Eugene Cunningham is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in the Del Mar, California office. He develops investment portfolios for individuals, businesses, and tax-exempt organizations that prefer professional management of their assets. Gene serves a select group of clients, including individuals, families, and organizations with substantial wealth, providing confidential wealth management services that address both short-term and long-term needs. His approach emphasizes a disciplined, coordinated process designed to support informed decision-making while minimizing the influence of emotional factors on investment choices.
Gene began his career with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in April 1988. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Villanova University and has completed coursework at the Donald T. Regan School of Advanced Financial Management. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and holds additional designations including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Gene has also served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a frequent lecturer to fellow Merrill Financial Advisors in southern California. He previously held a board member position with Physician Advocates for Veterans.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Gene’s professional focus areas include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, tax minimization, retirement income planning, and socially responsible investing, among others. He resides in San Diego with his wife Mary and their children, Patrick and Claire. Outside of work, Gene enjoys baseball, basketball, biking, chess, football, golfing, reading, skiing, traveling, and spending time with his family.