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Centinel Public Partnerships Announces Project Director Leadership Appointments Across Three Military Housing Communities

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 27, 2026) — Centinel Public Partnerships (Centinel) has announced three leadership appointments across its military housing portfolio, naming Keith Scruggs as project director for Island Palm Communities in Hawaii, Chris Albus as project director for Campbell Crossing at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Jason Wesbrock as project director for Cavalry Family Housing at Fort Hood, Texas.

The three leaders bring decades of combined military, housing, construction and asset management experience to their new roles in Centinel’s portfolio, where they oversee development, property operations, design and construction delivery, financial strategy, daily operations, and resident experience initiatives supporting thousands of military families.

“Keith, Chris and Jason each provide deep operational expertise, strong leadership experience and a commitment to serving military families,” said Gretchen Turpen, Centinel’s executive vice president of Asset Management. “Their backgrounds in military service, housing operations and community development position them to lead these installations with a focus on partnership, communication and delivering high-quality housing experiences for our residents.”

Island Palm Communities

Scruggs takes over at U.S. Army Hawaii’s more than 7,580-home community across seven installations. Working closely with Army partners, he focuses on advancing housing quality, resident experience and long-term community priorities and leading the more than $290 million development program.

He returns to Island Palm Communities with more than 30 years of experience leading construction, development and asset management across military, commercial and hospitality portfolios. Scruggs helped support the development and expansion of the community following its establishment under the Military Housing Privatization Initiative. Since joining Centinel in 2004, he has led major housing and lodging initiatives nationwide, including a more than $1 billion hotel construction and renovation program across 40 military installations for the Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) program and more than $320 million in housing and community improvement investments at Fort Campbell.

“It is a privilege to serve military families and assist in creating communities that best support their unique needs,” Scruggs said. “I look forward to working alongside our partners in the Army and local experts on the Island Palm Communities team to enhance hospitality and housing quality, strengthen communication, and deliver the kind of community experience our residents deserve.”

Campbell Crossing

Albus leads operations for more than 4,450 homes across 21 communities at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, overseeing development and property management supporting more than 14,560 military family members, including execution of the community’s more than $320 million development plan. Prior to this role, he served as project director at Fort Hood, where he helped lead a development plan exceeding $420 million.

A retired Army non-commissioned officer and officer with 34 years of military service, Albus previously served at Fort Campbell between 2004 and 2012. Since joining Centinel, he has strengthened operational systems, enhanced resident satisfaction, and collaborated closely with Army partners and military families—a role he continues at Fort Campbell.

“It is an honor to continue serving military families and the Fort Campbell community in this role,” Albus said. “Campbell Crossing plays an important role in supporting soldiers and their families, and I look forward to working alongside our Army partners and local team to strengthen communication, enhance the resident experience and continue investing in the long-term success of the community.”

Cavalry Family Housing

Wesbrock manages all development and property operations for more than 5,610 homes across 12 communities at Fort Hood, Texas. He will lead the completion of the community’s more than $420 million development plan, including final construction of new junior enlisted homes and renovations to existing residences.

Wesbrock is a retired Army soldier and officer with 31 years of military service. He previously served at Fort Hood in multiple leadership assignments, including as commander of the United States Army garrison from 2019 to 2021. Prior to joining Centinel, Wesbrock was employed by the III Armored Corps at Fort Hood as a Department of the Army civilian. He piloted a Chief of Staff of the Army program focused on innovative, data-driven approaches to prevent harmful behavior among soldiers—one that is still in effect today. Wesbrock then served as a customer experience manager with Centinel from 2023 to 2025, leading data-driven initiatives to strengthen resident feedback systems and improve housing quality.

“Military families deserve communities that are responsive, supportive and focused on their quality of life,” Wesbrock said. “I’m proud to continue improving housing quality, strengthening engagement and delivering a strong sense of community for families who call Cavalry Family Housing home.”

About Centinel Public Partnerships 
Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Centinel Public Partnerships is dedicated to enhancing the lives of U.S. military members and their families through its high-quality housing and lodging communities. Centinel’s leadership team brings nearly 25 years of experience to one of the largest military housing and lodging privatization portfolios in the United States, serving nearly 3.8 million military personnel, families and guests annually. Through its established partnerships with WinnResidential Military Housing Services and IHG® Hotels & Resorts, hotel operator and manager of IHG Army Hotels, Centinel provides exceptional communities and lodging experiences for service members and their families. For more information, visit CentinelUS.com.

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.