Chen Ji

FOUNDER, CEO

Chen founded Clear Mountain Capital in 2014 as a real estate investment platform and has led multiple investments valued at over $100 million across residential multi-family, single-family, retail and student housing in Connecticut. In addition, Chen has led multiple investments in venture funding for industry-leading technology startups. Chen is also the founder and managing member of JZ Investments Inc., an investment vehicle focused on real estate investments in Connecticut.

● Columbia University, MPA

● University of Connecticut, BSc Actuarial Sciences 

Chok Lei

PARTNER, CIO

Formally educated and trained in real estate and corporate finance, Chok has over 11 years of experience across various roles in real estate development and construction, investment fund management, mergers & acquisitions and capital markets. Prior to CMC, Chok was a VP of Investments & Analytics at Pretium Partners, a real estate private equity firm managing over $20 billion of assets. Chok began his career as an investment banker at J.P. Morgan covering real estate, industrial and energy companies, and has served in the United States Marine Corps. In addition to his current role, Chok is an adjunct professor at Columbia University teaching real estate financial modeling and underwriting.

● Columbia University, MS Real Estate Development

● Baruch College, BBA Finance & Investments

Ran Zheng

PARTNER

Ran is a managing partner of Clear Mountain Capital and leads the business development and strategic growth efforts for the firm, sourcing investment opportunities and managing industry partners. Ran started his career as an analyst at UBS and is currently a licensed real estate broker in New York.

Ran graduated from New York University, Stern School of Business with a Bachelor’s degree in Business & Political Economics.

● New York University, Stern School of Business, BFA Business & Political Economics

Jacob Entel

PARTNER

Jacob Entel joined Clear Mountain Capital in 2022. Previously, Jacob founded Nexjen Real Estate, a real estate development & consulting firm specializing in multi-family & industrial assets in the Northeast US. Nexjen controls over 500,000sf of commercial real estate. Prior, Jacob was a Director at The Moinian Group, where he oversaw the leasing, marketing, tech implementation, and asset management for over 4,000 residential rental units in New York City. Some notable projects Jacob has worked on are Sky, 605 W 42nd St, NYC’s largest single tower rental building, and PLG, 123 Linden Blvd, Flatbush’s largest & tallest rental development.

● Tulane University, BS Finance