Bob Hochstadt, the H in GHPIA, is a pioneer of the independent registered investment advisor industry who’s worked in the accounting field for more than 60 years. As a principal of Gelfond Hochstadt Pangburn, P.C. in the 1990s, Bob helped make his accounting firm one of the first in the country to offer clients a more comprehensive approach to wealth management by adding a financial planning division. As Bob puts it, he was helping to build the industry before the industry had a name.
A Denver native, Bob was a student at East High School when he first discovered a knack for bookkeeping and started working for Sid Milzer’s accounting firm. After earning his BS in Accounting from the University of Denver, he spent the next several decades building up his own accounting practice. His career was interrupted by a stint in the Air Force, serving in South Korea from 1968 to 1970.
By 1996, Hochstadt and then-partner Steve Levey recognized the opportunity to serve clients better by adding financial planning to Gelfond Hochstadt Pangburn’s offerings. To that end, they founded GHP Investment Advisors, bringing in Brian Friedman to run the new company in 1999. As GHPIA grew, Bob mentored much of the current staff, guiding them in the principles of financial prudence and client service that have been the firm’s pillars since day one.
Bob holds both the Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist (PFS™) designations. He and Diane, his wife of more than half a century, live in Denver. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren. He is happy to have the time and resources to devote to various local philanthropies.
