Qi “Ben” Zhu joined Peoples Company in September as the newest member of our land services organization’s thriving internship program. The Shanghai native is a recent graduate of Louisiana State University, where he earned a MS Finance + M.B.A. dual degree with an emphasis on investments.

Ben’s passion for research and expertise in finance and investments are apparent with a background that’s included international experience in the China, Brazil and the United States, as well as the proficient use of Bloomberg, Morningstar and other tools as part of LSU’s Graduate Assistantship program.

He displays a keen focus on both agriculture and the commodities markets, and at the university co-managed a portfolio for the LSU Foundation that achieved a 24 percent return (annualized) over two years. He has also been advised on economic issues and stock investments by Omaha billionaire Warren Buffett – meeting with the man on two different occasions – and eaten dinner with Wall Street legend Jim Rogers during a VIP event following the 2013 Land Investment Expo.

Ben, who relocated to the Des Moines-area from Baton Rouge, is bilingual in Mandarin and English. He attended Shanghai International Studies University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 2011. He also holds a Certificate of Minor in Accounting from the Shanghai University of Finance & Economics.

An avid chess player and member of the Wall Street Journal Young Professionals Network, Ben is certified in the Bloomberg Equity Essentials Trainings Program and was ranked in the 95th percentile in the Bloomberg Assessment Test.

At Peoples Company, Ben is a member of the Land Investment Programs team and works to meet the needs of and uncover opportunities for clients alongside our dedicated agents and staff operating in Clive and throughout the Midwest.

He is 27-years old.