J. Joseph Ricketts
Encyclopedia
J. Joseph Ricketts is the founder, former CEO and former chairman of TD Ameritrade
, one of the largest online discount brokerages in the world, based in Omaha, Nebraska
. In addition to serving as a Director of TD Ameritrade, Ricketts owns and operates several early stage companies, including DNAinfo.com, The American Film Company
, High Plains Bison, and The Lodge at Jackson Fork Ranch.
in Omaha, Nebraska in 1968. Ricketts is married with four children. In 2009, Ricketts ranked #371, according to Forbes Magazine, of the 400 wealthiest Americans, with a net worth of $1 billion. He currently resides in Little Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
.
Ricketts announced that he would retire from the TD Ameritrade Board to concentrate on entrepreneurship and philanthropy, effective October 20, 2011.
. Some of the bison are raised on a Wyoming ranch owned by Ricketts. A four-bedroom lodge named The Lodge at Jackson Fort Ranch is located on the same property.
In 2008, Ricketts founded The American Film Company
, which produces feature films about true stories from American history. The Conspirator is a 2010 historical drama film
directed by Robert Redford
. It served as the debut film of The American Film Company.
In 2009, Ricketts founded DNAinfo.com, a digital news service that currently covers neighborhood news in New York City.
’s Chicago Cubs
and Wrigley Field
, as well as 25 percent of Comcast Sportsnet Chicago. The Ricketts family represents the eighth ownership group in the 133-year history of the team. While Ricketts is not directly involved in the team’s operations, his son, Tom Ricketts
, is Cubs chairman and his three other children (Pete
, Laura
and Todd) are on the board of directors. In November 2010, the Cubs announced a plan to seek $200 million in state-backed bonds for renovations to Wrigley Field.
and wasteful spending in the federal government. Ricketts founded a nonpartisan organization called Taxpayers Against Earmarks and classified every Member of Congress as either a spending “hero” or “hooligan.” Ricketts has been credited with convincing Members of Congress to adopt a moratorium on earmarks. Taxpayers Against Earmarks changed its name to Ending Spending in 2011.
Ricketts established and funded The Ending Spending Fund, a political action committee, in 2010. The Ending Spending Fund spent over $1 million sponsoring independent advertisements in several Congressional races. The goal of the advertising expenditure was to highlight incumbents’ earmark-related policies. The Ending Spending Fund spent the largest amount of its money on the United States Senate election in Nevada, 2010
in an effort to defeat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
. Although not required by law, Ricketts willingly disclosed his identity due to his belief in transparency.
Ricketts served on the board of trustees of the American Enterprise Institute from 1999-2007.
TD Ameritrade
TD Ameritrade is an American online broker with over 6 million U.S. customers, and many more internationally, that has grown rapidly through acquisition to become the 746th-largest US firm in 2008. TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation is the owner of TD Ameritrade Inc...
, one of the largest online discount brokerages in the world, based in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. In addition to serving as a Director of TD Ameritrade, Ricketts owns and operates several early stage companies, including DNAinfo.com, The American Film Company
American Film Company (2008)
The American Film Company is a film production company founded in 2008 by Joe Ricketts. Ricketts previously founded Ameritrade and, with his family, owns the Chicago Cubs. The American Film Company, founded on the belief that real life is often more compelling than fiction, produces feature films...
, High Plains Bison, and The Lodge at Jackson Fork Ranch.
Personal life
Ricketts was born and raised in Nebraska City, Nebraska and obtained a bachelor's degree from Creighton UniversityCreighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
in Omaha, Nebraska in 1968. Ricketts is married with four children. In 2009, Ricketts ranked #371, according to Forbes Magazine, of the 400 wealthiest Americans, with a net worth of $1 billion. He currently resides in Little Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
TD Ameritrade
In 1975, Ricketts and a few partners formed First Omaha Securities, a retail securities brokerage firm that through mergers and acquisitions grew into TD AmeritradeTD Ameritrade
TD Ameritrade is an American online broker with over 6 million U.S. customers, and many more internationally, that has grown rapidly through acquisition to become the 746th-largest US firm in 2008. TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation is the owner of TD Ameritrade Inc...
.
Ricketts announced that he would retire from the TD Ameritrade Board to concentrate on entrepreneurship and philanthropy, effective October 20, 2011.
