Meet The Leadership

Louis F. Garrard, V brings decades of commercial development and financial management expertise to his role as President of Mainstay Financial Services and CEO of all Mainstay senior housing entities in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. As an experienced general contractor, he has a distinguished history of building residential and commercial properties that enhance community value. Mr. Garrard has been a seasoned investor and respected entrepreneur in the senior housing industry for more than 20 years and serves as founder or co-founder for over 40 senior living communities -- including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities. His long-standing real estate career began in Central Florida in the early 1990s and steadily grew to include successfully acquiring, renovating, and managing multiple multi-family neighborhoods as well as senior-exclusive residential communities.

Tod Petty serves as Chief Investment Officer of Mainstay Financial Services & Mainstay Senior Living, where he directs investment strategy, acquisitions, and capital development across a growing portfolio of middle-market and secondary senior housing communities.

With more than three decades of leadership in healthcare, operations, and real estate investment, Tod has held senior executive roles including President & COO of Thrive Senior Living, President & CEO of Mainstay Senior Living, President & COO of Aviva Senior Living, and Vice Chair & President of Senior Living at Lloyd Jones. He has also served as Chief Marketing Officer for Fynn.io, an AI-driven healthcare technology platform, where he helped position predictive care technology for national adoption.

Over his career, Tod has guided the acquisition, repositioning, and growth of senior housing communities across the Southeast, aligning capital integrity with operational performance and long-term investor value. He is the creator of The Clarity Brief™, a proprietary framework that integrates disciplined underwriting, transparent investor communication, and mission-driven growth. Recognized for connecting capital strategy with operational excellence, Tod brings a deep conviction that trust, clarity, and disciplined leadership create enduring value.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Tod began his career in respiratory and home healthcare, later founding and selling Augusta Respiratory Care. Today, he continues to champion innovative, purpose-driven investment that strengthens communities and enhances the quality of life for seniors across the Southeast.

Kathy Walker serves as Vice President of Capital Markets for Mainstay Financial and Mainstay Senior Living. She partners with lending institutions to structure construction and refinance programs that strengthen Mainstay's growing senior housing portfolio. Working closely with the Investment team, Kathy ensures clear, detailed communication with both investors and members, supporting transparency and trust throughout every transaction.

With more than 25 years of experience in commercial lending, underwriting, and risk management, Kathy has built a reputation as a trusted advisor known for her integrity and client advocacy. Her career began in branch banking, quickly advancing into commercial lending and leadership roles overseeing teams of up to 20 professionals. Over the years, she has held key positions in underwriting, special assets, and loan review, earning the respect of clients and colleagues who have followed her throughout her career.

Kathy has also served on multiple nonprofit advisory boards, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and Rotary, reflecting her belief that leadership extends beyond business. Guided by the motto "Always do the right thing for the client," she brings to Mainstay a deep commitment to communication, trust, and long-term partnership -- values that continue to define her financial career.

Cindy Etheredge brings more than two decades of experience in real estate investment, finance, and communications to her role as Director of Investments at Mainstay Financial Services. She plays a vital role in guiding the firm's acquisition strategy, managing due diligence and underwriting, and ensuring each investment reflects Mainstay's long-term commitment to excellence and transparency.

Throughout her career, Cindy has built a reputation for combining analytical precision, compliance, and high ethical standards with a genuine focus on relationships. At Mainstay, she has helped shape the company's growth across the Southeastern United States, managing relationships with more than 1,000 investors. She led the rollout of the firm's investor portal to create a more seamless and transparent investor experience.

Before joining Mainstay, Cindy held senior leadership positions at CNL Financial Group, First Advantage Corporation (CoreLogic Inc.), and Foot Locker, Inc., where she guided investor and corporate communications for both public and private companies. Her background bridges the worlds of finance and storytelling -- translating complex financial strategies into clear, meaningful communications that build understanding and trust.

Cindy earned her Master of Business Administration from the University of Tampa and holds a Bachelor Degree in Business and Accounting. She is an active member of the National Investor Relations Institute and is based in Lakeland, FL.

Jeff Knipe has been with Mainstay Financial Services for over 10 years, raising capital from Accredited Investors in both the Mortgage and Healthcare Funds. During that time, he has fostered deep and meaningful relationships with his clients on behalf of the company.

Prior to Mainstay, Jeff was a Senior Relationship Manager with CNL Restaurant Group / GE Capital for nearly 11 years. With a keen focus on real estate finance, Jeff has always been a top performer, responsible for initiating over $500 million in sale / leaseback and debt financing transactions with both franchisors and franchisees of a multitude of national restaurant brands.

Jeff graduated with Honors from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and also holds a Master's Degree from the prestigious Fisher School of Accounting at the University of Florida. He earned his CPA license in 1988 and has been a resident of Central Florida for over 50 years.

Gilles Ouellette brings more than 25 years of experience in finance, accounting, and auditing across both public and private real estate organizations. Mr. Ouellette held a variety of financial leadership roles encompassing pricing strategy, process improvement, and corporate accounting, following GE Capital's acquisition of Trustreet Properties, Inc., a publicly traded REIT. He previously served as Accounting Information Specialist at Trustreet Properties and as Finance Manager at its predecessor, CNL Restaurant Properties. He also provided consulting services to CNL Restaurant Investments, Inc. and other CNL affiliates, preparing and filing SEC reports. Additionally, Mr. Ouellette served as Chief Financial Officer and Director of Accounting and sat on the Advisory Board of Better Built Homes USA.

David Asbill supports Mainstay Financial's investment team through detailed underwriting, financial modeling, and market analysis for senior housing acquisitions and development opportunities. A recent graduate in Finance and Accounting, David has hands-on experience preparing valuations, building financial models, and supporting multi-million-dollar transactions across the senior living industry.

A former collegiate athlete, David brings a disciplined, team-oriented approach to his work -- balancing precision, collaboration, and curiosity in every assignment. He is passionate about using data-driven insight to support sound investment decisions and long-term portfolio growth.