Aubra Franklin

Aubra Franklin is an innovator and entrepreneur who has infused professional expertise with a personal passion to build an enterprise dedicated in equal measure to values, people, and excellence. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Franklin Companies, a fully integrated company with development, construction, and management capabilities. Established in 1995, the Franklin brand has been a market leader for senior housing including independent living, assisted living and memory care for those who have Alzheimer’s and other related dementia. Mr. Franklin also oversees the Artisan brand of multi-family communities. Franklin Companies employs 450 individuals and improves the lives of approximately 5,000 people, including staff and residents, each day.

Mr. Franklin has been endowed with the gifts of discernment and foresight that keeps Franklin Companies a step ahead of the industry. Through his leadership, the firm has been able to identify target markets, provide solutions that uniquely meet needs, and create investor value while improving the quality of life for residents. His training as a licensed architect guides the firm’s approach to design, and his vision directly influences Franklin Companies’ strategic and operational planning.

Mr. Franklin’s management approach is characterized by a sense of commitment that others usually reserve for close family, which results in fierce employee loyalty and consistently high resident satisfaction. Mr. Franklin is dedicated to and passionate about providing services that make a difference in the lives of seniors and families. This drive is rooted in clear values that have allowed Mr. Franklin to recruit and retain a high-functioning management team that delivers industry-leading performance in all aspects of the business.

Mr. Franklin resides in San Antonio with his wife, Susan C. Franklin. Together they are deeply committed to supporting the community and multiple non-profit organizations. Mr. Franklin is the founder of Share 3:16, a San Antonio-based ministry that provides housing for single mothers as well as faith-based outreach for children. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin are both particularly active in the fine arts community where they give generously of their resources and their time.

Susan C. Franklin

Susan C. Franklin is a versatile executive committed to design excellence with an unwavering dedication to philanthropic interests in the San Antonio community. She is the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Franklin Park, a leader in independent and assisted living retirement communities. In June 2014, Mrs. Franklin, and her husband, Aubra, were awarded the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year designation for Central Texas. This annual award recognizes entrepreneurs who have a proven track record of innovation that has resulted in exceptional success in their industries.

Mrs. Franklin oversees many aspects of the operation of Franklin Park including brand management, design management, first impressions management and the company’s community outreach and philanthropic presence. Design consistency and quality is a key driver for Mrs. Franklin’s approach to the creation of warm and inviting architectural spaces punctuated with refined, elegant touches, a hallmark of Franklin Park’s living communities. Mrs. Franklin also brings her passion for philanthropic causes as Franklin Park’s direct connection with broader communities that surround the company’s facilities. Mrs. Franklin’s outreach efforts frequently culminate in unique experiences for Franklin Park’s residents including on-site concerts and events as well as cultural outings. Franklin Park was the title sponsor for the 2017 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – San Antonio hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association.

In addition to her responsibilities at Franklin Park, Mrs. Franklin gives enthusiastically of her time and talents to support many non-profit organizations. Her desire to elevate both the appreciation and the accessibility of the fine arts in San Antonio inspires her passionate service to multiple cultural standard-bearers. She currently serves as a member of the Building Committee for the Bexar County Performing Arts Center Foundation and is Co-Chair of the Founders Network. Through these positions she has worked extensively as part of a team bringing forth both the vision and the necessary support that is making the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts a reality for San Antonio. She also serves on the Tobin Gala Committee.

Mrs. Franklin is a 2016 Creative Arts Inductee of the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame and was profiled in the January 2017 cover story of San Antonio Woman Magazine. She served on the board of ARTS San Antonio and supported the San Antonio International Piano Competition, as well as the Andrea Bocelli Concert presented by The Opera San Antonio. Mrs. Franklin currently serves on the board of Musical Bridges Around the World and was the Committee Chair for the inaugural Gurwitz International Piano Competition 2020 which further elevated San Antonio’s reputation as a community dedicated to arts cultivation. Mrs. Franklin’s efforts on this particular project were of significant importance for the efforts of Musical Bridges Around the World.

Mrs. Franklin and her husband, Aubra Franklin, have served as hosts for many notable musicians and musical contributors. These individuals include Nobuyuki Tsujii, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medalist, Emanuel Borok, world-renowned concert master of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Anya Grokhovski, Musical Bridges artistic director and concert pianist, and Lilya Zilberstein, acclaimed pianist. Mrs. Franklin’s dedication extends beyond San Antonio as she also serves as a Guild Member for New York City Ballet.

Mrs. Franklin is a Noble Patron of the Charity Ball Association of San Antonio, a Golden Circle supporter of the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, and served as Co-Chair of the 2017 UT Health President’s Gala. She is also a member of the Witte Museum Quillin Society.