At Bingham Private Wealth, service is not simply part of what we do. It is part of who we are.
Our firm is built on a legacy shaped by my grandfather, Captain Wheelock H. Bingham, a leader whose career reflected an unwavering belief that success is measured not by what you build for yourself, but by how well you serve others.
His influence extends far beyond business and military service. It continues to shape how we care for our clients today.
Wheelock H. Bingham, president of Macy’s New York. April 11, 1953. Business Week.
Captain Bingham’s story began with a decision that revealed his character early in life. As a promising student, he earned the opportunity to attend Harvard. Instead, he chose a different path, one rooted in learning through experience, service, and connection with people.
He began his career at Macy’s as a trainee, learning the business from the ground up. His rise through the organization was marked not just by talent and discipline, but by a deep understanding of relationships. He believed business was not about transactions. It was about people, trust, and long-term connection.
That belief carried him to leadership roles as President of Macy’s New York and later President of R. H. Macy & Co., where he helped guide one of the most recognized retail institutions in the world.
One of his most significant achievements was helping lead Macy’s expansion beyond New York. He was instrumental in opening the Macy’s store in San Francisco’s Union Square. At the time, it was the largest department store west of Chicago and quickly became one of the city’s most iconic retail destinations.
But Captain Bingham’s greatest legacy of service would emerge during his time in the United States Navy.
San Francisco Mayor Elmer Robinson and Macy’s executive Wheelock H. Bingham walk the red carpet during the opening of the Union Square addition to the department store. January 29, 1950. Photo by Bill Young/The Chronicle.
Wheelock Bingham, President of R. H. Macy, Co, Inc., Jack I. Straus, Chairman of the Board and Hulan Jack, Manhattan Boro President, changing a street sign from Herald Square to Macy Square, during the 100th anniversary of Macy’s. January 7, 1958. Photo by Fred Morgan/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images.
While serving in the Navy, Captain Bingham played a foundational role in developing what would become the Navy Exchange. The Exchange was designed to provide sailors and their families access to quality goods and services. Yet its true impact went far deeper.
When sailors return from months at sea, they step into a world that has continued moving without them. For many, the Navy Exchange becomes one of their first experiences of normal life again. It is where they purchase necessities, reconnect with routines, and regain a sense of stability after long deployments.
The individuals working within the Exchange carry a unique responsibility. They are not simply assisting customers. They are helping service members transition from the intensity of deployment back into daily life. They create familiarity, comfort, and human connection during moments of change.
Captain Bingham believed deeply in this mission. He understood that providing goods was only part of the role. Providing dignity, respect, and care was what truly mattered.
Navy Exchange (NEX) in Norfolk, Virginia. Photo by Kristine Sturkie.
Navy Exchange (NEX) in San Diego, California.
In 1979, the Navy established the Bingham Award to honor Captain Bingham’s vision and impact. The award represents the highest level of achievement within the Navy Exchange system and recognizes extraordinary excellence in service, leadership, and support of sailors and their families.
In 2025, I had the profound honor of receiving the Bingham Award alongside my family. Standing there, surrounded by individuals dedicated to serving the Navy community, was deeply meaningful. It reinforced a simple but powerful truth:
Service is not an accomplishment. It is a responsibility that must be earned every single day.
Lock Bingham receiving the Navy Exchange Bingham Award in 2025.
Throughout his career, Captain Bingham held a guiding belief that shaped everything he did. His philosophy was simple but profound:
“The retailer by tradition has been interested in things. I think we should be interested in people.”
That belief shaped how he led, how he served, and how he measured success. It remains the foundation of Bingham Private Wealth today.
What mattered to him matters deeply to us. The responsibility to serve. The importance of relationships. The commitment to being present when guidance matters most.
Our clients often come to us during pivotal moments in their lives—preparing for retirement, navigating business transitions, managing generational wealth, or adapting to unexpected change. These are not simply financial decisions. They are deeply personal chapters that shape families and futures.
We approach each of these moments with a philosophy grounded in service. Like Captain Bingham, we believe the greatest impact comes from understanding people, not simply managing outcomes.
This commitment guides every conversation we have, every strategy we design, and every recommendation we make.
Our goal is simple and meaningful: to provide clarity when decisions feel complex, confidence during times of uncertainty, and stability as our clients build their futures and support their families.
The legacy of my grandfather is not simply part of our history. It is our blueprint for how we serve today and how we will continue serving for generations to come.
At Bingham Private Wealth, we are proud to carry that legacy forward, and we are honored to serve the families who place their trust in us.
Lock Bingham and family at Navy Exchange Bingham Award ceremony.