Baton Rouge, LA Towne Center Blvd Office

Chelsea Smith is a Wealth Management Advisor and partner with The David Robertson Smith Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She focuses on wealth management planning and investment management, designing and implementing personalized strategies to help individuals, families, and business owners pursue their financial goals. She provides services in areas including family wealth management, legacy and philanthropic planning, liquidity management, retirement income, tax minimization, and portfolio management. Chelsea holds a Bachelor's degree from the Louisiana State University System and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional as well as a Personal Investment Advisor. She is an honorary member of the LSU Finance Academy. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, she gained experience at UBS Financial Services and as an intern at Merrill. In addition to her professional work, Chelsea is involved in her community as a coach for Girls on the Run and a member of the Mary Bird Perkins Echo Alliance. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

John Bevinetto is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he works as part of a team of five advisors dedicated to assisting clients in achieving their financial goals. He joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in January 2023 after nearly seven years practicing as a trial attorney throughout Louisiana. John graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.S. in Finance in 2012 and earned his J.D./D.C.L. from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in 2015. He holds the professional designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). In his role, he helps clients with various aspects of their financial lives, including investments, liabilities, estate, and retirement planning. Outside of his professional work, John enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, baseball, football, skiing, and traveling. He is also involved in raising money for local charities through participation in a competition barbecue team.

Caroline Walters is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In her role, she assists individuals, families, and business owners with financial planning and wealth management services. She supports investment planning and delivers personalized client service as part of the Davis Wealth Management Group, employing an institutional approach to create customized investment strategies tailored to clients' goals and risk tolerance. Caroline's expertise includes managing complex financial needs such as life transitions, milestone planning, and estate and succession considerations. She holds the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) designation. She is involved with professional organizations including the LABI Emerging Leader's Council and the LABI Taxation & Finance Council. In addition to her professional work, Caroline participates in community activities such as the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Echo Alliance.

Sara Simoneaux is a financial advisor with Merrill in Baton Rouge, LA, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill in 2021, she worked in the construction industry for over a decade. Outside of finance, she serves as a marketing consultant for Bultra Restaurant Group, where she manages social media and graphic design. 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 a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.

Cory Ludwick is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in personalized wealth management strategies. He focuses on developing comprehensive approaches tailored to clients’ unique financial situations, goals, and values, offering flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions. Cory provides clients access to Merrill's investment insights alongside the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America, addressing diverse aspects of their financial lives. His areas of expertise include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, socially responsible and ESG investing, and tax minimization. Cory holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His education includes a High School Diploma from Seven Rivers Christian, coursework in finance at the University of Arizona Global Campus, and attendance at the University of Central Florida. Cory participates in community service consistent with Merrill's tradition of community involvement. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys baseball, basketball, football, golfing, swimming, and spending time with his family.

Donovan Davis is a Wealth Management Advisor leading the Davis Wealth Management Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined Merrill Lynch in 1980 and has over 45 years of service in the wealth management field. The Davis Wealth Management Group serves wealthy individuals, families, institutional, and nonprofit clients, offering a comprehensive range of wealth management services. Donovan focuses on strategic asset allocation, manager identification, and wealth management planning. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana System and a Master's degree from the Louisiana State University System. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Donovan is also affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Council (AIPAC). Outside of his professional career, Donovan is involved with Hillsdale College. He is married to Tricia and has two children, Christine and John.

Eric Waechter is the Senior Resident Director and a member of The Hopkins Waechter Wealth Management Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he focuses on developing wealth management strategies for high-affluent clients, providing customized and attentive services that address the complexities of each client's financial needs and goals. His approach integrates the broad financial services expertise of Merrill, combined with the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America, and includes collaboration with clients' external advisors to ensure comprehensive financial guidance. Eric holds a Bachelor's degree from the Louisiana State University System and has earned professional designations as a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His areas of expertise include college education planning, executive and equity compensation services, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Eric serves on the Baton Rouge General Foundation Board of Directors. He also engages in personal interests such as cooking, running, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Jeffrey Esnard is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with families, individuals, and businesses to develop personalized financial strategies that align investments with their lifestyle and long-term goals. Jeff's approach emphasizes understanding clients’ questions, goals, and concerns to create comprehensive wealth management plans tailored to their priorities. Jeff's expertise includes family wealth management strategies, retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and investment consulting for defined contribution plans, among other areas. He leverages the investment insights of Merrill Lynch to assist clients in managing new wealth, employee financial health, and corporate investment strategies. Jeff holds professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Louisiana State University and began his financial career as a mortgage banker. Jeff also attended the University of Mississippi without degree completion. Committed to the communities he serves, he volunteers locally and enjoys personal interests such as boating, fishing, hunting, running, skiing, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Paul Langston is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in creating personalized wealth management strategies tailored to his clients' individual financial goals and changing market conditions. Paul provides access to investment insights from Merrill as well as banking and lending solutions through Bank of America to support comprehensive financial planning. Paul holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a bachelor's degree from Millsaps College. He is committed to working closely with clients one-on-one to develop flexible financial strategies aimed at pursuing long-term objectives. In addition to his professional role, Paul is engaged in community volunteer work, reflecting Merrill’s tradition of supporting the communities it serves.

