Aurelia Detwiler is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over 24 years of experience in the financial services industry. She joined Merrill in 2022 and specializes in helping clients with areas such as divorce transition planning, employee financial health, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. Aurelia’s expertise includes corporate benefit programs, including equity compensation, defined benefit, defined contribution, and nonqualified deferred compensation plans, with a focus on integrating corporate benefits into long-term financial strategies for corporate executives. Aurelia holds a Bachelor's Degree from the California State University System and several professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). She is bilingual in Spanish and English and a member of the Hispanic-Latino Organization for Leadership & Advancement (HOLA). Her professional approach centers on understanding client priorities to develop personalized wealth plans aligned with their goals and aspirations. Outside of her professional role, Aurelia is involved in her community through her work with Pup Squad Animal Rescue. She resides in the city with her husband and two dogs, and enjoys cooking, gardening, music, traveling, yoga, wine tastings, and attending theatre events in her free time.

Douglas Fuqua is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has over two decades of experience in the financial advisory field, including founding Fuqua Financial, LLC, where he worked as an independent financial advisor for 21 years. Prior to that, he began his career in 2002 with UBS Financial Services Inc. Doug holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas State University. He has earned several professional designations, including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Doug is based in Texas and has a long-standing connection to the area.

Taylor Baches is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill and Bank of America, he worked in education for nine years, including roles at Texas Christian University and middle/high schools. 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 plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Allison Tolbert is a financial advisor based in Houston, TX, with Merrill. She holds a Series 66 designation and has 26 years of industry experience. Allison has worked at Merrill since 1996 and has been affiliated with Bank of America, N.A. since 2017. She is involved with The Fox Group, a for-profit business, where she contributes a small amount of time handling administrative tasks. 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 a range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Antonio Nunez is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in assisting federal employees, military personnel, and government retirees with maximizing their financial futures. Antonio provides expertise in managing benefits, investments, and retirement planning specific to this group. With 9 years of experience in the finance industry, he helps clients navigate their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) rollovers and investment strategies, Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) planning, federal employee benefits such as FEGLI and survivor benefits, and tax-efficient retirement income planning. Antonio employs a fiduciary, education-first approach to help clients make informed financial decisions. He holds professional designations including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Antonio earned a High School Diploma from Iraan High School. He communicates with clients in both English and Spanish.

Valerie Bethel is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Merrill in Houston, TX, with 20 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill and its affiliate Bank of America since 2009. 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.

Grant Hipple is a Series 66 credentialed financial advisor at Merrill with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill in 2025, he held positions at Seamless.AI, Northstar Anesthesia, K Rise Systems, and spent six years at the University of Texas at Austin. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Jeffrey Mccurry is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in providing personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients’ unique financial goals. With 23 years of experience as an advisor, following a 10-year career as a professional baseball player, Jeffrey focuses on helping individuals and families navigate areas such as divorce transition planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, retirement income, portfolio management, tax minimization, and small business strategies. He emphasizes the importance of diversification and portfolio rebalancing to optimize risk-reward outcomes. Jeffrey holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned an Associate's Degree from San Jacinto Junior College. He applies a client-first approach, listening carefully to understand their needs before finding suitable financial solutions. Committed to community involvement, Jeffrey volunteers locally and dedicates time to his personal interests, which include baseball, basketball, fishing, golfing, softball, and spending time with his family.

James Coffee Jr. is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and possessing 43 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 1983 and concurrently at Bank of America since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he has passive ownership interests in mineral rights through several energy corporations. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients using model-based and discretionary strategies developed by internal investment teams and third-party managers. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Patricia Wenzel is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with a financial services career that began in 1991. She has held roles including regional vice president of retirement plans and annuities for Lincoln, Nationwide, and MetLife. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2007, she has supported clients with 401(k), defined benefit, and nonqualified deferred compensation plans, serving privately held middle-market businesses as well as individual private wealth management clients across various age groups. She holds a bachelor's degree from Tulane University with a double major in finance and international business. Patricia is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and holds the Certified 401(k) Professional (C(k)P®), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC™), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® (CPFA) designations. She has been recognized on multiple occasions by Forbes and Financial Times for her work in wealth management and retirement planning. Patricia has served on the board of the American Retirement Association and was president of the National Association of Plan Advisors from 2020 to 2021. She previously served on the board of the Prelude Music Foundation and volunteers with the San Jacinto Council of the Girls Scouts of America to teach financial literacy classes. Her personal interests include dancing, horseback riding, music, and singing.

