Chicago, Ill. – AJ Capital Partners announced today the hire of a new member to its executive team. Clay Thelen joins the team as Chief Financial Officer, with a specific focus on capital markets.

“Clay is an exciting addition for our Company,” said Eric Hassberger, COO of AJ Capital Partners. “Clay's extensive knowledge and experience in the capital markets and lodging industry make him an ideal fit for the AJ Capital and Graduate Hotels team.”

Prior to joining AJ Capital Partners, Clay was Vice President, Capital Markets, Acquisitions, and Treasurer at Strategic Hotels & Resorts (SHR) where he led the capital markets, financial planning and analysis, and treasury functions. Additionally, in his time at SHR, Clay directly participated in the company’s hotel acquisition and disposition activity as well as its transition from being publicly traded to privately held. Clay began his career as a CPA in the risk advisory and audit practices at Ernst & Young, LLP.