John Higgins, PIM

I began my career in New York City as an institutional equity trader after completing both my undergraduate and graduate studies in Economics at the University of Southern California. In 1992, my wife and I made the decision to relocate to Charlottesville to raise our family, and since that time I have dedicated my career to advising families on building, protecting, and stewarding their wealth.

Before joining Wells Fargo Advisors in 2016, my team and I spent 18 years at Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firm, Smith Barney, where I refined my approach to comprehensive wealth management and client advocacy.

As a founding member of The Higgins Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, I am deeply committed to cultivating long-term relationships with a select group of families and individuals. Our mission is rooted in understanding, integrity, accountability, and mutual trust—principles that guide every aspect of our work.

Our team delivers a truly holistic, planning-based approach to family wealth management. My primary focus is on designing customized strategies that align with each client’s objectives, risk profile, and long-range vision and core values. In addition, I play a lead role in guiding clients through estate planning strategies, asset protection, philanthropic initiatives, and the complexities of multi-generational family dynamics. I am committed to staying at the forefront of my discipline and am a dedicated student of current academic research that informs our planning frameworks. I am honored to have been recognized on Forbes as a Best-In-State Wealth Advisors List each year from 2019 through 2026.

Outside of my professional work, I remain actively engaged in the Charlottesville community. My family’s current philanthropic efforts focus on improving childhood education and nutrition for underserved populations—a cause we care deeply about. In my free time, I enjoy reading, the arts, music, and spending time outdoors, and fly fishing. Above all, my greatest joy comes from time spent with my family and our friends.