Neil Kessel is a Senior Financial Advisor with a career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management that began in 1995. He became a Financial Advisor in 2000 and established the Kessel Group in 2004 to provide investment advisory services through complex market cycles. Neil serves individuals and families, including business owners and executives, focusing on goals-based wealth management strategies and risk management. He integrates the investment insights of Merrill and the banking services of Bank of America to address various aspects of his clients' financial lives. Neil holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of California at San Diego. He maintains several FINRA registrations, including Series 7, 31, 65, and 66, as well as a California State Insurance License. Additionally, Neil is a Senior Portfolio Advisor in the Merrill Investment Advisory Program and a member of CBOE. He is also recognized as a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Born in South Africa, Neil is married to Desiree, with whom he has two daughters, Lauren and Ava. The family has two King Charles Cavaliers named Remy and Riley. Neil is involved with organizations such as Global Teen and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

Lisha Geng is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, she provides clients with personalized wealth management strategies tailored to their individual financial situations and goals, leveraging the investment insights of Merrill along with banking and lending solutions from Bank of America. Lisha holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Southern California and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She offers services in both English and Mandarin. Committed to community involvement, Lisha participates in volunteer activities within the communities served by Merrill.

Katy Chen is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Irvine, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 24 years of industry experience. She has been with UBS since 2016. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings, including fee-based financial planning and portfolio management. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services, utilizing proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor client strategies.

Steven Shields is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, based in Mission Viejo, CA, and has 18 years of industry experience. He has worked with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and JPMorgan Chase Bank since 2010, following two years at Ameriprise. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on non-discretionary asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting supported by centralized due diligence and a combination of quantitative and qualitative research.

Sumit Sharma is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently with LPL Financial. His prior roles include positions at United Planners Financial Services, Falcon Wealth Planning, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Merrill, Bank of America, and AXA Advisors. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, utilizing various investment strategies and technology tools, while overseeing more than $819 billion in discretionary assets and a large network of advisors.

Ian Mcdougall is a CFP® professional with nine years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial. His prior experience includes roles at Schoolsfirst Federal Credit Union, Fidelity Investments, JP Morgan Securities LLC, and Bank of America. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Jeffrey Stubbert is a CFP® with 32 years of experience in the financial industry. He has been with Charles Schwab since 1995 and also works with Charles Schwab Bank, where he has been employed since 2005. Based in Newport Beach, CA, he holds a Series 63 license. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves a large client base, primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm offers a combination of non-discretionary investment guidance and access to discretionary separately managed accounts, supported by centralized custody and operational infrastructure.

Marcus Paredes is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Newport Beach, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2006. Outside of his advisory work, he owns an insurance agency and offers non-variable insurance through multiple managing general agents. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm provides a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to third-party asset management, supported by extensive research and operational tools.

Denise Turner is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In her role, she collaborates with clients to develop personalized financial strategies that align with their long-term goals. Drawing on investment insights from Merrill and the banking and lending services of Bank of America, she focuses on creating flexible wealth management plans that adapt to changing market conditions. Denise holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Southern California and an Associate's Degree from the California State University System. She holds professional designations as a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Committed to community involvement, Denise participates in local organizations, reflecting the Merrill tradition of service. Outside of work, Denise enjoys hiking, biking, boating, camping, cooking, music, reading, skiing, traveling, and yoga. She has a passion for travel and exploring new cultures, and often spends her free time either on hiking trails or riding her peloton.

Benjamin Engel is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with five years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses. Prior to his current role, he worked at Zions Bancorporation and Northwestern Mutual. Engel is also a licensed life insurance agent associated with Cavalier and Associates. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, utilizing a range of strategies including discretionary and non-discretionary account management supported by research models and technology tools.

