Meet Dr. Jose G. Cardenas - Founder’s Message & Background

From Service to Strategy: Why I Built The C & R Group

My name is Dr. Jose Gustavo Cardenas, and I founded The C & R Group, LLC to do more than just offer financial services—I built this firm to give people real clarity, real tools, and real support to take control of their financial lives.

After serving for 24 years as a Finance Officer in the United States Army, I knew the value of structure, integrity, and leadership when managing money. I learned how to plan under pressure, how to protect what matters, and how to help people execute a mission with confidence.

When I retired at the rank of Major, I didn’t hang up my leadership values—I brought them with me into a new mission: helping everyday professionals, families, and business owners grow wealth, reduce taxes, and protect their legacy.

I started this firm because I’ve seen too many people fail—not because they were lazy or careless—but because they never had access to the kind of guidance and education that truly makes a difference. We’re changing that.

💡 What We Stand For

• Education First.
  We teach before we advise. When clients understand the “why,” they follow through on the “how.”
• No Lip Service.
  This isn’t a numbers game. We don’t chase commissions. We focus on helping you win—whatever your version of winning looks like.
• Military-Grade Accountability.
  We show up, we follow through, and we operate with purpose. Our systems aren’t guesswork—they’re precision-based strategies.
• You’re Not a Number.
  This firm was built to serve. Whether you earn $80K or $800K, your future matters. And we treat it like it does.

✍️ Who Is Dr. Jose G. Cardenas?

• Retired U.S. Army Finance Officer, Major
  24 years of honorable service, including managing multimillion-dollar military budgets and operations.
• Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)
  Expertise in executive-level financial strategy and systems thinking.
• Licensed Insurance Professional & Tax Advisor
  Focused on tax reduction, legacy building, and strategic risk management. (Note: Not a licensed financial planner.)
• Author of Multiple Financial Literacy Books, including:
  Investing Against the Devil: How to Build Wealth and Riches in the Military
  Retirement Planning: Secure Your Future with Confidence
  Tax Planning: Strategies for Minimizing Your Tax Liability
• Founder of The C & R Group, LLC
  A veteran-led tax advisory firm offering solutions in retirement income planning, estate protection, insurance strategies, bookkeeping, and business support services.

🧭 Mission-Driven. Tax-Focused. Results-Oriented.

You won’t find buzzwords, fine print, or pushy sales tactics here. You’ll find a disciplined team, clear answers, and a system that puts your goals front and center.

Whether you're trying to save taxes, build retirement income, exit your business, or protect your family—we’ll help you do it with confidence.

📜 “I served with purpose in uniform. Now I serve with purpose in finance.”

Respectfully,
Dr. Jose Gustavo Cardenas, DBA
Founder & Lead Strategist, The C & R Group, LLC

📞 Ready to experience what focused, mission-driven planning feels like?
👉 Schedule Your Strategy Call Today