Nida Bahalim is a financial advisor at Merrill with six years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill since 2019 and Bank of America, N.A. since 2022. Prior to her career in finance, she spent ten years at Marriott International. 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 Albaitis is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides customized financial strategies tailored to his clients' unique ambitions, aiming to bring optimal value to each professional relationship. Benjamin leverages the relationship between Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Bank of America to offer a wide range of services, including traditional banking, advanced investment products, and custom lending solutions. Benjamin began his career in financial services after graduating with a Bachelor's Degree from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a Financial Advisor in 2014. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and specializes in areas such as education planning, employee benefits planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. Beyond his professional role, Benjamin has been actively involved in community leadership through The Ohio State Alumni Club of Houston, serving on its board since 2014 and as its President from 2016 to 2020. In his free time, he enjoys adventure sports, bowling, fishing, scuba diving, and spending time with his wife and daughters.

Jennifer Morgan is a financial advisor at Merrill with 38 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 1995 and holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Morgan is based in Houston, TX. 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.

Katelyn Karing is a financial advisor with Merrill in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and four years of industry experience. Her work history includes roles at Bank of America, Bernstein Private Wealth Management, and Merrill. Outside of finance, she teaches weekly yoga classes at several Houston-based studios and streams video game content as an independent contractor. 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 plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Alora Anderson is a financial advisor at Merrill with 20 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Bank of America and Merrill since 2015. 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 a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Jamie Frank is a financial advisor at Merrill with 11 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Morgan Stanley for 10 years. Outside of her advisory role, she is the general partner and managing member of Conscious Cloth Ventures LLC, a cloth diaper service, and serves as assistant treasurer and volunteer for the Houston Metropolitan Chapter of Jack & Jill of America. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services for 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.

Walter Schneider is a financial advisor at Merrill with 51 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has been with Merrill and Bank of America since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a committee member for the Hallmark Resident Gift Fund, a program that distributes cash rewards to employees of his retirement community. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services 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.

Gavin Carter is a Senior Financial Advisor and member of VMT Wealth Management, a nationally recognized financial advisory team headquartered in downtown Houston. He provides financial advice to entrepreneurs, retirees, executives, and their family members, drawing on his experience to address diverse client needs. As a member of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Gavin leverages its resources to develop comprehensive wealth planning strategies that include investment management, philanthropy, and wealth transfer. Gavin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Houston. He holds professional designations as a CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His focus areas include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, services for endowments and non-profits, LGBT wealth planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, special needs planning strategies, and retirement income. Gavin has been recognized nationally, most recently appearing on the Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" 2025 list. He is a native Houstonian and remains a loyal University of Houston Cougar. Gavin is involved in community activities, including the Boy Scouts of America as an Eagle Scout and contributions to Project C.U.R.E. He serves on the University of Houston Economics Alumni Association Board. In his free time, Gavin enjoys outdoor activities such as running local Houston trails and hunting along the Texas coast. He and his wife, Pilar, also enjoy travelling, cooking, and exploring new restaurants.

Cristin Bera is a Private Wealth Advisor with Merrill Private Wealth Management and a co-founder of Bera Dewhurst & Associates, established in 2002. He began his financial services career at Morgan Stanley in 2001. In his current role, Cristin advises ultra-high-net-worth clients on complex wealth management matters and leads his team in due diligence and selection of external long-only investment managers. He also designs customized investment strategies aligned with client objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity requirements. As a qualified Portfolio Manager within Merrill's Investment Advisory Program, Cristin is authorized to develop and implement discretionary investment strategies using individual equities, fixed income securities, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment approaches. He leads his team's insurance advisory efforts by integrating risk management solutions into broader wealth plans. Prior to his financial career, Cristin worked as an engineer and served in the military, including roles in the US Army Reserve as a Military Police officer and in the US Air Force Reserve Office of Special Investigation. Cristin holds an MBA with concentrations in Finance and Economics from the University of Chicago and earned dual bachelor's degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Humanities & History from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has been involved in his community through over a decade of service as a Director and President of Neartown Little League. He lives with his wife and their three sons.

Carina Herrera is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2009 and at Bank of America, N.A. since 2022. 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.