Business ventures
In 2004, Ricketts founded High Plains Bison, a retailer of natural bison meat. In addition to online and offline sales channels, High Plains Bison is the official bison vendor at Chicago’s Wrigley FieldWrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
. Some of the bison are raised on a Wyoming ranch owned by Ricketts. A four-bedroom lodge named The Lodge at Jackson Fort Ranch is located on the same property.
In 2008, Ricketts founded The American Film Company
American Film Company (2008)
The American Film Company is a film production company founded in 2008 by Joe Ricketts. Ricketts previously founded Ameritrade and, with his family, owns the Chicago Cubs. The American Film Company, founded on the belief that real life is often more compelling than fiction, produces feature films...
, which produces feature films about true stories from American history. The Conspirator is a 2010 historical drama film
Historical drama film
The historical drama is a film genre in which stories are based upon historical events and famous persons. Some historical dramas attempt to accurately portray a historical event or biography, to the degree that the available historical research will allow...
directed by Robert Redford
Robert Redford
Charles Robert Redford, Jr. , better known as Robert Redford, is an American actor, film director, producer, businessman, environmentalist, philanthropist, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival. He has received two Oscars: one in 1981 for directing Ordinary People, and one for Lifetime...
. It served as the debut film of The American Film Company.
In 2009, Ricketts founded DNAinfo.com, a digital news service that currently covers neighborhood news in New York City.
Chicago Cubs baseball team
In October 2009, the Ricketts family acquired a 95 percent controlling interest in Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
’s Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
, as well as 25 percent of Comcast Sportsnet Chicago. The Ricketts family represents the eighth ownership group in the 133-year history of the team. While Ricketts is not directly involved in the team’s operations, his son, Tom Ricketts
Thomas S. Ricketts
Thomas S. "Tom" Ricketts is chairman of the Chicago Cubs, and the chief executive officer of Incapital LLC, a Chicago investment bank that packages corporate bonds for retail investors. He is also a director of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation as well as the son of Ameritrade founder J. Joseph...
, is Cubs chairman and his three other children (Pete
Pete Ricketts
John Peter "Pete" Ricketts is the former Chief Operating Officer of Ameritrade. He was the Republican nominee for the 2006 U.S. Senate race in Nebraska which he lost to incumbent Ben Nelson.-Biography:...
, Laura
Laura Ricketts
Laura M. Ricketts is co-owner of the Chicago Cubs and CEO of Ecotravel.com. Ricketts is also a board member of Lambda Legal and the Housing Opportunities for Women organization...
and Todd) are on the board of directors. In November 2010, the Cubs announced a plan to seek $200 million in state-backed bonds for renovations to Wrigley Field.
Political activities
In 2010, Ricketts led a campaign against special-interest earmarksEarmark (politics)
In United States politics, an earmark is a legislative provision that directs approved funds to be spent on specific projects, or that directs specific exemptions from taxes or mandated fees...
and wasteful spending in the federal government. Ricketts founded a nonpartisan organization called Taxpayers Against Earmarks and classified every Member of Congress as either a spending “hero” or “hooligan.” Ricketts has been credited with convincing Members of Congress to adopt a moratorium on earmarks. Taxpayers Against Earmarks changed its name to Ending Spending in 2011.
Ricketts established and funded The Ending Spending Fund, a political action committee, in 2010. The Ending Spending Fund spent over $1 million sponsoring independent advertisements in several Congressional races. The goal of the advertising expenditure was to highlight incumbents’ earmark-related policies. The Ending Spending Fund spent the largest amount of its money on the United States Senate election in Nevada, 2010
United States Senate election in Nevada, 2010
-Tarkanian:-Angle:-Polling:Includes current candidates who have polled at least 2% in at least one poll.-Results:-Candidates:*Harry Reid , incumbent U.S...
in an effort to defeat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Harry Reid
Harry Mason Reid is the senior United States Senator from Nevada, serving since 1987. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the Senate Majority Leader since January 2007, having previously served as Minority Leader and Minority and Majority Whip.Previously, Reid was a member of the U.S...
. Although not required by law, Ricketts willingly disclosed his identity due to his belief in transparency.
Ricketts served on the board of trustees of the American Enterprise Institute from 1999-2007.