Drawing the Blueprint

Building Parkdale Center: Claudia & Rodrigo Garcia’s Journey

In this episode of Drawing the Blueprint, Claudia and Rodrigo Garcia share how they transformed personal adversity into a mission-driven business with the founding of Parkdale Center. After Rodrigo’s battle with addiction following a workplace injury, the couple saw firsthand the gaps in treatment, especially for healthcare professionals, and set out to build a better outpatient care model. Joined by guest host Andrew Sfreddo, Executive Managing Director & Head of Behavioral Healthcare, and Colin Segner, Transaction Coordinator, Behavioral Healthcare, the conversation explores the levels of care Parkdale provides, including Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), and aftercare support designed to help patients transition back into everyday life while receiving meaningful, ongoing care. Claudia and Rodrigo also discuss what it takes to build a best-in-class facility, from prioritizing family involvement to setting measurable goals and continuously improving their approach. They close by sharing lessons for entrepreneurs on staying in your lane, adapting quickly, and leaning on your network. Their story is a powerful reminder of how resilience and purpose can create lasting impact. Learn more: https://parkdalecenter.com [https://parkdalecenter.com] Resources: https://nida.nih.gov [https://nida.nih.gov]

Blueprinting HUD: FHA Healthcare Loans, Bridge-to-HUD, and Building a Capital Markets Powerhouse

Ben welcomes longtime friend and Blueprint’s newest leader, Tony Marino to unveil our expanded Capital Markets practice and demystify HUD/FHA financing for healthcare real estate. Tony breaks down why HUD-insured loans are the “last stop on the train” for stabilized nursing homes and seniors housing: long-term, non-recourse, fully amortizing debt with typically lower rates than banks. They dig into how the program actually works (think mortgage insurance, not direct government lending), why it’s crucial for rural and inner-city communities, and what HUD’s new “express” processing can mean for speed to close. From bridge-to-HUD strategies that get deals done today, to programmatic capital that supports emerging operators, Ben and Tony map the practical playbook, relationship-first underwriting, smart interim debt, and a clear path into the HUD “box.” They also share why Blueprint’s pipeline, culture, and vertically integrated team made this the right home for Tony’s next chapter and end with a Daruma-doll promise to turn goals into reality. If you buy, sell, refinance, or operate in healthcare real estate, this one’s your field guide. Connect with Tony Marino here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-marino-7a0965297/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-marino-7a0965297/]

The Amy Sitzman Approach: Empathy, Execution, & Determination

In this episode of Drawing the Blueprint, Ben Firestone sits down with Amy Sitzman, Executive Managing Director, Partner, and a leader at Blueprint, to discuss what it takes to succeed in today’s senior housing market. Amy, who joined the firm in 2017, shares her perspective on building a career and driving results in a competitive and evolving industry. Amy reflects on her journey from medical equipment sales to finding her passion in real estate and becoming a force to reckon with in senior housing investment sales. Finding a culture at Blueprint that values creativity, curiosity, and strategic thinking, a move that reignited her career and gave her the flexibility to balance professional ambition with family life. She attributes her success in a predominantly male industry to empathy and determination. By putting herself in her clients’ shoes, Amy approaches every challenge with a solution-oriented mindset focused on getting transactions across the finish line. The conversation also explores current market dynamics, including strong demand for stabilized and value-add deals, competitive bidding environments, and the potential for market cooling as new development impacts cap rates. Amy’s story highlights the importance of relationships, resilience, and adaptability in the evolving world of senior housing. Find Amy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-sitzman-14a0b515/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-sitzman-14a0b515/]

Episode 10: Mike Segal on Blueprint’s Brand and Success in Skilled Nursing

In this episode of Drawing the Blueprint, Ben Firestone and Mike Segal share the story behind Blueprint’s founding and the culture that sets it apart from the competition. What started as a connection between University of Michigan alumni grew into a leading healthcare real estate advisory firm with a mission to deliver real results for those shaping the future of senior care. Blueprint was co-founded by Ben Firestone and Jacob Gehl, whose early vision helped lay the foundation for what the firm is today. A major part of Blueprint’s success comes from its client-first mindset. Ben and Mike discuss how their collaborative team approach leads to better strategy, stronger execution, and ultimately better outcomes for the groups they represent. Rather than chasing transactions, Blueprint focuses on long-term relationships and helping clients navigate complex decisions in an ever-changing healthcare landscape - supported by the firm’s strong analytical backbone led by Ryan Chase, whose data-driven insights help inform smarter decisions across the board. Mike also dives into his deep expertise in the skilled nursing sector, where Blueprint has built a strong reputation. He explains the nuances of the space, from regulatory challenges to operational complexity, and how specialized market knowledge allows the firm to guide clients through high-stakes sales with confidence. Of course, it’s not all serious. Ben and Mike share stories from the early days that highlight the camaraderie and personality behind the brand. That balance of professionalism, trust, and team spirit is a defining part of the Blueprint culture. Connect with Mike Segal here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-segal-33522321/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-segal-33522321/]

Episode 9: From Student-Athlete to NIL Trailblazer: Jared Wangler on Building Champions Circle at Michigan

In this episode of Drawing the Blueprint, host and Michigan alum Ben Firestone sits down with Jared Wangler, a former University of Michigan student-athlete turned leader in the NIL space. Jared played football at Michigan from 2014–2018 before shifting his focus to the business side of sports, where he now leads Valiant Management and Champions Circle, the university’s NIL collective. Jared traces his early entrepreneurial instincts back to 2016, when he began working in apparel with a focus on tailgating gear. After graduating, he moved to Chicago to intern at a sports agency, gaining hands-on experience in recruiting and marketing while learning the endorsement and business side of athletics. That experience ultimately sparked a bigger vision. In 2021, Jared returned to Ann Arbor to launch a sports marketing agency centered on creating commercial opportunities for student-athletes — from putting their names on jerseys to securing local advertising partnerships around campus. That momentum set the stage for Michigan’s leadership in NIL, culminating in the launch of Champions Circle in the spring of 2022. Since then, the collective has facilitated more than $45 million in deals across all 29 varsity sports, solidifying Michigan as a first mover in brand endorsements for student-athletes. Jared’s story highlights how passion, community, and innovation can come together to create lasting impact in college athletics. Links & Resources: Check out Champions Circle here: https://www.championscircleuofm.com/ [https://www.championscircleuofm.com/] Jared Wangler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-wangler-b9a5a7113/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-wangler-b9a5a7113/]