Thad Pike is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in retirement strategies for high-net-worth individuals and businesses, focusing on areas such as risk management, tax minimization, and estate and wealth transfer strategies. As a qualified Portfolio Manager, Thad manages personalized or defined investment strategies on a discretionary basis, utilizing individual stocks and bonds, model portfolios, and third-party strategies. Thad holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Business Administration from North Dakota State University. He has earned several professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He has been with Merrill since 2007. Outside of his professional role, Thad is active in outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, hunting, and racquetball, often spending time outdoors with his family.

Kristi Simmons is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Before joining Merrill in 2022, she worked at The Salvation Army for three years and Dakota Micro, Inc. for nine years. 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 plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Michelle Hagen is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She focuses on helping clients navigate their financial lives with clarity, confidence, and purpose through personalized wealth management strategies. Her approach involves listening to clients' goals and concerns to build thoughtful strategies supporting their long-term success. Since entering the industry in 2012, Michelle has brought experience from her earlier career in finance and business ownership to her advisory role. She joined Merrill in 2019, providing clients access to a wide range of wealth management services including investment strategy, retirement income planning, cash flow and wealth planning, 401(k) guidance, trust and estate considerations, and philanthropic planning. Michelle specializes in areas such as college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth strategies, retirement income, tax minimization, socially responsible investing, and women and wealth. She holds professional designations including Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Michelle earned a High School Diploma from Roseau High School, an Associate's Degree from Bemidji State University, and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Dakota. She is an active member of the Fargo Rotary Club. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys golfing, playing pickleball, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family, including supporting her daughter pursuing a Master's degree as a Physician Assistant.

Thomas Heilman is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined Merrill in 2011 and brings a structured perspective to advising individuals and multigenerational families across a broad spectrum of wealth management strategies. His approach involves helping clients navigate current events with guidance that supports future goals. Heilman holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a wealth management emphasis from North Dakota State University. He has earned multiple professional designations, including Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He is affiliated with Bank of America Merrill. Prior to his financial services career, Heilman was a trauma consultant for Synthes (Johnson & Johnson Depuy). In his personal time, he enjoys adventure sports, biking, boating, traveling, and spending time with his family. He is also active in the community as a member of Fargo Moorhead Trailbuilders.

Karen Burke is a financial advisor at Merrill with 19 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill since 2018, following 12 years at UBS. 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.

Joseph Heilman is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings over 15 years of civic engagement and business leadership experience to his role, working closely with the Nomeland Heilman Group to provide clients with comprehensive wealth management services tailored to their individual goals and aspirations. Joe grew up on a fourth-generation family farm near Rugby, North Dakota. He earned degrees in Business Administration and Accounting from North Dakota State University, where he also served as Student Body President. Shortly after graduation, he was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives, serving one term on multiple committees and holding a leadership role as the Majority Caucus Chairman (Whip). Following his public service, Joe spent 15 years in various roles at startup technology companies, including sales, support, account management, product development, management, and leadership. He served as General Manager of Intelligent Ag, a Fargo-based agriculture technology company, and was involved in the Grand Farm project to promote the region's agriculture technology industry. Intelligent Ag was acquired by AGCO Corporation in 2022. Joe holds a Bachelor's Degree from North Dakota State University and an Accredited Certificate from the College for Financial Planning. He has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His community involvement includes serving on the North Dakota State University College of Business Advisory Board and Foundation Board of Trustees, and volunteering with organizations such as BIO Girls, Jeremiah Program, and Sts. Anne and Joachim Church. Joe enjoys traveling with his partner Molly, spending time with their two dogs, and engaging in hobbies including building and flying RC airplanes, music, lawn care, and woodworking.

Matthew Engen is the Senior Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill in Fargo. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCFP certification awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., as well as the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. Matthew has been recognized by Barron's as one of the Top 1,200 Financial Advisors in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and has been included on Forbes' Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list for 2021 through 2024. Matthew has been with Merrill since 1999 and provides a comprehensive approach to wealth management that starts with listening to clients' needs and developing customized financial strategies focused on their goals. His expertise includes wealth transfer solutions, estate planning, philanthropic solutions, and a variety of client focus areas such as college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, retirement income, and socially responsible and values-based investing. In addition to his advisory role, Matthew serves as the Senior Resident Director for the Merrill office in Fargo. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Concordia College in Moorhead. Matthew is involved in professional and community organizations including the FM Area Trailbuilders, Great Plains Food Bank, and Concordia College Mentor Program. He enjoys cycling, skiing, and outdoor adventure activities in his spare time, and resides in Fargo with his wife and two sons.

