Mel Gamzon – President

With more than thirty years of experience as an industry intermediary on complex transactions, Mel has successfully handled more than $1.8 billion worth of asset dispositions and acquisitions. In the past several years alone, he has assisted seniors housing owners and investors complete more than $850 million worth of ventures. Most notably, he handled the highest per-unit transaction ever completed in the industry. The Bristal assisted living portfolio was sold for a record $453,000 per unit or a total value of $290 million. He also quietly orchestrated the acquisition of a premier 26-asset portfolio owned by Merrill Gardens. Representing a foreign institutional investment entity, this $347 million transaction was closed without going through a bidding process at a value more than 13 percent above the owner’s expectations.
Mel’s extensive industry network of contacts has evolved over many years and he is regularly approached by new individual and institutional investors who are seeking prime acquisitions in this sector. His clients include many national owner/operators, lenders, investors and individual property owners. Mel is recognized as more than just a savvy deal maker. His industry opinions are regularly presented in the national press. He represents the seniors housing industry on the Editorial Advisory Boards of both Commercial Property Executive and Apartment Finance Today. For both publications, he is privileged to write the industry’s annual investment forecast which is read by the national real estate community. In addition, Mel provides a quarterly investment commentary on CPETV hosted by Commercial Property Executive.
For the past 20 years, he has served on the Executive Board of The American Seniors Housing Association. He is also the co-author of ULI’s publication, Housing for Seniors: Developing Successful Projects. Besides his activities at SHIA, Mel was the owner of a highly successful CCRC in southern California. His experiences with this 258-unit facility have been invaluable in understanding the unique operational and financial issues inherent in this industry.
Mel’s extensive industry network of contacts has evolved over many years and he is regularly approached by new individual and institutional investors who are seeking prime acquisitions in this sector. His clients include many national owner/operators, lenders, investors and individual property owners. Mel is recognized as more than just a savvy deal maker. His industry opinions are regularly presented in the national press. He represents the seniors housing industry on the Editorial Advisory Boards of both Commercial Property Executive and Apartment Finance Today. For both publications, he is privileged to write the industry’s annual investment forecast which is read by the national real estate community. In addition, Mel provides a quarterly investment commentary on CPETV hosted by Commercial Property Executive.
For the past 20 years, he has served on the Executive Board of The American Seniors Housing Association. He is also the co-author of ULI’s publication, Housing for Seniors: Developing Successful Projects. Besides his activities at SHIA, Mel was the owner of a highly successful CCRC in southern California. His experiences with this 258-unit facility have been invaluable in understanding the unique operational and financial issues inherent in this industry.
Ronald DeVito – Principal and General Counsel
Ron, in addition to being SHIA’s general counsel, is a partner in the law firm Harras Bloom & Archer. His practice includes real estate related matters and, in particular, the development, financing and construction of real estate projects. For more than 30 years, he has specialized in the legal representation of developers, owners and lenders of senior housing facilities. He has also developed, invested in or operated senior housing properties valued at more than $270 million. Ron possesses a unique combination of legal, regulatory and operating experience which is regularly called on by SHIA clients.
He received his Juris Doctorate from St. John’s School of Law and a Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York, Buffalo.
He received his Juris Doctorate from St. John’s School of Law and a Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York, Buffalo.
Eirik Olsen – Vice President
Prior to joining SHIA, Eirik was Vice President of Canongate Investment Group, an investment firm focused on equity and debt investments in asset-intensive industries, including senior housing. Prior to that, Eirik spent 4 years with Brookdale Senior Living. As Director of Acquisitions, Eirik supervised the acquisition team’s daily activities and was instrumental in the firm’s acquisition, financing and sale-leaseback of independent and assisted living properties.
During his 4-years at Brookdale, Eirik completed 18 transactions that totaled $2.4 billion and expanded the firm’s portfolio by 125 properties / 15,500 units. Eirik also spent 2 years with Credit Suisse First Boston as a Corporate Finance Investment Banking Analyst where he evaluated numerous corporate finance and M&A opportunities for clients, consummating 4 transactions totaling $5.7 billion.
Eirik earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School, graduating with distinction. Eirik also graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a certificate in Finance.
During his 4-years at Brookdale, Eirik completed 18 transactions that totaled $2.4 billion and expanded the firm’s portfolio by 125 properties / 15,500 units. Eirik also spent 2 years with Credit Suisse First Boston as a Corporate Finance Investment Banking Analyst where he evaluated numerous corporate finance and M&A opportunities for clients, consummating 4 transactions totaling $5.7 billion.
Eirik earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School, graduating with distinction. Eirik also graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a certificate in Finance.
Steve Riddington – Principal & Founder, Newlife Senior Living
Founded in 2005 by Steve and based in Sydney, Newlife Senior Living specializes exclusively in the sale, acquisition and capitalization of assets in the retirement and aged care sectors of the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Steve is both an attorney (solicitor) and licensed real estate agent. Steve grew up with an interest in the retirement and aged care sectors induced by his father Bill Riddington being one of the pioneers of the retirement industry in Australia. Steve initially worked in the insurance and workers compensation fields, before later branching out to into property and commercial matters and ultimately specializing in the retirement and aged care sectors. More recently Steve was a sales executive within the Healthcare and Retirement Division of one of the largest international commercial real estate firms. The role encompassed all aspects of retirement and aged care, from the sale of multimillion dollar portfolios down to single asset sales.
