Joe Ricketts

A pioneer in the use of technology to revolutionize the financial services sector, in 1975 Joe Ricketts co-founded the company that later became TD Ameritrade, a securities industry leader that empowers self-directed investors with powerful and innovative investment tools and training. TD Ameritrade was acquired by Charles Schwab Corporation in November of 2019.

Having spent more than 35 years helping to establish and run the world’s largest online retail agency brokerage, Mr. Ricketts today has returned to his roots, focusing on a wide range of entrepreneurial and philanthropic ventures. One of these ventures is Straight Arrow News. Mr. Ricketts, a conservative and GOP donor, came up with the idea for Straight Arrow News after a discussion with a long-time liberal friend that left both men wondering why more people on different sides of the political spectrum couldn’t put their biases aside to have a cordial discussion of the issues in the news. As a result, Mr. Ricketts started Straight Arrow News to provide an outlet for unbiased news and address an unmet market.

Other entrepreneurial endeavors include businesses in the food and hospitality industries. He has also actively engaged in philanthropy through The Opportunity Education Foundation, The Cloisters on the Platte Foundation, The Ricketts Conservation Foundation, The Ricketts Art Foundation, and Citizens for Free Enterprise.

A native of Nebraska and graduate of Creighton University, Mr. Ricketts now lives in Little Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Mr. Ricketts and his wife of more than 60 years have four children and 14 grandchildren.