Stephen Mckinley

Advisor at Merrill — Alpharetta, GA Avalon Blvd

Updated today

Credentials

Series 66

Experience

12 years

Location

Alpharetta, GA 30009

Merrill logo

Merrill

Institution

Total advisors

25,448

Across 3,099 offices

Clients per advisor

70 Very Low

Avg AUM per client

$860,085 Very High

HNW client ratio

29% High

About

Stephen Mckinley is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with the firm since August 19, 2013. Stephen holds several professional designations, including Certified Portfolio Manager (CPM), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He is registered with FINRA-Series 7 and 66.

Stephen earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from The University of Alabama, obtaining a Master's degree in Applied Economics from its Manderson Graduate School of Business with honors. His expertise focuses on delivering wealth management services that address complex financial decisions and simplify clients' lives to help them achieve their financial goals and desired lifestyles before and during retirement. His client focus areas include College Education Planning, Corporate Executive Services, Executive Compensation, Equity Compensation Services, Family Wealth Management Strategies, Legacy Planning, LGBT Wealth Planning, Managing New Wealth, Personal Retirement Planning, and Women and Wealth.

Stephen lives in Brookhaven with his wife Katie and their family. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys adventure sports, boating, football, golfing, music, skiing, and spending time with his family. In 2023, he was named to the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list as a member of The Snider Team.

Client services

Based on Merrill

Portfolio management Pension consulting Selection of other advisers Educational seminars or workshops
Performance measurement reports, allocation modeling, ips, research reports and services, see schedule d

Expertise

General retirement planning Wealth management Startup equity planning General estate planning guidance

Occupation focus

Executive

Demographic focus

Young Families Women Professionals LGBTQIA

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Fee options

Commissions

SEC-reported: Commissions on certain transactions, including foreign securities and fixed income; mark-ups, markdowns and dealer spreads may apply to some trades.

Location

See office

Alpharetta, GA Avalon Blvd

10000 Avalon Blvd

Alpharetta GA 30009

Advisors at this office

95

Most active in

Georgia · Texas

Work history

12 years of industry experience

Bank Of America, N.a.

2014 - Present • 12 years

Duluth, GA

Merrill

2013 - Present • 13 years

Duluth, GA

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

Jonathan B

Series 63, Series 66

Marietta, GA

Sentara Capital

My why in life...I exist to encourage and inspire the lives of others through the Art of Generosity. As a Financial Advisor at Sentara Capital, I partner with affluent families, business owners, professionals, and retirees to navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. My focus is helping clients make the transition from accumulation to distribution — and then moving intentionally toward maximizing their legacy and generosity. What sets our approach apart is the combination of active portfolio management using individual stocks and ETFs, paired with proactive tax planning strategies that keep more of what you've built working for you. After 17+ years in financial services — including roles at Wells Fargo, Truist, and Regions Bank — I made the move to the independent RIA space to operate as a true fiduciary. No quotas. No activity metrics. Just quality relationships and creative solutions built around what matters most to you. I graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Business Finance. Beyond client work, I'm passionate about the adoption community. My wife Christina and I live in Woodstock, Georgia with our 11 children. When I'm not in the office, you'll find me running, watching football, or trying not to pull a hammy playing Ultimate Frisbee with F3. (Any guesses why my F3 nickname is Myrtle? 🐢) Sentara Capital serves individual clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and other business clients by providing comprehensive financial planning, investment consultation, and portfolio management. The firm utilizes six primary investment models combining core allocations with tactical and quantitative strategies, and it regularly offers educational workshops on financial topics.

Active portfolio management General tax planning Retirement income strategy Roth conversion strategy Long-term care insurance Approaching retirement Retired
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Matthew G

Series 63, Series 65

Buford, GA

Stirlingshire Investments

Matthew Greene is a financial advisor at Stirlingshire Investments with 26 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Stirlingshire since 2023. Greene also owns Greene Financial Services LLC, where he is involved in the sales of life insurance and fixed annuities. Stirlingshire RIA LLC provides discretionary portfolio management to individuals, trusts, and other entities, serving both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a combination of quantitative, fundamental, technical, and modern portfolio theory analyses, offering access to a diverse range of investment types and model strategies through the Advyzon marketplace.

Options & derivatives strategies Active portfolio management Private / alternative investments Annuities
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James S

Series 65

Duluth, GA

Stanhouse Financial Planning and Management, LLC

James Stanhouse is the sole advisor at Stanhouse Financial Planning and Management, LLC in Duluth, GA. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 16 years of industry experience. Since 2009, he has been preparing to start Oakworth, a separate business activity. Stanhouse Financial Planning and Management, LLC provides fee-only financial planning, investment advisory, and asset management services to individuals, families, small businesses, and trusts. The firm follows a long-term, buy-and-hold investment philosophy based on Modern Portfolio Theory and emphasizes low-cost, tax-efficient investment options.

General retirement planning Income planning General tax planning Cash flow / budgeting College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)
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William P

Series 63, Series 65

Roswell, GA

Vickery Creek Capital Management

William Parsons III is a financial advisor with Vickery Creek Capital Management in Roswell, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and possessing 21 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill Lynch since 2000. Parsons is also active as an independent insurance agent, collaborating with an outside consultant to offer nonproprietary insurance products. Vickery Creek Capital Management serves individual and family clients with significant investable assets, providing investment management and comprehensive financial planning services. The firm employs a top-down, macroeconomic investment approach focused on retirement income objectives, using diversified portfolios with bonds, equities, mutual funds, and ETFs, while emphasizing client education and regular portfolio reviews.

Retirement income strategy Income planning General estate planning guidance Life insurance needs analysis Annuities Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive Approaching retirement Established Professionals

Fredrick S

CFP®, CPA

Duluth, GA

LifeWater Wealth Management

Research indicates money is one of the top issues that couples argue about and over 60% of adults identify as a significant source of stress. At Lifewater, I share financial know-how and create personalized plans to help people avoid financial mistakes and stress so they can achieve financial freedom and live with security and peace of mind. Since 2000, I have worked with families and individuals regarding personal finances and investment matters. I am a licensed CPA in the states of Georgia and Alabama and FINRA Series 65 licensed. My experience includes over 15 years in corporate financial planning, budgeting, analysis and management, and 3 years with the public accounting firm Deloitte. Proudest Accomplishments: - Marrying my lovely wife, Laurie, 23 years ago - Being a fun and loving father to my sons - Giving to global missions and ministries that are impacting the world with love and resources for people who need them most - Launching my second financial planning firm, LIFEWATER Wealth Management Interests: - All things Family - College Football – Superfan - All things Personal Finance - Movies & Local Foodie - Travel - Jazz Music Skills: - Listening - Creating Simplicity & Clarity - Finance & Analysis - Strategy & Planning - Producing Results - Problem Solving Read Fredrick's blog here: https://getlifewater.com/blog

Business ownership considerations Business succession planning Executive Founder/Business Owner Women Professionals Female Executives Gen X (Born 1965-1980)
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Srinivasa Rao K

Series 65

Cumming, GA

VIVCAP LLC

Srinivasa Rao Katragadda is a financial advisor at VIVCAP LLC with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) for three years. Outside of financial advising, he is president of Softoholic Systems, LLC, a software design and development firm he has led since 2003. VIVCAP LLC provides discretionary and non-discretionary asset management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and small businesses, managing approximately $24.8 million across about 50 accounts. The firm combines fundamental and technical analysis to focus on long-term growth opportunities and offers educational seminars to the public at no charge.

Active portfolio management Tax-loss harvesting
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