Team
JOHN JEZZINI
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Jay (John) Jezzini began his career in mortgage banking with Countrywide Financial, where he worked in the government insuring department specializing in FHA and VA lending. He quickly advanced into underwriting, becoming one of the youngest government underwriters at the company. Jay later joined Wells Fargo and The Mortgage Store Financial, where he ultimately served as Underwriting Manager and later Director of Operations, overseeing nationwide wholesale teams consisting of more than 125 active sales professionals.
Following his tenure in mortgage operations, Jay joined Shearson Mortgage, where he was responsible for developing loan programs, pricing structures, and managing secondary market sales to institutional investors and securitization departments. He later transitioned into real estate development, focusing on the entitlement and development of waterfront single-family residential communities throughout North and South Carolina, including projects in premier areas such as Barefoot Landing.
In 2016, Jay founded a consumer packaged goods company, overseeing product development, marketing, sales, and legal/compliance operations across multiple brands and product categories. Following several successful exits, he established his own private equity and real estate investment firm, focused on acquiring and scaling small-cap, revenue-growth companies across diverse industries.
Jay holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Colorado State University. His professional background reflects a combination of operational leadership, structured finance expertise, entrepreneurial execution, and investment-focused strategy.
JOHN CAVAN
Corporate Counsel
John Cavan serves as Corporate Counsel for JLS Capital, providing comprehensive legal oversight across the firm’s investment platform. He brings sophisticated expertise in intellectual property, contract law, corporate governance, structured finance, and real estate transactions. Mr. Cavan advises the firm on deal structuring, risk management, regulatory compliance, and complex negotiations. His experience includes drafting and negotiating high-value agreements, joint ventures, credit facilities, equity structures, development agreements, and proprietary asset protections across multiple industries. Known for his analytical depth and business-oriented approach, Mr. Cavan ensures all transactions—whether private equity, debt financing, or real estate—are executed with precision and aligned with JLS Capital’s long-term objectives.
Eric Driver
Controller
Eric serves as Controller at JLS Capital Group, bringing a strong foundation in accounting and finance to the firm. Over the course of his career, Eric has developed a versatile and results-driven approach to financial leadership across a range of sectors, including logistics and entertainment.
Prior to joining JLS, Eric served as Financial Controller at Albatross Logistics, where he was responsible for the company’s financial operations and strategic planning initiatives. Before that, he served as Controller for AUDIO UP, an entertainment start-up where he provided financial oversight for the company’s operations and supported the finance function through its successful exit.
Eric holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Finance from Maryville University, where he also served as Treasurer of the Accounting Club.
JOHN JEZZINI
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Jay (John) Jezzini began his career in mortgage banking with Countrywide Financial, where he worked in the government insuring department specializing in FHA and VA lending. He quickly advanced into underwriting, becoming one of the youngest government underwriters at the company. Jay later joined Wells Fargo and The Mortgage Store Financial, where he ultimately served as Underwriting Manager and later Director of Operations, overseeing nationwide wholesale teams consisting of more than 125 active sales professionals.
Following his tenure in mortgage operations, Jay joined Shearson Mortgage, where he was responsible for developing loan programs, pricing structures, and managing secondary market sales to institutional investors and securitization departments. He later transitioned into real estate development, focusing on the entitlement and development of waterfront single-family residential communities throughout North and South Carolina, including projects in premier areas such as Barefoot Landing.
In 2016, Jay founded a consumer packaged goods company, overseeing product development, marketing, sales, and legal/compliance operations across multiple brands and product categories. Following several successful exits, he established his own private equity and real estate investment firm, focused on acquiring and scaling small-cap, revenue-growth companies across diverse industries.
Jay holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Colorado State University. His professional background reflects a combination of operational leadership, structured finance expertise, entrepreneurial execution, and investment-focused strategy.
John Cavan serves as Corporate Counsel for JLS Capital, providing comprehensive legal oversight across the firm’s investment platform. He brings sophisticated expertise in intellectual property, contract law, corporate governance, structured finance, and real estate transactions. Mr. Cavan advises the firm on deal structuring, risk management, regulatory compliance, and complex negotiations. His experience includes drafting and negotiating high-value agreements, joint ventures, credit facilities, equity structures, development agreements, and proprietary asset protections across multiple industries. Known for his analytical depth and business-oriented approach, Mr. Cavan ensures all transactions—whether private equity, debt financing, or real estate—are executed with precision and aligned with JLS Capital’s long-term objectives.
