The 23rd Annual HJ Sims Late Winter Conference

The 23rd Annual HJ Sims Late Winter Conference brought together leaders from the senior living and charter school sectors for a dynamic and forward-focused program. The agenda explored key trends, financing strategies, and operational solutions designed to address current challenges and support long-term growth across both non-profit and proprietary organizations.

Attendees experienced engaging keynote presentations, panel discussions, and dual education tracks tailored to each sector, along with joint sessions that encouraged shared learning and collaboration. Meaningful networking opportunities throughout the conference fostered valuable connections and thoughtful dialogue among industry peers from across the country.

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Conference FEEDBACK SURVEY

Help us make the next Late Winter Conference even more successful by completing our feedback survey. We very much appreciate your input.

Please note that you must complete the survey to receive your educational credits certificate. If you did not receive our survey, please contact Catherine Vancho at [email protected]

Save the Date

Screenshot 2026-03-02 at 9.53.09 AM

The 24th Annual HJ Sims Annual Conference will be held February 23rd-25th, 2027 at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa. Stay tuned for more information soon. We can’t wait to see you there!

 

Photos

View the many beautiful photos from our conference in the galleries below. Click on each album to see all of the photos from the event.

For more information, please contact Kat Dymond.

HJ Sims Completes $632,925,000 Financing for New York City’s First Life Plan Community

Fairfield, CT, March 4, 2026 – HJ Sims is pleased to announce the successful completion of a $632.9 million tax-exempt bond financing for RiverSpring Health Living, Inc. Proceeds of the issue will be used to develop River’s Edge, a new life plan community with approximately 260 independent living apartments located on RiverSpring Living’s 32-acre campus in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, New York with dramatic views overlooking the Hudson River, New Jersey’s Palisades and the Manhattan skyline.

The one- and two-bedroom apartments will range in size from approximately 750 to 1,400 square feet in an 11-story, 441,000 square foot building. Common spaces will include a variety of dining options, theater, library, beauty salon and day spa. A wellness center and health spa will contain an indoor pool, fitness center and locker rooms. The campus has room for a possible future second apartment building as well.

The bonds, issued by BuildNYC Resource Corporation, represent the largest tax-exempt financing for a new life plan community and the first such community to be developed in New York City. HJ Sims was the co-manager along with Ziegler.

The highly experienced development team for River’s Edge includes Integrated Development II, the architects Perkins Eastman and Consigli Construction.

HJ Sims has been privileged to work with RiverSpring Living for over 10-years on this and other financings. “Sims delivered outstanding results on the River’s Edge bond sale,” said David V. Pomeranz, President & CEO of RiverSpring Living. “Their deep understanding of the market, thoughtful structuring, and strategic insights ensured a smooth transaction and strong investor response.”

About HJ Sims

Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm focused on delivering a broad spectrum of financial services to its clients. Sims is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected underwriters of tax-exempt bonds, with specific expertise in the senior living and education sectors. Since underwriting the first senior living tax-exempt bond in 1965, Sims has provided over $35 billion in financing for senior living providers nationwide. For more information, please visit: hjsims.com.

About RiverSpring Living

RiverSpring Living has been dedicated to serving seniors for over 100 years, providing nursing care, rehabilitation, memory care, assisted and independent living on its Riverdale campus and beyond. For more information on RiverSpring Living, please visit riverspringliving.org. To learn more about River’s Edge, please visit riversedge.org.

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2026 The Gathering Conference: Many Gifts, One Spirit

HJ Sims is proud to be attending, exhibiting, sponsoring, and speaking at the 2026 The Gathering Conference: Many Gifts, One Spirit.

Aaron Rulnick, Managing Principal, will be presenting on the topic below:

Date: Tuesday, March 24th
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Proving Community Benefit: Protecting Tax Status Through Storytelling and Measurable Impact / Governance & Strategic Planning

Description:

  • Anticipate and proactively address emerging threats to nonprofit tax status.
  • Apply effective methods to gather, categorize, and assign value to community benefit data.
  • Integrate impact data into reports, websites, and marketing to demonstrate value and strengthen public trust.

Attending: Aaron Rulnick, Jim Bodine, Lynn Daly

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2026 LeadingAge MN Institute & Expo

HJ Sims is proud to be attending, speaking, and exhibiting at the 2026 LeadingAge MN Institute & Expo.

Attendees: Lynn Daly

Lynn Daly, Executive Vice President will be speaking on Feb 11 at 8:30am-9:30am.

Session description:

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS 101 – Board Governance: Best Practices to Maximize Governance Effectiveness (All Settings; Peer Genius) • Understand how boards impact the organization’s ability to achieve strategic and financial goals. • Explore best practices for board governance. • Learn from case studies how things can go right and wrong and the implications of both.

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The 23rd Annual HJ Sims Late Winter Conference

Financing Methods and Operating Strategies for Charter Schools and Senior Living

Planning is underway for the 2026 HJ Sims Late Winter Conference, and it’s already shaping up to be an unforgettable experience. Join us for an energizing program featuring dynamic speakers, timely insights, and meaningful opportunities to connect with peers and industry leaders.

We’re thrilled to host our 23rd annual conference at the stunning Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers, Florida. Nestled along the waterfront with sweeping views of Sanibel and Captiva Islands in the upscale Punta Rassa community, this premier destination offers the perfect setting for learning, collaboration, and inspiration.

For conference attendance, follow our Safety Protocol.

attest

Registration is now open! Visit our conference website to explore the full agenda, reserve your hotel accommodations, review event logistics, and access everything you need to plan your experience. We look forward to welcoming you to an exceptional conference in an unbeatable setting.

For more information, please contact Kat Dymond.

2025 NFMA Advanced Seminar on High Yield Bonds

HJ Sims is proud to be attending and speaking at the 2025 NFMA Advanced Seminar on High Yield Bonds.

Aaron Rulnick, Executive Vice President, HJ Sims will be participating in a panel discussion:

Date: January 23, 2026

Topic: Construction Risk in Senior Living and Beyond

Description: The aging population is creating a demand for new senior living projects. At the same time, the construction industry is currently facing a variety of pressures including tariffs, the impact of immigration policy on labor, challenges obtaining entitlements, and high interest rates. This panel will focus on how to assess construction risk, potential strategies to minimize downside risk, and the outlook for new development in the senior living sector.

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