Meet Josh
Josh Gustafson is the Executive Managing Partner of the Central Division. He is one of three Executive Managing Partners in field leadership at the #1 RIA in America. Based in Denver, Colorado, Josh leads 138 wealth advisors across 16 markets, including Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, and Boise. His primary focus is building the leadership, culture, and teams that allow great advisors to do the best work of their careers — helping families amplify and simplify their financial lives. Josh began his career at Mercer Advisors in 1997 and over three decades has held nearly every client-facing role in the firm, advancing through eight positions of progressive responsibility. After six years in the C-suite, he briefly retired in 2024 before returning in December 2025 — drawn back by a credible mission, exceptional people, and a winning culture. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and firm shareholder, Josh earned a B.A. degree in economics and business, graduating magna cum laude as a member of Phi Kappa Phi academic honor society from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.
His working style
Josh is known for giving clients clarity, insight, and genuine partnership. He helps them understand their current situation, weigh possible future scenarios, and distinguish what truly deserves their attention from what doesn’t. Throughout the ages and stages of life, Josh provides steady, reliable partnership and leads with conviction and purpose. He is known for developing leaders through apprenticeship, building high-performing teams, and fostering a culture where wealth advisors are empowered to do the work that drew them to this noble profession — leading families from confusion to clarity, from fear to confidence, and from distraction to direction.
Josh in real life
What keeps you busy outside of work?
I am engaged in the long-distance backpacking community, and I thoroughly enjoy wilderness backpacking expeditions. Over four years, I’ve been on more than 20 trips comprising hundreds of nights on trails and thousands of miles traveled. My wife and I have also taken an interest in international travel with two recent Mediterranean cruises, and we have three adult children in various stages of their college careers.
Favorite thing about where you live?
I really enjoy living in Colorado and the access to the mountains. I am also a committed Denver sports fan, especially of the Broncos, Nuggets, and Avalanche. Droughts are common in the high desert, but when we have ample rainfall, we love gardening, especially perennials and flowering annuals.
How do you give back?
I serve on the board of Rockside Ranch in Etna, California, a faith-based nonprofit focused on life restoration for young men in crisis. I am also active at Greenwood Community Church in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Before moving to Colorado, I was the scoutmaster of Troop 4 in Santa Barbara, California, where both of my sons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
Josh’s snapshots
Ready to learn more?
Explore More
