The Ardent Companies, a $1.5B AUM real estate asset management and investment platform, announces the hiring of industry leader Christopher T. Kelly.

Kelly has over 30 years’ experience in commercial real estate investment and risk management, with direct responsibility for more than $12B in originations. He will be tasked with accelerating the development and strategic growth of Ardent’s debt strategies alongside Managing Director Daniel Siegel, and will introduce a complementary value-add bridge debt product to the platform.

“The addition of a deeply experienced and skilled real estate professional like Chris to the team will significantly accelerate our growth and positively impact our ongoing development of attractive financial solutions to our partners, clients, and shareholders,” said Ardent CEO Matt Shulman.  “This important hire speaks loudly to Ardent’s commitment to developing and expanding our talented team with best-in-class professionals like Chris.”

Kelly joins the firm after four years as Managing Director and Head of CRE Lending at Amherst Capital Management where he oversaw Amherst’s real estate credit business. Prior to that, he held similar roles at CapitalSource, a commercial mortgage unit of Pacific Western Bank, and Natixis. Kelly’s focus at Ardent will support the further expansion of Ardent’s existing transitional credit funds and direct equity investment businesses, as well as extend the reach of the firm’s national borrower-sponsor relationships.

“Having a long-standing relationship with the Ardent team, I am honored to be part of a dynamic and entrepreneurial firm,” says Kelly.  “I’m excited to join the business and help advance Ardent’s longstanding commitment to delivering smart, strategic financial solutions to our clients”