Beaumont, TX Office

Ethan Walter is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds the designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Ethan earned his Bachelor's Degree from Lamar University. His role involves providing financial advice and investment guidance to clients.

Sharon Kemp is a financial advisor with Merrill in Beaumont, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and 28 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. since 2003 and spent one year with UBS Financial Services prior to that. 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Lisa Mc Anelley is a financial advisor at Merrill with 26 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Merrill Lynch since 2000, currently also affiliated with Bank of America, N.A. in Beaumont, TX. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Scott Jones is the Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch. He began his career in financial services in 1994 and joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1998. Scott works as part of the Hebert/Jones Team, focusing on portfolio management and retirement planning services tailored to each client's objectives and concerns. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, Scott worked as a trust officer at Frost Bank in Galveston, Texas. His expertise includes college education planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and retirement income strategies. Scott holds several professional certifications, including the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) certification, the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation, and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. Scott earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Lamar University and a master's degree from the University of Houston–Clear Lake. He has lived in Lumberton, Texas for over twenty years. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family.

Logan King is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides clients with personalized wealth management strategies that reflect a comprehensive understanding of their financial situation and priorities. Logan leverages the investment insights of Merrill and the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America to address various aspects of clients’ financial lives. Logan’s expertise includes education planning, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, legacy planning, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. He works closely with clients to tailor portfolios, build long-term relationships, and construct financial models aimed at helping them navigate market volatility and transition smoothly through different life stages. Logan is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He holds a bachelor's degree from Lamar University and is a member of the Coastal Conservation Association. Outside of his professional work, Logan has interests in basketball, camping, cooking, fishing, football, golfing, hunting, spending time with family, traveling, and watching movies.

Russell Smith is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in assisting individuals and families with managing concentrated stock positions, navigating significant life events such as retirement, inheritance, or business sales, and coordinating financial and legacy plans with clients' external professional advisors. With over 30 years of experience as a financial advisor, Russell focuses on helping clients understand their financial choices by providing education and clear explanations of strategies, risks, and tradeoffs. He regularly speaks at seminars on topics including Social Security and customized wealth planning, aiming to simplify complex financial subjects and empower clients to make informed decisions. His client services cover areas such as college education planning, family wealth management, retirement planning, philanthropic planning, small business strategies, and tax minimization. Russell holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Houston System and holds professional designations including Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He is involved with professional and community organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and the Exchange Club of America. Outside of work, Russell enjoys adventure sports, boating, fishing, running, scuba diving, skiing, skydiving, and spending time with his family.

Xavier Feyaerts is a Financial Advisor with the Belaire Bruce Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined the team in 2025 and focuses on helping clients with college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, as well as socially responsible and values-based investing, including ESG investing. Xavier integrates a global perspective into his financial guidance, leveraging his international background to assist clients in making confident financial decisions. Originally from Belgium, Xavier holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Lamar University. He is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and speaks Dutch, French, and English. Before joining Merrill Lynch, he gained experience in real estate and insurance, where he supported organizational growth and process improvements. Xavier resides in Beaumont, Texas, and has interests that include biking, golfing, music, pickleball, swimming, tennis, and watching movies. He emphasizes building relationships and providing thoughtful financial guidance tailored to individual and family needs.

Shannon Soileau is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over two decades of experience in the financial services industry. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2011, he focuses on a goals-based wealth management process, leveraging global resources and current technology to assist clients in pursuing personalized financial lifestyles. Shannon works closely with high net worth clients, their families, and businesses to address a wide range of priorities, including estate planning, investments, tax minimization strategies, wealth transfer, and retirement income, tailoring approaches to fit individual circumstances. Prior to his career in financial services, Shannon earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from McNeese State University and worked six years in public accounting, maintaining his CPA license. He integrates his accounting background into his advisory services and collaborates with a Bank of America Wealth Management Lending Officer to provide clients with home financing solutions as part of their overall financial strategies. Shannon holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional role, Shannon has been involved in community service through participation in church committees at Crestwood Baptist Church and other charitable organizations. He has also coached youth sports for twenty years. He resides in Lumberton, Texas with his wife, Shelia, and their four daughters. Shannon’s personal interests include fishing, hunting, and traveling.

