About Us
Lamplighters Investment Advisors is a locally-owned and Charlottesville-based firm, where we provide financial advice and investment management to individuals and small businesses. When you do business with Lamplighters Investment Advisors you can take comfort in knowing that your best interests come first.
While managing investments for clients is a core aspect of our mission, we believe it is equally important to meet each client at their level of financial understanding. When we make complex financial matters easier to understand, we believe clients gain a greater sense of control over their financial lives.
Lamplighters Investment Advisors has aligned with LPL Financial, the largest independent broker-dealer in the US*.
Meet the Lamplighters Team
Rich Keffert, AAMS.
Rich put his bachelor’s degree in Physics (University of Sussex, England) to use in research and development at Alcoa, where he earned a patent in sensor technology. Presentations of complex ideas clued him in to his growing interest in education, and lead to an M.A.Ed. (College of William and Mary). Combining these elements of numerical analysis and education as an investment professional was in hindsight a very natural progression after years of enthusiastic participation in an investment club. Rich has provided investment advice as an independent advisor since 2002. Rich has completed the specialized program and exam to become an Accredited Asset Management Specialist Designee. AAMS certified advisors are taught to effectively identify, analyze, and recommend strategies that are appropriate for your diverse needs, and must adhere to a code of professional ethics. Rich has been married to Terri since 1988. Both share a passion for travel, and coffee shops. When he is not poring over annual reports and proxy statements, Rich volunteers for the Emergency Food Bank, and enjoys Morris dancing, stone carving and wine-tasting.
Email: richard.keffert@lpl.com
Direct Phone Line: (434) 978-7424
“I love what I do—the research, the relationships with clients—going to work is never a chore for me.”
Lyndsey Vargus, Operations Specialist.
Lyndsey is part of LPL’s Business Solutions Department, a team that provides industry-trained LPL professionals who are here to simplify operations and provide support on administrative and client management tasks. Lyndsey has worked in the financial services industry since March 2020 and joined LPL in April 2022.
Personal information
Lyndsey was born in Arizona but has resided in Iowa for most of her life. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Iowa Wesleyan University in 2018. She married her husband, Chantz, in August 2020 and they became parents to their twin daughters, Sofia and Blayke, in September 2023. When she is not working Lyndsey enjoys spending time with her family, going on outdoor adventures, reading, and traveling.
Email: admin.keffert@lpl.com
Direct Phone Line: (833) 577-1131
Annie Valencia, Paraplanner.
Annie has over a decade of experience supporting financial advisors. As Paraplanner, she assists Rich by conducting research, operational support, and preparing for client meetings, ensuring he has the information needed to serve his clients effectively. Annie loves getting to connect with clients and seeing a project through from start to finish. She earned her bachelor’s degree in art history and business from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Annie met her husband, Angel, while both attending UNCG and they decided to stay and put down roots in North Carolina. She became a mom in September 2024, a role that has brought her immense joy and inspiration. Outside of work and spending time with her family, Annie enjoys baking sourdough and experimenting with discard recipes, learning the art of making the perfect espresso, wine-tasting, and traveling.
Email: annie.valencia1@lpl.com
*As reported by Financial Planning Magazine, June 1996-2022, based on total revenue.