MountainStar Capital CEO Named a 40 Under 40 Honoree

The CEO and co-founder of MountainStar Capital, Chris Lazzara, has been named a "40 Under 40" honoree by the Jacksonville Business Journal. The prestigious awards are published annually after a competitive nomination and selection process.

Lazzara founded MountainStar in 2013 with operations in North Florida and Vail, Colorado. MountainStar is a private equity firm whose focus is active and passive direct investment, real estate, and joint venture opportunities. It's one of the area's largest with 21 employees.

Lazzara leads the firm's investment committee, directs strategy and oversees all major initiatives for MountainStar Capital and affiliated companies. MountainStar Capital has made over 50 acquisitions piloted by Lazzara and launched three privately-funded real estate development projects in Ponte Vedra, St. Johns and Flagler counties. The company launched its Health Division in 2016 which is rapidly expanding in Atlanta. MountainStar Health oversees 30 doctors and 30 staff.

MountainStar Capital invests across many asset classes and operates a portfolio of companies with expertise in and a focus on residential and commercial real estate development and direct lending. MountainStar also has an orthodontic practice management division which develops orthodontic education programs. The team has managed over 600 private practices OCA and established three residency programs for partner universities.

Lazzara previously served as managing partner of Ponte Vedra Management Group, an asset management group with diverse real estate, securities and corporate holdings. During his tenure, he led a rapid expansion of the company which increased from three employees to 15. Lazzara graduated from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. He received training in private funds management at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.

The Cultural Council of Northeast Florida named him this year's Robert Arleigh White Arts Advocate, recognized for the family foundation's and MountainStar Capital's partnership with University of North Florida (UNF) to create the public art installation Jacksonville Beach's Seaside Sculpture Park. Lazzara serves as the chair of the community outreach committee of the UNF's Student Affairs Community Council. He serves on the Board of Trustee's Executive Committee for the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation. He also directs operations of the Lazzara Family Foundation, which has provided more than $16 million in grants to worthy organizations since 1997.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170412005697/en/