A longtime leader with CENTERS since its earliest days, Sessine will guide the company’s next chapter as it expands mission-aligned operations that optimize the out-of-classroom experience.
Washington, D.C. | June 16, 2026 — CENTERS has named Jeff Sessine President, recognizing more than two decades of leadership. Sessine has played a long-standing role in shaping the company’s growth, operating model, and client partnerships.
Leadership Built Over Time
Sessine has been with the firm since 1999 and has led the CENTERS practice since 2007. He joined the company after working at Purdue University and was part of the on-site team that opened CENTERS’ first managed location, the Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center at DePaul University. Since that time, he has played a central role in advancing CENTERS, a Brailsford & Dunlavey company, from its first operating partnership into a national higher education operating partner helping institutions strengthen the out-of-classroom experience through mission-aligned operations.
His background includes facility planning, design and construction, business planning, financial modeling, agreement negotiation, risk management, start-up operations, and comprehensive operations management.
“Jeff has been with us from the beginning and has been deeply committed to the CENTERS concept every single day,” said Paul Brailsford, Co-Founder of CENTERS and Chairman of Brailsford & Dunlavey. “He has consistently taken on new responsibilities and grown into them, leading Chris and me to conclude that he has truly earned the title of president.”
Guiding the Next Chapter
Under Sessine’s leadership, CENTERS will continue to build on its roots in collegiate recreation while expanding its role as an operating partner for broader campus centers and other mission-aligned environments. That evolution reflects the company’s focus on the people, programs, operations, systems, and services that help complex environments perform at a higher level.
As President, Sessine will lead the CENTERS central team and provide strategic oversight for operating partnerships and advisory engagements. His leadership will continue to focus on operational excellence, client partnership, leadership development, student development, financial stewardship and building high-performing teams across the portfolio.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue leading CENTERS and proud of the people who make this company what it is,” said Sessine. “Our teams do meaningful work every day in partnership with our clients, helping institutions strengthen the out-of-classroom experience through disciplined operations, student development, and financial stewardship. I love this company, and I take seriously the responsibility to help lead what comes next.”
“This is a well-earned promotion for Jeff and an exciting step forward for CENTERS,” said Chris Dunlavey, Co-Founder of CENTERS and CEO of Brailsford & Dunlavey. “Jeff brings the judgment, discipline, and operating experience needed to lead CENTERS through its next stage of growth. His ability to connect strategy with execution will be important as CENTERS continues to expand.”
A Broader Role for CENTERS
The promotion comes as CENTERS continues to expand its role within the broader B&D platform, bringing specialized operations and management capabilities to the firm’s planning, advisory, program management, and implementation work.
Sessine’s career has been closely tied to the evolution of the CENTERS operating model. From the company’s earliest work at DePaul to its current portfolio of campus life operations, he has helped shape the systems, service culture, and student development approach that distinguish the firm’s work.
Sessine earned a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Keene State College, a master’s degree in athletic administration from Ohio University, and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Purdue University. He also completed doctoral coursework at Purdue University.
About CENTERS
CENTERS is a nationally recognized management firm specializing in mission-aligned operations for colleges, universities, nonprofit institutions, and other complex institutional environments. The firm manages the people, programs, operations, systems, and services that support the out-of-classroom experience and strengthen community-serving environments, including recreation and wellness centers, arenas, student centers, sports complexes, event and conference services, performing arts venues, student housing, and more. CENTERS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc. Learn more at www.centersusa.com.