Fort Worth, TX Commerce St Office

Elias Bashour is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings over five years of experience in the financial industry, focusing on developing strategies that align with clients' short-, mid-, and long-term goals. His areas of expertise include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Elias holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Texas State University and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He emphasizes a personalized approach to financial planning, using Merrill's tools and research to implement customized financial plans. In his personal time, Elias enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, and playing or watching various sports such as baseball, basketball, billiards, football, and ice hockey. He also has interests in music, photography, traveling, and watching movies.

William Beckworth is a financial advisor at Merrill in Fort Worth, TX, holding a Series 66 designation and with 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at UBS Financial Services from 2015 to 2017 and has been with Merrill and Bank of America since 2017. 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.

Colton Bouher is a Client Experience Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he works with clients to understand their current financial situations and introduces them to solutions available through Merrill and Bank of America. His focus is on helping clients gain knowledge and tools to manage their financial lives effectively. Colton has completed an Associate's Degree from Weatherford College and has also attended the University of Colorado System without earning a degree. He holds a High School Diploma from Northwest High School.

Jacqueline West is a financial advisor with Merrill in Fort Worth, TX, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 20 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2007. Outside of her advisory role, she is a co-owner of family rental properties in Texas. 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 with model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Jennifer Shields is a financial advisor with Merrill in Fort Worth, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 33 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 1991. 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, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Deirdre Babcock is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She works closely with clients to develop personalized financial strategies that align with their individual goals and priorities. Her approach emphasizes flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions, supported by investment insights from Merrill and banking solutions from Bank of America. Deirdre’s areas of expertise include family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, socially responsible and ESG investing, as well as wealth management for women. She holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Deirdre earned her bachelor's degree from Hofstra University. Outside of her professional role, Deirdre enjoys boating, golfing, ice hockey, and spending time with her family. She and her wife live in Manhasset with their young children and are active in the local community.

Damon Heitland is a financial advisor with Merrill in Fort Worth, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and nine years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill and its affiliate Bank of America since 2011. Merrill, together with 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.

Jonathan Black is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in the downtown Fort Worth, Texas office. He began his career in the investment industry in 2005 and has been with Merrill Lynch since 2007. Jonathan's approach involves connecting all aspects of his clients' financial lives to help prioritize and pursue their most important goals, focusing on wealth management planning and financial strategies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies from Texas Christian University and has earned several professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Jonathan's areas of expertise cover a range of services such as college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, philanthropic planning, socially responsible investing, and services for endowments and non-profits. Beyond his professional responsibilities, Jonathan and his wife are active members of the Fort Worth community. He has served on the Board of Governors for the Fort Worth Club and on the Board of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. They dedicate time to various charitable organizations including the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth and are members of Doxology Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Robert Hopkins Knight is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He began his financial career in 2019 working as a personal banker at BBVA before joining Merrill Lynch as an advisor in 2022. Originally from Colorado, he relocated to North Fort Worth in 2021 with his wife. Robert specializes in providing tailored financial planning and wealth management strategies to established business owners, entrepreneurs, and first-generation immigrant families. His areas of expertise include family wealth management, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, and retirement income planning. He focuses on helping clients achieve their short-, mid-, and long-term financial goals through relationship-focused service, leveraging access to Bank of America specialists for banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Robert holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado system and professional designations including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He is fluent in English and Japanese. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, photography, dancing, pickleball, watching movies, writing, and spending time with his family. He is also active in his local communities through volunteering and participation in international cultural events.

Allen Dennis is a financial advisor at Merrill with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Merrill since 1997 and Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Based in Fort Worth, TX, his career spans nearly three decades in wealth management. 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 a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies tailored to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

George Mason is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he collaborates one-on-one with clients to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at supporting their long-term goals. He leverages Merrill’s investment insights alongside the banking and lending solutions provided by Bank of America to create flexible wealth management approaches tailored to clients’ evolving needs. George holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Texas and carries the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He is committed to community involvement, reflecting Merrill’s tradition of service by volunteering with local organizations. Outside of work, George enjoys a variety of activities including biking, boating, fishing, football, horseback riding, music, racquetball, running, surfing, and spending time with his family.

Scott Avery is a Managing Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Abilene. He provides advisory services to high net worth families and their legal and tax advisors, focusing on investment and spending policies, traditional and alternative asset allocation, investment manager selection, liability management, and wealth transfer strategies. Scott also assists business owners with exit planning and the holistic management of their financial needs throughout various stages. He holds several professional designations, including Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Scott maintains his FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from the Texas Tech University System and participates in continuing education through the Investments & Wealth Institute and The Wharton School of Business. Scott is married to his wife, Kristin, and they have three children. Family and an active lifestyle that includes fitness, sports, and spending quality time together are central to his life.

Michael Bessire is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 50 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 1975 and has also been with Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Bessire has a long tenure in financial services. 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 managed by internal and third-party teams for individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Shannon Copeland is a financial advisor at Merrill with 21 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill since 2003. 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.

Mark Ramirez is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on helping clients develop personalized wealth management strategies that are responsive to changing market conditions and aligned with their financial goals. Mark holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Texas System and has earned the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He emphasizes building strong client relationships to provide tailored financial advice that supports long-term success. Outside of his professional work, Mark enjoys a variety of activities including baseball, fishing, football, golfing, hunting, pickleball, skiing, tennis, traveling, and spending time with his family.