Eric Van Standifer
A long-time industry leader and champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in financial services and beyond, Eric Van Standifer brings more than 40 years of expertise in investment banking to his role as CEO and founder of Blaylock Van, the longest continuously operating Black-owned financial services and investment banking firm in the country.
Eric launched his first venture, Robert Van Securities, which was known throughout the industry for its leading technology, in 1991 after working for Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, Intel, Merrill Lynch, and Sutro and Company, later joining firms with his current partner to form Blaylock Van in 2007.
With an emphasis on corporate underwriting, the minority-owned firm has worked with over a dozen states, various New York City agencies and entities across the country, garnering headlines and a who’s who client list of municipalities. Passionate about community service, Eric previously served as president of the National Association of Midnight Basketball League, a nonprofit to support youth identity and embrace positive opportunities, and is a board member of buildOn, a global nonprofit that partners with rural communities to build schools and provide access to education in the world’s poorest countries.
“Over the years, there’s been a change to the inclusion of minority- and women-owned firms,” Eric says. “There’s a large number of qualified firms, and it feels good that corporate America is giving these organizations a shot.”
Eric holds a bachelor’s in accounting and is a former CPA, a General Securities Principal, Registered Municipal Principal and Registered Options Principal.
Eric Van Standifer
Founder & CEO — Blaylock Van, LLC
LinkedIn: Eric Van Standifer