“On the end of every service purchase is a human being. What degree could possibly give you a better understanding of the human condition than a liberal arts degree?”
Louis Ricciardi, ’81, ranks as one of the best financial advisors in the country, and he traces his success to lessons learned at Bridgewater State.
The magazine Bank Investment Consultant recently placed Ricciardi fifth on its list of top 100 bank advisors for 2019. The publication evaluated advisors on factors such as the health and growth of their firms.
“It’s recognition that anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard through all the ups and downs of the financial market and always keep the customer’s interest first,” said Ricciardi, who is president and CEO of Bristol Wealth Group in Taunton and a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services.
He credits the strong liberal arts education he received at Bridgewater with teaching him about people.
“On the end of every service purchase is a human being,” said Ricciardi, who majored in English and minored in economics. “What degree could possibly give you a better understanding of the human condition than a liberal arts degree?”
Ricciardi, who was the first in his family to attend college, once worked picking weeds on campus. As a Bridgewater student, he wrote the financial column “Stock Market Sense” for the student newspaper The Comment.
Armed with a strong work ethic modeled after the professors and staff he met at Bridgewater, Ricciardi found success running his own firm.
After 39 years of helping clients invest, he hasn’t forgotten his roots. Ricciardi has given back to BSU in many ways, including as a benefactor and former longtime member of the Board of Trustees. BSU’s College of Business bears his name.
And, Ricciardi employs two other Bridgewater grads – Dean Larabee III, ’08, and Matthew Haggerty, ’09.
The Bank Investment Consultant recognition shows what you can do with a Bridgewater degree.
“The path I have taken was truly honed at Bridgewater State College,” he said.
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