Kevin Davis - Centinel

Chief Commercial Officer

Kevin Davis, Chief Commercial Officer, oversees all commercial services (transactions, operations and associated government relations) across the more than 32,000 homes and over 12,000 hotel rooms that make up the Centinel military housing and lodging portfolios. In his role as Chief Commerical Officer, Kevin is the commercial lead for all Centinel’s new business pursuits and transactions. In addition, he oversees the Insurance and Risk and Compliance functions, and the Environment, Health and Safety, and Marketing and Public Affairs teams report through to him.  

Prior to joining Centinel, Kevin held various roles during 18 years with Lendlease, including Senior Vice President, General Manager – Business Development in the DoD privatization business unit, Commercial Operations Director in the Telecom business and 12 years in Lendlease Americas’ legal department. He was the legal lead in the closing of development transactions across multiple projects in Boston, Chicago, New York and San Francisco; the bidding and closing of multiple military family housing transactions and privatized Army lodging transactions; infrastructure PPP pursuits in the United States, Canada and Brazil; utility scale solar development transactions; and energy solutions and security transactions.
 

Prior to joining Lendlease, Kevn worked as a corporate transactions attorney at Mandelbaum Salsburg in West Orange, N.J., and a construction law attorney at Tesser & Cohen in Hackensack, N.J. He received his Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University and his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from The Ohio State University. Prior to attending university, he served four years in the United States Air Force.

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.