Garden City, NY Franklin Ave Office

Ashley Vaccaro is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has been part of The Russo Rosenstein Group since 2014. She assists high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals across more than 20 states, including senior-level corporate executives, private business owners, entrepreneurs, law firm partners, and multiple generations of families. Ashley is actively engaged in the early planning stages of client relationships and leads client meetings, coordinates with specialists, and manages seminars and webinars to support client needs. Ashley holds several professional designations, including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® (CPFA®), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). She earned a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and a Master's degree from Molloy College and Molloy University, respectively. Ashley is also a member of the Molloy University Alumni Association. In addition to her professional work, Ashley participates in local fundraising walks and runs, mentors college students interested in the financial industry, and has hosted virtual events to support foster children through the Long Island Women's Exchange. A former high school and college lacrosse and volleyball player, she is beginning to play golf. Ashley enjoys activities such as cooking, music, painting, photography, reading, running, spending time with family, traveling, and writing.

Steven Ward is a Series 63-licensed financial advisor with Merrill, where he has worked since 1986, totaling 37 years of industry experience. Outside of his advisory role, he occasionally assists with a family-owned photography business. 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 a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional entities.

Matthew Gold is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career in the financial services industry in 2000 after graduating with a bachelor's degree in Statistics from the University of Michigan. He started at Lebenthal, a New York municipal bond firm, and joined the Garden City office of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in March 2006 following the firm's acquisition of Advest. Matthew holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, awarded in October 2010, and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) certification. He assists clients in determining long-term financial goals and implements wealth management strategies tailored to their risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, and overall investment objectives. As a qualified Portfolio Manager, he builds and manages personalized or defined investment strategies that may include individual securities, Merrill Lynch model portfolios, and third-party strategies. He collaborates with specialists in trust and estate planning, retirement planning, wealth accumulation, and wealth preservation to develop comprehensive solutions. Matthew lives in Syosset, NY with his wife and children. He is involved in his community as an assistant coach for the Syosset Basketball Association. In his free time, he enjoys basketball, boating, football, golfing, music, skiing, softball, spending time with family, traveling, and volleyball.

Maria Barilla is a financial advisor with Merrill in Garden City, NY. She holds a Series 63 designation and has 30 years of industry experience, including 15 years with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services for 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.

William Peyton is a financial advisor at Merrill with 27 years of industry experience. He has held his current role since 2012 and holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. 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.

Ryan Meca is a Wealth Management Advisor serving clients through Merrill and Bank of America. In his role, he focuses on creating personalized financial strategies that align with his clients' goals. He works with individuals and families to develop tailored plans that address their unique aspirations and circumstances. His areas of expertise include family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Ryan holds the professional designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Saint John's University. Outside of his professional work, Ryan enjoys baseball, cooking, music, running, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Joshua Soto is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he works closely with individuals, families, and business owners to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at pursuing short-, mid-, and long-term goals. He provides resources and guidance on investing, retirement planning, education funding, and small business solutions, including access to specialists in banking, credit, home financing, and small business services. His areas of focus include college education planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. Joshua approaches financial planning by understanding what matters most to each client and tailoring strategies accordingly, serving as a trusted resource to help clients make informed financial decisions. Joshua holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He earned an associate's degree from Suffolk County Community College and a bachelor's degree from Pace University, following his graduation from William Floyd High School. He is affiliated with Merrill professional organizations.

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch in 2001, he spent 18 years trading U.S. Treasury bonds on Wall Street. He specializes in personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income strategies. Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Amherst College and graduated from Chaminade High School in Mineola, NY. He has earned several professional designations, including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He lives in Garden City, NY with his wife Dolores and their four grown children. In addition to his professional work, Mark serves on the Board of Governors for both the Cherry Valley Club in Garden City and the Lawrence Beach Club in Atlantic Beach, NY. His personal interests include golfing, hiking, skiing, and spending time with his family.

