The Commonwealth Companies

Office:  Fond du Lac, WI

Focus: Works together with development, construction, and management in all aspects of the business.

Experience: Over 20 years in the Construction industry and development. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Marquette University. Prior to joining Commonwealth in 2008, working for a family construction business gave Brent the expertise to work in the development part of the industry on many commercial and residential projects.

Impressive Facts: I love my role at Commonwealth because it is both very challenging, but rewarding.  We cannot only see the tangible successes daily, but we can see the good we do for the final customer as well.  The other part of my role that I love is the work environment and the people I work with.  I could not ask for a better family orientated environment to work at.  

Fun Stuff: Brent finds enjoyment in hunting and fishing with friends and family.

Commonwealth is knowing that our projects are truly helping people.

Focus: Oversees all areas of the company, including portfolio performance and dispositions. Manages client, partner, and business relationships while helping to direct the company’s vision. Establishes long-term goals, identifies profitable ventures, and provides leadership to continue to move the company forward.

Experience: Chris has over 25 years of experience in multifamily finance with a focus on affordable housing. Prior to concentrating on real estate development in 2007, Chris spent 12 years involved in the acquisition and syndication of affordable housing developments, most recently as a Vice President of Acquisitions for a national provider of debt and equity financing. He received his degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Impressive Facts: Before focusing on development, Chris served two terms on the Affordable Housing Investors Council Board of Governors.

Fun Stuff: Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, three children, and one of his two dogs.

Commonwealth is an opportunity to make a difference.

Office: Wisconsin

Focus: Provides strategic leadership and oversight to the company to establish long-term goals, maximize revenues, and advance the company. Formulates and manages the company’s strategic and organizational tactics. Cultivates relationships to improve Commonwealth’s success by making a sound commitment to the team, long-term partners, and relationships with lenders, investors, professional partners, and the communities we serve.

Experience: Kristi has over 25 years of extensive experience in real estate management, development, real estate feasibility analysis, IRS Section 42 Tax Credit Program, HUD Section 8 housing, Tax Exempt Bond Financing Programs on local, state, and federal levels, capital and operational budgeting, property inspection and evaluation. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Impressive Facts: Kristi has personally developed more than $305 million dollars in affordable housing, netting over 2,900 units.

Fun Stuff: Kristi loves to travel, spend time with family and friends, being challenged and finding a way to overcome the challenge.  She is also an avid reader.

Commonwealth is a company that prides itself on providing safe affordable housing for families in need.

Office:  Fond du Lac, WI

Focus: Continues to grow the firm that started in his basement, to a team in excess of 200 people and $80 million in annual revenue. Skilled at maximizing revenue opportunities in numerous areas within the development, construction and property management of real estate. Leads horizontal and vertical integration of Commonwealth’s business through partnerships, acquisitions and the “start-up” of new ventures.

Experience: Louie Lange III received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Marquette University and his MBA from the University of Notre Dame – Mendoza College of Business. A former officer in the United States Marine Corps, Louie is President and founder of The Commonwealth Companies, which was established in 2001.

Impressive Facts: Commonwealth has received the Wisconsin Builder’s Association Developer-of-the-Year Award in 2008, the Avenues West Association Community Investment Award in 2012, the Marian University Economic Development Award in 2012 and the Wisconsin Main Street Award for Best New Building Project 2013, the Wisconsin Main Street Award for Best Adaptive Reuse Project 2013.

Fun Stuff: Louie loves to travel and experience new places especially with his family and friends – throw in outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing or hunting followed up with a drink around a fire and you are in his happy place.

Commonwealth is a true community partner who works with everyone from urban planners and government agencies to neighborhood leaders and preservationists.

Focus: In providing general leadership and oversight of construction operations for The Commonwealth Companies, Chris is responsible for the seamless execution of our projects in the field.  Chris provides support to project and site management staff during construction, ensuring all phases and partners involved in the development of our facilities are successful.

Experience: Chris received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with an emphasis in Construction Management and a Certificate in Business.  Prior to joining Commonwealth, Chris worked in design-phase and project management for 18 years with a commercial building contractor, focused primarily on the construction of healthcare facilities and corporate headquarters.

Impressive Facts: Chris has been responsible for management and oversight of $500M+ in construction projects throughout his career, impacting the landscape of many Wisconsin communities. Many of these projects received multiple awards in various publications.

Fun Stuff: When Chris and his wife are not “decompressing” by keeping up with their twin boys and their activities, he enjoys spending time with his five brothers and sisters along with his father in the Milwaukee area.  A pair of running shoes and a bike are about all Chris needs in life besides that!

Commonwealth is a company having dignity and purpose, with a team collectively focused on providing a great product and enhancing the communities we serve.

Office: Fond du Lac, WI

Focus: To provide an accurate preliminary budget, build a relationship with Subcontractors, solicit bids, and ensure bid coverage for all phases of a project. Eric is responsible for reviewing quotes for a clear scope of work needed and provides a budget of hard cost, maintains the Plan Room to ensure the most current set of plans are available, and works with Project Managers to complete the buyout of each project.

Experience: Eric earned his Associate Degree in Civil Engineering from Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac, WI. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Eric worked as an estimator for five years at Northcentral Construction. Before being an estimator, Eric was a tax assessor for two years.

Impressive Facts: Eric worked with Miron Construction to put a budget together for the Green Bay Packers’ “Titletown Housing” – the project had an estimated value of $75 Million!

Fun Stuff: Outside of work, Eric enjoys camping, sports, and spending time with his wife Kristen, their two children, Tyler and Hailey, and their cat Ace!

Commonwealth is: creating affordable housing for people and their families who may not otherwise be able to afford what’s considered standard living environments.

Office:  Portland, Oregon

Focus: Development opportunities throughout the Western United States. In this capacity, Daryn works with local municipalities, state agencies, private lenders and investors to develop housing that meets the needs of communities.  Daryn plays a role in all phases of the development process from site selection, through finance structure and construction.  

Experience: Since 1999, Daryn has gained experience in real estate finance and development. Graduated with honors from St. Michael’s College with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Impressive Facts: Prior to joining Commonwealth, Daryn held positions with a Portland-based nonprofit housing developer, a national tax credit investor and a state housing agency. Daryn believes that housing is a basic right and that regardless of one’s income, housing should be attainable for all.

Fun Stuff: Daryn enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest with his wife and two young kids, and learning to surf keeps me busy outside of work.

Commonwealth is a versatile and adaptable company that produces amazing results.