Patrick Greening is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill since 1990 following a career in hospitality management. Patrick specializes in providing comprehensive wealth management strategies to individuals, families, businesses, and non-profit organizations. His expertise includes divorce transition planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and working as a Retirement Benefits Consultant focusing on retirement plans such as 401(k), 403(b), Defined Benefit, and Non-Qualified Retirement Plans. Patrick holds an Associate's Degree from Macomb Community College and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certificant, a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). His approach emphasizes aligning financial strategies with clients' short and long-term goals, encompassing areas such as debt and home financing, estate planning, and wealth transfer. Outside of his professional work, Patrick has been involved in coaching youth rugby and soccer, served on the board of the East Bay United Soccer Club, and is a member of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Team in South San Francisco. He enjoys cooking, fishing, gardening, hiking, hunting, skiing, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Shawn Sladek is the founder and leader of The Sladek Thompson Group, a wealth management team based in the San Francisco Bay Area operating within Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career with Merrill Lynch in 1997 and has been recognized nationally as a leading financial advisor, appearing on Forbes' "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list for nine consecutive years from 2018 to 2026. His team provides tailored services including discretionary portfolio management, stock option analysis, retirement planning, hedging and monetization of concentrated equity positions, life insurance analysis and funding, and wealth preservation and transfer. Shawn holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Business from the University of Arizona and the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designation, administered by the Investments & Wealth Institute and taught in conjunction with The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Shawn serves as a regular speaker in Merrill's advanced training programs covering wealth planning, asset allocation, trusts and estate planning. Outside of his professional role, Shawn, along with his wife Raymie and their two sons, is involved in philanthropic activities, dedicating significant time to The Food Bank of Contra Costa County and The White Pony. He participates in community organizations such as the San Ramon Valley Little League and the University of Arizona Rugby Club, and has personal interests including basketball, cooking, fishing, football, golfing, music, skiing, traveling, yoga, and spending time with his family.

Howard Hertz is a CFP® with 27 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cetera since 2021. He has held roles with Avantax Insurance Agency, Tri-Valley Tax & Financial Services, and other related businesses. In addition to his advisory work, he is president and owner of Tri-Valley Tax & Financial Services and is an enrolled agent. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC operates a multi-manager platform serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts, offering a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors.

Steven Gee is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 25 years of industry experience. His prior firms include Voya Financial Advisors and Wiline Network. In addition to his advisory work, he operates as an independent insurance agent specializing in fixed insurance products. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves individual, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a large nationwide network of over 10,000 independent advisors. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services via a multi-manager platform that includes affiliated and third-party managers and a range of program options.

Katelyn Kennedy is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services with seven years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at O'Melveny & Myers LLP for three years. Kennedy has an investment interest in a real estate partnership but does not have a direct role in its management. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients by offering brokerage and investment advisory services, combining institutional trading capabilities with wealth management and proprietary research to tailor client strategies.

Devyn Fitchhorn is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he focuses on developing long-term financial advisory relationships tailored to each client's unique needs. He promotes a systematic and disciplined approach to wealth management and investing aligned with clients' investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Devyn provides a broad range of financial services including wealth management, retirement planning, education planning, portfolio management, and socially responsible investing. He is supported by a team of specialists and in-depth research to assist clients effectively. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2004, Devyn spent eight years as a critical care and trauma nurse. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Exercise Physiology from the University of California at Davis and Nursing from St. Mary's/Samuel Merritt College. Devyn maintains Series 7 and Series 66 FINRA registrations, life and health insurance licenses, and holds professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Devyn and his wife Leanne have been residents of the Newcastle area since 2018 after moving from Granite Bay, where they were active members of Bayside Church and involved with its special needs community group. Together they have twin daughters. Outside of his professional work, Devyn enjoys billiards, football, golfing, music, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, woodworking, and spending time with his family.

