First Investors, the real estate investment affiliate of First Hospitality, appoints Jan Hajek as executive vice president, asset management and investments. In this role, Hajek will lead the execution of investment business plans across the firm’s portfolio of premium select-service, full service and lifestyle hotels, leveraging two decades of experience in asset management, real estate investment and financial planning.
As a key member of the senior leadership team, Hajek will serve as the primary relationship manager for all debt and equity capital partners, spearhead refinancing processes and strategic asset dispositions, and manage renovation planning, budgeting and execution in collaboration with First Hospitality. Additionally Hajek will be responsible for driving the implementation of investment plans across First Investors’ $700 million national portfolio, manage renovation and disposition timetables, and expand the firm’s pipeline of high‑conviction acquisitions.
“Jan’s deep expertise in asset management and investments will further enhance First Investors’ disciplined multistep approach to hospitality investment,” First Investors CEO David Duncan said in a statement. “His strategic mindset and leadership will support our ongoing goals to strengthen our investment portfolio, deepen relationships with capital partners, and drive operational excellence across our asset base.”
Prior to joining First Investors, Hajek served in multiple leadership positions at AJ Capital Partners, most recently serving as principal of asset management. At AJ Capital Partners he oversaw $2.5 billion in assets, orchestrated the strategic repositioning of the 37‑property Graduate Hotels collection, and co‑led its 2024 sale to Hilton and was recognized as “M&A Deal of the Year” by ALIS. His earlier posts include finance, strategy and development leadership at Hyatt Hotels and Marriott International, where he sharpened his expertise in capital allocation, renovation underwriting, and owner relations.
“Jan’s rigor around numbers is matched by a natural ability to build alignment between owners, operators, and lenders,” Executive Chairman Sam Schwartz said in a statement. “His leadership will strengthen our reliability, deliver superior results, and enhance First Investors position as a preferred investment partner.”
Hajek will sit on the investment committee, providing underwriting discipline that supports First Investors’ ambition of surpassing $1 billion in assets under management.