We’re pretty particular about the people we work with.

Joe Montgomery is a Managing Director - Investments with Wells Fargo Advisors. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner, Accredited Investment Fiduciary® and a PIM Portfolio Manager, he heads up The Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors at the firm’s Williamsburg, Virginia office.

Joe joined the firm in 1975 and during his successful 47 year career, Joe has been routinely recognized in the industry. *Barron’s has named Joe every year to the Top 100 Financial Advisors ranking since its 2004 inception. In 2019, Joe was named to the Barron’s Advisor Hall of Fame which is reserved only for advisors who have been recognized by Barron’s as a Top 100 Advisor for ten years in a row. In December of 2019 Joe was the featured advisor on Barrons.com in an interview titled “Building a $13-Billion Practice”. Joe has also been interviewed for the Barron’s Top 1200 Financial Advisor ranking in the March 11, 2019 issue. In addition, Barron’s has named The Optimal Service Group to the Top 50 Institutional Consulting Teams ranking from 2015-2019 and to the Top 100 Institutional Consulting Teams from 2020-2022. Forbes magazine has named Joe #1 in Virginia on the Best-In-State-Wealth Advisors ranking from 2020-2022. Also, Joe was recognized as one of the Forbes Top 250 Wealth Advisors in 2019. In the past, Joe has been named to the Forbes Top 100 Wealth Advisors from its 2016 inception through 2018. Recognized by the international organization Financial Times Joe was named to the FT Top 400 Advisers in the U.S. from 2013-2019. Since 2005 Joe has been a charter member of the Dow Jones Wealth Management Advisory Council. Joe has also been sought out for his viewpoint by several media outlets. Joe is a frequent guest on Asset TV.com where he discusses trends in the investment environment and provides commentary on the current state of the markets. In 2014 Joe was featured on CNBC Squawk Box discussing risk in the marketplace.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA) and is a graduate of the Securities Industry Institute presented at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance and Commerce (Philadelphia, PA), where he has since lectured.

Joe was president of William and Mary's Society of the Alumni and was appointed by the Governor of Virginia to the College of William and Mary Board of Visitors. He has also served on the boards of the Endowment Association of the College of William and Mary, National Campaign Steering Committee of the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg Landing (a retirement community), Williamsburg Community Health Foundation, The Williamsburg Community Trust, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc., the Jamestown-Yorktown Educational Trust, the Virginia Retirement System Investment Advisory Committee, Hampton Roads Academy, the Future of Hampton Roads, Investment Committee Chair of the Virginia Capitol Foundation and Williamsburg Community Hospital, where he chaired the Finance Committee. He currently holds the position of Vice Chair on the Virginia Retirement System Board of Trustees, where he has served since 2014. Joe is a member of the James Blair Society at the College of William and Mary and in 2017 he was appointed to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Board of Trustees. Additionally, Joe was named as the 2017 recipient of the Gerald R. Ford Legends Award. The award is presented to a former collegiate or professional center that has made significant contributions to the football and business communities, or through philanthropic endeavors.

*Click here to see IMPORTANT recognition disclosure information 

CA Insurance License Number: 0C18828. Resident State VA

Mrs. Hargrove began her career in the financial services industry in 1985 with SunTrust Bank in Williamsburg, VA. She was the assistant branch manager when she left in 1998 to join Wachovia Securities, now Wells Fargo Advisors. Ashley holds the Series 7 and 63 Securities registrations and was a firefighter/EMT for 12 years with New Kent County. Ashley and her husband share 4 children and 5 grandchildren and live in Williamsburg.

Brad Stewart joined The Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors from the retail bank of Wells Fargo, where he was the manager of one of the local branches. Prior to joining Wells Fargo in February 2010, Brad worked for another financial services firm in Williamsburg where he focused on insurance, annuities, and wealth preservation strategies.

As a member of The Optimal Service Group since 2012, Brad works with clients to review their portfolios and define and implement plans to pursue their investment objectives, helping them achieve their life goals. Brad is Series 6, 63, 7, and Series 66 registered.

