Robert “A.J.” Patton is the Chairman & CEO of 548 Enterprise, a unified real estate & investment social impact firm that collates his capital, development, foundation and energy solutions. Named after the address of the affordable housing project he grew up in, 548 is a symbol of Patton’s personal commitment to bringing sustainable building technologies and innovation to underserved communities. A.J. has actualized this commitment through $200 Million in mixed-use and residential sustainable housing developments, including 2 of the midwest's largest Passive House affordable housing portfolios as a winner of Chicago’s INVEST South/West initiative. Patton’s focus on environmental activism includes 3 all-electric developments, $50 Million in solar powered industrial developments, and 10 Megawatts of solar to power affordable housing.

Patton believes that diversity and innovation should exist in every layer of a project, and is a passionate advocate for equity in contracting. Patton and 548 regularly collaborate with minority- and women-owned businesses, help emerging general contractors gain access to financing, and upskill local community members through job training programs and incubation.

With more than a decade of experience in investment banking, endowment management, solar and real estate development, Patton is an accomplished sustainability, finance, sales, and capital markets expert. He was recently named on “40 under 40” lists for Crain’s Chicago Business, Midwest Energy, and WVON/BMO Harris Bank, and featured in the Chicago Tribune, Yahoo! Finance, Energy News, The Real Deal, Bisnow, and American Council on Renewable Energy.

Patton's real estate career kicked off at Duke Realty, where he analyzed leases and prepared valuations for the entire metro Indianapolis portfolio, including the Keystone at the Crossing commercial development. He then moved to HSBC for a three-year executive rotational program that focused on all aspects of financing a development project, where he further sharpened his skills in financing, sales, and underwriting.