Tino Pagano is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Newport Beach, California. He brings extensive experience in delivering comprehensive wealth management services to a diverse clientele, including affluent families, business executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Tino’s approach focuses on understanding clients’ financial situations, goals, and priorities to design clear strategies that address wealth growth, preservation, and transfer, as well as retirement income, tax minimization, and philanthropic planning. He has a particular expertise in working with women at significant life transitions, supporting them in managing their finances effectively. With a career in financial services spanning since 1984 and joining Merrill in 1991, Tino has developed long-term relationships with multiple generations of clients. He emphasizes ongoing dialogue to stay aligned with evolving client needs and collaborates with other advisors when appropriate to provide integrated financial solutions. Tino is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA™), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), demonstrating his commitment to professional excellence. Tino holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Business Economics from the University of Southern California, where he was a walk-on for the football team. He has strong ties to the Southern California community, having served on the board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation for Orange County and the Inland Empire, and volunteered with youth athletic programs. Outside of his professional work, Tino enjoys cooking, fishing, football, reading, running, swimming, and adventure sports. He is married with one child.

Tammy Welch is a financial advisor with Stifel in Irvine, CA, holding a Series 63 designation and 34 years of industry experience. She has worked at Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc since 2011 and previously at UBS Financial Services and Citigroup Global Markets. Stifel serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, offering both brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm’s investment guidance is based on a proprietary methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group, which uses forward-looking capital market assumptions and probabilistic modeling.

Daniel Stevens is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services in Newport Beach, CA, with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Burnham Gibson Wealth Advisors, Equitable Advisors, and Axa Advisors, among others. Outside of his advisory roles, he served as a Newport Beach lifeguard for six years. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through a range of brokerage and advisory offerings, including fee-based financial planning and portfolio management. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services supported by proprietary research and a wide array of capital markets solutions.

Lee Clark is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley who holds a Series 63 designation and has 52 years of industry experience. He has worked with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2009 and with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Outside of finance, he owns and manages a grain farm in Alma, Michigan. 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, including tailored financial planning that utilizes structured discovery conversations and firm-approved tools.

Jason Roxby is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been working in the financial services industry since 1996. Jason is a graduate of the University of California system and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. In his role, he serves as the team’s investment analyst, focusing on providing family office–style services to select ultra-high net worth families. Outside of work, Jason enjoys mountain biking and coaching youth soccer and baseball. He lives in Laguna Niguel, California with his wife and son.

Lorraine Adams is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 12 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at UBS Financial Services, Morgan Stanley, and Charles Schwab & Co. She is based in Newport Beach, CA. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves individuals, institutional clients, and municipal entities, offering financial planning, non-discretionary investment consulting, and specialized municipal advisory services.

Brandon Blanchard is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. He holds the Series 66 designation and is based in Irvine, CA. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and combines brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Karim Darwesh is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding a Series 66 license and beginning his career in 2026. He has one year of industry experience and previously worked at Van Clemens & Co Wealth Management. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on written asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting within a non-discretionary advisory program.

Mark Hales is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Newport Beach, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 registrations and over 40 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Bank of America and Merrill for a decade. He is associated with Rumor Investments LLC, a family-held investment-related business where he contributes about one hour quarterly. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages substantial assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Jason Griffin is a Senior Financial Advisor and holds the designation of Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor. He is affiliated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he specializes in managing wealth through investment allocations and Trust, Estate, and Tax planning strategies tailored to clients' short-term and long-term goals. Jason employs a comprehensive approach that begins with understanding each client's unique needs, ensuring that every financial solution is grounded in their individual objectives. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Jason provides personalized wealth planning and advice for clients, business owners, and their families. He focuses on Family Wealth Management Strategies, Personal Retirement Planning, Small Business Strategies, Socially Responsible and ESG Investing, Women and Wealth, and Retirement Income. He emphasizes revisiting wealth plans at least every six months or following any major life changes to stay aligned with clients' goals. Jason holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He is involved in his community through organizations such as the Carmel Valley Rotary and the Monterey Peninsula College Community College Foundation, reflecting his commitment to service. In his personal time, he enjoys cooking, hiking, reading, spending time with family, playing tennis, and traveling.