Brad is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and federally registered CFP in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Brad holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® certification, administered by the Investments and Wealth Institute® and taught in conjunction with The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

In 2014, Brad earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) designation and is a member of the National Association of Plan Advisors.

Brad was a member of the William & Mary football team, as well as Co-Captain of the 2007 team. Brad is a supporter of several charities including the Disabled Veterans of America and the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Brad and his wife Sarah reside in the Williamsburg area along with their three children.

Cathleen Dillon joined The Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in 2005 after spending 10 years in the commercial banking industry. Her past industry experience includes work as an Associate Member of the Chicago Board of Trade, manager of a large foreign bank and an analyst for a New York bank.

As a member of the Optimal Service Group, Cathleen focuses on the development and implementation of the marketing strategy for the group as well as coordinating efforts within the compliance framework. In addition, Cathleen is responsible for client management, implementation of option trading strategies* and supports the Institutional Consulting group by handling the administrative and operational matters for the team.

Cathleen earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Northern Illinois University and is Series 7 and Series 66 registered. In 2008 Cathleen successfully completed the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional Designation Program through the College for Financial Planning. Cathleen and her husband Dan reside in Williamsburg and share eight children and seven grandchildren.

*Options involve risk and are not appropriate for all investors. Before opening an option position, please read “Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options” carefully before investing. This document is available from Joseph Montgomery of Wells Fargo Advisors at 428 McLaws Circle Williamsburg, VA 23185, 757-220-1782 or the Options Clearing Corporation, 125 S. Franklin Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, Illinois 60606. Supporting documentation for any claims, comparison, recommendations, statistics or other technical data will be supplied upon request.

Christine Stiles has been a member of The Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors client-service team since 1991. She has been in the securities industry since 1985, with experience in banking and customer relations. She is Series 7 and Series 63 registered. Christine completed a Financial Paraplanning Program as well as the Accredited Asset Management Specialist Program through the College for Financial Planning. She focuses on the group’s retail operations and CPA relations.

Emily Sporrer has been a member of The Optimal Service Group of Wells fargo Advisors client-service team since 2016. Emily began her career as an associate with Wells Fargo Bank in 2012 and transitioned to Wells Fargo Advisors in 2016. She is Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 registered and also holds life and health insurance licenses.

Emily is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and federally registered CFP in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Emily is a graduate of Christopher Newport University with a degree in Business and Communications and focuses on the group’s retail operations and high net worth clients. Emily resides in Newport News.

Jeff Rakes is a Managing Director – Investments with The Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. Jeff has been with Wells Fargo Advisors since 1983 and has over thirty-nine years’ experience in institutional consulting, investment research, and corporate finance. Jeff joined The Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in 2022 having formerly supported the firm as part of the Institutional Consulting Group. In addition, Jeff directly consulted to some of the firm's key clients on all aspects of investment policy, risk assessment, asset allocation, manager selection, and on-going communication. Jeff developed investment consulting work products and processes for use with clients throughout the firm. Jeff’s focus is consulting to institutional clients including Taft Hartley Plans, Corporate Pensions and 401(k) plans.

Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Roanoke College and earned the designation of Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) in conjunction with the Investments & Wealth Institute (Formerly IMCA) and The Wharton School of Business. He earned his Certified Investment Strategist (CIS) designation in conjunction with IMCA and The Stern School of Business at New York University.

Jeff lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife Missy. They have three grown children and two granddaughters who also live in Richmond.

A Williamsburg native, Judy Halstead earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary in her hometown in 1979. She was an associate in the trust and estate department of a large law firm in Richmond for eight years before returning to Williamsburg in 1994 where she transitioned into the financial services industry. In 1995, Judy joined the Optimal Service Group. She is Series 7, 63, and 65 registered.

As a fully-registered Financial Consultant, Judy works with clients to develop and implement personal financial strategies designed to help them pursue and achieve their life goals. She focuses on portfolio analysis, asset allocation, investment planning, IRAs and personal and charitable trust matters.

Judy obtained her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2006. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and federally registered CFP in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. She is also a member of the Central Virginia chapter of the FPA (Financial Planning Association).

