As a self-made multiple business owner, AJ exemplifies the transformation from entrepreneur to leader. With no formal education in business, AJ begin his career in 2008, co-founding Capstone Companies, now the largest privately held multifamily investment sales brokerage in the nation. AJ has learned that above all, the key to scaling a business is humble, servant leadership. As a leader of his businesses, AJ has instilled in his team critical Core Values including putting “Team Before Self”, “Checking Your Ego at the Door” and having a “Relentless Passion for Improvement”.

Having founded three successful real estate start-ups, a growing food and beverage business, and various tech-enabled investments, AJ has acquired valuable skills from the business world. AJ prides himself on his approachable personality, team-before-self way of living, easy going nature and relentless work ethic. These traits have helped AJ develop a reputation as a trusted resource for anything multifamily, commercial real estate, technology or non-profit related.

Currently Managing Partner (Co-founder) of Catalyst Capital Partners, a multifamily development and investment company with a $1B+ pipeline throughout the Southeast, AJ oversees the management and investment activities of the firm.

AJ continues to act as a Partner (Co-Founder) of Capstone and directs the company's national growth and technology-related business development initiatives. Capstone is a multi-year recipient of the “Inc. 500/5000 Award” and multi-year winner of The Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” List. Over the past 12+ years with Capstone, AJ has led the firm’s growth from one office in Charlotte, NC to twenty coast-to-coast. In his time as a broker at Capstone, AJ led investment sales transactions representing an aggregate value of $2.5B+ and 25,000+ units. In this role, AJ was the Top Producer for 3 of his last 4 years.

AJ is also the founder and passive Partner of Built on Hospitality, a NC-based Food and Beverage group with a focus on creative new concepts in the full-service and QSR space throughout the Southeast.

While his business responsibilities are many, the pursuit of most pride for AJ, international philanthropy, specifically funding and building elementary schools around the world, is AJ’s guiding light. As a Global Board Member of BuildOn, the largest NGO in the world focused on building schools in rural third-world villages, AJ has been responsible for the funding and construction of 3 primary schools in Central and South America (225 students year-round), with 5+ more in the pipeline.

AJ graduated from The University of Michigan in 2007 with a MS in Bio-Psychology and Cognitive Science. AJ is a member of the National Multi-Housing Council and the Urban Land Institute and is active in various other professional and philanthropic roles across the region. He enjoys Michigan sports, volunteering, the outdoors, world travel, and spending time with his wife Caitlin, and two boys, Harrison and Jackson.

Brian Ford is one of the Managing Partners of Catalyst Capital Partners and is responsible for overall management of the firm and its development and investment activities.

He is also a co-founder and Chairman of Capstone Companies and served as managing partner of the firm since its inception in 2008 until 2021. Today, Capstone’s achievements include:

#1 Privately Owned Multi-Family Brokerage Nationwide
Revenue from $0 in FY 2008 to $52 Million in FY 2021
4% Annual Sales Volume Growth in the Last Year
Firm Sales Totaling $8.4B+
Recognized as an INC 5000 fastest growing company
100+ Employees
Won Best Places to Work – Charlotte Business Journal
Donated $100K+ to Philanthropic Efforts

Brian’s extensive experience has garnered him with a comprehensive understanding of the residential and multi-family sectors, which has led him to create a number of unique development and acquisition projects. Most notably, Brian’s Wayford at Concord Build-to-Rent apartment development project, with rental townhomes and ranches. Wayford Concord was the first of it’s kind in the Carolinas and was ranked the #1 apartment community in the Charlotte MSA by Charlotte renters in 2020.

Brian led the launch of Capstone Cares, Capstone’s 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has raised funds for Homes For Our Troops, Crossnore, YMCA, Charlotte Family Housing, JDRF, and more. He has also served on the Board of Directors for State Maintenance of America & Theatre Charlotte, as President of the Mint Museum’s Young Affiliate Group, and on the President’s Young Leaders Council at Elon University. Brian earned a degree in Business Administration with a major in Finance from the Love School of Business at Elon University.

Brian enjoys playing golf, following his favorite Michigan sports teams, boating with his 2 dogs on Lake Wylie or Edisto Island, and spending time with his wife, Heather, and their 5-year-old daughter, Isabella.

With more than 14 years of experience, Ted Hill brings a unique and valuable skillset to the sponsorship team. His experience in commercial real estate spans all sectors, but has always been focused on value-add income capacity.

Ted began his real estate career renovating single family homes in 2004 and graduated to commercial real estate in 2006. To date, he has participated in more than half a billion dollars in transaction volume as both a principal and broker.

Ted has participated in ventures with clientele and investors ranging from small, high net worth individuals to $30+ billion dollar private equity groups. He has experience in brownfield redevelopment, rezoning, adaptive re-use development, bankrupted debt purchases, REO acquisitions, air rights trades, and M&A activity. Additionally, Ted holds a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation.

Outside of work, Ted holds a leadership position at Forest Hill Church, Mission Forward, and Hiinga, Inc. He attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and studied abroad at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.