Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, J.R. Tilson brings extensive commercial real estate finance and lending experience to Longhorn Investments, along with a firsthand understanding of the Central Ohio market. His background spans commercial banking, affordable housing finance, investment sales, and real estate advisory. Throughout his career, he has worked with developers, investors, and real estate companies on transactions ranging from individual investment properties to complex, multimillion-dollar development and financing projects.
Before joining Longhorn, J.R. served as a Commercial Real Estate Loan Officer with a Central Ohio community bank, where he worked with approximately 130 borrowers and managed a commercial real estate portfolio exceeding $150 million. He has also held roles in affordable housing and real estate finance with organizations including RED Capital and CBRE’s National Tax Credit Advisory Group.
J.R. holds both a Juris Doctor and an MBA from The Ohio State University. He brings a practical, straightforward approach to lending and enjoys helping investors evaluate deals, identify potential obstacles, and find financing structures that allow them to move forward confidently. He believes a strong lending experience goes beyond providing capital—it requires responsiveness, sound advice, and a genuine understanding of each investor’s goals.
A U.S. Army veteran, J.R. served with the 25th Infantry Division before beginning his career in business and real estate. Today, he helps investors throughout Columbus and the surrounding Ohio communities finance their next fix-and-flip, rental, or new construction project.
Outside of work, J.R. is a father of four and enjoys spending time outdoors with his children, following Ohio State football, and tackling whatever project happens to be next.