Judy also holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® certification, earned in 2014. This certification is administered by the Investments and Wealth Institute® and taught in conjunction with The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In addition, Judy attained the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designation in 2014.

Judy and her husband, Jim, are active in their church and its community outreach programs, including the Community of Faith Mission, a homeless shelter ministry. She supports several local charities including Child Development Resources and Housing Partnerships.

Karen Logan joined The Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in 2010. She began her career in the home office of Wells Fargo Advisors' predecessor firm in 2002. Karen was with the Institutional Consulting Group where she provided performance reporting, IPS development, and asset allocation studies. Karen also conducted manager research involving approximately 300 managers for one of the firm's separately managed account programs as well as launching a proprietary program utilizing ETF's. More recently she provided research on traditional and alternative investments for a regional Registered Investment Advisor.  Karen earned her MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University and her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech.  In 2012, Karen received the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation from The Investment Management Consulting Association, in conjunction with the Wharton School of Business.  She is Series 7, 63, and 65 registered.

Karen resides in Williamsburg with her husband Geoff and their daughter.

Loughan Campbell joined Wells Fargo Advisors in 2005. Prior to joining the Optimal Service Group in 2008, she supported the firm’s investment planning initiative in the corporate headquarters. Loughan led the team responsible for best practices and quality of the Envision® program.

Before joining Wells Fargo Advisors, Loughan spent 14 years in New York City, returning to Virginia after receiving her M.B.A. from NYU’s Stern School of Business. While earning her degree, she worked for a large, well known institution underwriting corporate insurance for financial companies. In 2007, Loughan received the Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation from the Investments and Wealth Institute®, in conjunction with the Wharton School of Business.

Loughan graduated from the University of Virginia as an Echols Scholar in 1989. She is Series 7 and Series 66 registered and holds a Life & Annuity and Health state license. Loughan lives in Williamsburg.

Bryce Lee joined The Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in 2001. Bryce has been responsible for compiling and providing asset-allocation studies, setting investment objectives, analyzing spending policies, portfolio attribution, and manager research for institutional investors.

Bryce attended the College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA), where he graduated magna cum laude with an undergraduate degree in finance and math. Bryce was selected to the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity and was also a member of the Tribe football team where he was named to the Academic All-American Team for his success in the classroom and the gridiron. In addition he earned his MBA from the College of William and Mary graduating magna cum laude.

In 2006, Bryce earned the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst and in 2007, received the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation from The Investment Management Consulting Association, in conjunction with the Wharton School of Business. In 2009, Bryce earned the CAIA charter through the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association and in 2012 earned the designation of Financial Risk Manager as certified by the Global Association of Risk Professionals.

Bryce lives in Williamsburg with his wife Laurie and their three children. They support several local charities, volunteer with several youth athletic programs, and are active members of their community church.

Robin Wilcox joined Wells Fargo Advisors in 2002. She has over 35 years of industry experience, most recently as director of consulting services for a regional New York Stock Exchange member firm. She began her securities career at Wheat, First Securities, a predecessor of Wells Fargo Advisors.

As a Financial Consultant, Ms. Wilcox has the primary responsibility of supporting the Optimal Service Group’s institutional consulting effort. In this capacity, she focuses on investment performance evaluation and reporting, asset-allocation modeling and investment-manager reviewing. She also consults with high-net-worth clients to offer comprehensive investment management and account-management advice and services.

Ms. Wilcox earned an MBA from the University of Richmond and a bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) in marketing from Virginia Commonwealth University. She holds the Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations.

Ms. Wilcox lives in Williamsburg with her husband and three sons.

Vicki Smith joined The Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in 2011. Vicki has been with the combined firm including Wheat First Securities and A.G. Edwards and Sons, for 26 years and has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. As a member of The Optimal Service Group, Vicki focuses on asset allocation, portfolio rebalancing and retirement planning for our high net worth clients.

An honors graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, Vicki is Series 7, Series 63 and Series 65 registered. Vicki lives in Williamsburg.