Larry R. Blades
President & Founder
Larry R. Blades is an Investment Advisor Representative and a licensed insurance agent who is the founder of Retirement and Investment Solutions, LLC
He is a financial advisor, doing both financial planning and retirement income planning for both individuals and businesses – helping families ensure their income lasts as long as possible. He spent the first 30 years of his career as a Command Air Force Pilot, Instructor Pilot and Operational Test Pilot. Upon military retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel, Larry decided to utilize his formal education and acquired knowledge in money management helping people ensure their own retirement.
Larry has always been involved in small businesses. Instead of traditional hobbies and after he finished flying for the day, he worked with his father developing, owning and managing businesses. They owned and operated a 1,000+ acre grain and cotton farm, 160 apartment units, four commercial office buildings, six Nursing Homes, a Baskin-Robbins ice cream store, and a 76 truck, long haul trucking company. Larry did all the financial analysis and financial planning required in building all of these companies from the ground up.
Because of his exposure to a wide range of different businesses, Larry learned about employee benefits including all types of health benefits, disability and life insurance benefits, and the various retirement plans available to small businesses. Recently he obtained his certification as a Cash Balance Plan Consultant. Larry views a Cash Balance Plan as one of the most beneficial retirement plans for business owners. The plan emphasizes tax savings for the business and retirement savings for the owners.
Larry understands the needs and concerns of mid-career and end of career families concerned about their retirement. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and a Masters of Arts in Business Administration and Health Care Management – working two years as a Skilled Nursing Home Administrator dealing with Medicare and Medicaid issues.
Larry spent the last 20 years advising clients on how to improve their financial future in retirement. He holds insurance licenses in Life, Health, General Lines and Property and Causality. He passed his Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, or Series 65 Securities License, designating him as an Investment Advisor Representative (IAR). Over the years, Larry completed training to become a Certified Federal Employee Benefit Specialist, a Qualified Financial Advisor, and has completed over 450 hours of continuing education.
Larry and his wife of 44 years have two children and six grandchildren. They now make their home in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area.