Bio
Chris Votaw is a seasoned investment executive with more than 18 years of experience spanning real estate, private equity, and mergers & acquisitions. As Co-Founder of JLM Living and Partner at JLM Financial Partners, Chris has been a driving force behind the firm’s strategic direction, portfolio growth, and capital markets activity since 2010.
Chris leads JLM’s investment underwriting, asset management, and deal execution functions, working closely with institutional lenders, financial partners, and operating companies to source, structure, and close complex transactions. He has spearheaded multiple mergers and acquisitions on behalf of the firm and serves as a senior relationship manager across JLM’s investor base. His analytical foundation — built on rigorous financial modeling, due diligence, and market research — has been central to the firm’s track record of disciplined capital deployment and successful exits.
In addition to his investment responsibilities, Chris has served as a Board Advisor or Board Member for several JLM portfolio companies. He previously held a Real Estate Committee seat with United PF Partners, the largest Planet Fitness franchisee in the country, through a successful exit. His experience spans both residential and commercial real estate, with deep expertise in multi-unit transactions, acquisitions, and portfolio-level asset management.
Chris holds a B.A. in Business Administration with honors from Concordia University. He resides in Jupiter, Florida with his wife, Jessica, and their three daughters.