How Roy Bechtold of Raymond James Helps Veterans Build Wealth Beyond the Battlefield

Veteran entrepreneurs bring a rare combination of discipline, resilience, and mission-focus to the world of small business. Whether they’ve acquired a company through Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) or built it from the ground up, many veterans find themselves navigating a financial landscape far more complex than any military operation. That’s where the right financial strategy—and the right advisor—can make all the difference.

Roy Bechtold, a Financial Advisor at Raymond James and former Marine Special Operations Officer, is uniquely positioned to help. With 21 years of military service under his belt, Roy understands the mindset of a veteran: how they plan, how they lead, and how they execute under pressure. Today, he brings that same precision and purpose to his work with small business owners, helping them make smart, strategic investing decisions that align with both their personal and professional goals.

And he’s not doing it alone.

Raymond James is a nationally recognized financial services firm offering tailored solutions for wealth management, investment banking, and business advisory services. But beyond their mainstream offerings, they’ve built specific pathways to support those who served—most notably through the Veteran Financial Advisors Network (VFAN). This initiative connects veteran clients with advisors who understand their unique financial journeys, including access to veteran-specific benefits, investment planning strategies, and legacy-building tools.

For veteran business owners, the demands are multi-layered. They’re not only running companies, but also managing personal investments, planning for retirement, navigating VA benefits, and often overseeing employees who rely on their leadership. With so much focus on operations, it’s easy to overlook personal financial strategy—until it’s too late.

That’s why Roy and his team focus on coordination, not just accumulation. It’s not simply about growing wealth—it’s about ensuring that wealth is structured to serve your mission: family security, business stability, future flexibility, and ultimately, freedom of choice.

Here are a few of the unique investing considerations Roy and other advisors at Raymond James often help veteran business owners navigate:

• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Optimization: Veterans with military service often carry a TSP account, but few know how to effectively manage or roll over those funds in a way that supports broader financial goals.
• Veteran-Owned Business Certification: This certification not only opens up access to government contracts but also provides opportunities for growth capital, which can free up personal income for investment.
• Tax-Efficient Wealth Strategies: Many small business owners are overpaying in taxes or underutilizing financial structures like SEP IRAs, solo 401(k)s, or Defined Benefit Plans that can create long-term tax savings.
• Real Estate Investment Diversification: For those with high operational income, investing in commercial or residential real estate can be a powerful hedge and a long-term passive income strategy.
• Succession-Linked Investing: Instead of only preparing for a future business sale, veterans can start investing in parallel assets today that support wealth continuity—regardless of when or how they exit their business.

Roy also emphasizes the power of mentorship and community. Through Raymond James’ veteran networks, clients can connect with other veteran entrepreneurs and investors, trading insights and opportunities in a setting where shared values and life experience are a foundation—not a footnote.

This approach closely aligns with the mission of Owners in Honor, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping veterans for every phase of business ownership. While many veterans turn to Owners in Honor for help acquiring a business, the organization’s support doesn’t stop there. By building relationships with advisors like Roy Bechtold and institutions like Raymond James, they’re ensuring veterans are also prepared to build sustainable wealth and invest with confidence along the way.

Too often, financial strategy is only considered at the beginning or the end of the business journey—during acquisition or exit. But the real opportunity for growth lies in the middle, during those crucial years of scaling and reinvestment.

Veterans are natural leaders. They’ve mastered risk management, team building, and long-term planning—core skills that translate seamlessly to personal finance. What they need is a trusted guide, a clear plan, and access to resources that speak their language.

As Roy puts it, “Veterans are preparing for and embarking on a different kind of deployment.” With the right tools and strategies, their mission in business and investing can be just as successful—and just as impactful—as their service in uniform.

If you're a veteran business owner looking to strengthen your financial future, Owners in Honor is here to connect you with the right advisors, networks, and tools to succeed. Learn more at ownersinhonor.org or reach out to schedule a conversation.

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