Scott Karlen serves as the Senior Resident Director at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management’s Plantation, Florida office. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 1992 and oversees a team of 16 financial advisors. In his role as a Wealth Management Advisor, Scott provides financial strategies, advice, and guidance to successful individuals and business owners. He applies a goals-based wealth management approach, taking into account clients’ current situations, future objectives, and concerns to create customized strategies aimed at achieving their personal and financial goals.
Scott’s expertise includes college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, LGBT wealth planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, retirement income, and women and wealth. He follows a disciplined wealth management process grounded in time-tested investment principles while adapting to changing economic conditions. Additionally, he manages wealth strategies such as asset allocation, risk and performance measurement, investment objectives, and due diligence.
Scott holds a Bachelor's Degree from Nova Southeastern University and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designations. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Scott is engaged in his community and has previously served as president of Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland, Florida, as well as a board member for Hispanic Unity of Florida. He resides in East Fort Lauderdale with his family and enjoys golfing, basketball, football, music, reading, soccer, traveling, and watching movies.