
Melvin J. Kaplan: Private Commercial Real Estate Investor and Investment Executive
Since 1960, Melvin J. Kaplan has been Chief Executive Officer of Wellington Financial Group, an entity which invests in commercial real estate nationally.
In 1987 Mel and his wife Margaret co-founded The Harry Singer Foundation, a nonprofit educational operating foundation dedicated to youth development. He serves on its board and advises various other 501(c)(3) foundations. Mel has also served on various boards at Aspire Public Schools, a public charter school organization that currently serves a total 20,000+ students in grades K-12 at multiple locations in California and Tennessee.
Mel has studied various aspects of educating young people both in the United States and New Zealand. He believes that apprenticeships, mentorships and formal employment for young adults is an important, but not yet fully appreciated, aspect of the education process leading to increased participation in society.
Born and raised in Boston, Mel attended MIT and is an alumnus of University of California-Berkeley where he lectured at the School of Business Administration. His specialty continues to be problem-solving and entrepreneurship. Together with his wife of fifty-nine years, they have successfully raised five philanthropic and entrepreneurial sons. His biography has appeared in Marquis’ Who’s Who in Finance and Industry and Who’s Who in the World.