Our People

Ron DeBlanc is the Chief Financial Officer for Capital Investment Management, Inc. and he is a Managing Director of the firm. Ron is a Louisiana native and has a B.S. degree in Finance from Louisiana State University (LSU).  Ron has been in the financial services industry for more than 33 years, where he previously served as the Finance Director/CFO of Capital One Financial Advisors and as the CFO Hibernia Investment Securities, LLC in New Orleans. Ron is a big fan of the LSU Tigers and an avid golfer, where you will find him on the course asking, “What’s in your wallet?” 

Claiborne Baird has worked for Capital Investment Management, Inc. for over 17 years in the insurance wholesaling business and has worked in the insurance industry for over 20 years. He is a managing director of operations and is in the New Orleans office. Claiborne is a graduate of Tulane University.

Mike Wayda has more than 27 years of industry experience as a wholesaler, financial advisor and bank investment sales manager. Mike lives in Shreveport, Louisiana and covers several states in the Southeast region including Tennessee, where he is a graduate and huge fan of the University of Tennessee. Go Vols!  When Mike is not traveling or busy in his Managing Director role with CIMI, he is on the golf course or tennis court.  Mike has two sons at the University of Arkansas and his wife is a school teacher. 

Chad Blankenhorn has more than 26 years of industry experience as both a financial advisor and wholesaler.  Chad’s career as a wholesaler began with Planco/The Hartford where he worked as an external wholesaler. Chad’s knowledge and experience with annuities, mutual funds and managed money products serve as a great resource for the financial consultants he covers in the Midwest region from his home in Ohio where he and his wife raise their five children. 

Sara Hudgens has more than 20 years of industry experience as a wholesaler.  Sara began with Planco/ The Hartford and has been a familiar sight for advisors and consultants in the Carolinas.  Sara is a graduate of Syracuse University where she played on their tennis team.  Sara still plays tennis competitively but you will more likely find her cheering on her son during a variety of sporting events. 

Nicole Gaillard-Larson has more than 20 years of industry experience where she has worked in several roles for Planco/The Hartford, as a Retirement Consultant with Wells Fargo, and as a Wealth Management Consultant with Mass Mutual. Nicole grew up in Pennsylvania and is huge Penn State fan!  Nicole attended Roanoke College in Virginia and she has a B.A. from Regents College. Today, she lives in the Low Country near Hilton Head, South Carolina with her husband and two dogs she calls her “fur babies!”