Tune out the noise: Wealth planning for the year ahead

Hear from a panel of experts as they explore how rising interest rates, high inflation and increased volatility are impacting the economy, how family dynamics are changing estate planning and hear some actionable strategies for investors to consider in 2023.

Watch now

Recognition

Merrill is proud of our advisors who’ve received recognition from financial industry publications or directly from Bank of America Corporation. We believe they are setting the standard for exemplary client service.

John A. Ledford

Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" 2021, 2022 and 2023
Published annually Jan- April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.

Profile

John Ledford is a Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. John provides sustained financial leadership, direction, and advice to high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, executives and families throughout the United States. He acts as the “quarterback” of the client team in developing, implementing and reviewing each client’s customized wealth management plan. A deeply experienced Advisor, John has witnessed some of the most difficult markets and issues facing clients and investors today. With a keen interest in behavioral finance, he looks to help clients avoid the common investing biases and mistakes that are often a roadblock to successful investing.

John has earned national accolades for his work, recognition that he believes reflects the caliber of the clients he serves:
• Forbes “Best-In-State Wealth Advisors,” 2021, 2022 and 2023 (Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year).

Clients come to John with diverse needs. Senior executives often engage his help in unwinding the intricacies of their wealth, including concentrated and restricted stock strategies, diversification strategies and wealth-transfer initiatives. Business owners look to John for pre- and post- liquidity event strategies, from optimizing their businesses ahead of a potential sale to creating an income stream after a sale has taken place. Retirees, in turn, seek John’s assistance in modeling an effective roadmap for the years ahead, from the timing and sources of cash flow to tax-sensitive investing. Finally, multi-generational families turn to John for guidance in saving for higher education, transferring wealth to children and grandchildren, or enhancing the long-term security of special-needs family members.

John draws on an extensive background in wealth management and training at many of the top Wall Street investment firms. He began his career as a Financial Advisor in 1998 with UBS, where he served for more than a decade. Subsequently, he moved to Morgan Stanley, where he was a Senior Vice President in Wealth Management. In 2016, John and his team moved to Merrill where he advises and serves as a one-stop destination for integrated wealth management strategies. He earned his B.A. in Psychology, Cum Laude, from the University of Oklahoma and his M.A. in Finance from the University of Texas at Dallas. He holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® certification administered by the Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute), taught in conjunction with Yale University School of Management.

John serves on the Alumni Association of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas and is an active volunteer with the Highland Park School District. He also volunteers as a youth football and basketball coach with the YMCA. Previously, John has been active with the North Texas Food Bank, American Cancer Society and Salvation Army.

John and his wife Kelley have two sons and a daughter. He loves spending time with his family, supporting his children in their activities, tending the grill on weekends, and sampling IPAs.

*Source: The Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list, published annually Jan - April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual, and telephone due diligence meetings to measure best practices; also considered are: client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

  • EDUCATION

    University of Oklahoma

    University of Texas at Dallas

Professional Staff

Supported by the global resources of Merrill, my team is comprised of talented and experienced individuals committed to building strong client relationships based on trust and personalized service.

Additional Resources

The following specialists do not make securities recommendations. Please contact your Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor if you have questions about how a specialist might be able to assist you.

Tabitha Namuli

Wealth Management Banking Specialist

Merrill

Lisa C. Gratz

Wealth Management Lending Officer

Bank of America, N.A.

NMLS #536196

Jocelyn T Smith

Retirement Specialist

Bank of America, N.A.

Where do we begin? It starts with you.

At Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, your financial advisor focuses on the things you care about most- family, goals and priorities - even as they change over the years.

Understanding Your Life

Welcome

As a Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor, I offer advice based on your goals and priorities– for yourself, your family, and your business. Our goals-based wealth management approach places the investor at the center of our focus, not the market. I can help you understand the pros and cons of every decision and maintain discipline so you can pursue your goals. As your needs or market conditions change, I will continue to work with you to agree upon adjustments to your investment approach.

