Executive Management Team

Stratford Capital’s client first focus prioritizes the needs of our clients in every aspect of our business. Our project selection, underwriting and asset and fund management services are designed around exceeding the unique objectives and goals of both our investors and developer partners.

The management team of Stratford Capital is comprised of John (“Jerry”) M. Nelson, IV, Benjamin D. Mottola, Stephen P. Wilson and Kyle F. Wolff. Combined, the executive management team of Stratford Capital has over 100 years of experience in acquiring, financing, developing and asset managing residential rental apartment communities across the United States.

JOHN M. (“JERRY”) NELSON, IV  |  Chairman/Principal

A founding member and owner of Stratford Capital, Mr. Nelson’s primary responsibilities include strategic planning, business development and supervision of marketing activities. Prior to forming Stratford Capital, from 1995 to 2006, he was Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Capital Group, a real estate investment company specializing in the financing and development of apartment communities nationwide. During his tenure, Franklin Capital Group placed more than $350 million in equity capital in over 115 residential rental properties consisting of more than 13,500 apartment units. From 1987 to 1994, he was Executive Vice President of Sumner Development Company, a real estate company, and president of an affiliated entity, Mount Vernon Financial Corporation, where he arranged debt and equity financing and participated in project acquisition and development. From 1975 to 1987, he was Managing Director of First Winthrop Corporation and subsequently Chief Executive Officer of Winthrop Financial Associates, both Boston, Massachusetts based real estate companies. As one of the founders of Winthrop, he was responsible for the acquisition and syndication to private investors of over $5.5 billion dollars of property, including over 40,000 rental apartment units. From 1967 to 1969, he served as an officer in the United States Navy. He is a graduate of Yale University and holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

BENJAMIN D. MOTTOLA  |  President/Principal  |  Chief Operating Officer

A founding member and owner of Stratford Capital, Mr. Mottola is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company and his primary responsibilities include strategic planning, business development and the supervision and coordination of Stratford Capital's various business units. Prior to forming Stratford Capital and since 1996, he was the senior member of the real estate investment acquisitions staff for the Franklin Capital Group where he was primarily involved with its real estate investment and acquisition activities. During that time, he was involved in the acquisition of over 9,000 apartment units with a development value in excess of $600 million. He also oversaw most investment analysis, real estate underwriting and other transactional activities. Prior to joining Franklin Capital Group, Mr. Mottola spent six years with Copley Real Estate Advisors, a Boston, Massachusetts based institutional real estate investment advisory firm where he was responsible for the asset management of over 4,000 multi-family apartment units. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Michael’s College.

STEPHEN P. WILSON  |  President (Virginia Office)  |  Principal

A founding member and owner of Stratford Capital, Mr. Wilson is primarily involved with the management and oversight of Stratford Capital’s acquisitions activities. Prior to forming Stratford Capital, he was a senior member with the Franklin Capital Group where he was primarily responsible for the supervision of development projects. He has a broad development experience managing numerous types of projects that include new construction, moderate and substantial rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of historic structures. Prior to joining Franklin Capital Group in 1997, he served as president of Dulles Real Estate Corporation, a private Washington, D.C. area firm that specialized in commercial real estate and provided general advisory services to its clients, including project feasibility analysis, financing, budgetary review, marketing, development management and leasing and sales. He was an appointed Board Member of the Loudoun County Housing Advisory Board. He is a graduate of the University of Richmond with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and holds an MBA from The George Washington University.

KYLE F. WOLFF  |  Executive Vice-President/Principal  |  Director of Acquisitions

A founding member and owner of Stratford Capital, Mr. Wolff is Stratford Capital’s Director of Acquisitions and is primarily responsible for managing and overseeing Stratford Capital Group's effort to acquire affordable apartment properties that benefit from various federal and state tax credits. Day-to-day activities also include project risk management, business development, asset management and general marketing. Other responsibilities include working in tandem with the investor marketing group to facilitate the review, approval and investment by institutions in Stratford Capital's proprietary and multi-investor funds. Prior to forming Stratford Capital, he was a senior member of the Franklin Capital Group, where he was primarily involved in real estate investment acquisitions and analysis. Prior to joining Franklin Capital Group, he was employed by BankBoston, N.A. as well as Berkshire Mortgage Finance. Mr. Wolff received a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University and holds an MBA from Boston University.