Ward Rafferty Jr.

Ward Rafferty, Jr is Financial Advisor, First Vice President Investments with Wells Fargo Advisors in Santa Barbara, California. Ward grew up outside New York City, lived in New England to 1986, Florida to 1997, and now resides in Santa Barbara County. With 38 years in the financial services industry, Ward is an experienced Financial Advisor.

Ward joined Wells Fargo Advisors in 2006, coming from Smith Barney where he began his career with Shearson Lehman Brothers in 1986. From 1986-1993 Ward was Vice President Staffing Manager in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Mississippi.

In 1993 he became a Vice President/Financial Consultant. Prior to joining Shearson in 1986 Ward worked with Mobil Oil Corporation for 8 years in the US Marketing & Refining Division in Connecticut and Florida.

Mr. Rafferty earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, attended New York University's Masters in Public Administration program, and is a '74 graduate of Deerfield Academy.

Ward and his wife Laurie, reside in Santa Ynez Valley. An avid reader, camper, hiker, skier, and bicycle enthusiast, Ward also has participated in various community organizations throughout Santa Barbara County since he arrived in 1997, including the Santa Ynez Valley Blueprint, Community Environmental Council, GPAC, The Valley Alliance, The Santa Ynez Valley Grange, and a lacrosse coach at Midland School in Los Olivos.

Ward was appointed by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors to the Santa Barbara County Employees Retirement System as Trustee in October 2008 serving as both Vice Chair and Chair of this $3.5 Billion Pension Plan, ending 2016. Ward joined the Board of Family Service Agency in 2024.