Chesterfield, MO Chesterfield Ctr Office

Michael Volmert is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional who has been with Merrill Lynch in Chesterfield, Missouri since 2014. In his role, he collaborates with clients to address financial goals such as education funding, retirement planning, and legacy wealth distribution. Before joining Merrill Lynch, Michael spent nearly 25 years running his own IT services business in St. Louis, gaining comprehensive experience in business operations. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri system and a Master's degree from the Southern Illinois University system. Michael has served on the boards of several organizations, including Canterbury Enterprises and the Chesterfield YMCA, and was President of the Board of Directors for the St. Louis Society for the Physically Disabled. Outside of work, he enjoys bicycling, running, golf, snow skiing, and recreational boating. He resides in Wildwood with his wife.

Susan Wintermute is a financial advisor at Merrill with six years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 credential and has worked at Merrill since 2019. Prior to joining Merrill, she spent 15 years at Granite Transformations of St. Louis. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as co-trustee of The I.E. and V.R.K Better Living Trust in Wildwood, Missouri. 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.

Justin Eads is a financial advisor with Merrill holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Major Brands/Breakthru Beverage and Academy Sports + Outdoors LTD, as well as time spent at Quincy University. 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 strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Christopher Kilfoyle is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he provides personalized financial guidance to clients. He focuses on understanding clients' goals and concerns to develop strategies that address short-, mid-, and long-term financial objectives. His services include general investing, retirement planning, college education planning, legacy planning, managing new wealth, and portfolio management. He also facilitates access to specialists in banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions through Bank of America. Christopher holds a Bachelor's Degree from Missouri State University and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. His professional approach emphasizes listening to clients in order to build tailored strategies that reflect their individual lives rather than using a one-size-fits-all template. He offers ongoing advice and support as clients' financial needs evolve. Outside of his professional work, Christopher is involved with Junior Achievement, reflecting his commitment to community involvement. His personal interests include baseball, chess, cooking, football, golfing, ice hockey, music, singing, spending time with family, and traveling.

Matthew Shannon is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined Merrill Lynch in March 2022 and brings over 10 years of experience in the financial industry, having previously worked as a Financial Advisor for Wells Fargo. Matthew specializes in building and managing long-term retirement plans to provide clients with confidence about their financial future. His client focus areas include employee benefits planning, executive compensation, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and ESG investing, special needs planning strategies, sports and entertainment, and retirement income. Matthew earned his Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation in 2019, his Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation in 2020, and his Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation in 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Southeast Missouri State University, where he was also a four-year letter winner in football. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and participates in community activities with Habitats for Humanity. Matthew lives in Wentzville, Missouri with his wife Stefanie and their daughters Madilyn and Ella. In his free time, he enjoys boating, fishing, football, golfing, hunting, music, and tennis, as well as spending time with his family and traveling.

Matthew Stokes is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in personalized retirement planning and wealth management strategies that focus on protecting and growing assets to help clients achieve financial independence and confidence in retirement. With 10 years of experience in financial markets, Matthew guides families through major life transitions such as retirement, career changes, and business exits, aligning strategies with their goals and values. Matthew holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Missouri System and has earned 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). His expertise encompasses retirement income planning, tax-efficient investment strategies, risk management, and portfolio optimization. Outside of his professional role, Matthew is involved with the Gateway Region YMCA of O'Fallon. He enjoys camping, golfing, and woodworking, and values faith and family, often spending time with his wife and three children engaged in outdoor activities.

Joshua Reichman is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in developing personalized financial strategies tailored to individual client goals. He focuses on areas including divorce transition planning, institutional and corporate benefit services, and investment consulting for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, among others. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin System and maintains several professional designations, including Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Certified 401(k) Professional (CKP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Beyond his professional role, Joshua engages with the community through volunteering efforts aligned with Merrill's tradition of community participation. His personal interests include golfing, skiing, and traveling.

Alex Shannon is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been a financial professional since 1998 and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. Alex is committed to providing clients with tailored financial and retirement strategies to help them build a solid foundation for confident decision-making. With over 15 years of experience, Alex offers personalized strategies in areas including retirement planning, trust and estate planning in collaboration with clients' tax accountants and attorneys, long-term care strategies, life insurance strategies, wealth preservation, educational planning, managed strategies, financing purchases, transfer of wealth, and business succession planning. He emphasizes a hands-on approach to ensure clients' short-term and long-term goals are met. Alex graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, emphasizing finance. He grew up in the St. Louis area and resides in Washington, MO with his wife and two children. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and involved in his church community.

