About

About

Rice Wealth Management team

Personal service, proactive support

When you partner with Rice Wealth Management, you have a team of professionals who know you, understand your goals, and are ready to help you throughout your financial journey. We're passionate about providing personal, attentive service, and we go out of our way to help make the planning process simple and stress free for you. We communicate proactively, answer when you call, and build lifelong relationships to support you and your family for generations to come.

Our Team

John Rice, CFP®

John Rice, CFP®

Founding Partner, Managing Director, Wealth Manager

John Rice leads Rice Wealth Management with a focus on long-term retirement income planning—helping clients and their families transition into retirement with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

For John, the work is about much more than building a portfolio. It is about helping successful people understand what they have worked so hard to create, how it can support the life they want, and how it can ultimately benefit the people they love most. His goal is to help clients move from accumulation to income with confidence, knowing they have a plan designed to support their lifestyle, protect their wealth, and provide for future generations.

At the center of John's work is a belief that people deserve to feel understood—not just financially, but personally. He takes the time to know where clients have been, what matters most to them, and what they want the next chapter of life to look like.

What Drives Him

John entered the financial planning industry because he wanted to have a positive, measurable impact on other people and families.

After more than three decades in the business, the most rewarding part of his work is seeing clients reach the moment they have been planning toward for years. When a family has "climbed the mountain" and is ready to retire, John helps them make the transition from paycheck to portfolio income—turning years of discipline, planning, and hard work into a new chapter they can enjoy.

That moment matters because it represents a long-term commitment fulfilled. For John, helping clients reach retirement with confidence is one of the clearest examples of his core belief: you get what you put in.

Background & Approach

John began his career in financial services in 1992 with Shearson Lehman Brothers. Over the years, his career has included time with Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Steward Partners, where he has continued building a planning-focused practice centered on retirement income, family wealth, and long-term client relationships.

His approach combines both sides of planning: the human side and the technical side. He believes a strong financial plan begins with listening—understanding a client's real concerns, wishes, emotional objectives, and family priorities. From there, he pairs that personal understanding with the science of planning, investment strategy, and execution.

The financial plan becomes the roadmap for the relationship—guiding ongoing conversations, decisions, and adjustments over time. John's role is to help clients understand what comes next financially, while also helping them think intentionally about the life they want their wealth to support.

Who He Works Best With

John works best with successful professionals, executives, and families who have worked hard, stayed disciplined, and are deeply committed to their family's future.

Many of his clients are mid- to upper-level managers and professionals who value loyalty, hard work, education, and family legacy. They are often approaching or entering retirement and want to know they can maintain their standard of living without unnecessary stress or uncertainty.

He also enjoys helping families think beyond one generation. Whether planning for children, grandchildren, college funding, a first home, or the broader transfer of family wealth, John helps clients communicate and plan with purpose—so the legacy they have built can be protected and passed on thoughtfully.

Education & Designations
  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional
    • Designation given to those who have met rigorous, high-level standards in education, examination, experience, and ethics.
  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, C.W. Post College
Personal Life

John lives in Greenland, New Hampshire, where he enjoys the easygoing lifestyle, natural beauty, and proximity to the ocean. He has lived in New Hampshire for more than 40 years and appreciates the slower pace, outdoor access, and sense of freedom the area provides.

John and his wife, Sonia, love to travel, spend time by the ocean, go boating, and enjoy time with family and friends. He has two children, Jim and Emily, and two grandchildren. His interests include boating, fishing, golfing, being outdoors, and exploring new places around the world. He has traveled throughout Asia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East, and across the United States—with England and France next on the list.

Q&A with John

If you had to give one piece of advice to the next generation, what would it be?
Patience. It is the single most important word of wisdom I would offer the next generation.

What is one belief you try to live by?
You get what you put in. I believe that is true in work, relationships, planning, and life.

What does a perfect day look like to you?
Being in the south of France, enjoying champagne at a waterfront brasserie.

What's a fun fact most people would not know about you?
I won a lobster "catching" competition in the summer of 2021—92 lobsters in six weeks. Joe came in second with "only" 83.

What do you enjoy most outside of work?
Being near the ocean—boating, fishing, golfing, traveling, and spending time outdoors with Sonia, family, and friends.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Jim Rice, AAMS®

Jim Rice, AAMS®

Wealth Manager, Vice President

Jim Rice brings a systems-driven mindset to wealth management—helping clients understand where they are, where they can go, and how to get there with clarity and intention. He works with individuals and families to help grow their wealth, maximize their potential, and create reliable retirement income strategies. Whether someone is just beginning to build momentum or approaching the next phase of life, Jim focuses on helping them see the full picture—and make informed decisions at every step.

At his core, Jim believes financial planning isn't about products or one-size-fits-all solutions. It's about understanding people—where they come from, what drives their decisions, and what they ultimately want their money to do for them.

What Drives Him

For Jim, the most important outcome of his work is peace of mind.

He believes many people are doing the right things financially—but don't fully realize their potential or feel confident in their direction. Helping clients bridge that gap—turning uncertainty into clarity—is what motivates him. His role isn't just to provide answers, but to serve as a resource and partner—someone clients can rely on to guide decisions, connect them with the right expertise when needed, and help them stay on track over time.

