Joseph Hargrove is a Wealth Management Advisor currently serving as a Merrill Resident Director. He specializes in working with business owners who are preparing to sell their companies within the next one to three years. His approach focuses on helping clients understand the value of their businesses in relation to their personal financial goals and managing the transition with careful planning and coordination with relevant professionals. Joseph has over two decades of experience in the financial services industry. His expertise includes translating business value into personal financial clarity, stress-testing post-sale scenarios, and guiding clients from an operator mindset to an investor mindset. He also works on areas such as college education planning, legacy planning, retirement income, and tax minimization. He holds a Bachelor's degree from DePaul University and maintains professional designations including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Joseph is a member of the Chicago Estate Planning Council and involved with the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys cooking, golfing, and spending time with his family.

Anthony Tischer is a financial advisor with Merrill in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 2016 and previously spent three years at Burberry. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved as a partner in Bittersweet Social, LLC, a freelance social media and marketing business focused on the hospitality industry. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Christopher Baldwin is a Private Wealth Advisor and Managing Director with Merrill Private Wealth Management in Chicago. He leads his team's efforts in delivering integrated, goals-based wealth management services to high-net-worth individuals and families. These services encompass asset allocation, trust and estate reviews, insurance, lending, family office governance and structure, and philanthropy. Mr. Baldwin has over 30 years of experience in managing the complex financial needs of affluent clientele. His career began in 1984 at Thompson McKinnon and has included roles at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Paine Webber, Donaldson Lufkin and Jenrette, and Credit Suisse. After spending twenty years at Credit Suisse, he and his team transitioned to Merrill following Credit Suisse's exit from the North American Private Banking Business. His expertise includes family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, portfolio management services, and tax minimization. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Marquette University and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Christopher resides in Lake Bluff, Illinois with his wife Renee and their two sons, Brendan and Brede. Outside of his professional activities, he enjoys music, sports, and outdoor pursuits.

Charles Wurster is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, with a career in the financial industry beginning in 1996 and joining Merrill Lynch in 2011. He works closely with clients to analyze significant wealth and tailors financial strategies to reflect changing economic conditions and client objectives. Charles coordinates efforts with clients' external tax and legal professionals to implement a comprehensive financial approach. Charles specializes in family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and portfolio management services. His approach is consultative, responsive, and customized, focusing on understanding clients' personal values and family goals to build detailed financial plans that adapt over time. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance from Northern Illinois University and has earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification, the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation, and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. Charles lives in Tinley Park, Illinois, with his wife Julie and three children. Outside of work, he enjoys camping, hiking, golfing, and spending time with his family. He is also active in his community through involvement with the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other activities.

Joanne Kinniard is a financial advisor at Merrill with 15 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has worked with both Merrill and Bank of America, N.A. since 2013 and 2015, respectively. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies developed by internal and third-party teams.

David Moore is a financial advisor with Merrill in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having 17 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Citigroup for 16 years before joining Merrill and Bank of America in 2026. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Jason Beckwith is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career with Merrill in 1994 after earning his undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Notre Dame. Jason has completed an executive education program at Yale University within the Department of Economics. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation and additional credentials as a Personal Investment Advisor and in Sports & Entertainment. Throughout his career, Jason has been recognized multiple times for his expertise, including listings on Forbes' Best-in-State Wealth Advisors from 2019 through 2026 and Barron's Top 1,500 Financial Advisors from 2021 through 2026. His experience spans a variety of client focus areas such as college education planning, family wealth management strategies, retirement planning, and tax minimization. Jason has also served as a member of the Merrill Financial Advisory Council to Management, representing advisors nationwide and engaging frequently as a speaker within the firm. Residing between Chesterton, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois, Jason and his wife, Alexis, have two sons. He has contributed to youth sports coaching and various fundraising efforts in his children's schools and community. Currently, he serves on the board of Humble Design Chicago, an organization dedicated to assisting individuals and veterans emerging from homelessness by furnishing homes with donated goods.

Amer Ahmed is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with clients to help protect and grow their wealth through custom strategies and tax planning. His areas of focus include family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and individual and corporate investment strategy. Ahmed holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master's of Finance from Pepperdine University. He is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and is fluent in Bengali and English. Outside of his professional work, Ahmed is involved with the Chicago Food Depository and has personal interests in cooking, reading, soccer, and traveling.

