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Who we are

Our Firm

HRZN Holdings is a private investment firm focused on alternative assets that provide stability, cash flow, and strong returns. We combine institutional-grade analysis with entrepreneurial execution, building portfolios designed for resilience and growth.

Our values

What we stand for

Partnership

We believe in true partnership with our investors, built on transparency and aligned interests.

Excellence

We pursue excellence in every aspect of our business, from underwriting to asset management.

Growth

We focus on sustainable, long-term growth that benefits every stakeholder in our partnerships.

Integrity

We conduct business with the highest ethical standards and complete transparency.

Leadership team

The people behind HRZN

Founding partners and operators who bring decades of combined experience in real estate, finance, and scaling businesses.

Founding Partner & CEO

McKay Johnston

McKay Johnston is the owner of HRZN Funding and a seasoned real estate operator with more than 14 years of industry experience. A graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in Accounting, McKay has spent the last seven years managing and structuring multiple real estate syndications and serves as a General Partner in the HRZN Fund Provo.

McKay brings deep expertise in underwriting, asset management, and investor relations. His track record spans residential, commercial, and development projects, with a focus on secure, yield-driven opportunities.

Experience

  • Owner of HRZN Funding
  • BYU graduate, Accounting
  • 14 years of real estate experience
  • Managed multiple real estate syndications over the last 7 years
  • General Partner of the HRZN Fund Provo

Founding Partner & COO

Gavin Jones

Gavin Jones is an experienced operator, entrepreneur, and team builder with a proven track record of scaling organizations across multiple industries. He holds an MBA from the University of Utah and has led high-performing teams at both Adobe and Qualtrics—two of Utah’s largest and most respected tech companies.

Experience

  • University of Utah MBA
  • Built and managed teams at Adobe
  • Built and managed teams at Qualtrics
  • Focused career on scaling businesses, building teams, and developing people
  • Owner and founder of several multi-state service companies
  • Personal investor in multiple real estate and business projects

Chief Marketing Officer

Kyle Smith

Kyle Smith is a growth-focused marketing strategist and operator who transforms early-stage ventures into high-performing brands. Known for blending creativity with precision, he drives results through expertise in digital advertising, CRM automation, and go-to-market strategy.

Experience

  • 10+ years in growth marketing
  • Category builder & brand architect
  • Full-funnel growth strategist
  • Expert in CRM automation
  • Venture-backed marketing leader
  • Data-driven creative operator

Executive Assistant

Alyssa Gamble

Alyssa Gamble is a marketing professional with a strong foundation in data-driven strategy, business analysis, and creative campaign execution. Her experience spans investment operations, marketing leadership, and education, giving her a well-rounded ability to bridge analytical insight with strategic brand growth.

Experience

  • Strategic marketing leadership
  • Analytical and business-focused
  • Teaching and mentorship experience
Portrait of Tricia Carlton

Facilities Manager, Citadel Storage

Tricia Carlton

Tricia Carlton is the facilities manager for Citadel Storage. With nearly a decade of experience in the self-storage field and 15 years in customer service, she keeps operations running smoothly and tenants well cared for. Tricia is passionate about creating a positive, welcoming environment and takes pride in the relationships she has built with tenants over the years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is on track to complete her master’s in 2028.

Experience

  • Nearly a decade in self-storage operations
  • 15 years of customer service experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Psychology; Master's in progress (2028)

Our journey

From founding to a leading Utah investment firm

  1. 2020

    Launch

    Utah

    HRZN opened with a focus on private lending.

  2. 2022

    Expand

    Regional

    Began developing and investing in diverse real estate projects.

  3. 2023

    Diversify

    National

    Introduced self-storage opportunities and Swig partnerships.

  4. 2025

    Scale

    National

    Expanding investor opportunities and broadening our real estate portfolio.

Interested in partnering with us?

Learn more about our current investment opportunities, or book a call with the team.