Centinel logo

“Strengthening Communities, Empowering Military Families and Building a Better Tomorrow”

Centinel Community Fund (CCF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting military service members, military families and military communities where Centinel employees live and work.

Contact Us

Our Purpose

CCF builds strong, connected communities by fostering meaningful relationships between our people and those we serve. Through passion, creativity and expertise, we address community needs, empower military families and promote social responsibility – working together to create a better tomorrow.

Our Programs: Supporting Military Families

18 FORE MILITARY FAMILIES

Since 2013, the 18 FORE MILITARY FAMILIES annual golf tournament, CCF’s primary fundraiser, has raised over $3.2 million to support outreach programs for active-duty service members, military families and veterans.

Interested in sponsoring our 2025 tournament? Fill out the form linked below.

Download form

BlueStar Scholarships Program

Established in 2012, the BlueStar Scholarships Program supports dependent children of active-duty and retired military members in pursuing higher education.

To date, the program has awarded over $1.6 million in scholarships, empowering students to reach their academic goals. More than 40 program recipients have successfully graduated.

Our Impact: More Than a Decade of Giving Back

Military Homefront

Military Homefront serves as CCF’s grassroots platform, distributing $140,000 annually to Centinel military communities nationwide. These funds directly benefit military families through partnerships with organizations like REBOOT Combat Recovery, Operation Homefront, Killeen Food Care Center, Noble Paws and more.

Operation Stand Down Tennessee

Our partnership with Operation Stand Down Tennessee began in 2008, driven by a shared commitment to supporting veterans in need. Through countless volunteer hours, supply and clothing donations, Thanksgiving food baskets, Christmas gifts for veteran families, and more, we have proudly contributed over $217,000 to their mission of serving those who served.

Operation Shower

Operation Shower provides free baby showers for spouses of active-duty and deployed service members nationwide. Since 2011, CCF has proudly donated over $350,000 to Operation Shower.

K9s For Warriors

K9s For Warriors helps veterans transition to life after combat with service dogs rescued from high-kill shelters. With over $230,000 in contributions, CCF has sponsored seven dogs, supported the Davis Family Mega Kennel, and is now sponsoring an eighth K9 for its forever battle buddy.

CreatiVets

CreatiVets empowers wounded veterans through art, music and creative expression to help them heal and share their stories. Since 2019, we have been honored to contribute over $130,000 to support their transformative programs.

Thistle Farms

Thistle Farms empowers women survivors of trafficking, prostitution and addiction through housing, employment and support. Since 2019, we’ve proudly contributed over $60,000 to their life-changing programs.

wear blue: run to remember

wear blue: run to remember honors fallen service members and supports the families they left behind through active remembrance and community. Since 2022, we have been privileged to contribute more than $31,000 to support their mission.

Board and Executive Committee Members

Board Members

Phillip Carpenter, President, Centinel

Patrick Appleby, President, WinnResidential

Kevin Davis, Chief Commercial Officer, Centinel

Amanda Bermudez, Development Manager, Centinel

Wade Golden, SVP Construction, Centinel

Officers

Gretchen Turpen, President

Matt Garrett, Vice President

Tobey Perdue, Treasurer

Cricket Hedrick, Secretary

Meryl Exley, Marketing Officer

Executive Director

Damaris Ruetz

Contact Us

If you are interested in learning more about the Centinel Community Fund, taking part in fundraisers or supporting military families, contact us today.

Get in touch

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.