John D. Richards has a long-term career in financial services focusing on putting his clients' interests first and providing exceptional personal service.  His more than 40 years of experience in the business has taught him how to advise his clients throughout various stock and bond market cycles, and how to help them understand the risks and rewards of investing.

In 1971, John started his career at American Bank & Trust Company.  Nine years later, he moved into the realm of financial services by joining Smith Barney.  While there, he attained the position of Senior Vice President-Investments.  In 2006, John moved his financial practice to Wachovia Securities, a predecessor firm of Wells Fargo Advisors, where he is Managing Director - Investments.  In addition to applicable securities registrations and insurance licenses, John holds the professional designation of Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®). 

John is involved in several non-profit groups in the Charlotte area and was honored in early 2009 with the John T. Crawford Hope Award for dedication and service for his past work as Chair of the Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship Fund.  The mission of the Fund is to send 75-100 kids who live in public housing communities in Charlotte to college each year.  Graduates of the Scholarship Fund include doctors, lawyers and successful business people who continue to be involved in the Fund.  Later in 2009 John received Leadership Charlotte’s “Unsung Hero” Award for his years of service on behalf of the Scholarship Fund.

John received his Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He and his wife, Ann, live in Charlotte and have 7 grandchildren.

As a member/advisor of the Richards Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, John is committed to upholding our dedication to providing exceptional personal service and building long-term relationships.  His extensive background in financial services helps him to find comprehensive strategies to our clients' financial and investment needs.

John began his career in 1994 as a Certified Public Accountant for the Charlotte firm McGladrey & Pullen and then moved to Atlanta to work as a Senior Accountant for the Coca-Cola Company in its financial division, though he no longer provides accounting or tax advice.  In that role, he obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM certification conferred by the College for Financial Planning.  In 1999 he returned to Charlotte and became a Financial Advisor at Smith Barney.  He moved his financial practice to Wachovia Securities, a predecessor firm of Wells Fargo Advisors, in 2006.

John graduated with honors and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of the South and received his Master's degree in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  John lives in Charlotte with his wife, Collins his two sons, Taylor and Ben and his daughter Addie.