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Author: Aly Wilder

Aligning Basic Allowance for Housing with real housing markets supports military families and readiness

Military housing in the United States is shaped by a system that is often overlooked but fundamentally essential to the financial stability of service members and their families: the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). This benefit is intended to provide service members the ability to cover the cost of housing, whether they live on a military installation or in the surrounding community. For military families, BAH is the primary resource used to secure housing—which means accurate calculation of that allowance is critical to ensuring access to quality living conditions.

Centinel Public Partnerships and IHG Army Hotels Mark Fort Bragg Milestone with Brand-New Candlewood Suites and Exclusive First Look at Normandy House

Centinel Public Partnerships (Centinel) and IHG® Army Hotels (IHG) officially unveiled the new Candlewood Suites on North Carolina’s Fort Bragg with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 14. The completion of this property marks the 17th Candlewood Suites in Centinel and IHG’s Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) portfolio, which spans Army installations nationwide. This event also included a preview of renovations underway at Normandy House, which will be included in IHG’s specially designed Historia Collection™. Together, both developments represent a more than $75 million investment by Centinel.  

Centinel Public Partnerships communities earn national SatisFacts awards for resident satisfaction 

Centinel Public Partnerships is proud to announce WinnResidential Military Housing Services (WinnResidential), Centinel’s property management and maintenance partner for its privatized military housing communities, has been honored with the National SatisFacts Resident Satisfaction Company award for 2025. This award marks a significant recognition for providing exceptional service and creating communities that meet the needs of residents.  

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.