Highland Park, IL St Johns Ave Office

Dragos Stoicescu is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. With over 25 years of experience in financial services, he specializes in retirement income planning, tax efficiency, executive compensation, education funding, wealth transfer, and legacy planning. Dragos's approach is high-touch and goal-based, aiming to provide clients with clear understanding and confidence in their financial decisions. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois System and professional designations including Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). Fluent in English, Romanian, and Spanish, Dragos draws on his extensive experience to help individuals, families, executives, and business owners manage their financial lives efficiently. Outside of his professional work, Dragos enjoys boating, cooking, hiking, music, reading, swimming, traveling, and spending time with his family. He is actively involved in community organizations such as the Anti Cruelty Society, Chicago Botanic Garden, Feed My Starving Children, Greater Food Depository, Journeys the Road Home, Paws, and REACH Food Pantry.

Mark Haussermann is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 15 years of experience, primarily focused on corporate retirement plans. Since joining Merrill in 2003, he has developed a corporate retirement plan practice aimed at delivering tailored financial strategies for both plan sponsors and participants. His advisory approach emphasizes fiduciary responsibility and personalized wealth management, working closely with clients to address their specific goals and challenges. Mark holds several professional designations, including Certified 401(k) Professional (CKP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Colgate University. His expertise spans areas such as corporate benefits, executive services, employee financial health, retirement income strategies, and divorce transition planning. Outside of his professional role, Mark participates in community volunteer activities aligned with Merrill's tradition of community involvement. His personal interests include cooking, golfing, music, tennis, and spending time with his family.

Mirza Baig is a financial advisor with Merrill holding a Series 66 designation. He has one year of industry experience and has previously worked at Citi and Bank of America. Baig also has a background in education, having taught at Northeastern Illinois 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. The firm offers a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies tailored to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Steven Greene is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in corporate benefits, executive and equity compensation services, personal retirement planning, and retirement income strategies. Steven focuses on helping clients achieve their financial goals by creating personalized wealth management plans tailored to their unique aspirations and family priorities. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Amherst College, a Master's Degree from Yale University, and a Master's Degree from Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Steven's experience spans wealth management, estate planning, trust advice, and investment portfolio strategies. His role involves providing clients with comprehensive, customized financial roadmaps, leveraging the investment insights of Merrill and the banking services of Bank of America. Steven serves as President of the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra and is a board member of both the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra and Ravinia Festival Associates. He is also a committee member of the Ravinia Steans Music Institute. Outside of work, Steven enjoys music, reading, and spending time with his family.

David Kassner is a Senior Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill. He has been serving individuals and businesses since 1997, beginning his career with a global management consulting company. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, he specialized in advanced and institutional insurance and investment strategies. David has expertise in a range of areas including college education planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, socially responsible and values-based investing, women and wealth, individual and corporate investment strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds a Bachelor's degree and an MBA from Northwestern University and the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, respectively. His professional designations include CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Residing in Glenview, Illinois, David lives with his wife Barbara and their three children. Outside of work, he participates in community organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, Glenview Park Foundation, and Northwestern University. He is a member of the Exmoor Curling Club, Northwestern University Leadership Circle Board, and the Professional Ski Instructors Association (PSIA). His personal interests include curling, skiing, golfing, refereeing, hiking, soccer, music, traveling, spending time with family, and watching movies.

Andrew Chusid is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career in financial services in 2016 and currently assists clients in managing their wealth to meet individual needs. Andrew follows a comprehensive approach that starts with listening to client goals and ensures every potential solution aligns with their objectives. His expertise encompasses college education planning, executive compensation, equity compensation services, legacy planning, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. Andrew emphasizes a goals-based wealth management process involving planning for both defined goals and unexpected events, executing personalized strategies, and ongoing review to track progress. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University. He is involved in community organizations including the Evanston Chamber of Commerce, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, and Prairie State Legal Services. He resides in Evanston with his wife and daughter.

James Armstrong Jr. is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and over 35 years of industry experience. He has worked with Merrill since 2013 and Bank of America, N.A. since 2014. Armstrong also serves as a trustee for SEA and JFA Trust in Illinois. 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.