Brea, CA 145 S State College Blvd Office

Michael Hulley is a Senior Vice President and Senior Resident Director with Merrill in Brea, California. In his role, he works closely with multiple generations of families to assist them in managing their wealth more purposefully. Mike fosters close-knit client relationships and is known as a go-to resource for ideas and opportunities gained from over 30 years of experience as a financial advisor. He provides support on a range of financial matters, including evaluating business ventures, significant purchases, family-wealth dynamics, and long-term goals. Mike earned his Bachelor's degree in Finance and Investing from the University of Southern California. He began his career as a financial advisor with Merrill in 1985, served with UBS from 2008 to 2016, and then rejoined Merrill. Since 1991, he has held leadership roles including Senior Resident Director. In this capacity, he mentors and supports a team of advisors and associates in the Brea office. Outside of his professional work, Mike enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He is a Disney enthusiast, enjoys traveling, and follows various professional sports. He is also involved with community organizations including Second Harvest Food Bank and the Salvation Army.

Kyle Ergas is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on working closely with individuals and families to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at helping clients achieve their unique financial goals. His approach involves understanding each client's priorities and creating plans tailored to their specific situations. Kyle's expertise includes a range of financial services such as general investing, retirement planning, and savings strategies to prepare for unforeseen expenses. He works with clients to address concerns related to funding education, securing retirement income, and managing long-term financial objectives. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from San Jose State University and has earned professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA).

Chuck Ives is a Wealth Management Advisor based in Brea, California, leading a close-knit team dedicated to supporting individuals, families, and businesses in making informed decisions about their wealth. He works within Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and offers a client experience that values each person as an individual with unique priorities and aspirations. With over 25 years of experience, Chuck specializes in helping clients navigate significant life transitions such as retirement planning, business sales, home acquisitions, and coping with the death of a loved one. His focus areas include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. He is persistent and proactive in advancing client priorities, capitalizing on resources enterprise wide. Chuck holds a Master's Degree from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Florida. He carries several professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Outside of work, he enjoys playing tennis and golf and has an interest in traveling and engaging with diverse cultures, experiences shaped by spending much of his upbringing abroad.

Christian Cruz is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving families in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. He works closely with clients including business owners, executives, and teachers, developing customized financial strategies that encompass investment and retirement planning, liability management, debt consolidation, and legacy planning. Christian collaborates with clients' CPAs and attorneys to align tax-minimization and estate planning strategies, and leverages resources such as Bank of America N.A. for residential and securities-based lending. He utilizes guidance from the firm's Chief Investment Office and award-winning research to diversify portfolios with equities, bonds, cash, and alternative investments while considering tax consequences. Christian adapts his communication approach to client preferences and meets with clients in various settings including homes, businesses, or his office. Christian holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification, the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ (AWMA™) designation, and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from California State University, Los Angeles. His career began at Washington Mutual in 2006 before joining Merrill Lynch in 2012. Raised in a lower-income family in Southern California, Christian's interest in wealth management was influenced by a mentor during his high school soccer years. Outside of work, he holds a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and enjoys spending time with his wife Evelyn, their children Olivia and Enzo, and their dog Loki.

Emily Chon is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in the financial needs of affluent clients and their families. She has more than 17 years of experience in the financial industry, including nearly a decade as a wealth manager at Citibank. Emily has worked with hundreds of families both internationally and globally, assisting them in achieving their financial goals through personalized strategies. Born in a small town in China, Emily immigrated to the United States over 20 years ago. She earned a Bachelor's Degree from the California State University System while working various jobs, including her first role at a local bank where she developed her passion for financial services. Throughout her career, Emily has tailored financial products to meet the unique needs of individuals and families across various areas, such as retirement planning, funding education, home purchasing, business transactions, and estate and trust planning. Emily holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is fluent in Mandarin, Chinese, Yue (Cantonese), and English. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, golfing, hiking, painting, spending time with her family, and traveling.

Anthony Sanchez is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in legacy planning, personal retirement planning, and portfolio management services, focusing on creating tailored strategies that align with his clients' unique needs and aspirations. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from California State University Fullerton and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. Throughout his career, Anthony has guided clients through complex financial landscapes, emphasizing clear communication, transparency, and empowering clients with knowledge to make informed financial decisions. Outside of his professional role, Anthony is actively involved in his community, volunteering as a coach for youth sports including AYSO Soccer, Pony Baseball, and Youth Basketball. He enjoys football, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Erica Pitrone is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with Merrill in Brea, CA, where she has worked since 2015. She has 11 years of industry experience. 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 serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies developed by internal and third-party managers.

