John Higgins

John Higgins

    • Managing Director - Investments
    • Private Wealth Financial Advisor
    • Senior PIM Portfolio Manager
    I began my career in New York City as an equity institutional trader after completing my undergraduate and graduate coursework in Economics at the University of Southern California. My wife and I chose to move to Charlottesville in 1992 to raise our children and I have been advising families ever since. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors in 2016, my team worked at Morgan Stanley and its predecessor, Smith Barney, for 18 years.

    As a founding member of The Higgins Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, I have made it our team’s mission to build deep and lasting relationships with a select group of families and individuals, based on understanding, integrity, accountability and mutual trust.

    Our team provides a truly comprehensive planning based approach to family wealth management. My particular area of focus is constructing portfolio strategies designed to meet each of our client’s specific needs. I also take a lead role in advising on estate planning strategies, asset protection, philanthropy, and multi-generational family dynamics. I make a point to remain up to date in my areas of expertise and am an avid reader of the current academic literature that addresses these topics. I have been recognized as a Best-In-State Wealth Advisor* by Forbes every year since 2019. 

    I am actively engaged in the community and have many personal interests. My family's current philanthropic focus is targeted on addressing childhood education, and nutrition of the underserved population. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, music, being outdoors, and fly fishing. Most of all, my greatest pleasure is spending time with my wife, Sandra, and our three grown children, Maxwell, Tessa, and Lucas.

    *The Forbes Best in State Wealth Advisor ranking algorithm is based on industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC.  Investment performance is not a criterion.  Self-completed survey was used for rating.  This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
    Thomas Grierson

    Thomas Grierson

    • CFP
    • Managing Director - Investment Officer
    • Private Wealth Financial Advisor
    • PIM Portfolio Manager
    I am a Charlottesville, Virginia native and have worked in the financial services industry for over 25 years.  I received a Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University.  I am a founding partner of The Higgins Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors and earned my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2007.  Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors, my team worked at Morgan Stanley and its predecessor, Smith Barney, for 18 years.

    I work with select high net worth individuals, families, executives, and business owners. Our team’s practice is planning based.  As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ professional, I have the ability to provide planning services that serve as the roadmap in our clients’ journeys.  This core plan empowers clients to have confidence that the decisions they make will help result in the outcomes they desire. My expertise on the team also includes insurance, tax efficient planning, and providing access to lending and banking services through Wells Fargo affiliates.

    I enjoy leading a healthy active lifestyle. I took the long-distance running challenge and am proud to have finished several marathon races. I have completed the Marine Corps Marathon once and the New York Marathon twice. In my spare time, I enjoy coaching youth soccer. But, what matters most to me is being with my wife, Candace and our two children, Savannah and Brody.
    Lucas Higgins

    Lucas Higgins

      • Financial Advisor
      I joined the Higgins Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in April of 2023. Prior to that, I worked in Manhattan at Rosin & Associates in commercial real estate loan origination and development. I graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. I recently completed and received my license for the Series 7, Series 66, SIE, and Insurance.

      Our team’s focus is on comprehensive Multi-Generational Family Wealth Management. As the newest member of our group, I look forward to working with our clients, with a particular emphasis on the “next generation”, as the family seeks to build, preserve, and transition their resources and legacy.

      I have responsibilities that include: Preparing and planning for client meetings; Spearheading our teams’ social media initiatives; And streamlining and scaling our client relationship software and data base. In addition, I assist in creating investment plans for our clients and am responsible for model and allocation updates to our asset management platform.  

      Away from work I enjoy spending quality time with friends and family, playing sports and games of all types. I have traveled Southeast Asia extensively and spent three months in China living with a host family and attending classes at Xiamen University (厦门大学).
      Patty Woodie

      Patty Woodie

        • Private Wealth Senior Registered Client Associate
        • Officer
        I have lived and worked in Charlottesville, Virginia for over 35 years, I consider myself a local.  I have had the pleasure of collaborating with members of The Higgins Private Wealth Management Group for over 25 years.  Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors, I worked at Morgan Stanley and its predecessor, Smith Barney, for 18 years.

        I coordinate all client service and operations initiatives for our team and am delighted to be an integral part of our team’s commitment to delivering a bespoke and superior client experience.  I take pride in a job well done, from the smallest of tasks to large-scale projects.  Furthermore, I gain real satisfaction from the relationships I have been able to cultivate and nurture throughout the years.  It has allowed me and our team to truly consider and value the families we serve as not simply clients, but also as friends.

        I enjoy giving back to the community in any way I can.  For five years I was a chairwoman on the Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia.  The purpose of the foundation was to raise awareness through various fundraising events I led and coordinated.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my with my husband, Odell, my family, my dog Boswell, crocheting and working puzzles.
        Reid Ferguson

        Reid Ferguson

          • Private Wealth Client Associate
          • Marketing Consultant
          I joined the Higgins Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in November of 2023. I previously worked at Tom Sox Promotions where I assisted in event budgeting, created social media promotions, coordinated with vendors, and marketed the business through online platforms. I graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

          As the newest member of our group, I look forward to forging meaningful connections with our current and future clients. I am excited to broaden my skill set within the financial services industry and to broadly support our team. My specific responsibilities include creating, updating, and maintaining our teams marketing materials, website and LinkedIn and profiles. I support client relationships, efficiently managing administrative tasks, addressing client inquiries, and collaborating with the team to ensure a best-in-class client experience.

          I enjoy meeting new people, have a vibrant social life, and I am deeply engaged in the Charlottesville community. I maintain an active lifestyle and enjoy playing pickle ball, attending sports events, traveling, and watching documentaries. Most of all, I value spending time with my friends and family.