Steve brings to any organization a comprehensive knowledge of the retirement and aged care sectors based on both working experience and long standing family ties within the industry. This is further complemented by Steve’s extensive technical understanding, and up to date market knowledge. Steve’s unique skill set, coupled with his proven experience make him a valuable asset to any organization wishing to strategically divest of key assets or establish a successful presence within the retirement and aged care industries.
Steve received Bachelor degrees in Applied Economics and Law from the University of Canberra. Steve is a graduate of the New South Wales College of Law and is also a member of the NSW Law Society.
Steve is both an attorney (solicitor) and licensed real estate agent. Steve grew up with an interest in the retirement and aged care sectors induced by his father Bill Riddington being one of the pioneers of the retirement industry in Australia. Steve initially worked in the insurance and workers compensation fields, before later branching out to into property and commercial matters and ultimately specializing in the retirement and aged care sectors. More recently Steve was a sales executive within the Healthcare and Retirement Division of one of the largest international commercial real estate firms. The role encompassed all aspects of retirement and aged care, from the sale of multimillion dollar portfolios down to single asset sales.
Steve brings to any organization a comprehensive knowledge of the retirement and aged care sectors based on both working experience and long standing family ties within the industry. This is further complemented by Steve’s extensive technical understanding, and up to date market knowledge. Steve’s unique skill set, coupled with his proven experience make him a valuable asset to any organization wishing to strategically divest of key assets or establish a successful presence within the retirement and aged care industries.
Steve received Bachelor degrees in Applied Economics and Law from the University of Canberra. Steve is a graduate of the New South Wales College of Law and is also a member of the NSW Law Society.
James Sherman – Senior Managing Director, Red Capital
Jim, who joined Red Capital in 2000, has more than 35 years experience in the seniors housing and health care industry, and is an expert in the area of financial advisory services.
As a Certified Public Accountant he advised health care, long term care and seniors housing clients on accounting issues, third party government reimbursement issues, and real estate and corporate finance issues. During his career, he has advised clients and completed financings totaling more than $2 billion. These financings include conventional bank debt for new construction and acquisitions, bond financings, taxable and tax-exempt financings, Fannie Mae and FHA guaranteed financings utilizing several of the programs for housing, health care and hospitals.
Jim was previously President and Chief Executive Officer of Churchill Estates, an assisted living provider. He also previously served as Senior Vice President of Finance at CareMatrix, where he structured financings for the company’s aggressive development and acquisition plan. Jim’s experience also includes more than 25 years in public accounting as a health care consultant, including serving as the National Healthcare and Public Finance Partner at Laventhol & Horwath. He is a recognized leader in the seniors housing industry, having served on the boards of many professional organizations, including a term as President of the National Association of Seniors Living Industries.
Jim is a graduate of Macalester College and received his Certified Public Accountant certificate.
As a Certified Public Accountant he advised health care, long term care and seniors housing clients on accounting issues, third party government reimbursement issues, and real estate and corporate finance issues. During his career, he has advised clients and completed financings totaling more than $2 billion. These financings include conventional bank debt for new construction and acquisitions, bond financings, taxable and tax-exempt financings, Fannie Mae and FHA guaranteed financings utilizing several of the programs for housing, health care and hospitals.
Jim was previously President and Chief Executive Officer of Churchill Estates, an assisted living provider. He also previously served as Senior Vice President of Finance at CareMatrix, where he structured financings for the company’s aggressive development and acquisition plan. Jim’s experience also includes more than 25 years in public accounting as a health care consultant, including serving as the National Healthcare and Public Finance Partner at Laventhol & Horwath. He is a recognized leader in the seniors housing industry, having served on the boards of many professional organizations, including a term as President of the National Association of Seniors Living Industries.
Jim is a graduate of Macalester College and received his Certified Public Accountant certificate.
Paul Gordon – Partner, Hanson Bridgett, LLP
Paul has worked with senior living developers, operators and investors since 1975. He serves on the Executive Board and is General Counsel to the American Seniors Housing Association and is the past chair of the Housing for the Elderly Committee of the American Bar Association.
Paul’s entire practice is devoted to the representation of senior housing and long term care providers and includes business, tax, regulatory and operational advice and representation and litigation. He has worked on numerous transactions involving the sale and acquisition of senior housing and care properties and portfolios, including legal due diligence, regulatory compliance, operations, license transfers, risk management and structuring of transactions and business entities.
He is the author of the book Seniors' Housing and Care Facilities: Development, Business and Operations (Urban Land Institute, 3d edition, 1998), which contains over 600 pages of text, plus a CD-ROM with over 1,000 pages of business forms. Paul received his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco Law School and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Davis.
Paul’s entire practice is devoted to the representation of senior housing and long term care providers and includes business, tax, regulatory and operational advice and representation and litigation. He has worked on numerous transactions involving the sale and acquisition of senior housing and care properties and portfolios, including legal due diligence, regulatory compliance, operations, license transfers, risk management and structuring of transactions and business entities.
He is the author of the book Seniors' Housing and Care Facilities: Development, Business and Operations (Urban Land Institute, 3d edition, 1998), which contains over 600 pages of text, plus a CD-ROM with over 1,000 pages of business forms. Paul received his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco Law School and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Davis.
SHIA’s Unparalleled Platform
Times have changed and SHIA has adapted to these changes by offering our clients the only fully integrated platform in the seniors housing real estate business. We are privileged to have assembled nationally recognized industry leaders and associates who have the expertise and resources to handle the most complex real estate and financing engagements. Our platform allows clients the option to select the talent which is most appropriate for their situation.