Kent Pearce is a Managing Director and Private Wealth Manager with The Pearce Group at Merrill Private Wealth Management. He leads a team serving a national clientele through office locations in Towson, Maryland, and West Palm Beach, Florida. The Pearce Group provides comprehensive wealth management services to affluent individuals, families, corporate executives, business owners, foundations, endowments, private and public companies, and professional athletes and entertainers.
With over 30 years of experience at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Kent has been recognized on multiple occasions by Forbes and Barron's for his financial advisory expertise. In 2026, he was ranked #29 on Forbes' "America's Top Wealth Advisors" list and #1 in Maryland - Baltimore on Forbes' "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" list. He was also named among the Top 50 in America on Barron's "Top 100 Financial Advisors" list in 2025 and holds the #1 ranking in Maryland on Barron's "Top 1500 Financial Advisors" list for 2026. Kent's team comprises 20 members with over 250 years of combined experience.
Kent holds a Master of Business Administration in Financial Management from Mount Saint Mary's University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from McDaniel College with a dual concentration in Economics and Finance. He has served on various boards including the Living Classrooms Foundation Board of Directors and the CEO Club of Baltimore. He is a founding member of Merrill's National Advisor Growth Network Board. Kent received Merrill's David Brady Award in 2018, honoring his commitment to clients, colleagues, and community through character and integrity.