Wendy Ho Hung is a financial advisor at Merrill with 21 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill since 2000. Outside of her advisory role, she is the owner and managing member of TC Monarch LLC, a for-profit limited liability company based in Brea, CA. 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 plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Barrett Jackson is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been in the financial services industry since 2007 and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professional, as well as holding designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Barrett partners with the NCD Group at Merrill Lynch, focusing on delivering customized wealth planning solutions tailored to clients' risk tolerances, time horizons, liquidity needs, overall investment goals, and associated costs. Barrett graduated from the California State University system with a Bachelor's degree, majoring in Business-Finance and minoring in Economics. His client focus areas include divorce transition planning, employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, individual and corporate investment strategy, and retirement income. He is affiliated with the professional organization Western Hills Country Club and is involved in the community through groups such as the 26.2 Club. Outside of his professional work, Barrett enjoys participating in activities such as baseball, basketball, fishing, golfing, running marathons, skiing, wood working, and spending time with his family. He resides in La Habra with his wife, Darlene, and their two daughters. They engage in volunteering and community service through churches and various running organizations.

Hannah Etherson is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2019 and previously worked for eight years at Train Insane Gym. 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.

Cynthia Wong is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. She began her career in 1991 with the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector's Cash Management Division and joined Merrill in 1993. Cynthia specializes in capital markets, risk-managed investing, long-term wealth planning, and serves a diverse clientele including individuals, families, executives, professionals, business owners, and first responders nearing or in retirement. Her work focuses on helping clients preserve and grow wealth, plan for retirement, fund education for children and grandchildren, navigate life transitions, and prepare for tax-efficient legacy planning. Cynthia holds a bachelor's degree in finance from California State University, Los Angeles, and has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) and Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist™ (CRPS™) designations. She also maintains FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 registrations and holds California insurance licenses for life, health, long-term care, and variable contracts. Cynthia contributes to the professional community through her involvement with the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Scholarship Review Panel and membership in professional organizations such as the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. Her approach centers on understanding clients' life priorities and creating personalized financial plans aligned with their goals and aspirations.

Maria Ang Laigo is a financial advisor at Merrill with 15 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill since 2010. 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 strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Charles Chen is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing extensive experience since joining the firm in 1999. His primary areas of practice include corporate retirement plans, executive stock services, and liability management. Charles partners with Merrill Specialists on credit and corporate pension plans to create financial strategies aligned with his clients' risk tolerance. He serves clients across multiple focus areas including college education planning, executive compensation, legacy planning, small business strategies, and personal retirement planning. Charles holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from California State University, Fullerton. He has earned professional designations as a CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Previously, he led the training program for new Financial Advisors at the Brea, Santa Ana, and Ontario offices. Charles is fluent in English and Chinese. Outside of his professional role, Charles enjoys adventure sports such as mountain biking and snowboarding. He is also an engaged father, supporting his two daughters in dance activities. Charles resides in Anaheim Hills with his wife Angel and their daughters Cameron and Kyle.

Sandy Gage is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She brings extensive experience in wealth management, specializing in helping high-net-worth individuals preserve their principal through tax-efficient strategies and facilitating effective wealth transfers. Sandy's practice emphasizes personalized financial planning tailored to clients' unique goals, including family wealth management, legacy planning, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. Her career began in 1985 on the trading floor of Security Pacific Bank, where she focused on tax-free bond portfolios. Following a series of mergers, her firm became part of Bank of America and later Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Sandy completed executive education at Wharton in 2003, enhancing her expertise in financial advisory services. She holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and has maintained a focus on client-centric strategies throughout her career. Outside of her professional endeavors, Sandy is actively involved in her community through St. Paul The Apostle Church and supports Dana Farber Cancer Research. An avid runner, she has completed marathons across all seven continents, the six World Marathon Majors, all 50 states, and several 100-mile ultra marathons. She balances her career with family life, sharing her passion for running and philanthropy with her husband and four adult children.

Vicente Funes is a Client Experience Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he collaborates with clients to understand their current financial situations and introduces solutions available through Merrill and Bank of America. Since joining Merrill in August 2022, Vicente has worked with many families to address immediate financial needs and establish plans to achieve both their financial and lifestyle goals. His team supports clients in managing goals with varying time horizons, providing assistance that ranges from helping young clients obtain their first credit card to facilitating complex transactions such as taking a company public. Vicente holds professional designations including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of California System and is fluent in English and Spanish. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Vicente is involved with the Japanese American National Museum.