Lauren Paine is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Houston, Texas. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has seven years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Northwestern Mutual and Avalon Wealth Management. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary advisory program focused on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative screening and qualitative research, incorporating forward-looking capital market assumptions and an ESG eligibility framework.

Akash Gupta is a financial advisor with Ameriprise based in Houston, TX, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise since 2020 and is also a managing member at Flood, Kallus, Yen & Gupta, PLLC, a CPA firm specializing in tax preparation and consulting. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in CPA services and business ownership through AVM Strategy, Inc. Ameriprise Financial Services is a diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, known for its Premier Retirement Income service which provides tailored retirement income planning and ongoing advice focused on dependable income and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Cecilia Garcia is a CFP® professional with 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. She has worked at Ameriprise and Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. since 2005. Garcia is a co-owner and owner of several financial advice-related businesses and serves on the Board of Directors for Girls Inc. of Greater Houston. Ameriprise is a large institutional firm offering retirement-income planning services for individuals with significant investable assets, combining research and modeling with tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm provides a wide range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through affiliated entities.

Joel Konkel is a CFP® with 24 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cetera. He has a background spanning multiple firms including Avantax Insurance Agency and Avanatx Investment Services, and he has operated his own tax preparation and planning business as a CPA since 2003. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, and institutional accounts through a multi-manager platform offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers.

Monica Mena Cordero is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill, she held multiple roles associated with Haverford College and briefly worked for Burger King. She is the sole owner of an LLC inherited from her grandmother, which manages rental properties. 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 institutions.

Stella Nkpa is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Katy, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 19 years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2015. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory options. The firm’s approach is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Brian Meeks is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2017, following five years at J.P. Morgan Securities. Outside of his advisory work, he is employed as an overnight sanitation technician at a grocery store in San Antonio. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates a broad range of investment options, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Santos Herrera is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and one year of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2016. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm providing investment advisory services, financial planning, wrap‑fee programs, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets, employing more than 14,000 financial advisors, and offers a combination of brokerage and advisory solutions.

David Ho is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 29 years of industry experience. He previously worked at UBS Financial Services for six years and Merrill for ten years. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm providing investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions, including discretionary and non-discretionary retirement plan services supported by Wells Fargo Investment Institute research and third-party analytics.

Alison Young is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 15 years of industry experience. She worked at AllianceBernstein L.P. and Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC from 2015 to 2020 before joining JPMorgan Chase Bank NA and JPMorgan Securities LLC in 2020. Alison serves on the advisory board and finance committee of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary program focused on asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. Their advisory process includes centralized due diligence with both quantitative and qualitative research and incorporates an ESG eligibility framework.

Franklin Breazeale III is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2011 and provides personalized wealth planning, integrating corporate benefit programs such as equity compensation, defined benefit, defined contribution, and nonqualified deferred compensation plans into long-term financial strategies. His client base includes affluent individuals, couples, and families across Texas and various locations nationwide. Frank holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from The University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree with a concentration in finance from Baylor University. He has earned several professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Certified 401(k) Professional (C(k)P®), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). These credentials reflect his focus on estate planning services, investments, executive compensation, and liquidity strategies. Engaged in his community, Franklin supports local organizations such as Easter Seals and participates in the deep-seated Merrill tradition of community involvement. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys outdoor activities including running, golf, basketball, fishing, football, hiking, hunting, music, and spending time with his wife and two daughters in Kingwood.

Gareth Prescott is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and five years of industry experience. His previous roles include positions at Equitable Advisors, BancFirst, and Texas A&M University Health Science 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Carlos Garza is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. He has 15 years of industry experience, including over a decade at J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary program focused on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. Their advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative research supported by a centralized manager solutions team.

Anay Srivastava is a Financial Advisor and Portfolio Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management at the River Oaks office in Houston, Texas. In his role, he provides clients with guidance on investment objectives by recommending individual or combined strategies, funds, or portfolios from Merrill or approved third-party investment managers. His approach incorporates the latest market dynamics and economic trends, offering clients customized strategies that include a variety of financial instruments, risk management tools, and liquidity solutions. Anay focuses on client needs in asset accumulation, retirement income planning, capital preservation, volatility management, liquidity solutions, and legacy planning. Additionally, his clients have access to credit solutions from Bank of America and Merrill. Anay’s professional journey began as an institutional fixed income analyst, progressing into trading, portfolio management, and serving as trustee on securitized fixed income investments. This background helped him develop expertise in macroeconomics, investment mathematics, and market psychology. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Gorakhpur in India and earned his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business. Anay is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and is fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. Residing in Houston with his family for over 20 years, Anay brings a global perspective shaped by his experiences living in India, Canada, and the United States. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys watching tennis, soccer, and cricket matches.

Marleigh Miller is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor at Merrill with eight years of experience, including two years in the financial industry. She previously worked at the University of Houston Downtown for four 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.

Daniel Levitt is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of The Gladstein Levitt Rozelle Spence Group. He has been with the firm since 1999, providing financial guidance to individuals, families, and businesses. His approach to wealth management is dynamic and flexible, focusing on portfolio management, liability management, education planning, and retirement planning. Daniel emphasizes consistent communication with clients through regular face-to-face meetings and reviews to adapt strategies according to changing life events and market conditions. Throughout his career, Daniel has held leadership roles within the Downtown Merrill office, including coaching new financial advisors in the Paths of Achievement Program and serving as a Producing Sales Manager. His areas of expertise include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. Daniel holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication from The Ohio State University and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys football, golfing, music, traveling, and spending time with his family. He resides in Braes Heights with his wife, Cyndi, and their son, Spencer.

Adam De Wind is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and no prior industry experience. His background includes roles at Bank of America and various positions outside of finance, such as work with San Marcos Power Sports and Keystone Moving Solutions LLC. 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 and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Paul Arnold is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2017, following five years at J.P. Morgan Securities. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm provides tailored financial planning using structured discovery conversations and proprietary planning tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Luis Urbina is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at First Command Insurance Services and First Command Advisory Services. Urbina served in the United States Army from 2014 to 2021. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering services such as investment policy statement preparation, investment recommendations, performance reporting, and participant education. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a focus on plan objectives and risk tolerances.

Arthur Atkins is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at several firms, including LPL Financial LLC and Fidelity Investments. Outside of his advisory role, he has been a worship musician at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church since 2017 and is a licensed public notary. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary program focused on asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative research and may incorporate ESG criteria, supporting clients with centralized due diligence and a broad range of investment capabilities.