Middleton, WI Office

William Meland is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Prior to joining Merit in 2025, he spent 21 years at Pillar Wealth Management Co. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm with 144 advisors managing approximately $10.6 billion. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, offering asset management, financial planning, and specialized services such as independent fiduciary and ESOP trustee work.

Crew Risgaard is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Pillar Wealth Management Co., and Kovitz Investment Group. He also provides fixed insurance advice based on client needs. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion and serving a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach through customizable model portfolios and offers specialized services such as fiduciary and ESOP trustee work, supported by a central Investment Management team and an Investment Committee.

Patrick Sturm is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 25 years of industry experience. He previously worked for 12 years at Pillar Wealth Management Co., which he remains involved with as a principal during its transition period. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion for a diverse client base that includes individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and customizable sleeves, overseen by a central Investment Management team and Investment Committee.

Cara Wolenec is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 12 years of industry experience. She has worked at Pillar Wealth Management Co. from 2012 to the present. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion and serving a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and customizable sleeves, supported by an Investment Management team and committee.

Brian Cleven is a Series 66 credentialed advisor with 23 years of industry experience. He has worked at Pillar Wealth Management Co since 2011. Brian is based in Middleton, WI, and is affiliated with Merit Financial Advisors. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion for a diverse client base that includes individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and modular sleeves, with a centralized Investment Management team overseeing standard models and rebalancing while allowing advisors flexibility in portfolio customization.