Banking | Finance 2024: JOSEPH W. ‘JOE’ MONTGOMERY

Montgomery went to work at an investment firm in December 1975 — meaning he’s enjoying his 49th year in the industry.

Montgomery credits the power of relationships and his alma mater, William & Mary, for his career success. “The trajectory of my life was determined, really, by lining up where I went to school,” he says. 

A former captain of William & Mary’s football team, Montgomery was invited to the Philadelphia Eagles’ training camp after graduating with a degree in business administration, but he didn’t make the NFL team’s final cut. 

Instead of pursuing a football career, Montgomery went to work in Lynchburg for an investment advisory firm managed by a William & Mary alum. After a few years, Montgomery was sent to open a new branch in Williamsburg that became the Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. Today, it boasts about $28 billion in funds under advisement and 13 associates. In 2019, Montgomery was inducted into Barron’s Advisor Hall of Fame.

These days, Montgomery enjoys helping college students who work at his office as interns as they launch their own careers. “​​It’s still exciting for me to see what comes about from those connections,” he says.