Craig J. Belaire is a Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with the firm since 1997. In his role, Craig focuses on helping clients define their financial goals and objectives, specializing in areas such as managing new wealth, portfolio management services, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. Craig earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from McNeese State University and a Master of Business Administration from Lamar University. Before joining Merrill Lynch, he worked as a Certified Public Accountant with a large electric utility company in the Gulf Coast region. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. His past civic activities include serving as a Councilmember for the City of Nederland, President of the Nederland Economic Development Corporation, President of the Nederland Independent School District Board of Trustees, Director of the International Rotary Club of Nederland, Board Member of the YMCA of Port Arthur, and Alumnus Advisor of the Theta-Rho Chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Additionally, he has contributed to projects with Habitat for Humanity. Craig enjoys hobbies such as sailing, fishing, baseball, boating, music, photography, and traveling. He resides in Beaumont, Texas with his wife Jackie.

John Mathews is a financial advisor with Merrill in Beaumont, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 46 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 1980 and is also associated with Bank of America since 2009. Outside of advising, he serves as general partner and managing member of several personal estate management entities. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through its Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions, integrating strategic asset allocation and tax-aware options.

Joan Hebert is a financial advisor with Merrill in Beaumont, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 41 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 1984 and has been associated with Bank of America since 2009. Outside of her advisory role, she is a general partner and manager of Cassabear Holding LLC, a for-profit 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 plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Taylor Fertitta is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of the Mathews Group. He focuses on relationship management, building financial strategies, creating custom managed investment portfolios, and enhancing client experience through technology. He emphasizes thorough retirement planning, aiming to uncover all relevant factors to help clients understand their financial decisions fully. Taylor offers expertise in areas including employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. His approach involves proactive outreach to add consistent value to clients' lives and to anticipate life events and financial needs for proper planning. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Washington State University and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Taylor was born and raised in the Beaumont, Texas area and enjoys boating, bowling, cooking, dancing, fishing, football, golfing, hunting, traveling, and watching movies. He is involved in community activities including Habitat for Humanity and supporting the HolySpirit Catholic School Football Team.

Daron Edwards is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has over 14 years of experience in wealth management and financial advising, including twelve years at Morgan Stanley where he also served as a Branch Manager. Daron brings more than 35 years of overall business experience to his role. He primarily works with high-net-worth individuals and families, focusing on comprehensive wealth planning, retirement strategies, disciplined investment management, portfolio construction, and generational planning. Daron also serves business owners and entrepreneurs by providing business-transition planning and access to customized lending and liquidity solutions that address complex financial needs. Daron holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He is a native Texan from Austin and attended Austin Community College without earning a degree. He holds a High School Diploma from Westlake High School. Since 2014, he has lived in Beaumont, Texas, with his wife Lee Ann and their two adult children, enjoying time with family, watching movies, and staying active.

Mary Bruce Helson is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been with the firm for over 22 years, focusing on managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. Mary holds a Bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin. She has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) designation as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, she worked as a financial analyst at a large credit union. Mary is originally from Orange, Texas, and currently resides in Beaumont, Texas.

Sherry Travis is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in personalized wealth management strategies. She focuses on helping clients identify and prioritize their financial goals by creating dynamic, individualized financial plans that align with their investment personalities and long-term objectives. Her areas of expertise include college education planning, family wealth management, retirement income strategies, portfolio management, tax minimization, and services tailored to endowments, foundations, non-profits, small businesses, and women and wealth. Sherry holds a Bachelor's Degree from Lamar University and has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designations. She emphasizes a client-centered approach by engaging in thoughtful dialogue to fully understand what matters most to each individual. Committed to community involvement, Sherry volunteers with local organizations, reflecting the Merrill tradition of service. Outside of her professional role, Sherry enjoys camping, cooking, gardening, hiking, music, photography, reading, singing, traveling, and spending time with her family. She values building strong relationships with her clients and views helping them achieve their financial and personal goals as the most rewarding aspect of her work.