLC, born from the acquisition of Lendlease Group’s U.S. military housing and lodging holdings, assumes ownership of the portfolio of 10 housing communities and over 70 hotels across 26 states and Puerto Rico. Centinel Public Partnerships, LLC, will be owned by institutional clients of Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC, a U.S.-based global investment advisory firm. 

Now a Nashville-based business with a national footprint, Centinel will keep its core leadership team at the company’s helm. That includes Chief Executive Officer Justin Kern and President Phillip Carpenter. 

“This is a new chapter for our business and the communities and families we serve,” Kern said. “Centinel stands ready to build on our decades-long legacy of creating communities that meet modern needs and enhance the lifestyles of the people who live and work there. We look forward to operating more nimbly and more autonomously as a U.S.-based, fully owned company.” 

Centinel’s current portfolio comprises over 32,000 homes and apartments and more than 12,000 hotel rooms, proudly serving more than 3.7 million service members, families and guests nationwide. 

“We are proud to support the launch of Centinel Public Partnerships as a U.S.-based company with a legacy of nearly 25 years of excellence in military housing and lodging,” said Anne Walsh, chief investment officer of Guggenheim Partners Investment Management. “This marks a significant step in advancing our commitment to impactful investments that enhance communities and improve quality of life for service members and their families across the nation.” 

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Chief Commercial Officer Kevin Davis is responsible for Centinel’s commercial services, including transactions, operations and government relations. He also oversees risk and compliance, along with leadership of Environment, Health and Safety, and Marketing and Public Affairs. Kevin spent 18 years with Lendlease in senior business development, commercial and legal roles, following earlier experience in private law practice and service in the U.S. Air Force.

With nearly two decades of experience in marketing and communications, Meryl Exley leads Centinel’s brand, communications and public affairs strategy as Executive Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs. She oversees corporate communications, client and customer engagement, public relations, media, and crisis management, strengthening the company’s reputation and community connections. Before Centinel, Meryl held senior marketing leadership roles at Lendlease, where she advanced growth and visibility for its military housing and lodging platform.

Matthew Garrett is Executive Vice President responsible for Centinel’s Air Force Housing and Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) portfolios. He directs operations and strategic initiatives across both programs. Before joining Centinel, Matt held senior leadership roles at Lendlease, where he expanded its student housing platform and managed a military housing portfolio of more than 40,000 homes. He also led federal lobbying and outreach efforts, engaging with congressional and Department of Defense stakeholders. Earlier in his career, Matt served as a U.S. Army officer, earning a Bronze Star for Valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Leading Centinel’s legal, compliance and governance functions, Heather Niemeyer provides strategic counsel to support growth and manage risk across the portfolio. She brings more than 15 years of experience advising global organizations, including senior legal roles at Lendlease and earlier practice with two international law firms.

As Centinel’s Chief Financial Officer, Jeremy Martin is responsible for financial strategy, operations and reporting, guiding the company’s long-term growth and performance. He has more than 20 years of experience in corporate and real estate finance, with expertise in financial planning, compliance and risk management. Jeremy served as CFO for Lendlease (US) Public Partnerships Holdings LLC prior to the company’s acquisition by Centinel, where he directed financial operations for Lendlease Communities.

Gretchen Turpen serves as Executive Vice President, Asset Management, where she directs operations and asset, property and development management for Centinel’s Army housing portfolio of more than 25,000 homes. In this role, she leads corporate strategy, financial performance, and client and customer relationships. Previously, Gretchen was Head of Lodging, where she delivered the Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) program including the renovation of over 12,000 hotel rooms across 40 military installations nationwide.

In his role as President, Phillip Carpenter guides operations for Centinel’s Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI) and Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) portfolios. He is responsible for property management, asset management, development, construction, and environmental health and safety. With more than 40 years of experience supporting the Department of Defense, Phillip has held senior leadership positions with Lendlease and J&J Worldwide Services, bringing expertise in real estate, development and facilities management. 

Justin Kern, Chief Executive Officer of Centinel, sets the company’s strategic direction with a focus on long-term sustainment and outcomes for customers, partners and employees. He has more than 20 years of leadership in real estate finance, construction and operations. Prior to Centinel, Justin served as President and CEO of Lendlease (US) Public Partnerships Holdings LLC, where he oversaw asset management, property management and development for military housing and lodging communities.