What Our Clients Are Saying
We have been working with HJ Sims on preferred equity and debt solutions for several years. We had a very complicated structure on a potential acquisition and were struggling with finding a solution. HJ Sims helped educate us on bond financing and how that might be a good fit. The team at HJ Sims dug in and helped us put together the necessary information to evaluate whether that was the right solution. The team then helped us enter the markets and were able to navigate the public markets and execute on exactly the deal they had presented to us months earlier. In almost 20 years of banking, investment banking and investing, this was the most complicated deal I have ever worked on. There would have been no way to get this deal closed without the expertise of HJ Sims and their associates. Their ability to assess the situation and navigate to close was impressive. I don’t believe there would have been another group that would have been able to execute on this deal. More importantly, my ability to trust that I was getting strong advice and transparent answers was paramount to us being able to continue the process. I don’t think other groups would have had the fortitude or the creativeness to get to the finish line. Although we already had a strong relationship with HJ Sims prior to this transaction, this only solidified that they will be our go to group for a long time. We no longer look at them as a transactional investment bank, but truly as our financial advisors and partners.
Jay Dempsey, Co-Founder/Co-Managing Partner
Civitas Senior Living
2019
This was the first time we had the opportunity to work with the HJ Sims team led by Aaron Rulnick and Melissa Messina, and we are so thankful we selected Sims. We had some unique circumstances impacting our refinancing, which Aaron and Melissa completely understood. They designed a creative solution that enabled us to meet our plan of finance. It was not a simple task coordinating with the parties involved, and we know much happened behind the scenes that the Sims team managed. I would highly recommend Sims, particularly if you have a complex plan of finance.”
Andrew Jeanneret, Chief Financial Officer
Asbury Communities, Inc
2018
Henry Keith, Chief Financial Officer
Westminster Communities of Florida
2016
The Sims team led a near seamless process for NewBridge’s $236.3 million public bond issuance. Sims’ deep knowledge of the tax‐exempt market and CCRC business model enabled Hebrew SeniorLife to obtain a favorable credit rating for NewBridge on a non‐recourse basis. They also did an excellent job as the book‐runner, staging the co‐manager to complement its own investor base to achieve a significant over‐subscription and lower cost of capital for NewBridge. Sims’ quality of execution exceeded our expectations.
James Hart, Chief Financial Officer
Hebrew Senior Life
2017
We were very pleased to work with Aaron Rulnick and the team at HJ Sims to help us with our campus refinance initiative. The team was very thorough, knowledgeable and extremely professional. They made the process simple, easy to understand, and helped us achieve an optimal outcome.
Jim Newbrough, Chief Executive Officer
Menorah Park
2018
Without the extraordinary talent, judgment, leadership and perseverance of Aaron Rulnick and the HJ Sims team, this critically important refinancing would never have happened. With the December 31 deadline for tax-exempt financings of this type looming like a guillotine, the Sims team accomplished what was needed in a fraction of the typical time needed. They also went to bat for us in a saturated bond market to get us an outstanding interest rate that will save us over $2.5 million net present value of debt service. We couldn’t have done it without the HJ Sims team.
Stan Brading, President
Samaritan Housing Foundation, Inc.
2017
We immensely enjoyed partnering again with the Sims’ team; they are professionals who executed an innovative and flexible financing solution that met our capital needs.
Michael Zamir, Managing Partner & Co-founder
Next Healthcare Capital
2017
I firmly believe that what constantly draws us back to HJ Sims is the confidence I have developed over the years and that we can rely on their advice and execution. They’ve earned that confidence through the integrity and the atmosphere created by their deep experience in our industry. Sims is a key financial partner for our team at Merrill.
Bill Pettit, Vice Chairman
Merrill Gardens
2019
David Gehm, President & CEO
Wellspring Lutheran Services
2015
HJ Sims had come highly recommended to Presbyterian Villages of Michigan (PVM) by numerous colleague organizations from around the country. I’m pleased to say that those strong recommendations were well founded and confirmed based on our outstanding professional experiences during the past year. HJ Sims delivered on all of the commitments set forth in their initial proposal. They quickly became trusted partners and respected advisors among the broader financing team, as well as with management and board leadership. They were extremely responsive and worked tirelessly to meet our high expectations and evolving organizational circumstances. Their final execution of the fixed‐rate refinancing under declining market conditions was remarkable. PVM is now very pleased to recommend HJ Sims to our peers. You won’t be disappointed.
Roger Myers, President and CEO
Presbyterian Villages of Michigan
2015
Presby’s Inspired Life’s obligated group, Philadelphia Presbytery Homes, Inc., has completed several financings with the help of HJ Sims. Our most recent 2017 bond issue, along with the refunding of our 2010 bonds and extinguishment of bank debt, was guided expertly by the HJ Sims team. This refinancing garnered us favorable interest rates, a lower maximum annual debt service, and additional funds for capital improvements. HJ Sims serves as a valuable resource for us and with their support we are better positioned for future construction projects. We are proud to include HJ Sims as a partner in our mission to provide exceptional living experiences for people age 62 and better.
Jennifer S. Kappen, Chief Financial Officer
Presby’s Inspired Life
2017
We had the pleasure of working with the team at HJ Sims in preparation for our recent campus expansion. They did an exemplary job of helping us navigate what was a very complex debt structure. They brought an amazing depth of experience, were patient, and provided thorough explanation throughout the process. Their wonderful team is professional, responsive, and enjoyable to work with. HJ Sims is a true partner in every sense of the word – they invested in our mission, in the success of our organization, and went above‐and‐beyond their role as investment bankers.
Matt Lewis, Chief Executive Officer
Village Shalom
2018
HJ Sims provided a fantastic outcome to our financing needs. They understood our business and responded quickly. The closing process was seamless and cost effective. I will be working with HJ Sims on my future financing needs.
Charlie Trefzger, Jr., Founder and CEO
Affinity Living Group
2018
Sims has been a trusted capital partner since 1986. They once again structured a creative financing solution that allowed us to reduce our debt service while avoiding certain regulatory hurdles. They are the real experts in nursing home finance and the most creative finance people I know.
Mike Mosier, Chief Financial Officer
Athena
2018
*Testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other clients and are not indicative of future performance or success.
