At Sage Outdoor Advisory, our team of seasoned professionals is dedicated to leading the outdoor hospitality industry with unparalleled expertise and innovative solutions. Each member brings a unique blend of experience, knowledge, and passion for the outdoor hospitality sector, ensuring our clients receive the highest level of service and strategic guidance. Meet the experts who drive our success and make Sage Outdoor Advisory the trusted leader in outdoor hospitality consulting and appraisal.
Meet the Sage Team
Shari Heilala, MAI
President & Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Heilala is a member of the Appraisal Institute and brings over 30 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. Shari has her undergraduate degree in Business from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a double major in Real Estate and Finance. Ms. Heilala attended Northwestern’s Kellogg School for Management and holds her Masters of Corporate Real Estate from CORENET global. She has worked both nationally and globally in the industry.
For over 15 years, Ms. Heilala has analyzed dozens of existing and proposed RV resorts throughout the North America. She has developed expertise in the glamping industry, providing valuable insight to clients entering this growing area. Ms. Heilala is supported by a strong team of research, appraisal and consulting professionals.
She is based out of Chicago and the Gulf Coast.
Frantz Degand
Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Degand has been in the commercial real estate industry for over 20 years, with over ten years of experience in outdoor resort appraisal and consulting. He brings strong experience in debt underwriting, having led a team within the credit and risk management division of a regional middle market bank for ten years. His additional expertise includes operational management, training and technology implementation, as well as advanced research, data, and financial analysis.
Mr. Degand majored in philosophy at San Francisco State and is a licensed commercial real estate appraiser and real estate broker.
He is based out of Chicago, having spent his childhood in the mountains of the Caribbean. He is fluent in French.
Kristin Andersen Garwood
Vice President of Client Relations
Ms. Andersen Garwood is a valuable addition to the Sage team, bringing with her a wealth of expertise in both appraisal and lending, spanning over 15 years. Additionally, she boasts an impressive background of 15 years in marketing and entrepreneurship. This rare combination of experience equips her with a comprehensive understanding of feasibility studies, appraisals, and the dynamic landscape of modern-day entrepreneurship.
Her educational qualifications include a BBA double major in Real Estate and Marketing from University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Currently operating out of Colorado, Ms. Andersen Garwood originally hails from Green Bay, Wisconsin. Her diverse background and geographical exposure contribute to her unique perspective and ability to adapt to different business environments.
Nicholas Cipriano
Director
Mr. Cipriano has worked on a variety of projects in over 35 states in his nearly 25 years of working in commercial real estate. He has over 15 years of experience related to hospitality including valuation, tax appeal, acquisition consulting, market studies, and feasibility studies. Nick undertakes diverse responsibilities. These include preparing comprehensive reports, managing projects, conducting feasibility studies, providing an array of consulting services for different property types, and valuation. His expertise lies in providing comprehensive valuation and consulting services for a diverse range of properties, including hotels, RV resorts, campgrounds, and glamping properties.
Nick graduated from Benedictine University with a degree in economics and finance. He also completed numerous courses at the Appraisal Institute and is a certified general appraiser in numerous states.
Based out of Chicago, Nick has lived in several other states and has traveled extensively throughout the United Staes.
Luke Marran
Associate of Outdoor Hospitality
Mr. Marran attended the University of Denver – Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality, where he majored in Hospitality Management with a concentration in Lodging & Real Estate. At CooperWynn Capital & Guard Hospitality, Mr. Marran was an investment analyst and owner relations specialist.
Luke comes from over 6 years of hospitality industry experience including hospitality investment underwriting, hospitality asset management, luxury hotel operations, and property management for vacation rentals.
He is from Illinois and is based out of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Connor Schwab, MBA
Vice President of Outdoor Hospitality
Mr. Schwab brings 8 years of business development experience and 5 years of outdoor hospitality experience to the Sage team. One of Mr. Schwab’s major contributions to the industry is creating the first quantitative USA glamping report in partnership with Kampgrounds of America (KOA) / Terramor.
Mr. Schwab graduated with an MBA in 2018 with a Master’s Thesis in privatized camping. Since then, he has been fully immersed in the outdoor hospitality sector and completed 50+ site visits in the United States and Africa.
He is based out of the Pacific Northwest and from Portland, Oregon.
