Cogir Real Estate Launches USA Management Team

Cogir Real Estate Launches USA Management Team

Cogir Management USA is happy announce the addition of senior leadership in its US based senior housing team with two key positions. David Eskenazy has been added as the Chairman of the Board, and Walter Jossart has been named as the President of Cogir USA.  Both of these are newly created positions and mark the beginning of the launch of the US based management company for parent company Montreal based Cogir Real Estate.

“I am thrilled to be able to draw from the vast experience of both David and Walter as we begin this exciting chapter in the US,” said Mathieu Duguay, President and CEO of Cogir Real Estate. “Cogir draws its strength, by listening to its customers and remaining at the forefront of the market, a simple formula, but one that has been the key to their success since day one.  David and Walter both believe in this same philosophy which makes them a great fit to lead our US team as we continue to our portfolio through both acquisitions and development.”

Cogir Management USA was formed in late 2018 as a result of the formation of a joint venture with Welltower (NYSE: WELL) in conjunction with the acquisition of 12 communities purchased from Brookdale (NYSE: BKD) 

Mr. Eskenazy recently retired having last served as President of Merrill Gardens, and previously was the CFO for AegisLiving. Prior to that he spent 20 years with RC Hedreen Co., a Seattle based hotel development company, and for 16 years was a member of the board of directors for Outerwall (NASD: OUTR), parent company for Redbox and Coinstar, prior to its acquisition by Apollo. He currently serves on the board of Directors for the California Assisted Living Association and is the incoming Chairman of the Senior Living Certification Commission.

“I can’t say enough about the incredible expertise I have come to respect in what Mathieu and his team have built with Cogir, and am excited to help them build out a remarkable team and culture in the US,” said Mr. Eskenazy. “It has been a true pleasure to have worked with Welltower over these past few years, and to be able to partner with them again on Cogir’s US expansion, along with the ability to help Wally build out his team is a true opportunity and an honor.”

Mr. Jossart has spent the past 10 years with Aegis Living, the past 4 of which have been as the CFO. Prior to that, he served at the investment advisor to The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Cascade Investment LLC.  “I can’t even begin to describe how enthused I am to be able launch Cogir’s senior housing management group into the US,” said Walter, “I look forward to not only building our best practices in people, process, and systems as well as an incredible service offering for our residents, but also to help the Welltower/Cogir team with their aggressive expansion plans with new development and acquisitions as we grow the company.”

Cogir Real Estate, founded 25 years ago, employs over 3,500 team members and has developed unique and undisputed multidisciplinary expertise in the real estate sector.  Their operation encompasses over 7 million square feet of real estate properties in hospitality, office, commercial & industrial sectors, and over 20,000 residential units in Quebec, Ontario and United States, including a network of 50 private residences for seniors.