Brandon Ginn is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, having joined the firm in 2018. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation, among other credentials. Brandon focuses on creating strategies tailored for individuals and their families aimed at meeting both short- and long-term financial goals. His work involves assessing clients’ life goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs to develop comprehensive financial plans. Brandon graduated cum laude from Louisiana State University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He is part of Ginn Wealth Management, an advisory team based in Baton Rouge that is committed to delivering wealth management services founded on professionalism, consistency, and exceptional client service. His areas of expertise include managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and portfolio management services. In addition to his professional work, Brandon is involved in community efforts with Keep Tigertown Beautiful of Baton Rouge. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, hiking, running, traveling, and spending time with his family. He resides in Baton Rouge with his wife, Anna.

Jeffrey Dunbar is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He co-founded the Dunbar Group alongside his brother, Joey, in 2023. Jeffrey serves clients nationally, focusing on strategic financial guidance for business owners, executives, institutional clients, and non-profits, including organizations affiliated with the Catholic Church. Jeffrey holds several professional designations, including Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified 401(k) Professional (CkP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He earned bachelor's degrees in Philosophy and Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a master's degree from Louisiana State University. He and his wife, Bridget, have six children and actively participate in community organizations such as the Baton Rouge Soccer Club, Missionaries of Charity, Bishop Ott Men's Shelter, and Born to Run 5K. Their participation reflects an integration of faith and service in both their personal and professional lives.

Andrew Scholl is a Senior Financial Advisor and First Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been employed since 2002. He provides expertise in areas including education planning, employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, defined benefit plan services, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, and graduated from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, LA. Andrew is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He resides in Baton Rouge with his wife, Caroline, and their three daughters, Lillian, Victoria, and Suzanna. His personal interests include chess, hunting, skiing, and traveling.

Chad David is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He has been associated with Merrill Lynch since 1990, with a break between 2008 and 2015, and currently serves clients across the country by providing strategic financial guidance. Chad specializes in supporting high-net-worth retirees, business executives, individuals in the oil and gas industry, entrepreneurs, and their families. His services focus on helping clients navigate complex financial situations, managing asset growth, preservation, and transfer, as well as addressing retirement planning and executive compensation strategies. Chad holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and maintains several FINRA registrations, including Series 7, Series 9, Series 10, Series 31, Series 63, and Series 65, along with Life and Health Insurance Licenses. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Louisiana State University. Throughout his career, Chad has also served on the boards of various organizations, including CCLA and St. Jude Catholic School. He lives in Baton Rouge with his wife, Amy, and their six children. Outside of work, Chad enjoys playing golf and football, wine tasting, cooking, and is involved in community service as an usher at Sacred Heart Church.

Jordan Chauvin is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined the firm in 2015 and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) designation as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. Jordan utilizes the investment resources of Merrill and the banking services of Bank of America to address various aspects of clients' financial needs. He specializes in serving high-net-worth individuals and families by providing personalized financial strategies that focus on family wealth management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and retirement income. Jordan works closely with clients to develop tailored strategies aimed at building, managing, and preserving wealth for current and future generations. Jordan earned his bachelor's degree in business from the E.J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University. He enjoys biking, cooking, fishing, golfing, hunting, music, running, tennis, and spending time with his family.

David Shirley is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he provides financial advisory services to clients, leveraging his expertise in investment strategies and wealth management. David holds the professional designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned his bachelor's degree from the Louisiana State University System. His background and credentials support his work in helping clients achieve their financial goals through tailored investment solutions.