Washington Wealth Group | Washington, DC
Meet William
William (Bill) R. Blake III, RICP®, AIF®
Partner, Managing Director, Wealth Manager
Bill's Role
Bill has dedicated over 35 years of his life to the financial services industry as a Financial Advisor and Wealth Manager. He acts as his client's CFO, overseeing the big picture of their financial worlds to ensure they are continually on track for their goals. He takes care of everything behind the scenes—their investments, trusts, insurance programs, and more—so they can spend more time on what they care about most. His mission is to alleviate stress for his clients, help them gain peace about their financial objectives, and give them confidence that they'll have the means to achieve a joyful, fulfilling life.
Advising Specialty
Bill and the WWG team are honored to serve several generations of hardworking, down-to-earth families. He especially enjoys mentoring the next generation of investors about saving, investing, and using credit wisely.
In addition to his work with multigenerational families, Bill specializes in helping nonprofit organizations and other institutional clients maximize their investment opportunities. He often introduces alternative investments to streamline clients' portfolios and generate more efficient income streams better suited to institutional investors. A voracious reader and student of the market, Bill is constantly exploring, learning, and looking for innovative ways to improve his clients' outcomes. He stays abreast of market news and laws related to trusts, IRAs, retirement strategies, and other areas that could impact his client's plans.
Industry Background & Education
Bill began his career at Merrill Lynch as a wire room operator. By the age of 24, he became the youngest wire room manager at the firm. Within two years, he was promoted to financial advisor, marking a pivotal moment in his career. Since then, Bill has consistently sought ways to expand his knowledge to serve his clients better. He is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and a Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®). In 2019, Bill attended the Wharton Business Executive Program for Financial Management, led by the esteemed Jeremy Siegel.
Philanthropy
Having lived in the DMV area for most of his life, Bill has a solid commitment to his community. He has served on the Galen Society Leadership Committee, a fundraising arm of VHC Health, and currently volunteers at the Lost Dog/Cat animal shelter, where he takes dogs for walks while they await their forever homes.
Personal Life
Bill, his wife, Allison, and their three children live in Arlington, Virginia. They love to travel and have been able to explore Central and South America, Africa, and numerous European countries, including Iceland. During his free time, Bill enjoys researching market events, reading, golfing, and delving into the rich history of golf. One of his favorite stories recounts the 1913 U.S. Open, where a 20-year-old American amateur named Francis Ouimet outperformed two English professionals and won the tournament, forever changing the game of golf in America.
Fun Facts
Q: If you could watch only one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Man on Fire with Denzel Washington
Q: What is one thing you can't live without?
A: Getting outside every day. And saltwater—the beach, the bay, wherever.
Q: Cats or dogs?
A: Dogs—our dog, Lucy Loo, is a rescue we've had for about seven years.
Q: If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what age would you choose, and what would you say?
A: I would visit myself in college and say to take your studies as seriously as possible, always continue your education, and if you want to advance, stay on the cutting edge of new ideas and developments.
Q: What's your favorite part of your day?
A: Waking up and getting the day started (usually around 5:30 or 6:30 AM)—feeding our dog, reading the news, going for a walk.