Ben Van Zee, President

Having grown up in the family business, Ben co-founded Commonwealth Capital with Klaas to bring new financing solutions to businesses. From his previous executive roles, he brings broad experience in finance and real estate, working with bankruptcy courts, municipalities, and property owners. His superb negotiating skills have led to creative solutions for difficult situations in land development, loan origination and bankruptcies, while his continued study in various areas of business, finance and investing helps him develop innovative ways to handle problems and understand disparate viewpoints.

He is a member of the International Factoring Association, has completed professional development classes at the University of St. Thomas and is a graduate of Hennepin Technical College.

Klaas Van Zee, Co-Founder

A lifelong entrepreneur, Klaas co-founded Commonwealth Capital with Ben to bring new financing solutions to area businesses to help grow their businesses. Over his career, Klaas has founded several businesses (The Glass Van, Van Zee Realty, Van Zee Homes) and is a professional real estate investor. He has developed over 1,200 acres of land for single-family homes, giving him a wealth of leadership, business and finance experience. Well-respected in the business community, he was awarded the 1996 Person of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and is a four-time Reggie Award^sm Winner (created to recognize outstanding achievement by member builders in the design, quality and value of their homes).

He is a member of the International Factoring Association and a graduate of Central University of Iowa.