Early Life and Education
John Joseph Ricketts was born and raised in Nebraska City, Nebraska. He graduated from St. Bernard's Academy in Nebraska City in 1959, where he met his future wife, Marlene Margaret Volkmer. He earned a Bachelor of Arts/Science degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1968.
Rise to Success: Founding TD Ameritrade
In 1975, Ricketts co-founded First Omaha Securities with a few partners, each investing $12,500. This firm evolved through mergers and acquisitions into TD Ameritrade, a major online brokerage. Ricketts served as CEO from 1982 to 2001 and as chairman from 1982 to 2008. He retired from the TD Ameritrade board in October 2011 to focus on other ventures. TD Ameritrade was acquired by Charles Schwab Corporation in 2020, and the platform was shut down in May 2024 after accounts were transitioned.
Key Business Strategies and Innovations
Ricketts pioneered the use of technology to revolutionize the financial services sector. He introduced the first quote and order entry system via touch-tone telephone in 1988. In 1997, the company went public through an initial public offering. Ricketts's foresight in integrating emerging technologies into the trading business helped his companies achieve significant growth. The company acquired K. Aufhauser & Co., the first company to run a trading website, in 1997.
Philanthropy and Other Ventures
Ricketts has been involved in several other entrepreneurial ventures, including High Plains Bison, The American Film Company, DNAinfo.com, and The Lodge at Jackson Fork. He also owns the Chicago Cubs baseball franchise with his family, winning the World Series in 2016. Ricketts is involved in philanthropy through The Ricketts Art Foundation, Opportunity Education Foundation, The Cloisters on the Platte Foundation, and The Ricketts Conservation Foundation.
