Leadership
Built by operators. Guided by place.
Chase Merritt brings together investment, development, and asset management leadership rooted in the Telluride region and shaped by decades of hands-on execution across hospitality, mixed-use, and operating real estate.
Chad Horning
Founder & CEO
Founder of Chase Merritt and long-time Telluride-based investor and developer, Chad leads the firm's capital strategy, project vision, and operating approach across hospitality and resort-oriented investments.
His background spans acquisitions, repositioning, fund deployment, and complex ground-up development, with experience leading major hospitality and mountain-market projects through sourcing, capitalization, execution, and long-term ownership strategy.
25+
Years Experience
$1B+
Hospitality & Resort Projects
$300M+
Self-Managed Funds Deployed
Derek Hrzek
Managing Director
Derek brings more than two decades of investment and development experience across hospitality, mixed-use, office, retail, and industrial sectors. His track record includes cross-border execution, institutional platform building, and disciplined transaction management across complex asset types.
20+
Years Experience
$1.5B+
Transactions
16
Years Abroad
Chase Horning
Director, Real Estate Development
Chase leads complex development initiatives across the Mountain West, with experience spanning hospitality, multifamily, office, retail, medical, and affordable housing. His background combines entitlement navigation, project management, and development execution in highly regulated markets.
10
Years Experience
3
States Delivered
2
Project Types