Background and experience

Jim Laughton is a Managing Director at Iconic Wealth Advisory Group, which he formed in 2022 with a group of financial advisors that were looking to elevate their clients’ wealth management experience. With more than 40 years of industry experience, Jim provides his clients with guidance for investments, risk assessment, and portfolio management. He specializes in assisting his clients with global asset allocation strategies, retirement income strategies, wealth transfer planning, wealth protection, and education savings plans. All his recommendations are communicated to and coordinated with clients’ other professional advisors – such as their lawyer, accountant, tax specialist, trustees, and estate planning attorney – before being implemented to ensure each expert is on the same page.

Throughout his career, Jim has earned numerous awards and acknowledgements for his client practices and service. He has been recognized as a Platinum Council Advisor¹ at the firm from 1998-2021. The Platinum Council (previously known as Premier Advisor) distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network as measured by completion of educational components, business production based on the past year, and professionalism.  Additional criteria, best practices and team structure, may also be used to determine recipients. Additionally, he has been recognized as one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors from 2018-2022.²

Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and investments from the University of Southern California. He holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA^®) certification, administered by the Investments & Wealth Institute, and taught in conjunction with the Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley. He also holds Series 7, 63, 65, 3 and 8 securities registrations, as well as his State of Nevada and California Life and Health insurance licenses.

Jim is a native Nevadan and has lived in the Reno area since 1959. Away from the office, he is active in the Reno South Rotary Club, enjoys golfing, skiing, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his wife, Jamie, and their four children: Alicia, Trent, Lauren, and Taylor.




CA insurance License Number: 0C34086. Resident State NV

1 The Platinum Council distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors as measured by one or more of the following: completion of educational components, business production from the previous year, and professionalism. Additional consideration may have included best practices and team structure.

2 2022 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded April 2022; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/20 - 6/30/21 (Source: Forbes.com). 2021 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded February 2021; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/19 - 6/30/20 (Source: Forbes.com). 2020 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded January 2020; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/18 - 6/30/19 (Source: Forbes.com). 2019 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded February 2019; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/17 - 6/30/18 (Source: Forbes.com). 2018 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded February 2018; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/16 - 6/30/17 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s 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.

Background and experience

As Senior Vice President, Richard works with a select group of clients and companies to help build, manage, preserve, and transition wealth. He defines wealth in four categories: investments, risk management, liability management and trust/fiduciary needs. Investment needs are asset allocation, passive/active management, traditional/alternative investments, and manager research/due diligence. Through Wells Fargo affiliates, he can provide access to lending and banking services such as residential mortgages, securities-based lines of credit, small business financing, home equity lines of credit, risk management and life, long-term care, health, and disability insurance needs.

He moved to Reno in 1967 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Nevada in 1984. For the next seven years he was in retail management for a consumer electronics firm on the West Coast. In 1994, he joined Prudential Securities as a Financial Advisor.

He has achieved the designation of Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS^®) from the College Financial Planning.

Community involvement is very important to Richard. He is past President of Great Basin Youth Soccer League and was Commissioner of Nevada Youth Soccer Association. He was appointed by the Mayor and City Council to serve on the City of Reno Financial Advisory Board in 2016. In 2013 the Mayor and City Council renamed the Moana Stadium to the Richard L. Jay Sports Fields. He served as Chairman of the Business Advisory Council for the SOSWASHOE/WC1 committee for Washoe County School District. Additionally, he was a judge and Galena High School Chapter Advisor for Future Business Leaders of America. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority, representing the City of Reno and Board of Directors for Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority representing the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority. 



CA Insurance License: #0C06625 Resident State: NV.

EHL

Lending and other banking services available through Wells Fargo Advisors (NMLS UI 2234) are offered by banking and non-banking subsidiaries of Wells Fargo & Company, including, but not limited to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (NMLSR ID 399801), Member FDIC, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Certain restrictions apply. Programs, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without advance notice. Products are not available in all states. Wells Fargo Advisors is licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act and the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions (NMLS ID 0906158). Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, holds a residential mortgage broker license in Georgia and is licensed as a residential mortgage broker (license number MB2234) in Massachusetts.

Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network LLC is not an FDIC-insured depository institution; FDIC deposit insurance only protects against the failure of an insured depository institution. Banking products and services provided by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

Background and experience

Eric Smith is a Senior Vice President at Iconic Wealth Advisory Group with nearly three decades of industry experience. He loves working with individuals and businesses and helping them achieve their financial goals, with a particular focus on investment and retirement planning needs. Eric began his career at A.G. Edwards & Sons and Wachovia Securities, both predecessor firms to Wells Fargo Advisors, where he served as a First Vice President and Branch Manager.

Eric graduated from California State University Stanislaus with a bachelor’s degree in business and a concentration in finance. A native Nevadan, he currently lives in Reno with his wife, Leslie, and their three children, Riley, Anna, and Aiden. When he can, Eric volunteers at the Reno Rodeo Association. He also enjoys spending his free time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, hunting, fishing, skiing, or camping. He and his family are animal lovers, and are currently raising two Viszlas, two cats, two goats, and eight chickens.




CA Insurance License: #0C63931. Resident State: NV.

Background and experience

Prior to Iconic Wealth Advisory Group, Peter joined Wells Fargo Advisors and the Laughton Wealth Advisory Group in 2009. A native Southern Californian, Peter began his career in the financial industry in 1985 as a Specialist on the floor of the Pacific Stock Exchange. In this capacity, he oversaw the day-to-day trading operations of major Wall Street firms.

Peter and his family moved to the Reno area in 2004. He spent several years with a major financial firm as a VP-Financial Consultant. Peter holds his Series 7 and 66 securities registrations and insurance licenses.

Peter earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and business management from Pepperdine University. He and his family enjoy the activities that the area has to offer, such as golf, skiing, and hiking. Peter has two children: Ryan and Megan.




CA insurance License Number: 0M23670. Resident State NV.

Background and experience

Diana Evans brings nearly three decades of experience to the Iconic Wealth Advisory Group. She is committed to providing clients with the highest level of personal service and creating a professional, well-organized environment that allows Jim Laughton, Managing Director, to devote his full attention to helping clients manage their investments.

As Senior Client Associate, Diana is primarily responsible for overseeing all operations for the team and the day-to-day administration of accounts, including opening new accounts, managing account transfers, and assisting clients with any next generation estate needs. With her attention to details, Diana can handle complex situations accurately and quickly.

Diana was educated at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. She is originally from South Lake Tahoe, California and moved to the Reno area in 1988. She enjoys spending time with her two sons, Alex and Brad.

Background and experience

Amy Harte joined Wells Fargo Advisors and the Laughton Wealth Advisory Group in 2009, bringing years of experience to the team with a background emphasizing customer relationships.

Amy’s primary focus for the group is managing client relations. She interacts with clients daily, scheduling appointments for Jim Laughton, Managing Director, and strengthening the team’s client relationships. Amy also coordinates client appreciation events, manages the team’s marketing efforts, and assists Jim in providing each client with an individual long-term investment plan.

Amy spends her down time with her husband, Kevin, and their children, Conor and Avery, exploring all the beauty of Northern Nevada.

Background and experience

Throughout her career, Stefanie Leff has always loved helping others reach their goals. After working with customers and clients in the educational and health industries, she is pleased to continue this mission as a Client Associate at Iconic Wealth Advisory Group. She is also grateful to work with a team that truly cares for each other and their clients.

Stephanie obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. While she was born and raised in Minnesota, she has been glad to call Northern Nevada home since arriving in 2017. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys paddleboarding, hiking, camping, and skiing, especially in the Tahoe area and the Sierras. She has two daughters who attend the University of Nevada.

With years of experience in client-centered roles and a passion for client relations, Elle Simonetto has joined our team as a Client Associate. She graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a bachelor's degree in communication studies and a minor in marketing. She’s the first face you’ll see when you enter the firm and her top priority is to assist our clients.

Elle recently moved here from Idaho and loves taking advantage of the beautiful mountains that we have here. In her free time, you will find her enjoying the sunshine by hiking or camping with her husband, Josh and their dog, Pete.