Philosophy

We live in a world that's constantly changing. Markets can fluctuate frequently. Potential investment opportunities can arise daily. Regulations are amended. That's why I believe that you and your situation are the best starting points from which to help plan your financial future: where you are today, where you want to be tomorrow, and what you want to accomplish along the way. Because by understanding you and your priorities, I can more effectively offer my experience and resources and help you build a financial framework that is rooted in the unique complexities of your life.

Approach

Wealth Management is a dynamic process. As I focus on you today and help you identify your goals for tomorrow, we can strive to work together throughout life’s ups, downs, triumphs, and transitions. Helping you pursue your goals starts with getting to know you and your family. My job is to first understand what matters most to you. We will work together to create a financial approach that reflects your investment personality and is built around your life priorities. I will be here to help you make adjustments to your wealth management approach if and when necessary over time.

Your approach to investing

Drawing upon research in the field of behavioral finance, Merrill developed the Investment Personality Assessment to help us get to know you better as an investor and potentially help you refine your own investing preferences. By gaining a deeper understanding of how you think and feel about investing through this assessment, we can customize the financial approach we develop together to help you pursue what matters most to you. Our Investment Personality Assessment is one of the ways to help us get to know you - to understand your goals and priorities. These questions will help us provide you with additional insights and resources.

Understanding your goals and priorities

Your life and goals change. We have tools to help you keep track of these changes so they can be reflected in your financial approach.

Capabilities

My process is designed to help deliver a customized, consistent experience to assist clients not only in wealth accumulation and preservation, but in areas that go beyond investments. My ability to provide access to the investment insights of Merrill, trust and fiduciary services from Bank of America Private Bank, and the banking convenience and lending solutions of Bank of America offers a way to help clients manage all of the pieces of their financial lives. I view myself as a financial resource, helping clients with potential solutions for transferring wealth to the younger generation.

Trust and fiduciary services are provided by Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”).

Staying on Track

We understand that both your life and the financial markets can change over time. By checking in to discuss changes in your life and revisiting your financial approach, our goal is to help you stay on track to achieve what's most important to you.



Reviews to help you
stay on track

We’ll meet with you to review your goals and the progress you’ve made toward reaching them. We’ll also discuss any adjustments needed to your financial approach to help you stay on course.



    Changes in your life
    and to your goals

    Your life and goals change. As these changes occur, we can update your approach to reflect them.

    #DigitalMerrill

    MyMerrill is your online destination for access to your financial information, secure communications, and a robust offering of tools and capabilities.

    Your advisor is a click away within our site or mobile apps

    You can manage account security with our customizable security capabilities such as touch ID, one time passcode, and other security features

    Access to your complete financial life is available with My Financial Picture, Merrill’s asset aggregation tool

      Let’s Have a Conversation

      I believe it’s important that you seek the advice and guidance of an experienced financial advisor who can thoughtfully analyze your situation, work with you to identify potential solutions that address your needs, and clearly communicate them to you. I want to work with you to develop your wealth management approach for the future.

      Why Merrill?

      As Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisors, we will sort through the financial complexities of your life, helping you build a customized investment approach to address your needs and pursue your goals.


      MLBrochure.png

      We put you first, every day.
      Learn more about the dedicated one-on-one relationship you can have with a Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor.

      Anthem video thumb.jpg 
      Transcript of Video 

      No question too big or moment too small

      For every question you have, every decision you make and every answer you need, we are with you to listen and help guide you along the many paths your life can take. Watch this video to see some questions we can address together.

      Personalized advice from a dedicated financial advisor.

      We get to know you and your family, your financial situation and what matters most to you.

      A comprehensive approach, built around your life’s priorities.

      Drawing from our experience and the best thinking of Merrill, together we will design an approach that reflects your unique needs, priorities and financial situation.

      Adjusting your investment approach as your life and the markets change.

      We will work to help you stay on track, regardless of what the markets are doing.