Patrice Kaufman is a Senior Financial Advisor with over 20 years of experience in the financial industry. She has developed her career through roles at Merrill, PNC Bank, and JP Morgan, working extensively with ultra-high net worth clients. Patrice returned to Merrill after gaining a breadth of experience and focuses on providing comprehensive wealth management services that align with clients' needs and market conditions. She utilizes investment insights from Merrill Lynch Wealth Management alongside banking solutions from Bank of America to support clients in diverse financial matters. Her expertise spans areas including college and education planning, family wealth management, retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and strategies tailored for women and small business owners. Patrice is dedicated to helping clients gain clarity and confidence in their financial futures, particularly supporting women navigating significant life transitions. Patrice holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Business from Montclair State University and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Beyond her professional work, she is involved in several community organizations such as Fostering Success, Harry Chapin Food Bank, Meals of Hope, and Toys For Tots. Patrice also participates in professional and social organizations including the Naples Ladies Power Lunch and the Naples Woman's Club. Her personal interests include cooking, tennis, yoga, Pilates, and traveling.

Andrew Willis is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been working with high net worth individuals, select families, and businesses since 2001, focusing on developing long-term planning strategies to help clients manage their personal and business finances effectively. His client focus areas include corporate executive services, divorce transition planning, employee benefits planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, employee financial health, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Andrew has earned several professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), and Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA). He holds Series 7 and Series 66 FINRA registrations and is licensed as an agent for Life, Accident, and Health Insurance. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Villanova University and a Master's degree in Finance and Marketing from Saint Joseph's University. Andrew has been named to the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list consecutively from 2022 through 2026. Outside of his professional career, Andrew enjoys gardening, golfing, and traveling. He is involved with The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur.

Michelle Mayer is a Private Wealth Advisor affiliated with Merrill Private Wealth Management. She leads MBA Private Wealth, a wealth management team with offices in Naples, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, serving ultra-affluent individuals and families with a comprehensive approach to managing their financial affairs. Michelle focuses on integrating multiple aspects of her clients' financial lives to assist families in thoughtful financial planning. Michelle's professional experience spans retirement strategy, asset allocation, asset location, multi-generational trust and estate planning, business succession planning, and tax-sensitive investment management and wealth transfer strategies. Before joining Merrill Private Wealth Management, she was a Director at Barclays Wealth and a Principal with Alliance Bernstein LP. She began her career in 1997 practicing tax and trust & estate law at DLA Piper US LLP in Baltimore, Maryland. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, Summa Cum Laude, in German and Politics from Wake Forest University and a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center, where she served as an Editor of The Tax Lawyer publication focusing on tax and business law. Michelle is also a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). In her personal time, she enjoys adventure sports, cooking, football, running marathons, skiing, swimming, traveling, watching movies, and spending time with her family. She resides in Naples, Florida.

Susan Erb is a financial advisor with Merrill in Naples, FL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 18 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2008 and has been with Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. 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.

Leila Gestwicki is a financial advisor at Merrill with 19 years at the firm and nine years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and is based in Naples, FL. 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.

Jeffrey Lofgren is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Naples, Florida, where he has worked since 1984. In his role, he serves clients by helping them navigate a broad range of products and services. He emphasizes understanding each client's goals, suitability, and risk tolerances to address the challenges presented by dynamic markets. Jeff holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Valparaiso University. He conducts annual reviews of portfolio performance and expenses to maintain transparency and foster trust in his client relationships. Additionally, Jeff upholds Merrill Lynch’s tradition of community involvement through volunteering with local organizations.