Background & Approach

Jim's interest in investing started early—at just 15 years old, he pushed his dad to help him open his first investment account, purchasing shares of companies like McDonald's and Walmart. From that point on, he was drawn to how money works and the long-term impact of good decisions.

He began his career in engineering and program management, where he built a structured, analytical mindset—overseeing teams, guiding client engagements, and turning complex problems into practical, actionable solutions. Over time, that analytical foundation, combined with his early interest in investing, led him to financial planning—where he could apply both skill sets in a way that directly impacts people's lives.

Today, Jim brings that same structured approach to every client relationship. Rather than presenting quick solutions, he walks clients through the process—ensuring they understand not only what is being recommended, but why. His goal is to create clarity, not confusion.

Who He Works Best With

Jim works best with high earners and motivated individuals who know they have potential—but aren't fully sure how to maximize it. Many of his clients are hard-working professionals who have built strong financial foundations but need guidance on where to allocate their resources, how to optimize their savings strategies, and how to turn progress into long-term results.

He also partners well with clients who value collaboration—those who want to stay informed and involved, while having a dedicated advisor to help guide decisions and keep everything aligned.

Education & Designations
  • Accredited Asset Management Specialist® (AAMS®)
  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) Candidate
  • University of New Hampshire, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Personal Life

Jim lives in Wells, Maine with his wife, Michaela, their twin daughters, Lenora and Delia, and their Great Pyrenees, Pearl. He has a deep connection to the outdoors, often spending time boating, golfing, skiing, or exploring with his family. Travel is also an important part of his life—he and his wife spent their honeymoon in Thailand and Bali and look forward to continuing to explore new places together.

These days, much of his free time revolves around family—something he values most in this stage of life.

Q&A with Jim

If you had to give one piece of advice to the next generation, what would it be?
Start investing early. Start as small as you need to—but start, and don't stop.

What's your favorite tradition?
The Fourth of July with family. We travel to Maryland each year, and there are usually 20 to 30 of us together.

What is one thing everyone should add to their daily routine?
At least 10 minutes of phone-free, quality time with your spouse or family.

Dana Olivar

Dana Olivar

Vice President, Senior Client Administrative Manager

Dana brings over three decades of experience and a steady, client-first approach to her role as Senior Client Service Associate. With more than 30 years in the financial services industry, including 25 years with Morgan Stanley prior to joining Steward Partners, she plays a critical role in supporting both advisors and clients through every stage of the planning relationship.

Dana is deeply committed to service excellence and understands that strong client relationships are built on responsiveness, trust, and attention to detail. She takes pride in helping ensure that each client interaction is handled thoughtfully and that evolving needs are met with care, consistency, and professionalism.

What Drives Her

For Dana, exceptional service is about helping clients feel supported and confident, knowing that the details are handled and that they are valued at every step.

She is motivated by building long-term relationships and being a dependable point of contact for clients navigating life's many changes. Dana believes that behind every account is a person, a family, and a story. She finds purpose in being part of a team that helps simplify the financial process and provide peace of mind.

Personal Life

Dana was born and raised in Winthrop, Massachusetts and currently resides in Manchester, New Hampshire. Family remains central to her life. Her son, Garret, lives in Chicago, and she enjoys spending time at home with family and close friends.

Outside of work, Dana values meaningful time with loved ones and the comfort of home, finding fulfillment in the connections that matter most.

Why Steward Partners?

Steward Partners is an employee-owned, full-service independent partnership catering to family, institutional, and multigenerational investors. Our professionals deliver comprehensive wealth planning and investment strategy implementation, professional asset management services, private banking, institutional consulting, and business solutions. We pride ourselves on delivering high-level client service with an unwavering commitment to excellence.

As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), Steward Partners acts as fiduciary to our advisory clients. This means that The Firm has a fundamental obligation to act in the best interests of our clients and to provide investment advice in our client’s best interests. The Firm and its advisors owe our clients a duty of undivided loyalty and utmost good faith. The Firm works to identify, disclose, and manage conflicts in a manner consistent with our fiduciary obligations, and we take steps reasonably necessary to fulfill those obligations.

Our Relationship With Raymond James

In 1962, Bob James set out to build a different kind of financial services firm. In the years since, that firm has grown to become a leader in its industry, dedicated to and driven by a focus on independence, integrity, conservative risk management, and always putting clients first.

Rice Wealth Management. in conjunction with Steward Partners, selected Raymond James as a custodian and platform provider given their strong commitment to best-in-class technology and deep reserve of human intellectual capital. Backed by their world-class resources and cultural alignment, we are able to fulfill our mission to serve select, ultra-wealthy clients with the core tenets of integrity and trust.

Our relationship with Raymond James allows us to consistently and conscientiously put you and your goals at the forefront of our work.

Our relationship with Raymond James is an important part of how we serve our clients. Raymond James is one of the largest independent financial services firms in America, and helps support our business by providing access to leading investment research; surrounding our team with experts on a broad range of financial disciplines; offering operational and trading support to our team and clients; and enabling us to access market-leading technologies.

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