J.R. Blackburn is the branch manager of Raymond James in Pikeville, Kentucky. He has worked in wealth management and financial planning for over 26 years, starting with Matewan Bank in 1993. Mr. Blackburn moved to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter in 1997 before transitioning his team 10 years later to Merrill Lynch in September 2006, where he was the associate director/manager until 2019.

Mr. Blackburn has made the hills of Eastern Kentucky and Southeastern West Virginia his home, and he currently resides in Pikeville, Kentucky, with his beautiful wife, Shirley. The couple have four daughters, Mandy, Katie, Brianna and Lexie. They are also proud grandparents to Jaydon, Kiki, Sky, Rush, Branson and Hollyn Sage.

Mr. Blackburn is an integral part of his community, having served on various boards, including the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Appalachian Pregnancy Care Center, and the East Kentucky Exposition Center. One project that is near and dear to his heart is the Coats 4 Kids program he and Shirley helped found. He is an avid believer in the value of community in rural Kentucky.

Mr. Blackburn has built his career by providing quality service with a Christian conservative theme for his clients.