On Sunday, July 14, Humphrey will celebrate this milestone in typical fashion, at the office. Even though he retired from the partnership a few years ago, he’s still an active team member and comes into the office around 6 a.m. He plays racquetball three days a week and leaves at 4:30 p.m. The rest of the week, he’s usually at the office until about 6 or 6:30 p.m.
“Time flies when you’re having fun,” says Humphrey. “If you surround yourself with people smarter than you, it’s a good deal. The Firm has been a good, fun place to grow and have a long career. We have a lot of smart, hardworking people here. I’ve just been along for the ride.”
“Peyton embodies all that is good about our profession. He is incredibly intelligent, has the highest moral code and builds long-lasting relationships with his clients. They are friends as well as clients and that helps him to best meet their needs,” says Jennifer Lehman, CPA, CGMA, Partner and CEO.
Humphrey’s journey with the Firm started in 1969. He completed his degree from the Commerce School at UVA, as well as his law degree from TC Williams at the University of Richmond. He got married, passed the bar and came to Hantzmon Wiebel one year later.
Humphrey says he never seriously entertained opening a law firm, but instead used that knowledge as an additional tool to help his clients.
“People rely on you for advice. I’ve evolved with my clients who were starting their businesses, to running their businesses, to selling their businesses, to retirement. I’ve been with them from startups to retirement homes,” says Humphrey.
He jokes that he used to walk on the Downtown Mall for lunch and would get back two hours later because he encountered clients along the way. Now, he says he doesn’t know as many people because they’ve aged right along with him.
He’s seen a lot of change in 50 years, both in the community and at the Firm. He says the biggest difference is the technology. He’s grateful for his iPad for email, but prefers talking by phone or in person. He says the complexity of the law, tax law in particular, has been interesting to watch evolve, and the community has changed drastically. For example, there was no Downtown Mall when he started.
He believes he’s had a good career and has many fond memories, including a few years where he and his wife Cherie stayed in Germany to help a client.
“It was a good opportunity. I had that opportunity because Mr. Hantzmon had the connections. He was one of the smartest guys that I’ve ever met,” says Humphrey.
It hasn’t all been work though. Humphrey and his wife have two grown children, he played travel fast-pitch softball for 20 years, ending his career as the team manager, and was the President of the Monticello Little League for 19 years.
Humphrey is a quiet person with a gentle kindness. When asked about this, he said, “It’s easier to get along in this world if you’re kind. We need more kindness.”
Congratulations to Peyton on reaching this milestone. You deserve a day off, although, knowing you, it’s unlikely you’ll take it.
Since 1928, Hantzmon Wiebel has worked as a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs, family businesses and nonprofit organizations to help them utilize best practices in their industry to grow and thrive. As the largest and most experienced public accounting firm in central Virginia, we serve clients locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Hantzmon Wiebel is a member of Allinial Global, a member-based association dedicated to the success of independent accounting and consulting firms.
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