Jay joined Kemmons Wilson Companies (KWC) in 2018 to help build out the external-facing hospitality and retail platforms in the Wilson Family Office. As Head of Acquisitions, Jay leads the capital deployment strategy for Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners (“KWHP”), the family’s hospitality private equity fund platform across two vehicles: opportunistic (fund III) and their inaugural yield vehicle. Jay has over $2.0B in transaction experience on +35 investments over his tenure – notably the recent take-private of Sotherly Hospitality REIT – as well as ~$350mm in development projects. Prior to joining KWC, Jay began his career as a research analyst at Nomura Securities International in New York City.

Jay also plays strategic roles within KWC portfolio companies – primarily, Peak+ in addition to having spent significant time in financial operating roles within Peak+ as well as portfolio companies Central BBQ, Wiseacre Brewing Co, and Loeffler Randall.

In addition to his role at KWC, Jay and his wife Kelley devote time and resources to aid and advocate for at-risk children around the globe. Jay has played strategic roles in several non-profits focused on everything from marginalized children to programs for elite professional athletes.

Originally from Anchorage, Alaska; Jay attended Dartmouth College where he earned a BA in Economics – with a specialization in Finance, and a minor in Linguistics. He also remains the 3rd fastest 200m breaststroke in Dartmouth’s school history.
Jay, his wife Kelley, and their two children live in Nashville, TN.