Vicki Rios is a financial advisor at Merrill with 24 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Merrill since 2015 and Bank of America, N.A. since 2016. She is based in Chicago, IL. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary strategies managed by internal Chief Investment Office teams and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Kevin King is a financial advisor at Merrill with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Bank of America and Merrill since 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an advisory board member for the American Cancer Society’s Young Professionals Board, participating in fundraising and charity events. Merrill, in conjunction with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Dawn Van Ryn is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Merrill in Chicago, IL, and has 25 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill for over 26 years. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.

Peter Smith is a financial advisor with Merrill in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 14 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Bank of America, Wells Fargo Clearing, Wells Fargo Advisors, and Credit Suisse Securities. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a board member for CPS Lives NFP, a nonprofit that pairs Chicago artists and designers with public schools to tell their stories. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Dhaval Patel is a financial advisor at Merrill with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Fidelity Investments and Bank of America, N.A. He also has experience with nOCD LLC and spent time at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Justin Fowler is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He oversees the financial affairs of select families, corporate executives, and small business owners across the country, providing comprehensive guidance in retirement planning, investment management, estate and succession strategies, banking and securities-based lending solutions through Bank of America, life insurance, and small business retirement benefits. His approach emphasizes building long-term relationships and delivering thoughtful, goals-based financial planning. Justin has developed expertise in assisting businesses with their corporate retirement plans, focusing on designing and optimizing defined contribution and defined benefit plans. He holds the Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC) designation and provides organizations with access to ERISA 3(21)(A)(ii) Fiduciary Advisory Services. Growing up in a family that owned a small business, he gained an early understanding of the financial needs and challenges entrepreneurs face, which continues to influence his work. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Lake Forest College. Justin enjoys playing and coaching basketball and is a car enthusiast. He resides in Royal Oak, MI, with his wife.

Jennifer Balestrery is a financial advisor at Merrill with 27 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked for JPMorgan Chase Bank NA and JPMorgan Securities LLC for 15 years. She is based in Chicago, IL. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Peter Kramer is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management who specializes in assisting individuals, families, and business owners through significant financial milestones. He focuses on helping business owners prepare for and navigate liquidity events, ensuring that transitions are aligned with their broader financial and life goals. His approach emphasizes clarity, confidence, and comprehensive planning rather than rushing transactions. Peter holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Insurance and Risk Management from Michigan State University's Eli Broad College of Business. He possesses the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation along with Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credentials, as well as SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 licenses. His experience includes early roles at Jackson National Life Insurance and an internship at Merrill, leading to his current full-time position since October 2021. Based in Chicago, Peter is actively involved in the local community, serving on the Chicago Spartans Michigan State Alumni Board. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys a variety of sports and recreational activities including baseball, basketball, boating, cooking, fishing, football, golfing, pickleball, surfing, and watching movies.

Janet Pittman is a financial advisor at Merrill with 10 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has been with Merrill since 2015. Prior to this, she worked at Bank of America, N.A. since 2018. Outside of her advisory role, she is a manager and co-owner of a personal holding company, Project Sparrow LLC, which manages assets related to her husband's medical practice. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, serving a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations with model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Zanielle Grinnell is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She works with individuals, families, and business owners to grow, preserve, and transition wealth with intention. Zanielle partners with successful professionals seeking greater clarity and confidence in their financial lives, assisting with retirement preparation, managing concentrated wealth, navigating business transitions, and planning for future generations. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Florida and has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. Zanielle approaches client relationships with intention and intellectual curiosity, emphasizing ongoing learning to ensure her guidance remains informed and personalized. Beyond her practice, Zanielle is actively involved in the Chicagoland community, supporting youth development through sports. She volunteers with organizations such as Chi Gives Back, Girls on the Run Chicago, and Project Love, reflecting her belief in the leadership and resilience lessons sports provide. Her personal interests include adventure sports, basketball, music, running, spending time with family, and watching movies.

Alexandra Didac is a financial advisor at Merrill with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Merrill since 2009, including time at Bank of America, N.A. since 2021. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Daniel Kaman is a Private Wealth Advisor and a partner in the Strikas-Kaman Group within Merrill Private Wealth Management. He and his team provide customized investment advice and guidance to a select group of ultra-affluent clients, focusing on sustaining wealth and family values across multiple generations. Daniel has experience in family wealth management strategies, international wealth management, managing new wealth, portfolio management services, individual and corporate investment strategy, and tax minimization. His work includes addressing issues such as wealth transfer planning, philanthropic guidance, financial education for the next generation, and family governance. He holds the Series 7 and 66 FINRA Registrations and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designations. He graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Daniel is involved with the Park District of Highland Park. His personal interests include basketball, football, spending time with his family, and traveling.