Clemens stands as a distinguished professional at Flagship Capital Partners, bringing specialized expertise in crafting bespoke capital structures for clients engaged in commercial real estate acquisitions across all asset classes. Since joining Flagship Capital Partners in early 2017, Clemens has become instrumental in driving the firm’s production and management activities.
Within Flagship Capital Partners, Clemens spearheads all production operations through the company’s direct lending facilities. His role extends to managing preferred equity, joint-venture equity, and general partner co-invest equity for Flagship Capital Partners’ diverse fund vehicles. Beyond his crucial production responsibilities, Clemens actively contributes to asset and fund management across all of Flagship Capital Partners’ funding facilities, showcasing his comprehensive involvement in the firm’s financial ecosystem.
Clemens’s robust foundation in commercial real estate finance was built over six years at HFF, L.P. (now JLL) in Houston. During his tenure, he gained valuable experience in both capital markets and investment sales divisions. His track record at HFF includes participation in transactions exceeding a remarkable $4.85 billion in total value. Clemens was directly involved in approximately 40 distinct sales transactions encompassing a wide spectrum of asset types and quality levels, from high-profile Class A urban core properties to Class C suburban apartment communities. His expertise extended beyond multifamily investment sales to brokering debt and equity placements for nearly 80 assets across various product lines and property types, including retail, industrial, office, and mixed-use projects throughout the United States. This breadth of experience underscores his deep understanding of the commercial real estate landscape and capital markets.
Hailing from Amarillo, Texas, Clemens’s academic background further solidifies his expertise. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA degree from the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Real Estate Finance and Investment. His commitment to leadership and service is evident in his involvement as a Silver Spurs Handler for BEVO XIV during his undergraduate years. An Eagle Scout and an active volunteer with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Clemens is deeply engaged in his community. Professionally, he holds memberships in prominent organizations such as the Urban Land Institute (ULI), the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and the National Association of Industrial and Office Property Owners (NAIOP), where he serves on the Developing Leaders Board. Clemens also demonstrates his dedication to personal and professional growth through participation in the Aramco Houston Half Marathon and the Houston Heights Constable Patrol Program. His commitment to community extends to his roles as a member of the Executive Committee & Board of Trustees for the Council on Recovery and an Advisory Council Member of the University of Texas McCombs Real Estate Center.
Clemens currently resides in the Heights neighborhood of Houston with his wife Katrina, son John Carlton “Tripp” Clemens III, and daughter Hadley Elisabeth Clemens. His multifaceted experience and dedication position him as a significant asset to Flagship Capital Partners and the commercial real estate industry.
