Chamber Spotlight: Stephen Horan, CFA Institute

What was your first job?

My first job was delivering newspapers (remember those) for the Buffalo Evening News. I learned two things from that experience – on time delivery matters and customers don’t really care about your problems. My next two jobs were as a custodian for my local parish and as a handyman for a lakefront beach resort outside Buffalo. I was a better janitor than I was a handyman.

How did you choose the field you’re in?

I chose investment management because it blended a variety of fields that enthused me, including mathematics and economics. It’s an incredibly stimulating profession that, when practiced with integrity, has tremendous power to help people. After all, we all face important financial decisions throughout our lives.

Why did you choose the Charlottesville area?

We chose Charlottesville initially because of the CFA Institute mission. I was drawn to the opportunity to promote professional and ethical standards in the investment management industry. Connie and I have stayed here largely because we have so many friends and the area punches above its weight in so many areas from dining to entertainment to arts to health care.

What’s your favorite local activity for out-of-town guests?

We never tire of taking friends to Monticello or visiting the wineries. Now, we can add breweries and distilleries to the mix, as well. On July 4th this year, we had the privilege of honoring the newly naturalized citizens, including the mother of one of my son’s classmates and the wife of a colleague. It’s a profound experience and a reminder of the durability of the simply powerful ideas that Jefferson articulated so well.

What's the best advice you ever got (or gave)?

I was a university professor for 10 years and had a lot of opportunity to dispense advice to students eager to enter the work force. I had two pieces of advice to them. First, you’ll be working for the next 50 years. Don’t feel like you need to know precisely what you want to do for that entire time as soon as you graduate. Second, bloom where you are planted and make the most of where you land, wherever that may be.