Don Garner
Director of Construction

25 Technology Parkway South, Suite 201
Norcross, GA 30092

Phone: 770-417-1788
Email: dgarner@isaksonliving.com

"When we started a number of years ago we had a strong sense of the potential in the senior residential market, and it's been extremely gratifying to be part of creating these communities that have been so warmly welcomed."

-Don Garner

Don Garner, Senior Vice President of Development, joined Isakson Barnhart in 1994 to oversee the firm's construction of retail centers throughout the Southeast. His responsibilities include all aspects of the projects, from the hiring of architects and engineers to pre-development work like surveys and environmental studies, and construction monitoring.

In 1998, Don began to focus exclusively on Isakson Barnhart's senior residential properties, Park Springs in Stone Mountain and Peachtree Hills Place in Buckhead. "Starting from the ground up, and especially with an all new concept in this market, was exciting and quite satisfying," he recalls.

Don is ably qualified for his position. A 1972 graduate of Auburn University, he holds a bachelor of science degree in Building Science from its School of Architecture. After graduation he was employed for a number of years by the former Atlanta contractor L&B Construction Co. There, he gained experience overseeing construction of industrial, retail and commercial buildings. He also held positions with two other development firms that specialized in building shopping centers across the United States.

At Isakson Barnhart, Don's expertise is leveraged in all phases of planning and development of the firm's senior residential communities. It starts with identifying raw land for future projects, and includes site planning and working with land planners on layout, in addition to all the upfront feasibility work, including environmental reviews and zoning. "Basically, my role touches on all parts of a project other than the financial and marketing duties," Don explains. He is intimately involved in the selection of the design and construction team, including project architects, engineers and contractors.

Don's experience is invaluable to the work and to his Isakson Barnhart colleagues. "I've got a practiced eye from a planning standpoint - an ability to envision how a piece of land will look like once it's developed, and how the pieces will come together." He says development is a thoughtful, deliberative process, and time spent on the front end in planning is always a wise investment.

"What's exciting to me about this work is that, although the concept and quality are consistent from community to community, we also pay a great deal of attention to what makes each location distinctive. From topography to interior finishes, there's a uniqueness to each site that we want reflected in the planning and construction," he adds. Don says market response to Isakson Barnhart's senior residential communities is a strong indication that the combination of location, top-quality amenities and accessible health care is an ideal match with member needs and desires.

Fannie and Don Garner are the parents of two adult children, a daughter living in Atlanta and a son who attends college in Florida.