HFG is set apart from others in that we create long-term, ongoing relationships with our clients.
At HFG we carry a unique business model and strive to take a holistic approach in all we do. Simply stated, we don’t use a one-size-fits-all formula. Instead, we get to know our clients, their stories, and their goals, then tailor our services to best fit their personal needs.
Al is a Senior Partner of Hospitality Financial Group, HFG Development Partners, and HFG Investments. He has extensive experience in the structuring of commercial real estate transactions including senior debt placement, mezzanine financing, and equity investments. He also has experience with the negotiation and resolution of non-performing credits. Al prides himself on thinking “outside of the box” to look at potential solutions that are sometimes overlooked in the market. He has over 33 years of financial services experience with previous employment at Wachovia, Premier Bank, BB&T, Park Avenue Bank, and Bank OZK. He served as the local Market President for a regional bank that saw growth within the market from zero to over $250M in assets. His development career includes acquired residential acreage of over 483 acres (with over 500 lots developed on this acreage thru the end of 2025) and acquired industrial property of over 663 acres entitled for over 9mm sf of industrial facilities. He has also owned and managed an extensive residential home portfolio along with various office and commercial properties.
Al holds a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Georgia, a Graduate Degree from the ABA Stonier National Graduate School of Banking, and is a Graduate of the Southeastern School of Advanced Commercial Lending. Al is a former Chairman of the Henry County (GA) Chamber of Commerce, and also is a former Chairman of the Henry Council For Quality Growth.
Robert Knight is a Senior Partner of Hospitality Financial Group, HFG Development Partners, and HFG Investments, with over 30 years of experience in banking, finance, and international business. His career began at a state bank in Tennessee, followed by more than 15 years with CitiGroup, where he managed markets across the Southeastern United States and Central and Eastern Europe. Over the years, Robert has worked with leading banks, private equity funds, hedge funds, and family offices, developing innovative strategies to support small and mid-sized business growth.
In recent years, Robert has shifted his focus to industrial and residential real estate development in the United States and sustainable mining and energy projects both in the United States and internationally. He now collaborates with his partners to oversee the firm’s diverse real estate and mining initiatives, ensuring successful outcomes for both domestic and international ventures.
Robert holds a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University and an MBA from the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee. A former pastor for five years, Robert has also served on several boards, reflecting his dedication to both professional excellence and community involvement.
John Palmer is a Senior Partner of Hospitality Financial Group, HFG Development Partners, and HFG Investments. John is a land development professional with over 25 years of experience in planning, design, and execution of complex real estate projects. Most recently, he served as President of an Atlanta-based engineering firm, where he led the design of large mixed-use developments, master planned industrial projects, and residential communities.
Over the course of his career, John has overseen the design of more than 15,000 residential units across diverse product types and market segments. He has also directed the design of industrial warehouse, manufacturing, and data center projects totaling over 20 million square feet.
John brings a comprehensive understanding of the development process, from entitlement and infrastructure planning through design and permitting, and is known for aligning technical expertise with practical development objectives.
Jason is a Senior Partner at Hospitality Financial Group, overseeing the Mining and Energy Division with a wealth of expertise and a unique background. He began his professional journey in the aviation industry, where he quickly ascended to assistant Chief -Pilot before taking on a role in senior management within a prominent global aviation organization.
Prior to joining Hospitality Financial Group, Jason dedicated eight years to the Almex Group, a leading mining equipment provider for large international mining companies such as BHP, Rio Tinto, Glencore, Freeport-McMoran and Anglo American. He managed the LATAM network and played an instrumental role in supporting mining projects across the region. Through his teams in Chile and Peru, he managed multi-million-dollar projects with the largest copper mines in the world: Escondida, Collahuasi, Chuquicamata, Los Pelambres, Cerro Verde, and Las Bambas. His fluency in Spanish, coupled with a deep understanding of Latin American cultures, has allowed him to cultivate strong, trust-based relationships founded on integrity and transparency, enhancing operations both domestically and internationally.
Jason holds a bachelor’s degree from Moody Aviation and an MBA from the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee. With over 23 years of experience in Latin American, he has served on various aviation boards and committed over 15 years to non-profit leadership, demonstrating his dedication to community service and principled stewardship. Jason is passionate about giving back and adheres to a code of ethics that is honorable, inspiring, and inclusive.
