Cogir Management USA has launched a new, United States-based senior housing team as an extension of its Canadian parent company.

David Eskenazy has been added as the chairman of the board, while Walter Jossart has been hired as president of Cogir USA.  

“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,” said Mathieu Duguay, president and CEO of parent company Cogir Real Estate. “David and Walter both believe in this same philosophy, which makes them a great fit to lead our U.S. 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, in conjunction with the acquisition of 12 communities purchased from Brookdale.  

Eskenazy recently retired 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.

Jossart spent the last decade with Aegis Living, including the past four years as CFO. Prior to that, he served as investment adviser 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 U.S.,” Walter said. “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 over 20,000 residential units in Quebec, Ontario and the United States, including a network of 50 private residences for seniors.