John leverages 25 years of portfolio management and wealth planning experience in leading the Legacy Protected Outcome Portfolios (POPs) and the firm’s long-standing partnership with the Fidelity Wealth Advisor Solutions (WAS) program. Protected Outcome Portfolios offer Legacy clients three unique, risk-managed separate account solutions that invest in either a customized series of structured notes or FDIC-insured market-linked CDs to produce a more controlled outcome. As Co-Portfolio Manager, John is responsible for the market research, data analysis, and security testing components of the POPs portfolio management process within the investment committee. Additionally, John serves as the channel leader for the Fidelity WAS program, working alongside Legacy’s financial advisory team to coordinate Legacy’s holistic planning and investment solutions for our next generation of clients.
Previously, John was a Partner at NorthCoast Asset Management, applying a quantitative and rules-based methodology to tactical investment solutions. He also was a Partner at St. James Investment Company, adhering to the tenets of the Benjamin Graham philosophy of disciplined investment management. John also enjoyed leadership roles with Inspire Investing, the global leader in Biblically Responsible Investing ETF solutions, and with Fidelity Investments, where he last served as a Regional Vice President of Managed Solutions.
John holds a BS in Finance from Hillsdale College, an MA in Economics from the University of Detroit Mercy, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner, John has developed complex retirement income and estate plans for over 1,000 client households over the years. John also holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) designation, as he works with Business Owners to protect, build, and harvest the value of their most treasured financial asset.
The Wildern family believes in the mission of Legacy Financial Advisors and puts God, family, and community at the forefront of all they do. The reminder that “Your Treasure Is Where Your Heart Is” puts John to work everyday to make Legacy Financial the best investment solutions provider in the world. He looks forward to a future where his own children might join him in the privilege of serving our clients, protecting their portfolio outcomes, and helping them to make their dreams a reality.