Chad Kazos is a Wealth Management Advisor with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. He holds the designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Chad serves clients primarily through Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked for most of his career. In his role as a Senior Portfolio Advisor, he manages custom investment strategies on a discretionary basis, drawing from a range of Merrill model portfolios and third-party investment options. He also guides clients in areas such as college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, retirement income, socially responsible investing, and tax minimization. Chad graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor's Degree. He grew up in Iowa and has resided in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago for over 25 years. He works closely with clients undergoing divorce, helping them plan for the next phase of their lives. Chad emphasizes ensuring that clients understand and are comfortable with their investments and long-term financial plans. Outside of his professional work, Chad is an animal lover who has volunteered with and supported various animal organizations including PAWS, the Anti Cruelty Society, and Lu Lu's Rescue. His community involvement reflects his personal commitment to animal welfare.

William Evans is a financial advisor with Merrill in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and over 30 years of industry experience. His career includes positions at Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, AllianceBernstein, and Morgan Stanley. Outside of his advisory work, he volunteers to assist with a golf fundraising event. 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 investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and various institutional investors.

Margaret Palace is a financial advisor with Merrill in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2006 and has worked at Bank of America, N.A. since 2018. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a trustee and co-trustee of the Palace Family Trust. 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 investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Richard Groendyke is a financial advisor at Merrill with 36 years of industry experience and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has been with Merrill since 1995. He serves as a member of the NYSE Hearing Board and the NYSE Acceptability Board. 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 investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Mabel Ramirez is a financial advisor at Merrill with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining Merrill in 2025, she worked at JPMorgan Securities LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank for nine 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by its Chief Investment Office and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Blakely Tanner is a financial advisor at Merrill with one year of industry experience and holds the Series 66 designation. Prior to joining Merrill, Blakely worked at Fridge & Pantry and Frank Otte Nursery and Garden Center. 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.

Benjamin Fleischmann is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and less than one year of industry experience. His background includes roles at Charles Schwab and various full-time educational positions. He has also worked with organizations such as Anshe Emet Synagogue and Fred Greenburgs Camp Inc. 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 serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies developed by internal and third-party managers.

James Beickert is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 2009 and at Bank of America, N.A. since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he operates a part-time family portrait photography business. 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, and institutional accounts.

Lori Bourdon is a financial advisor at Merrill with 40 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since 2007. Prior to that, she was with Morgan Stanley for one year. 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 and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Jake Gustafson is a financial advisor at Merrill with 17 years of industry experience. He has held positions at Bank of America and Merrill since 2017 and previously worked at Robert W. Baird & Co. from 2009 to 2017. He holds a Series 66 designation and 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 individual, high-net-worth, corporate, pension, and charitable clients.

Fransisco Aguilera is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill and Bank of America since 2022, with prior experience in the automotive industry at Howard Orloff Jaguar Land Rover and Mercedes Benz of Chicago. 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 and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies constructed by internal and third-party managers.

Monica Zavala Alvarez is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2024 and previously held positions at Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, and other firms. 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, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

William A'hearn is a financial advisor at Merrill in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 66 designation. He has been with Merrill and Bank of America since 2026. Prior to his current role, he worked at Crowe LLP and spent several years in full-time education. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Edward Shine is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of Hickey Butler Shine & Associates. He advises clients across 37 states, including executives, business owners, physicians, and high-net-worth families. Edward has over 20 years of experience in capital markets, having joined Merrill in 2012 after more than a decade as a Senior Market Strategist at the Chicago Board of Trade, where he managed a retail commodity trading desk through multiple market cycles. Edward's expertise includes managing complex financial situations to allow clients to focus on other important aspects of their lives. His client focus areas encompass college education planning, executive compensation, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, LGBT wealth planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds professional designations including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Sports & Entertainment (SE). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Iowa and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Quinlan School of Business at Loyola Chicago. Edward lives in Chicago with his wife Meg and their two boys. They spend their free time traveling, attending their children's sporting events, and engaging in home projects. Edward also volunteers with organizations in his community.

Kimberly Gill is a financial advisor at Merrill with 26 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Merrill since 1994. 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 supported by internal and third-party managers for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Steven Lopez is a Private Wealth Advisor and Managing Director at Merrill Private Wealth Management. He is a Co-Founder of The HLA Group, which has worked for over 20 years with business owners, entrepreneurs, and senior corporate executives managing significant wealth. The group specializes in handling liquidity events, succession planning, and long-term wealth accumulation. With more than 25 years of experience, Steven develops customized investment strategies tailored to each client’s financial goals and liquidity needs, emphasizing tax minimization and legacy planning. He works with a limited number of clients to build deep relationships with all family members they serve, ensuring focused and comprehensive support. Steven holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Illinois and the CERTIFIED PRIVATE WEALTH ADVISOR® designation awarded by the Investments & Wealth Institute. He lives in Western Springs, IL, with his wife Julie and their three children. He is also involved in the community as a youth coach for baseball, basketball, and football.

James Holmes is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works closely with clients to develop strategies that align with their financial goals, focusing on understanding what matters most to them and their families. He holds several professional designations, including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), which reflect his expertise in wealth and retirement planning. James earned his bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University.

Annette Hill is a financial advisor at Merrill with 20 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill Lynch since 2007. 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 and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Patricia Besser is a financial advisor at Merrill with 28 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked with Merrill since 2009. Besser is also a board member and investment committee member of the charitable organization Big Shoulders in Chicago. 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 and serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Annie Chen is a financial advisor at Merrill with eight years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill and Bank of America since 2018. Prior to that, she was employed at IASG and IASG Alternatives. 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 a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.