Columbia, SC Gervais St Office

James Turner is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he collaborates one-on-one with clients to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at helping them pursue their long-term goals. He leverages insights from Merrill and solutions from Bank of America to create flexible wealth management plans tailored to individual financial situations and changing market conditions. James holds a Bachelor's Degree from Presbyterian College and carries the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He is committed to the Merrill tradition of community involvement and actively volunteers with local organizations. Outside of his professional responsibilities, James enjoys golfing, playing tennis, and spending time with his family.

Matthew Elleby is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 2015 and has held a position with Bank of America, N.A. since 2026. 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.

Ryan Fain is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, focusing on assisting individuals and families in pursuing their financial goals through tailored strategies and comprehensive planning. His approach emphasizes building strong relationships with clients to understand their unique circumstances and aspirations. He offers guidance in areas such as retirement planning, investment management, risk management, and small business financial management. With over 14 years of experience in the Small Business Development space, Ryan is familiar with the challenges faced by small business owners in managing both their business and personal finances. He holds professional designations including Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His educational background includes a High School Diploma from Leesville High School and studies at the University of Maryland, although no degree was conferred. Outside of his professional duties, Ryan enjoys camping, cooking, gardening, scuba diving, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Courtney Myers is a financial advisor at Merrill with 17 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill since 2009. 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 and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Rebecca Beckley is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2016. 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 and serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Christopher Leigh is a Series 66 licensed advisor with Merrill in Columbia, South Carolina, and has 12 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Bank of America and Merrill since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he owns an LLC formed for liability protection related to a rental property. 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 strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and various institutional investors.

Jessie Palisin is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She focuses on personalized wealth management strategies that align with each client's unique priorities. Jessie emphasizes understanding clients and their families to design financial plans that consider life goals, risk tolerance, time horizons, and liquidity needs. Together with her colleague Brian, she partners with clients through every stage of life, providing ongoing advice and guidance to adjust plans as circumstances evolve. Jessie's areas of expertise include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, small business strategies, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. Jessie holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She attended the University of North Carolina System and the University of Vermont without obtaining degrees, and she completed high school at South Burlington High School. Outside of work, Jessie enjoys activities such as camping, gardening, horseback riding, ice hockey, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Steven Merchant is a financial advisor at Merrill with 14 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill since 2012. 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 and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Vincent Schiano is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he focuses on connecting various aspects of his clients' financial lives to help prioritize and pursue the goals that matter most to them. He assists clients with financial strategies including executive compensation, equity compensation services, family wealth management, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and small business strategies. Vincent holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Clemson University. He holds several professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He is affiliated with professional organizations such as Columbia Children's Theatre and SC Economics. Outside of his professional work, Vincent engages in personal interests including biking, chess, golfing, hunting, pickleball, running marathons, skydiving, and spending time with his family. He is also involved in community initiatives such as living organ donation.

Matthew Swinney is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined Merrill Lynch in 1998, bringing nearly a decade of private sector experience. Matt focuses on developing wealth planning strategies and recommendations tailored for high net worth individuals and their families, addressing financial goals such as retirement and estate planning. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of South Carolina. Matt is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certificant and a Personal Investment Advisor. As a qualified Portfolio Manager, he provides traditional advice and manages personalized investment strategies that may include individual securities, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party strategies, sometimes on a discretionary basis. Matt participates actively in the community through volunteer work. Outside of his professional commitments, he enjoys boating, golfing, reading, and spending time with his family. His approach centers on working closely with clients one-on-one to create personalized financial strategies aimed at pursuing their long-term goals.

Jason Watson is a financial advisor at Merrill with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, and JPMorgan Securities. Outside of his advisory work, he is the owner of a photography business and serves as secretary of a local motorcycle club. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth investors, and institutional entities.

Terry Whigham is a Senior Financial Advisor leading WMB (Whigham Meinel Brazell) & Associates, a boutique wealth management practice within Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He and his team serve high-earning executives and business owners, assisting them in comprehensive wealth creation and advisory services. Their approach incorporates a rules-based, data-driven investment process with strategies that address tax minimization, risk management, and maximizing cash flow. The team also provides daily advice on investment management, banking, and family/estate planning services. Terry's expertise includes managing complex portfolios with assets such as stock options, RSUs, PSUs, and real estate, focusing on tax loss harvesting strategies tailored for clients with highly-taxable concentrated stock positions and real estate assets. His team utilizes proprietary tools like the Personal Wealth Analysis® strategy to deliver personalized wealth plans, focusing on cash flow management, tax mitigation, access to alternative investments, estate and trust planning, and banking services. He has been named to the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list consecutively from 2022 through 2026. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Terry obtained bachelor's degrees from Francis Marion University and the University of South Carolina. He resides in Chapin, SC, with his wife and three daughters, and enjoys outdoor activities such as fishing, golfing, high-intensity interval training, and mountain biking.

William Meinel is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been serving clients since 2007. He specializes in providing wealth management strategies tailored to high-net-worth families, executives, and business owners. William's work emphasizes simplifying financial lives and addressing a wide range of client needs including portfolio management, estate planning, philanthropy, banking, and lending solutions. William holds a Bachelor's degree from Widener University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC). He integrates a comprehensive understanding of his clients' values and objectives to develop personalized wealth management plans aimed at pursuing life goals and planning legacies. Outside of his professional role, William dedicates time to community involvement consistent with Merrill's tradition of service. He enjoys swimming, biking, and running, and spends time with Laura, his partner of over thirty years.

Elizabeth Conger is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2019 and previously was with Capitol Consultants from 2017 to 2019. She also has a background in academia from her time at the University of South Carolina. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Amanda Turner is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2001 and has also been affiliated with Bank of America, N.A. since 2018. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program to Bank of America fiduciary clients. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.