Our History
The Pidgeon Group of Wells Fargo Advisors has been recognized for its quality, integrity and longevity since 1955 when originally founded by James M. Pidgeon. Timothy Pidgeon joined his father at a predecessor firm, Bateman Eichler, Hill Richards in 1981. Robert Hamill was hired as an intern in 1996 and leads the team today.
Multiple generations of loyal clients have relied upon the practice since its inception throughout numerous market cycles, economic environments, financial crises, and periods of unprecedented growth. The Pidgeon Group has been affiliated with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2008.
James created the vision of the Pidgeon Group – to understand your goals and to build financial confidence towards achieving those goals. Tim furthered The Pidgeon Group into a dynamic wealth management practice, emphasizing education and ongoing skill building made evident by the professional designations achieved by our team. We adopted the rigorous Delta Practice Management, Dorsey Wright technical analysis training, Envision planning, and industry coaching and mentoring to innovate and improve the practice.
The team has adapted through the retirement of James and premature passing of Tim while recognizing the need to plan for the unseen. The Pidgeon Group is a team of professionals, all with a unique value but coming together to implement a thorough process that consistently yields long-term results for our multi-generational client base.
Today, Robert Hamill, CFP®, Managing Director – Investments, leads the team that includes 16-year veteran Tony Rivera, CFP®, Senior Registered Client Associate, Vice President – Investments, and along with Tim’s wife, Alice D. Pidgeon, CFA, CDFA, Senior Vice President – Investments, and daughter, Shannon G. Pidgeon, Financial Advisor, the Pidgeon family legacy lives on.
Multiple generations of loyal clients have relied upon the practice since its inception throughout numerous market cycles, economic environments, financial crises, and periods of unprecedented growth. The Pidgeon Group has been affiliated with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2008.
James created the vision of the Pidgeon Group – to understand your goals and to build financial confidence towards achieving those goals. Tim furthered The Pidgeon Group into a dynamic wealth management practice, emphasizing education and ongoing skill building made evident by the professional designations achieved by our team. We adopted the rigorous Delta Practice Management, Dorsey Wright technical analysis training, Envision planning, and industry coaching and mentoring to innovate and improve the practice.
The team has adapted through the retirement of James and premature passing of Tim while recognizing the need to plan for the unseen. The Pidgeon Group is a team of professionals, all with a unique value but coming together to implement a thorough process that consistently yields long-term results for our multi-generational client base.
Today, Robert Hamill, CFP®, Managing Director – Investments, leads the team that includes 16-year veteran Tony Rivera, CFP®, Senior Registered Client Associate, Vice President – Investments, and along with Tim’s wife, Alice D. Pidgeon, CFA, CDFA, Senior Vice President – Investments, and daughter, Shannon G. Pidgeon, Financial Advisor, the Pidgeon family legacy lives on.
Our Previous Leaders
James Matthew Pidgeon
James Matthew Pidgeon, Commander, United States Naval Reserve, born in Arlington, Illinois on November 3, 1918, departed this world October 4, 2008. James met and fell in love with Mary Helen Cruise. They were married August 28, 1948 and enjoyed sixty years as husband and wife. He was the devoted father of James (Virginia), Timothy (Alice), John and Elena Pidgeon (Grant). He treasured being grandfather to Shannon, Ryan and Aidan Pidgeon - all of whom will cherish the memory of his gentle love, humor, wisdom and devotion to his family.
James was commissioned into the United States Naval Academy in 1940. He was a vibrant, intelligent and compassionate man proud of his World War II service to our country starting at Pearl Harbor where he witnessed the Japanese bombing on December 7, 1941. He served in several key battles in the war in the Pacific including Pearl Harbor, the Marshall Islands, the islands of Leyte, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the first battle of the Coral Sea.
A proud graduate of the University of San Francisco, James was also proud of his well-deserved reputation and reverence in the investment business. His keen business acumen, tremendous work ethic and effervescent personality combined to give him much success, which he never took for granted. In his fifty-one years in the investment business, he conducted himself with honor, integrity and always with his clients' best interests, often taking care of the financial needs of widows.
James was an avid reader and student of history and dedicated member of numerous clubs and organizations including the Olympic Club, the Merchants' Exchange Club, The San Francisco Bond Club, the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree, and the Pearl Harbor Survivors' Association. He served on the board of trustees of the then Dominican College for eleven years. James displayed many admirable traits among them love and loyalty, intelligence, competence, a great sense of humor, patience and generosity.
A man of integrity and compassion he lived a full life and in his steady way made many people happy, especially his family. James was a charismatic and loving person who will be missed by all those who knew him. He was truly a beautiful person who influenced many peoples' lives. A gentleman sensitive and honest, real and loving ours. We will miss him immensely.
Timothy Patrick Pidgeon
Tim grew up in Westlake and summered in nearby Marin County. He attended Our Lady of Mercy ('70), St. Ignatius College Preparatory ('74), and College of Marin. He graduated from San Francisco State University ('79) with a BS in Small Business Administration and Management followed by an MBA from the same institution in 1981. Tim began his career in the investment industry by working alongside his father at Bateman Eichler Hill Richards. Over his distinguished 40-year career, he ascended to Managing Director-Investments and Premier Advisor while building The Pidgeon Group of Wells Fargo Advisors from a trusted family practice to a loyal team achieving #30 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2022). Anyone who worked with Tim knows that he was devoted to the needs and lives of his multi-generational client base.
Tim had a passion for soccer - actively playing in high school, college and for Bay Area semi-professional teams. He helped expand the Mill Valley Soccer Club from a local resource into a club sharing international exchange programs with clubs in Sweden, England and Germany. While playing internationally, he visited White Hart Lane and forged a lifelong loyalty to his beloved "Spurs". He co-founded and operated soccer camps, refereed, and later coached both of his children's soccer teams in Marin.
Tim was a proud member of The Olympic Club for 52 years. He served on SI's Board of Regents and Board of Trustees. He twice served on St. John's Episcopal Church Vestry, is an Officer for The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem and is a past President of the Greenbrae Property Owners Association (GPOA). Tim was a tactful fundraiser and faithfully served on the Development Committees for SI, St. John's, and The Order of St. John.
Tim set his roots in the Bay Area but through his natural curiosity he enthusiastically ventured to Europe, Asia and Central America over his lifetime. He found joy and serenity in the great outdoors. He was an America the Beautiful lifetime member, hiker, avid fisherman (fly and deep sea) and lover of natural beauty. If you ever dined with Tim, you know that he was a connoisseur of fine food and finer drink.