Our Firm's History
Many of our values at Ramsay, Stattman, Vela & Price, Inc. have been shaped by our firm’s inspiring founder: Robert H. Ramsay, whose passion was working with individuals’ investments and establishing long-term client relationships. The cornerstone of his investment philosophy was that growth was an essential component of nearly all portfolios, and this notion guides us still today.
Known for his wisdom and expertise as a portfolio manager, Ramsay was sought out for advice on personal as well as professional matters. He was also a valued civic leader, serving on the boards of numerous local non-profit organizations including the Joseph Henry Edmondson Foundation, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Penrose Hospital, and the Colorado Outward Bound School.
In 1971, Ramsay founded his own investment firm, Robert H. Ramsay Financial Services, in the same building where we still conduct our business today. He possessed a vision for the firm’s longevity from its very beginning, and he also had a knack for attracting outstanding individuals to his team.
In 1989, Robert Ramsay hired Steven R. Vela to work with him after Steve completed his MBA in Finance at Southern Methodist University. For Steve, that opportunity gave him the chance to return to Colorado Springs, where he grew up and attended Colorado College.
Despite their nearly 40-year age difference, Ramsay treated Steve equally and entrusted him with a great deal of responsibility, mentoring him in his new role and also sharing with him the values of a long-term investment approach, community service, and client confidentiality. Ramsay’s approach held consistent as he added his future business partners.
In 1990, Frederick B. Stattman joined the firm in Colorado Springs after working as a financial counselor in the New Jersey office of Asset Management Group. With an MBA in Finance from Columbia University, Fred came to the firm with the desire to focus his career on managing individual investment accounts.
Philip S. Price joined the firm in 1995 after serving as a portfolio manager for Banc One Investment Advisors, where he managed portfolios for individuals, trusts and foundations.
As continuity and consistency for his clients were important to Ramsay, in 1997 he tasked Stattman, Vela, and Price with formulating a plan for taking over ownership of the business, and when the trio shared their proposal with him, he amicably accepted their plan. But, in true Ramsay fashion, he also adjusted the terms so that the transition would occur within a shorter timeframe and be more beneficial to the new business owners.
In 2009, John W. Herdje joined Ramsay, Stattman, Vela, & Price, Inc. as managing director of the firm’s Princeton, New Jersey office, bringing with him great depth of experience in managing investments for individuals, trusts, and private foundations, most recently with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Even though our founder Bob Ramsay no longer lives and works with us, we strive to uphold his vision for our firm and act upon the guiding principles that continue to shape the future of Ramsay, Stattman, Vela, & Price, Inc.