A Man with a Vibrant Vision for Augusta Chooses Brandon Wilde as His New Home
For more than five decades, Monty Osteen has helped shape the future of Augusta through visionary leadership, civic involvement, and a deep commitment to community service. Today, after a lifetime spent helping others build and revitalize neighborhoods, Osteen and his wife, Mary Drayton Osteen, have found a vibrant community of their own at Brandon Wilde — the premier Life Plan Community in Evans, Ga.
Born in Anderson, South Carolina, in 1941, Osteen earned both his undergraduate degree and master’s degree in economics from The University of South Carolina. He began his banking career in 1965 at the First National Bank of Atlanta before moving to Augusta in 1973 to serve as Executive Vice President of the First Railroad and Banking Company. He later became Chairman and CEO of Bankers First Corporation, which was then one of the last major locally based financial institutions in Augusta.
“When you’re CEO of one of the most influential financial institutions in the area, you feel an obligation to be involved in the community,” Osteen explained.
That sense of responsibility led to decades of civic leadership and community revitalization efforts that helped transform Augusta into the thriving city it is today.
One of Osteen’s most impactful contributions was founding Augusta Tomorrow in 1982, an organization dedicated to revitalizing downtown Augusta and creating long-term master plans for the region’s growth and development. At the time, Augusta’s downtown had suffered significantly after the opening of two regional malls drew businesses and retail activity away from the city center.
“You could roll a bowling ball down Main Street,” Osteen recalled.
Augusta Tomorrow developed ambitious plans that included the creation of Augusta’s riverfront development, the Riverwalk, hotels, conference facilities, and broader downtown redevelopment initiatives.
Over the years, Osteen has also served in leadership roles with numerous civic and community organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, historic preservation initiatives, and organizations supporting Fort Gordon and the greater Central Savannah River Area.
In recognition of his decades of service, Osteen was recently honored with the prestigious Jimmy Dyess Symposium Distinguished American Award, presented by the Augusta Museum of History. The award honors outstanding citizens and military heroes. It pays tribute to Lt. Col. Jimmie Dyess — the only person to receive both the Medal of Honor and the Carnegie Medal for heroism.
Even after more than 40 years of involvement with Augusta Tomorrow, Osteen remains active with the organization and recently participated in discussions surrounding its fourth master plan.
Choosing Brandon Wilde
After decades spent helping guide communities and organizations, Osteen and his wife carefully considered what they wanted for their own future. For Osteen, choosing Brandon Wilde was an easy decision.
He had long been familiar with the community through his professional and civic connections, including his relationship with Ed Gillespie, one of the driving forces behind Brandon Wilde’s creation.
“I always knew that anything Ed Gillespie had anything to do with was going to be a pretty high-quality operation,” Osteen said.
Over the years, Osteen watched Brandon Wilde grow into the region’s most respected senior living community. When the time came to make a move, he and his wife recognized the value not only of the community itself, but also of the peace of mind that Life Plan Communities give families.
“My father-in-law once said moving into a community like this was the greatest gift he could give his children,” Osteen said. “I didn’t fully understand that at the time, but I do now.”
By choosing a community that offers independent living, assisted living, rehabilitation, and additional levels of care if needed, older adults can spare their children the stress of making difficult care decisions during a crisis. Instead, families gain the reassurance that their loved ones are living in a supportive environment with access to care, services, and a vibrant social life, should needs change over time.
The couple has now lived at Brandon Wilde for about a year and a half and has embraced the community’s vibrant lifestyle and extensive amenities.
“I compare Brandon Wilde to an upscale ocean cruise,” Osteen said. “There are so many activities going on that you just pick and choose what you want to do.”
He especially appreciates the beauty of the campus and its pastoral atmosphere.
“Once you come through that front gate, you’re basically in a little ecosystem,” he said. “There are hundreds of bird species on this property.”
Osteen also praised the community’s resilience following Hurricane Helene and the extensive recovery and replanting efforts that helped restore the campus landscape.
“Many properties around town still show obvious signs of storm damage. You would hardly know the hurricane happened here,” he said.
Like many residents, the Osteens have also experienced firsthand the value of Brandon Wilde’s full continuum of care. After an injury, Mary moved from independent living to assisted living, and Osteen was deeply impressed by the compassion and professionalism of the team.
“It’s a big change, but the nurse aides and nurses really take you under their wing to help keep you as independent as possible,” he said.
He also highlighted Brandon Wilde’s proactive wellness programs, including its Balance Club initiative, which helps residents reduce fall risk and maintain mobility and independence.
“They identified a balance issue for me and immediately got me involved in physical therapy,” Osteen said. “Programs like that make a tremendous amount of sense because falls are often what lead to major health declines for older adults.”
As someone who spent much of his career leading complex organizations, Osteen has also been impressed by Brandon Wilde’s management and hospitality.
“It’s professionally run, with a tremendous amount of attention to detail,” he said. “You’re essentially operating a full-scale hospitality environment while caring for hundreds of residents, and that’s not easy to do.”
After spending decades helping shape Augusta’s future, Osteen says he and his wife have found a community that offers peace of mind, quality care, and a wide range of opportunities to stay active and engaged. “I’m very pleased with the experience so far,” he said.
Learn More
To discover if the vibrant Brandon Wilde lifestyle is a good fit for you or a loved one, schedule a tour at https://www.brandonwilde.com or call 706-740-4204.