Ashley Chouinard is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill in 2026, she worked at UBS Financial Services, Edward Jones, Raymond James, and Midland Trust. Before her career in finance, she held roles in the hospitality industry and education. 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 for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Algis Strikas is a Private Wealth Advisor at Merrill Private Wealth Management, where he leads a team advising some of the wealthiest families, business owners, corporate executives, and foundations across North America. His focus is on constructing investment strategies that address clients' short-term liquidity needs while maximizing long-term financial goals. His client focus areas include family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, portfolio management services, and tax minimization. With over thirty years of experience, Algis has offered customized advice on a broad range of wealth management issues. He joined Merrill Private Wealth Management in September 2000, after spending 15 years in the Private Client Services Group at Goldman Sachs. He began his career at Unocal. Algis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Chicago. He also holds several FINRA registrations and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional commitments, Algis is involved with the Boy Scouts and enjoys basketball, biking, chess, football, and golfing.

Kate Mc Kee is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been with Merrill Lynch since 2007, bringing over a decade of professional experience in credit and lending as well as commercial real estate capital markets. At Merrill, Kate assists affluent clients by implementing strategies in investment, retirement, tax, trust, estate, and wealth transfer. She also collaborates with leadership teams of private foundations and non-profit organizations to develop and implement financial strategies aimed at furthering their missions. Kate earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Trinity College. She holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation. Additionally, she maintains the Series 7 and 66 FINRA registrations. Kate has served on the Parent Board at Noble & Greenough School and has been actively involved with her children's schools, including Fessenden and Tenacre Country Day School. She has served on the corporation board of Grace Memorial Chapel and participated in the "Champions for Children's" fundraising auction benefiting Boston Children's Hospital. Kate lives in Florida and Massachusetts with her husband and enjoys spending time with her three adult children and grandchildren. She has been involved in coaching field hockey, lacrosse, and tennis, and enjoys playing tennis and skiing.

Marc Berman is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been working in the financial industry for over 25 years, assisting clients in reaching their financial goals through tailored strategies that align with their individual goals and risk tolerance. In his role, Marc focuses on helping individuals grow their financial assets and realize their life priorities. His areas of expertise include employee financial health, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned his High School Diploma/GED from Boston House College. Marc follows the Merrill tradition of community involvement and dedicates time to volunteering with local organizations. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, ice skating, spending time with his family, swimming, playing table tennis, traveling, and watching movies.

Catherine Tilton is a financial advisor at Merrill with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at UBS Financial Services for six years before joining Merrill in 2019. 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.

Nicholas Panfen is a Financial Advisor with Kelley, Panfen & Associates at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He co-leads the team alongside Shane Kelley and focuses on financial planning and portfolio construction. The team brings over 29 years of experience serving families, professionals, and business owners with multigenerational wealth planning, investment management, and personalized client strategies. Nick works closely with clients to define their financial goals and develop tailored strategies to achieve them. His expertise includes family wealth management, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, legacy planning, liquidity management, retirement income, and tax minimization. The team also coordinates with clients' CPAs and estate planning attorneys to provide comprehensive wealth management solutions. Originally from Orlando, Florida, Nick earned a bachelor's degree in Finance with a concentration in analysis and management from Florida Gulf Coast University. He is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Nick is active in the community as a mentor with the Florida Gulf Coast Mentorship Program and enjoys ice hockey, reading, and spending time with his family.

Eric Fudala is a Senior Financial Advisor and Portfolio Manager with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked since 2000. He focuses on helping successful families, business owners, and professionals develop customized financial strategies aimed at achieving a comfortable and sustainable lifestyle in retirement. Eric offers expertise in family wealth management, legacy planning, tax minimization, and retirement income, tailoring his services to align with clients' goals throughout various stages of their careers. As a small business owner himself, Eric understands the challenges entrepreneurs face in growing their companies, ensuring business continuity, and planning for retirement. He provides business owners with integrated financial services including credit and lending strategies, retirement income and wealth transfer planning, insurance solutions, and corporate and home financing. He also specializes in serving the medical community, particularly dental professionals, collaborating with them to navigate industry changes. Eric is a featured speaker at Chicago Dental Society Branch Meetings and serves on the Chicago Dental Society Foundation and its Development Committee. Eric holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois and a Master's Degree from DePaul University. He earned professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). In addition to his affiliation with the Chicago Dental Society Foundation, Eric is involved with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, serving on its Executive Committee. Outside of his professional commitments, he enjoys boating, golfing, and scuba diving.