Carson Curtis is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and nine years of industry experience. He has worked with Ameriprise since 2017, including prior roles at Foresters Financial Services. Based in Walnut Creek, CA, he currently serves clients through Ameriprise’s institutional platform. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides written recommendations and annual retirement planning advice focused on income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Ricardo Martell Jr. is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 14 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley since 2019, following roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by structured tools and the Global Investment Committee’s resources, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Allen Lipscomb is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Pleasanton, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 38 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing and WELLS FARGO Advisors. He is also an advisor with Blue Oaks Management, LLC, an Ameriprise Financial Franchise. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service aimed at individuals approaching or in retirement with specific asset thresholds, providing written Recommendation Reports that cover income sources, Social Security options, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax analysis to deliver tailored, non-discretionary recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Taylor Wagner is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 15 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2014, currently serving at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. in Walnut Creek, CA. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that provides a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutions. The firm delivers tailored financial planning through its Financial Advisors and Estate Planning Strategies Group, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Christina Dwyer is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 13 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at First Republic Investment Management since 2013 before joining J.P. Morgan Securities in 2023. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applying an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Carolyn Sellick is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 25 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 63 designation and has worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and Wells Fargo Clearing since 2011. 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 services. 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.

Meghan Miller is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Oakland, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and 20 years of industry experience. She has worked at Morgan Stanley since 2016 and at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2017. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that provides a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored financial planning through its Financial Advisors and Estate Planning Strategies Group and manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Sean Armstrong is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2013. He brings over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, with a background that includes roles such as Branch Manager at TD Ameritrade and Charles Schwab, Registered Representative at Wellington Securities, and Account Executive at Dean Witter Reynolds. Sean specializes in financial planning and investment management, emphasizing personalized, one-on-one relationships. He works closely with clients to understand their comprehensive financial situations, enabling interactive planning and scenario analysis to develop adaptable financial plans that evolve with clients' goals. He holds a California Insurance License. Outside of his professional work, Sean enjoys biking, cooking and baking, participating in family activities, playing golf, hiking, and scuba diving.

Paula Best is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and holds a Series 63 license with 12 years of experience in the financial industry. She has worked at First Republic Securities Company, LLC since 2014 and also held roles at Wingspan Insurance Group, LLC and M HOLDINGS SECURITIES, Inc. from 2013 to 2018. She is based in Walnut Creek, California. UBS Financial Services Inc. serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory services, including fee-based financial planning and portfolio management. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services, offering a range of products and proprietary research to tailor investment solutions.

James Schmidt is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on developing financial strategies tailored to wealthy individuals and business owners, providing comprehensive advice to help clients pursue their long-term goals through personalized or defined strategies. His areas of expertise include college education planning, executive compensation, services for defined benefit plans, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, legacy and liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, individual and corporate investment strategy, and tax minimization. James holds several professional designations including Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. Outside of his professional role, James is the founder of the "Fore Our Schools" foundation, which raises funds for local schools. His personal interests include boating, fishing, golfing, hunting, and traveling.

Shelley Hancock is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 29 years of industry experience. She has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2011 to 2016. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary investment advisory solutions grounded in modern portfolio theory. The firm’s services include investment policy statement preparation, investment recommendations, performance reporting, participant education, and plan benchmarking, with a notable range of financial products including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Jeffrey Hastings is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds a Series 66 designation and has 22 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Avantax and leadership positions in his own accounting and tax preparation firms. He is actively involved in tax planning and compliance services and provides trustee services for client trusts. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, and institutional accounts, offering a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party managers. The firm supports a variety of program structures and custodial relationships while overseeing more than $256 billion in assets under management.

Martha Madrid is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has been serving clients since 1979. With over 40 years in the financial industry, she focuses on providing a comprehensive approach to wealth management that begins with understanding each client's unique financial situation and personal priorities. Martha helps clients develop customized and flexible strategies that can adapt to changing market conditions, leveraging the investment insights of Merrill and the banking services of Bank of America. Her areas of expertise include college education planning, personal retirement planning, and addressing the financial needs of women and wealth. Martha holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and completed her high school education through the State of New Jersey Department of Education. She lives in the Bay Area and balances her professional responsibilities with personal interests such as traveling, cooking, tennis, dancing, sewing, and watching movies. Martha is also committed to community involvement, volunteering with local organizations in line with Merrill's tradition of service.

Brian Stanley is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with JP Morgan Chase Bank and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC since 2016. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, offering asset-allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting through its Institutional Consulting Services program. The firm combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework when recommending investment strategies.