Real Estate and Development | Real Estate
CEO
Hovde Properties LLC | Madison
Eric Hovde leads Hovde Properties, a Madison-based commercial and residential real estate company founded by his grandfather. Hovde co-owns the firm with his brother, Steve. Eric Hovde is also chairman and chief executive officer of H Bancorp, a $1.4 billion private bank holding company which owns California-based Sunwest Bank and Baltimore-based Bay Bancorp. He is also the founder and CEO of Hovde Capital Advisors LLC, an asset management firm that focuses on investing in the financial services and real estate sectors of the public equity markets. In 2012, Hovde lost in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. After hinting at a run for governor earlier this year, Hovde has since said he is considering another run for the Senate in 2024.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Two business leaders you’d like to have dinner with: “Richard Branson because he has been successful in many industries and has found great joy in whatever he does. Sam Zell because he is one of the greatest real estate investors in the past 50 years and has led an interesting life.”
Favorite destinations: “Tanzania, Africa, particularly the Ngorongoro Crater. Additionally, Sydney, Australia, is my favorite city.”
Favorite Wisconsin restaurant: “Red in Madison. All of their sushi rolls are fantastic.”
Biggest risk you’ve ever taken: “Early in my career, taking all of my resources and buying a troubled bank that, fortunately, worked out.”