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

Derek Hsiang

PARTNER

Derek joined as a partner in 2022, bringing his extensive NYC multifamily development experience to the team. He oversees the expansion of Clear Mountain Capital’s NYC development pipeline as well as Clear Mountain’s Proptech initiatives.

Prior to joining Clear Mountain Capital, Derek worked on institutional sized deals for Gale International before founding YD Development, where he led $60MM in NYC multifamily rehab projects. He also runs the Real Estate for Noobs YouTube channel and TikTok account.

● Cornell University, College of Engineering, BS Industrial Engineering

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