About Richard
Mission Statement
My mission is to help you build upon your success as you pursue significance. I am committed to building a community where members live with purpose, passion, and fulfillment, whether that is the first or second half of your life. Together, we can create a personalized wealth management plan that balances your short-term needs with your most important future goals.
Wealth management is a critical component to truly enjoying the second half of life. Once you decide on your path to a fulfilling future, I will help you develop and implement a plan designed to create value while helping you to pursue continued growth and leaving the legacy you’ve always wanted.
Richard J. Ward, CFP®
Richard Ward holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and has a passion for helping people find their purpose in life. With more than 40 years of industry experience, Richard believes in taking a holistic approach to creating a customized wealth management plan that offers his clients fulfillment and possibilities.
Richard is a First Vice President/Investments at Stifel and is committed to helping you build upon your success as you pursue significance. Many of his clients are baby boomer business owners and executives, who are considering a transition out of the business world, or financially secure pre-retirees, who have little interest in traditional retirement and are looking for guidance for the second half of their life.
Richard received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from UCLA and earned the CFP® certification from the College for Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado. He holds Series 7 (General Securities Representative), Series 63 (Uniform Securities State Agent), and Series 65 (Investment Advisor Representative) securities licenses, as well as a life, health, and variable insurance licenses (including annuities).
Active in the community, Richard has supported various non-profit organizations both locally and nationally. He has personally learned that some of the greatest rewards in life are earned while helping others grow, thrive, and prosper, and he continues to live his purpose on a daily basis by helping others.
Richard has published a book entitled Redefining Retirement: Finding Purpose and Passion for Your Second Half.
Richard formerly served as chairman of the board of governors for Center Club Orange County and the Orange County chapter board of advisors in philanthropy and the advisory board for the Institute for Community Impact. He is President of the OC Chapter. He also serves on the board of directors of OneOC and chairs their External Connections Committee. In addition, he advises at the Orange County Community Foundation through its Impact Philanthropy Council and is a member of the Financial Planning Association, International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy, UCLA Alumni Association, UCLA Chancellor’s Associates, and the UCLA Foundation.
Richard is a lifelong resident of Orange County and has lived in Irvine for 25 years; his father, James E. Ward, was mayor of Santa Ana from 1977 to 1979. Richard has three grown children and lives with his fiancé, Dita Shemke. His hobbies include golf, traveling, movies, and concerts.