Hoover Financial Advisors names chief investment officer

Stephen Gibson has been named chief investment officer of Hoover Financial Advisors (HFA). The appointment was announced recently by Pete Hoover, founder and president of the Chester County-based financial services firm.

Gibson joins the firm with investments products experience dating to the early 1980s, according to a press release. Gibson developed the first tax-managed stock mutual fund, introduced the China closed end fund and was among the initial portfolio management professionals to work with asset allocation funds.

His investment team leadership includes mutual funds, hedge funds, UITs, variable annuities and ETFs. Additionally, Gibson has directed more than 110 investment products accounting for more than $160 billion during his tenure at three major investment firms, according to Hoover Financial Advisors.

“Everyone at Hoover Financial Advisors is ecstatic Stephen is an integral part of our growing family,” Hoover said in the release. “His exceptional background, industrywide respect and innate ability to identify trends and their effect on funds and investments speak volumes about the benefits he brings to our company.”

Prior to Hoover Financial Advisors, Gibson was chairman of investments at a Delaware-based firm. Before that, as president of Liberty Funds, his Colonial subsidiary was named Barron’s Fund Group of the Year. He is also called on by FINRA and the SEC as an advisor on industry regulation. He also speaks on identifying economic and cultural trends and the influence of technology on the evolution of markets.

“As a trend analysis authority, he recognized, early on, the impact baby boomers would make on the industry,” the release stated.

Gibson said the investment side of Hoover Financial is strong, and clients have the opportunity to access help with estate, insurance, education and tax planning.

“I’m particularly impressed with the tax involvement and strategy. I always thought financial planning firms should offer this service,” he said in the release. “This is a time of profound changes in the industry. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with clients and helping HFA grow by successfully navigating the new landscape.”

Hoover Financial Advisors was launched by Hoover in 2005. Earlier this year, Hoover was named by Forbes as one of the best wealth advisors in Pennsylvania. In 2017, Hoover Financial Advisors merged with Villanova Financial Services. At the end of 2019, John Guidotti, RA, who founded West Chester-based Capital Investment Services Inc., folded his company into Hoover Financial Advisors. Its headquarters is at 112 Moores Road in East Whiteland. For more information, visit hfaplanning.com.

“This is a time of profound changes in the industry. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with clients and helping HFA grow by successfully navigating the new landscape.”

— Stephen Gibson, chief investment officer, Hoover Financial Advisors