Martin Schwartz is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career in the financial services industry in 1983 and has over four decades of experience serving multiple generations of clients across various financial stages. His practice focuses on areas such as college education planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and values-based investing, tax minimization, and retirement income. Throughout his career, Martin has worked with entrepreneurs, real estate investors, physicians, teachers, attorneys, CPAs, retirees, and diverse family structures, providing comprehensive planning and coordination with clients' CPAs and attorneys for tax-minimization and estate planning strategies. His approach involves acting as a full-service team that prioritizes and plans for clients' futures, simplifying complex financial decisions, and addressing various life transitions including retirement, wealth transfer, and long-term care planning. Martin holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan and holds professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He resides on Long Island, New York with his spouse and enjoys baseball, football, golfing, ice hockey, reading, and spending time with his family. He has also served the community for 26 years through his affiliation with the Five Towns Kiwanis Club, holding positions such as Past President and Treasurer Emeritus.

John Guzzetti is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on helping individuals and families pursue their financial goals through personalized investment, retirement, and wealth planning strategies. Guzzetti works to build lasting relationships and provide guidance tailored to each client's unique needs. His client focus areas include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, and retirement income. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Indiana University and has earned the designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional work, Guzzetti's personal interests include basketball, chess, pickleball, soccer, spending time with his family, tennis, and traveling.

Jason Wachtler is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career at Merrill Lynch in 2005 after graduating with honors from the University at Albany with a dual degree in Finance and Management Information Systems. Jason holds an MBA in Investments from Hofstra University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He also holds several professional designations including the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). In his role, Jason coordinates all aspects of the wealth management process and develops customized investment management strategies. He works closely with clients to determine long-term financial goals and implement wealth management strategies through detailed planning. His approach considers factors such as risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, investment goals, and associated costs. Jason's client focus areas include college education planning, divorce transition planning, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, socially responsible and ESG investing, sports and entertainment, tax minimization, and retirement income. Jason lives in Melville, New York with his wife and two sons. He is involved in the community through coaching his sons' youth sports during spring and fall seasons and participates in organizations such as Half Hollow Soccer and Little League.

Huijie Wang is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, Huijie provides personalized investment advice to clients, helping them manage and grow their wealth. Huijie holds the professional designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Huijie earned a Certificate of Higher Education from Wuhan Institute of Shipbuilding Technology. Huijie is proficient in both English and Chinese.

Illana Piroozian is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Garden City, New York. She has been serving in this role since May 2000, providing comprehensive financial advisory services to individuals and businesses. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, she worked as an accountant at a local CPA firm from 1985 to 2000. Her areas of expertise include corporate executive services, executive compensation, equity compensation services, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, legacy planning, liquidity management, philanthropic planning, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Illana holds professional designations such as CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Illana earned a Bachelor's Degree from Queens College. She is fluent in Persian and English. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys cooking, dancing, music, reading, and spending time with her family.

Agnieszka Supel is a Financial Advisor and Assistant Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has been working since 1994. She provides clients with tailored strategies addressing various financial needs, including retirement planning, estate planning services, business solutions, and other wealth management areas. Agnieszka is committed to understanding her clients' unique goals and circumstances to build meaningful, long-term relationships. With over 30 years of experience in the financial industry, Agnieszka supports clients across a wide range of financial services such as college planning, retirement planning, wealth management, estate planning, and corporate business solutions. She holds FINRA Series 7, 65, and 63 registrations, and has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® designations. Originally from Poland, Agnieszka holds a master's degree in English literature and American studies from Warsaw University. She enjoys traveling, skiing, playing tennis, theater, arts, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Agnieszka has been named to the 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list as a member of The Williams Tomlin Group.

Scott Koppelman is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, affiliated with Bank of America. He brings a comprehensive approach to managing wealth that emphasizes understanding each client's individual needs and goals. Scott provides access to investment insights and banking services to address various aspects of clients' financial lives. Scott began his career on Wall Street in 1979, during a period of significant market challenges. Over the years, he has gained experience in diverse areas, including college education planning, family wealth management, retirement planning, portfolio management, legacy planning, and investment consulting for defined contribution plans. He holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned his bachelor's degree from Hofstra University. Scott also participates in community volunteering as part of the Merrill tradition. His personal interests include baseball, boxing, music, and spending time with his family.