James Harter is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in wealth management services for families and institutions. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2003, he has focused on delivering a goals-based financial approach tailored to the unique aspirations and needs of his clients. Harter works closely with high-net-worth individuals, business executives, and entrepreneurs to develop integrated strategies that address investment management, retirement income planning, estate planning, tax minimization, and wealth transfer. He emphasizes a disciplined investment process that leverages Merrill Lynch’s global research and resources, alongside personalized lending solutions through Bank of America, N.A. Harter holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management Information Systems and International Business, as well as a Master of Business Administration, both from Saint Louis University. He has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ designation, reflecting his commitment to retirement planning and wealth preservation strategies. His approach involves collaborating with clients' accounting and legal professionals to customize financial strategies that align with each client’s goals, risk tolerance, and family circumstances. Outside of his professional role, Harter enjoys spending time with his family and engaging in various sports including baseball, basketball, fishing, golfing, racquetball, skiing, soccer, tennis, and traveling. He resides in Ballwin, Missouri, with his wife and three children.

Brandon Portell is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, dedicated to serving individuals and families in making thoughtful decisions about their wealth, future, and the life they want to build. He aims to bring clarity to financial complexity by collaborating with clients to understand their unique situations and goals, and crafting clear financial strategies. Brandon serves as a trusted partner, helping clients navigate important financial decisions with confidence and purpose. He brings expertise in areas including college education planning, executive compensation, legacy planning, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, small business strategies, and tax minimization. Brandon holds professional designations as an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His personal experience with financial uncertainty fuels his commitment to helping clients overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Brandon earned his High School Diploma from Troy Buchanan High School. Outside of his professional work, he is newly married and a father of three children. He and his family are actively involved in the Troy community. He enjoys football, golfing, and spending time with his family.

Jennifer Kimble is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, women and wealth, and tax minimization. She works with clients throughout the Greater St. Louis market, focusing on simplifying complex financial decisions and providing personalized advice through relationship-driven conversations. Jennifer's professional background includes experience as a trader executing equity, options, and fixed-income transactions in a fast-paced, regulated environment. This experience enhanced her attention to detail and understanding of risk management and market functions. At Merrill Lynch, she combines technical market knowledge with a focus on human connection, aiming to build long-term relationships based on trust through listening and clarity. She holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Jennifer earned her High School Diploma/GED from Lindenwood University. In her personal time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, photography, reading, traveling, and writing. Her professional philosophy is to help clients uncover what matters to them and their families to create strategies that pursue their financial goals.

Mario Guzman is a Client Experience Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he collaborates with clients to understand their current financial situations and introduce solutions available through Merrill and Bank of America. His work focuses on empowering clients to take control of their financial lives by choosing platforms that best fit their needs. Mario's expertise lies in assisting clients with managing various financial priorities, such as purchasing a home, saving for education, caring for elderly parents, and preparing for healthcare needs. As a Merrill Financial Solutions Advisor, he provides one-on-one guidance to define clients' goals and develop portfolio strategies tailored to those objectives. He offers ongoing advice and helps adapt portfolios as clients' situations evolve. He holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri System. Additionally, Mario is associated with the United States Air Force Reserves.

Tara Pugh is a financial advisor at Merrill with 11 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC for three years before joining Merrill in 2017. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies developed by internal and third-party managers.

Richard Wurl is a Wealth Management Advisor affiliated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He collaborates with clients to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at helping them pursue their long-term goals. Drawing on resources from Merrill and Bank of America, he provides insights and banking solutions tailored to changing market conditions. Richard holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Truman State University and his Master's Degree from Saint Louis University. In addition to his professional work, Richard participates in community volunteer activities in line with Merrill's tradition of serving the communities where they operate.

Patrick Aydt is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has served clients since 1984. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, he provides comprehensive financial guidance to businesses, individuals, and families. Patrick focuses on helping clients maintain their purchasing power, lifestyle, and dignity during retirement, offering expertise in retirement and education planning, risk-managed investing, portfolio management, tax minimization, and lending services through Bank of America, N.A. Patrick earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University in 1978. Over his career, he has developed specialized knowledge in areas including family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and individual and corporate investment strategy. He works closely with clients to coordinate financial plans with their CPAs and attorneys, ensuring alignment of tax and estate planning strategies. Patrick also participates in community organizations, serving as a board member and donor to The Repertory Theater of St. Louis and supporting the Missouri Botanical Garden. Outside of his professional duties, Patrick enjoys biking, dancing, golfing, hiking, reading, swimming, yoga, and spending time with his family. He resides in St. Louis and has been actively involved in local civic and charitable roles throughout his career.