Kansas City, MO 4801 Main St Office

Kelly Bonavia is a financial advisor at Merrill with 40 years of industry experience and holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. She has been with Merrill since 2008 and Bank of America, N.A. since 2009. The firm provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.

Jill Wood is a financial advisor with Merrill in Kansas City, MO, holding a Series 66 designation and 14 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2011 and has been with Bank of America, N.A. since 2019. 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 a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Blake Campbell is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Bank of America and JB Hunt Transport, as well as involvement with Arkansas Athletes Outreach. 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, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Robert Renz II is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He collaborates with clients to implement strategies that produce measurable results, utilizing processes refined over a long career at Merrill Lynch. Robert and his team, who collectively bring extensive tenure and expertise within Merrill, focus on delivering client-centered outcomes through straightforward and cost-effective investment plans supported by advanced technology. His areas of focus include college education planning, corporate executive services, divorce transition planning, equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, individual and corporate investment strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. Robert holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas and a Master's degree from Rockhurst University. His professional designations include Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He has served as Chairman of the Multiple Sclerosis Society's Dinner of Champions event and has been a board member of Bike Walk / Bike Share KC. Outside of work, Robert enjoys cycling, cooking, fishing, and spending time with his family.

Zach Frisch is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a leader at Teahan Frisch Wealth Management. He partners with clients to provide full-service wealth management, focusing on helping individuals and families achieve financial security throughout their lives. Zach emphasizes a disciplined process characterized by simplicity and transparency to guide clients toward their financial goals while minimizing risk. Zach's expertise includes family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. He offers customized wealth strategies covering portfolio and risk management, retirement income planning, wealth transfer and legacy management, banking and lending services, 401(k) retirement plans, and long-term care. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional designation, the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor credential, and is registered with FINRA Series 7 and 66, as well as being a registered insurance agent. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Western Illinois University, as well as a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Outside of his professional work, Zach is involved with the Rockhurst High School Hurtado Scholars Program. His personal interests include cooking, golfing, spending time with his family, tennis, traveling, and yoga.

Kevin Leduff is a Senior Financial Advisor affiliated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on delivering personalized financial strategies that simplify complex decisions and aim to help clients enjoy the present while managing future concerns. Kevin emphasizes one-on-one planning and open communication to facilitate discussions about clients' envisioned futures, helping them avoid hasty or emotional financial decisions. With expertise in areas such as college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, LGBT wealth planning, retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and retirement income, Kevin takes a data-driven approach to managing clients' financial goals. He supports advanced planning and financial education, explaining concepts in a clear manner to design wealth strategies that align with clients’ risk tolerance and objectives. Kevin holds a Bachelor's degree in hotel and restaurant management from Georgia Southern University. Prior to joining Merrill in 2010, he spent eight years working in the restaurant industry with positions of increasing responsibility. A member of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America, Kevin competes locally with his German Shepherd, Artoo. He lives in Brookside, Missouri, with his wife Ferryl and their two sons, and they often attend their children's sporting events together.

Ryan Holmes is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Kansas City, Missouri. Since 2004, he has served clients by developing personalized wealth management strategies tailored to their individual financial goals and changing market conditions. As a qualified Portfolio Advisor, Ryan provides a range of investment services, including recommendations of Merrill Lynch and approved third-party investment managers' strategies, funds, and portfolios. He employs a goals-based wealth management process that integrates time-tested investment principles with flexibility to respond to evolving economic environments. Ryan is dedicated to understanding the priorities of high net-worth individuals, their families, and businesses, crafting customized strategies to help them pursue their long-term objectives. His approach emphasizes a service-focused philosophy that supports clients at every life stage. In addition to his financial advisory role, Ryan follows the Merrill tradition of community involvement by volunteering with local organizations. Ryan holds a High School Diploma from Rockhurst High School and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation.

Mark Goede is a financial advisor at Merrill in Kansas City, MO, with 12 years at the firm and 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. 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, and institutions.

Philip Forbes is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with 12 years of industry experience, currently practicing at Merrill in Kansas City, MO since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he works part-time as a driver for Uber Technologies Inc. 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, and institutional investors.

Steven Loyd is a Senior Resident Director with Merrill, specializing in wealth management strategies tailored to the needs of affluent families, accomplished professionals, and successful business owners. Since beginning his career in the financial services industry in 1994, he has worked alongside a team of specialists to deliver goals-based wealth management through personalized advice and a disciplined investment approach. Steven holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and has a High School Diploma from Billings Missouri. He emphasizes one-on-one collaboration with clients to develop financial strategies aligned with their long-term goals. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Steven is engaged in community service, dedicating time to volunteer with local organizations consistent with Merrill’s tradition of community involvement.

Kelsey Short is a Financial Advisor based in Kansas City associated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She works with individuals, families, and business owners to navigate financial decisions and milestones, with a particular focus on supporting women entrepreneurs and clients seeking to create long-term financial independence. Kelsey holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Kansas and holds professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Her approach to financial planning emphasizes providing guidance that helps simplify complex financial decisions and build confidence for the future. Beyond her advisory role, Kelsey serves as Chairwoman on the Community Impact Council for Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City and the Young Professional Advisory Board for Braden's Hope for Childhood Cancer. Through these roles, she leads efforts in youth financial education, community outreach, and fundraising initiatives supporting childhood cancer research.

Richard Blankenship is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been in the financial services industry since 1994 and re-joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in April of 2016. Richard offers purpose-driven investment consulting and wealth management from an independent, objective, and unbiased perspective. His expertise includes divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, institutional investment consulting, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. Richard holds several professional designations, such as Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Richard graduated from the University of Missouri and earned a Master of Business Administration from Washington University in Saint Louis. He is a member of professional organizations including Rotary South, Jefferson Club, Tiger Scholarship Fund, Mizzou Alumni Association, and Washington University Alumni Association. He is involved in community organizations like the Food Bank and Ronald McDonald Home. Richard is a native of Sikeston, MO, and lives with his wife Brenda and their three daughters. He enjoys baseball, basketball, football, golfing, reading, spending time with family, swimming, traveling, and watching movies.

Elizabeth Smart is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Merrill with five years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2017 and previously worked at Bank of the West from 2011 to 2017. 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, and institutional accounts.

Donald Porterfield is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings 35 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been with Merrill Lynch since 2013. Donald focuses on providing disciplined financial strategies to business owners, individuals, and families by thoroughly understanding their unique financial complexities. He utilizes the investment resources of Merrill and the banking services of Bank of America to address various aspects of clients’ financial lives. Donald’s areas of expertise include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. He is a qualified Portfolio Manager who develops and manages personalized or defined investment strategies, combining individual stocks and bonds, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party strategies. He also supports clients through discretionary management within the firm's Investment Advisory Program. Donald holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Kansas and an MBA from Rockhurst University. His professional designations include Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Outside of his professional commitments, Donald is engaged in community volunteering and enjoys cooking, gardening, golfing, swimming, and traveling.

Conner Teahan is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He utilizes a methodical approach to wealth management that considers various factors including balance sheets, risk tolerance, family dynamics, personal priorities, long-term aspirations, and changing fiscal conditions. This comprehensive analysis enables him to collaborate with clients in developing personalized financial strategies. His expertise covers corporate benefits, divorce transition planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Mr. Teahan holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Kansas. He has earned multiple professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He has received national recognition, being named to Forbes' "Best in State Wealth Advisors" list from 2019 to 2021 and as one of "America's Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors" from 2018 to 2021. Outside of his professional work, Mr. Teahan enjoys basketball, cooking, golfing, reading, and spending time with his family.