The Team
James R. Smith
Chairman and CEO
JAMES R. SMITH, founder and Chairman of Wessex Capital, has over 30 years of experience in the development and operation of senior housing facilities. Over the years, Jim has strategically led Wessex Capital in its growth and management of over $750 million in assets. His ability to work through complex structures while creating value has allowed him to assemble a diverse portfolio of high-quality assets that produce reliable and growing cash flows. He has focused on forming predictable, steadfast partnerships with financial institutions, development companies and operators to provide clients with a strong team capable of withstanding changing market conditions.
Jim has extensive experience in reimbursement payor systems and is a recognized expert in Medicare and Medicaid and other long-term care issues. As a result, he frequently serves on national and state committees on reimbursement reform. He has served multiple terms on the Board of the Division of Medical Assistance for the Commonwealth of Virginia and Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors. Jim is currently serving on the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke, Virginia and was the first independent Chairperson of this Board.
Rebecca Young
Chief Financial Officer
REBECCA YOUNG has worked with Wessex Capital in various roles since October 1997. She has over 15 years of experience in the financing, acquisition and divesture of senior living facilities. Rebecca’s most recent experience was as a partner in Meeks & Young CPA firm providing tax and consulting services to Wessex managed facilities. Rebecca is responsible for the ongoing accounting management of the company’s investments, including portfolio compliance, investor relations, execution of growth and tax strategies, and profit optimization.
Ben Adams
Chief Investment Officer
BEN ADAMS, joined Harmony Senior Services and Wessex Capital Investments in August of 2023. Prior to joining Harmony, Ben worked as a consultant with numerous senior housing operators and owners on a variety of operational and transactional matters. After an 11-year real estate banking career, Ben spent 7 years at Sunrise Senior Living as a Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, responsible for numerous departments and growth initiatives of the company. During his tenure, Sunrise experienced 2.5x enterprise valuation growth and Ben was personally responsible for more than $2B in real estate and corporate transactions.
John McCarthy
Chief Technology Officer
JOHN McCARTHY, joined Wessex Capital Investments in July of 2023. John has over 35 years of experience and is a seasoned business leader in building and leading technology organizations. He has previously served in the roles of Chief Information Officer and Vice President of IT at both public and private companies. His diverse background includes business strategy, process re-engineering, project management, mergers and acquisitions, digital transformation, eCommerce, software development, systems and technology implementations, infrastructure, and cyber security.
John graduated from The University of Rhode Island and holds both a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Computer Electrical Engineering.
John Oakes
Chief Legal Officer
JOHN W. OAKES, II, joined Wessex Capital Investments in January of 2024. After graduating from Michigan State University College of Law in 2000, John has accumulated over 20 years of legal experience during his time employed a real estate and capital markets associate with such international firms as Troutman Pepper, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, LLP, and Allston & Bird, LLP; and during his time as General Counsel for such development companies as River Rock Capital Partners, LLC and Premier Land Liquidators, LLC. John gained an extensive background in the build-to-rent asset class and pioneered numerous build-to-rent acquisition, disposition, land development, and construction contracts for multiple $3-to-$60 million-dollar projects. During the acquisitions and disposition of build-to-rent projects John’s skills were instrumental in negotiations for closings of multiple million-dollar debt facilities and construction loans necessary for financing projects and organizing, drafting, and facilitating operating and subscription agreements to procure respective equity partners and investors.
Kelli Reale
Chief Human Resources OfficerKELLI REALE, joined Wessex Capital Investments in 2024, bringing over 25 years of experience in human resources within the healthcare sector. Before joining Wessex Capital Investments, Kelli served as the Chief HR Strategic Partner at Roper St. Francis Healthcare. In this role, she was responsible for employee relations, engagement & retention, talent acquisition, organizational development, and learning. Throughout her career, Kelli has been dedicated to delivering comprehensive HR solutions, including human capital strategy, culture design and change management, team effectiveness, workforce planning, performance, succession management, diversity and inclusion, and employee relations. Her expertise extends to senior living communities, gained during her tenure at UPMC, where she provided HR oversight for 19 communities. Kelli holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Fordham University and a Master of Public Policy & Management in Personnel Management and Labor Relations from the University of Pittsburgh.
Wessex’s core team is supported by a well-established and comprehensive legal, accounting and tax team with the same level of expertise and success. This unique competitive advantage has proven successful in navigating matters in today’s complex legal environment and streamlining financial reporting, asset management and sophisticated tax strategies.