Stanford has thirty-nine years of experience in the field of public accounting. He has held controllership positions in retail department stores and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Stanford's experience includes audit, accounting, tax and management advisory services for small to medium-sized businesses in a variety of industries. He has also performed numerous business valuation engagements with emphasis on valuations performed for the use of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPS).

Stanford received his B.S.B.A. degree from Washington University in 1950. His professional associations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant, the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Institute of Business Appraisers.