Mark Johnson is a financial advisor at Merrill with 41 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at Merrill since 1985, including 15 years concurrently with Bank of America. Outside of advisory work, he manages agricultural land leases and holds a fiduciary power of attorney role for a family member. 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 a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Penny Haugrud is a financial advisor at Merrill with 12 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Merrill since 2019, following three years at Wells Fargo Clearing. She is based in Fargo, ND. 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.

Derek Houska is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with clients to define their financial goals and develop portfolio strategies tailored to their needs. Derek provides ongoing advice and adapts portfolios as clients' situations change. His client focus areas include college education planning, corporate benefits, divorce transition planning, employee benefits planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, sports and entertainment, tax minimization, and retirement income. Derek holds the designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Derek earned a Bachelor's Degree from Concordia College. He has lived in the Fargo-Moorhead area his entire life. In his free time, Derek enjoys fishing, listening to podcasts, watching sports, baseball, basketball, boating, football, hiking, pickleball, running, spending time with his family, and watching movies.

Kristine Shea is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She focuses on delivering personalized financial strategies by first understanding her clients' unique situations, priorities, and goals. By connecting all aspects of her clients' financial lives, she helps them articulate, prioritize, and pursue the objectives that matter most to them. Kristine draws upon the wide-ranging capabilities of Merrill Lynch and the banking convenience of Bank of America to create customized wealth management solutions for individuals, families, and the businesses they own. With expertise in areas including college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management, socially responsible investing, and tax minimization, Kristine offers comprehensive guidance through lifelong, multigenerational relationships. She and her team utilize experience and resources to assist clients in navigating changing markets, investment opportunities, and regulatory environments, designing financial frameworks reflective of their unique complexities. Kristine holds a Bachelor's degree from the North Dakota University System and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designation. She is proficient in English and Spanish. In addition to her professional work, Kristine is involved in her community through church activities, supporting her daughter's swim team, and volunteering at a local food bank.

Kenneth Astrup is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Fargo, ND, where he has been serving clients since 2000. He specializes in personal and family wealth management, including college education planning, retirement income strategies, tax minimization, and small business retirement plan services such as 401(k), Simple Plan, and SEP implementations. Kenneth works closely with individuals, families, and businesses to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at helping clients achieve their long-term goals. Kenneth holds several professional designations, including the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the University of North Dakota in 1994. Prior to joining Merrill, Kenneth spent five years at Community First Bankshares in Fargo. Born and raised in Fargo, Kenneth remains actively involved in his community, volunteering with Fargo Youth Hockey. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife Pamela and their three children, engaging in activities such as fishing, golfing, hunting, ice hockey, skiing, and relaxing at the lake with family and friends.

Bethany Halvorson is a financial advisor with Merrill in Fargo, ND, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 17 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. since 2014 and Bank of America N.A. since 2020. Outside of her advising role, she is associated with a business named "AND BETHANY HALVORSON" based in West Fargo, ND. 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, and institutional accounts with model-based and discretionary investment strategies developed by internal and third-party managers.

Blair Kiland is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on helping clients achieve their financial goals across various life stages by developing personalized wealth management strategies. His approach involves understanding each client’s unique financial objectives and investment personality to tailor solutions that align with their comfort level and aspirations. Blair leverages Merrill’s investment insights and Bank of America’s financial services to provide flexible and comprehensive financial planning, including retirement planning, family wealth management, education planning, tax minimization, and portfolio management. Blair holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Minnesota State University Moorhead, a Master of Science degree in Polymers and Coatings Science, and a Master of Business Administration from North Dakota State University. He has earned professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). A native of Moorhead, Minnesota, Blair resides in Fargo, North Dakota with his three children and their dog. He participates in community volunteering and maintains personal interests such as biking, ice hockey, music, and reading.