Jennifer Wilfong is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding a Series 66 designation and possessing 13 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2012. Outside of her advisory role, she owns and manages rental properties through LLCs in Indiana and Florida, including short-term rentals. 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, institutions, and charitable organizations.

Sam Semaan is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a founding partner of the Strategic Wealth Group. He co-manages the day-to-day oversight of his team and co-heads the group’s wealth planning and investment committees. Sam collaborates closely with business owners, assisting them through corporate and strategic services, particularly around exit planning and comprehensive post-sale financial strategies. With a professional background beginning in 2007, Sam has experience in both investment banking and private equity. He was responsible for all aspects of merger and acquisition transactions for middle market private companies and sourced and analyzed potential acquisition opportunities in private equity. His expertise focuses on connecting wealth creation with tax exposure and liability management, emphasizing the importance of early planning to preserve and protect wealth through changes such as business sales or liquidity events. Sam holds a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Business and an MBA in Finance, both from the University of Miami. He has earned several professional designations, including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Sam is actively involved in his community in Naples, sitting on the Advisory Council for Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and founding the Cedar Club of Naples, where he serves as President. He is also associated with organizations such as the Finance Executives Roundtable, International Men's Club, The James Madison Institute, and the University of Miami. His personal interests include basketball, gardening, golfing, hunting, racquetball, table tennis, and tennis.

Nicholas Carr is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in providing holistic wealth management strategies tailored to families and family offices. His practice focuses on integrating a family office service model for corporate executives, retired executives, and clients experiencing liquidity events, coordinating resources to align with individual family ambitions and goals. With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Nicholas combines his practical expertise with academic research. He holds a Ph.D. in Personal Finance from Kansas State University, where his research centered on behavioral finance and financial risk assessment. This background informs his approach to understanding clients' financial and personal objectives, enabling a nuanced perspective on wealth management. He is also a Professor of Practice at Kansas State University, contributing to curriculum development and teaching in the areas of behavioral and personal finance. Nicholas earned his Bachelor's degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University and his Master's degree from Indiana University. He holds the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation.

John Hudspeth is a financial advisor with Merrill in Naples, FL, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2008 and concurrently with Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Outside of his advisory role, he owns several LLCs involved in real estate investment and rental property management. Merrill serves a broad range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional clients, offering managed account programs, discretionary portfolio management, and brokerage services. The firm integrates closely with Bank of America affiliates and emphasizes managed account and manager-selection capabilities alongside tax-focused investment solutions.

Gregory Brown is a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on goals-based wealth management, working as part of a team to develop personalized financial strategies tailored to each client's priorities and long-term objectives. His services include investment and retirement planning, wealth management strategies, and planning for legacy goals. Gregory holds professional designations including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned his Bachelor's degree from Florida Gulf Coast University. Born and raised in Naples, Florida, Gregory maintains strong connections to his community. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, participating in activities such as hiking, boating, fishing, tennis, and golf.

Terrence Judge is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings extensive experience from a prior decade-long career in corporate finance and investment consulting at Citibank before joining Merrill Lynch in 2000. His advisory expertise encompasses legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Terrence holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Guilford College. He earned his Certified Public Accountancy designation in 1988 and later acquired the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification in 2003 and the Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation in 2004, completing coursework at the Wharton School of Business. Additionally, he holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations, the Maryland Life and Health Insurance License, and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Terrence enjoys adventure sports including triathlons, biking, boating, running, swimming, and spending time with his family.

John Hudspeth is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 44 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 1979 and concurrently at Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in family real estate investing through Rosewood Equities LLC. Merrill serves a broad range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional clients, offering managed account programs, discretionary portfolio management, and brokerage services. The firm integrates closely with Bank of America affiliates and emphasizes managed account and manager-selection capabilities supported by extensive platform oversight.