🌟 The SFA Spotlight: Meet the people who help you Dream. Plan. Enjoy 🌟

Meet Larry, Financial Advisor

Every month, we shine a light on one of the incredible team members who make our office a place where clients feel welcomed, supported, and truly cared for. The SFA Spotlight series is all about introducing you to the people behind the scenes — the friendly faces and helping hands that make your experience with us exceptional.

This month, we’re excited to feature Larry Dreher, one of our experienced Financial Advisors who brings wisdom, warmth, and decades of perspective to our team.

💼 Guiding Clients Toward Confidence

No two days are alike for Larry, and that’s exactly how he likes it.

“Every day is different because all of our clients are different, and their situations are unique,” he shares.

For Larry, the most important parts of his day are meeting with clients and preparing for those meetings. That preparation, combined with his years of experience,  allows him to create clarity for people who often arrive with uncertainty about their future.

And of course, he admits, the fun parts of the day often include listening to one of Karl’s endless funny stories.

📈 Helping Clients Define Their Goals

When it comes to helping clients achieve their financial dreams, Larry believes the first step is understanding what those dreams truly look like.

“It’s common that clients approach retirement with a date and a ‘magic number’ in mind,” he explains. “I try to discover what they want to do in retirement, what their dreams are, and at what stages of retirement they want to pursue them.”

Larry helps clients look beyond the numbers and imagine the life they want to live in retirement. He’s passionate about turning the fear of the unknown into confidence for the future.

💬 Words of Wisdom

Larry often reminds clients of a favorite Warren Buffett quote:

“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

He pairs it with another favorite proverb:

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

To Larry, these sayings are more than clever metaphors — they’re the essence of smart, proactive financial planning.

🎯 A Career Built on Purpose

Larry joined Savaglia Financial Advisors because he admired Don Savaglia’s commitment to treating clients like family. Watching that tradition continue has been one of his proudest professional experiences.

“When I started, Crystal was learning from Don,” Larry recalls. “Watching her grow into the person who could take that handoff from Don has made me very proud.”

At SFA, Larry thrives in a collaborative environment where advisors learn from one another, regularly discuss client cases, and stay connected to top investment partners like Clark Capital and J.P. Morgan for market insights.

🏡 Family, Fireworks, and a Life Full of Adventure

Larry grew up in South Milwaukee, in what he calls a “Leave It to Beaver” upbringing with his parents and three siblings. After attending college and raising his family in Oak Creek, he now lives in New Berlin with his wife, Sally.

When he’s not in the office, Larry and Sally are in what he lovingly calls their “travel era.” In just a few years, they’ve explored Alaska, the Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, Iceland, Norway, Japan, and South America en route to Antarctica.

He’s also proud of his two grown children, one in Phoenix and one in Minneapolis, and their loyal dog Lucy, who’s always thrilled to see him (even if he’s only been outside taking out the garbage).

🎆 A Passion That Sparked Early

Larry’s lifelong fascination with fireworks has been both mischievous and meaningful.
As a kid, he once got caught lighting a homemade smoke bomb on the roof of his grade school — and as an adult, that same love turned into a side career as part of a professional fireworks crew, a role he still enjoys today.

There’s even a saying in the pyrotechnics community that resonates deeply with him:

“He who hath smelt the smoke shall ne’er be free again.”

For Larry, that quote extends beyond fireworks, it’s a metaphor for how every experience shapes who we become.

“Go through life collecting experiences, not things,” he says. “Your life will be all the richer.”

🎶 A Theme Song for Life

If Larry had a walk-up song, it would be “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC - fitting for someone whose energy and enthusiasm light up every room (and occasionally the sky).

He even saw AC/DC live in the spring of 2025 for the opening concert of their U.S. tour, proof that he still knows how to rock.

❤️ Why He Loves Being Part of SFA

Larry finds deep fulfillment in helping clients move from uncertainty to peace of mind.

“Most people only retire once, but I get to share in the joy and excitement of dozens of clients as they move into that next stage of life.”

His steady guidance, good humor, and genuine care make him a trusted advisor, and a valued part of the Savaglia Financial family.

✨✨✨

At Savaglia Financial Advisors, we believe that great financial planning starts with great people. Every member of our team brings their own story, experience, and passion to helping clients build confident futures.

We hope you enjoyed getting to know Larry a little better today! Stay tuned each month as we continue to highlight the incredible individuals who make Savaglia Financial Advisors a place where clients truly feel at home.

Dream. Plan. Enjoy.
That’s not just our motto — it’s how we serve, every day.