About Cogir
ABOUT COGIR
As part of a well-known name in Canadian real estate, COGIR Senior Living draws upon 20 years of residential and senior living management, as well as hospitality expertise. It is this combination of French-inspired je ne sais quoi and West Coast spirit that make COGIR Senior Living residences so indefinably unforgettable.
THE IMPORTANCE OF WALKING THE TALK
While many talk, the companies of COGIR walk the talk with heart and passion. COGIR Real Estate, Quebec’s leader in real estate management, excels in providing customers with a performance to match its promises.
For over 20 years, close to 3,500 real estate leaders have worked to make a true difference by listening to customers and remaining at the forefront of the market. The result? COGIR Real Estate offers dynamic, innovative and customized services to every client.
COGIR Real Estate is a multi-disciplinary company that offers property management, asset management, property development and re-development, as well as a wide array of real estate consultancies.
THE ROOTS OF COGIR REAL ESTATE
Founded in 1995 by Serge G. Duguay, COGIR excels in real estate repositioning and increasing the value of properties under its management. Today Mr. Duguay remains active in the company, which has been led by his son, Mathieu Duguay, since he was named Partner in 2004.
COGIR has become known for multidisciplinary expertise in the real estate sector, with a constant eye on new investment opportunities that fit with client goals, including co-investing, if required. As a general contractor, COGIR also provide exclusive property development and construction services for management services clients.
A SOLID TEAM OF EXPERTS
COGIR Real Estate employs approximately 3,800 real estate professionals who work tirelessly to provide the best customer service. The team manages more than 230 properties located in Quebec, Ontario and United States including more than 6 million square feet of residential, commercial, industrial and office sector real estate. Residential management includes over than 26,000 units located in Quebec, Ontario and United States, among these is a network of 52 private retirement homes. Extensive experience in hospitality is another key strength.
THE MISSION OF COGIR SENIOR LIVING
Like our parent company, operational performance is in our DNA. We are passionate about customer service—with a human commitment all, and especially towards seniors.
In each of our actions, we think and live to serve the human with all the empathy that sets us apart.
We have a Team responsibility to seek to innovate on a daily basis by bringing novelty and defying the status quo.
Always do better than yesterday. The service is for a dynamic notion. By collaborating we are committed in the endless improvement of what we can achieve.
THE FOCUS OF COGIR MANAGEMENT USA
A subsidiary of COGIR Real Estate, COGIR Management USA operates 17 signature senior living communities in West Coast neighborhoods spanning from greater Seattle to the San Francisco Bay Area. Focused on future growth through both acquisition and development, today our portfolio includes 1800 units and employs over 800 people.
OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM
David Eskenazy
Mr. Eskenazy joined Cogir Management USA team as Chief Executive Officer in November 2021, having served as Cogir's Chairman of the Board since the start of 2020. David last served as President of Merrill Gardens, and previously was the Chief Financial Officer for Aegis Living. 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 as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the California Assisted Living Association.
Benoit Levesque
Ben is a highly accomplished executive with multiple years of experience in the senior housing industry and real estate management. Benoit (Ben) is driven by the unrelenting pursuit of excellence, creativity, and outstanding customer experience. Ben is an expert in operations with a solid background in finance, technology, and Mergers & Acquisitions. He has led multiple successful acquisitions that supported the exponential growth of the operations of Cogir Senior Living in the US market. Ben has a proven track record of success in business development, turnaround of challenging operations and offers robust knowledge of current trends in gerontology care, state regulations and maximization of the operational efficiencies. Ben is also a part of the 40 for the Future advocacy group that is partnering with the American Senior Housing Association (ASHA) to make real and lasting impact in the Senior Living industry.
Prior to joining COGIR, Ben was managing a major distribution portfolio for a worldwide manufacturer, Tarkett (OTCMKTS: TKFTF). He attended HEC Montréal and Cégep Régional de Lanaudière, where he studied business administration and management.
Patrick Mazzuca
Patrick has nearly 25 years of operational experience in the Retail, Hospitality—and since 2013— the Senior Living industry.
Prior to joining COGIR Management USA as Regional Director of Operations, he worked as a Director of Operations and General Manager for Aegis Living. Achievements at Aegis included successfully running existing properties as well as opening an Aegis Flagship Community.
Before focusing on Senior Living, Patrick ran Zoka Coffee, a local Seattle coffee company with multiple locations, licensing in Japan and a roaster operation.
He lives in the Seattle area with his wife and near his two grown children.
Kristine Schrudder
Kristine leads our sales and marketing teams, overseeing all aspects of the sales processes to ensure that our prospective residents and their loved ones feel welcomed into our communities and experience our teams’ compassion, dedication, and drive to improve people’s lives. Kristine works closely with our communities, creating partnerships and opportunities that leverage our market position as best-in-class.
Kristine was drawn to Cogir, inspired by the human focus, creativity, and excellency in operations. Prior to Cogir, she spent the last ten years at another family business, Merrill Gardens, where she set company records for occupancy and revenue growth, specializing in new developments.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from San Diego State University. She lives in the Sacramento area, with her husband and young son.
Ernie Vigil, RN/BSN
Ernie has been in the health care industry for 43 years and has worked in both Skilled and Assisted Living.
Started his career working as a Certified Nursing Assistant while attending nursing school. Ernie has worked as Charge Nurse, Director of Staff Development, Marketing Director, Interim Executive Director but mostly in the capacity of Director of Nursing. Recently as a Nurse Consultant for a Washington based company.
Ernie has a passion for working with seniors as they age in place. He believes in fostering a solid team which is paramount when rendering care and to him the care staff are his first line of defense.
Raised in a military family that constantly moved all over which led Ernie to serve in the Navy with the Medical Corp for 5.5 years. Ernie moved to Washington in 2006. Currently lives in Bellevue Washington with his partner and their amazing cat Oscar. Ernie entertains constantly at home and can set an amazing table.
Ernie graduated from San Diego State University school of Nursing with his BSN.
