J. Joe Ricketts is recognized as a visionary leader in innovation and services for the individual investor. In 1975, he was a founder of First Omaha Securities, a retail securities brokerage firm in Omaha, Nebraska. Among the first to enter the self-directed securities marketplace, TD AMERITRADE, through the use of innovative technology and marketing, has grown significantly and evolved into an industry leader. Ricketts has served on the board of directors of the Securities Industry Association (SIA) and is a former member of the SIA Regional Firms Committee and Small Firms Committee. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Creighton University.