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Stephen R. Bolt
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Stephen R. Bolt is CEO of Prescient Community Builders. A World Class runner at the University of Alabama, Bolt was inducted into the State of Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, and still holds the collegiate record for the one mile run. He’s also the author of a newly released book entitled, “It’s More Than Just A Race!” which is a compilation of 21 short stories about running, with a devotional at the end of each chapter. “It’s about how passion, focus, discipline and faith can help people get through the valleys of life and carry them to the mountain tops that they want to go to,” says Bolt. The book is a collateral piece for a related movie to be released this fall called, “Remember the Goal!”.
1
What is Prescient Community Developers?
We are a very unique solution to an aging population in desperate need of quality housing and care. The Prescient model, researched for years with focus groups, industry specialists, architects and ministries, merges the best of the senior housing industry with the unique and genuine soul that is a church. Every day over 10,000 people turn 65, with our country’s fastest growing demographic being those who are 80+ years of age. Where will they live? How will they be cared for? How can we make sure that they reach all that they can be in their senior years? Prescient has a model that, we believe, will make our seniors’ last years some of the most enjoyable and productive of their lives.
2
How did you come up with the idea of integrating churches & retirement communities?
That’s a good question. It certainly wasn’t anything I had planned. For the first 30 years of my professional life I built a retail financial company with over 100 financial planners across the country. We had affinity relationships with several ministries such as Promise Keepers when they were at their zenith. In other words, my world was at the intersection of the “financial and Christian” communities. One day during the oppressive liquidity crisis of 2009 I found myself as a guest in a Wall Street board room where the topic turned out to be senior housing. There must have been about 16 of us around that oval shaped table in that opulent room representing literally billions of dollars. I found the subject matter fascinating! What are we going to do to deliver high quality housing for our aging population? Finally, all eyes turned to me and my host literally asked, “So, Stephen, do you think the Christian community can be a part of the solution?” Great question! I didn’t know the answer that day, but after three years of intense due diligence I certainly do. And that answer is a profound Yes!
3
Where will Prescient’s first community’s be located?
We are focused on middle TN, central Florida and the greater Little Rock, Arkansas areas initially. I expect Prescient’s first project to begin construction in 2017 with several more under construction in 2018. We are currently raising capital for the corporate infrastructure and expect over time to build a financial foundation that will allow us to develop in several other states. In a perfect world, I would love to help hundreds of churches use their excess land to (1) create a new, substantial and sustainable revenue stream with no liability to the church whatsoever, and (2) help church volunteers work with blue ribbon senior community managers to create the ultimate experience for residents, their families and employees. Keep in mind that one of our fundamental principles is outreach to the community, not just to the church! Saint Francis of Assisi said it best almost 2000 years ago, “Preach the gospel always, use words if necessary.”
4
What kind of reaction are you getting from the community?
Absolutely tremendous! If I had all the resources I needed, I could build thousands of faith-based senior communities. As I said, we have developed excellent relationships with proven senior community industry providers in architecture (such as E & H here in Nashville and Lantz Boggio in Denver), general contractors, operators and financing sources. If I were to make a 15-minute presentation on this opportunity to a conference of 5,000 pastors, I’m confident I would have at least half of them ask me to do an initial feasibility evaluation for their church/community.
5
What are your long-term goals?
I am absolutely passionate about growing Prescient Community Developers into a game changer in the industry. For too long, seniors have been marginalized. “Here, have some coffee and a donut and go to that room down the hall.” Instead, we should be celebrating their lives and helping them maximize and even transfer their unique and incredible life experiences to the next generation. I have always been passionate about anything I engaged in, whether as an elite runner, as one of the key founders of values-based investing, or now with my new book. I enjoy maximizing every opportunity that can lead to the benefit of people. To quote a line from one of Neil Young’s songs, “It’s better to burn out than to fade away.”
http://www.prescientdevelop.com/
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