Louie A. Lange III
President of The Commonwealth Companies
Louie A. Lange III is the President and founder of The Commonwealth Companies which was established in 2001 with the intent of developing and constructing high quality affordable housing. Under Louie’s direction Commonwealth’s current core business has grown to include construction, property management, full service landscaping and maintenance, excavation and earthwork services as well as development. Commonwealth employs approximately 80 people.
As President of The Commonwealth Companies Louie has been responsible for the development and construction of 18 LIHTC projects to date with a value in excess of $147 million. He specializes in the development, construction and property management of affordable housing with future home ownership opportunities as well as joint ventures. Louie has been a member of the WHEDA Low Income Housing Tax Credit Advisory Committee in both 2004 and 2010. As a result of his efforts Commonwealth Development Corporation was named Wisconsin Builder’s Association’s “Developer of the Year” in 2008.
One of Louie’s proudest accomplishments has been his military service in the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1989 and was soon recognized for his leadership abilities being meritoriously promoted numerous times and ultimately receiving a Naval ROTC Scholarship for his hard work and dedication. Louie earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Marquette University and finished his time in the military, ultimately achieving the rank of Captain.
Upon resigning his commission with the USMC, Louie joined an affordable housing development firm in their construction department. His first assignment was expediting the construction of a 32-unit project and with little background he was able to complete the project from site work through occupancy on schedule and within budget. During that time he took an interest in the development process, and soon after he was quickly asked to assume the role of Chief Operating Officer of the firm.
As COO he was responsible for the creation of five multifamily developments for the company portfolio. Those projects included senior and family, new construction and acquisition/rehabilitation projects. He managed the development of tax credit projects in three states, and negotiated and closed the sale of millions of dollars worth of federal tax credits to investors.