A Letter from
Paul Van
During each initial meeting I have with a potential Croatan team member, I ask them to tell me their life’s journey. I want to know what they value and what drives them, as I know my journey has shaped me.
Humble Origins
I was born in July 1979, five months after my family arrived in the United States as refugees.
A South Vietnamese Navy sailor, my father led an escape mission by commandeering his previously seized fishing boat. The dangerous trek from communist-controlled Saigon, brought 34 friends and family members through the South China Sea to ultimately beaching the ship in Malaysia.
My family spent about half a year in a refugee camp before being sponsored by a humanitarian charity to come to Virginia Beach. Arriving with nothing but the clothing on their backs, they were warmly welcomed by the community.
An Improbable Path
Fueled by the appreciation of my family’s sacrifices, I work tirelessly to honor my family’s bravery by continuing to improve myself and give back to my family, my team, and our community.
This drive took me from Duke University to Wall Street before discovering commercial real estate and building Croatan Investments.
Throughout my life, I’ve learned the best opportunities can often come from unexpected places. These values are at the core of Croatan, and I am thankful and eager to begin each day surrounded by great people to execute our mission, achieve our vision, and constantly uncover new opportunities. While our company has a history of success, I feel we are just getting started and warmly welcome you to be a part of our journey.
