Leawood, KS College Blvd Office

James Fitzgerald is a financial advisor at Merrill with 28 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. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an advisory board member for Angel Flight Central, a nonprofit organization that provides volunteer long-distance air transportation for individuals in crisis. Merrill serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional clients, offering managed account programs, discretionary portfolio management, and brokerage execution and custody services. The firm emphasizes manager selection and tax-efficient investment strategies, supported by deep integration with Bank of America affiliates and a comprehensive capital-markets platform.

Julia Hyde is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in the Leawood, Kansas office. She originally worked for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management while residing in Omaha, Nebraska, and rejoined the firm in 1998. Julia has been part of the Helbert Hyde team for over 15 years, focusing on holistic wealth management to serve clients and their families by determining long-term financial goals and implementing customized investment strategies. Julia's areas of expertise include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, special needs planning strategies, women and wealth, and retirement income. She collaborates closely with clients, gathering information, assessing time horizons and risk tolerance, and maintaining continual dialogue to adjust portfolios as situations evolve. An Iowa native, Julia graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. She has lived in the Kansas City area for over 35 years and resides there with her husband Doug and their rescue dog Millie. They have four adult children and nine grandchildren. Julia holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She supports several charitable organizations in the Kansas City area, including Harvester's, CASA, Susan G Komen, and Great Plains SPCA, and enjoys spending her time away from the office with family and friends at the lake.

Jonathan Helbert is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in working with high-net-worth individuals and families to develop customized financial strategies aimed at meeting their personalized goals. He also leads the ongoing development and assessment of his team's financial strategy and economic outlook. Jonathan joined the Homuth, Hyde and Luby Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2011. He focuses on various client areas including corporate executive services, family wealth management strategies, LGBT wealth planning, managing new wealth, portfolio management services, small business strategies, sports and entertainment, and individual and corporate investment strategy. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation from the CFA® Institute. He is a member of the CFA® Society of Kansas City and involved with professional organizations such as the University of Kansas Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Jonathan is also involved in community organizations including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City and the HappyBottoms Organization. Born and raised in Kansas City, he grew up working in a small, family-owned commercial printing company handling client relations for six years. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, woodworking, and spending time with his family.

Alex De Marea is a financial advisor at Merrill with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has prior work experience at Deloitte Consulting and Bank of America. 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 investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Philip Verhaeghe serves as a Wealth Management Advisor and Managing Director at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he founded The Verhaeghe Group. He leads a team of ten professionals who manage over $1 billion in client assets as of June 2025. Philip specializes in working with affluent families, primarily those with $5 million or more in net worth, assisting them in navigating the complexities of significant wealth. His approach focuses on integrated planning, clarity, and stewardship, addressing interconnected aspects such as investments, legacy planning, liquidity events, business transitions, and philanthropy. Philip's expertise includes preserving purchasing power across generations and coordinating closely with estate and tax professionals. He builds tailored frameworks to simplify complexity and clarify outcomes for his clients. His work has been recognized by Forbes, listing him among the Best-in-State Wealth Advisors from 2018 to 2020 and 2022 to 2025, and by Barron's in 2018 as one of the Top 1,200 Financial Advisors. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Kansas State University and has earned the Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. In his personal life, Philip enjoys mountain biking, fly fishing, and spending time with his family.

Michael Homuth is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, focusing on high net worth individuals and families. He specializes in helping clients navigate wealth management complexities through various life stages, including pre-retirement, retirement, and multi-generational wealth planning. Michael works closely with clients to develop personalized financial strategies, emphasizing long-term relationships and comprehensive guidance tailored to their unique circumstances. He is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Michael and the Homuth Lore Wealth Management Group provide integrated wealth management solutions that include asset management, retirement planning, risk management, and wealth transfer strategies. Their investment approach is collaborative and thematic, aligning portfolios with clients' objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizons using Merrill Lynch's research and technology. Michael is fluent in English and Spanish. Outside of work, he enjoys fishing, football, golfing, reading, skiing, and spending time with his family.

Emma Brophy is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She works closely with clients to define their financial goals and develop portfolio strategies tailored to their individual needs. Emma provides ongoing advice and adapts portfolios as clients' situations change. Her areas of focus include education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. She is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Emma holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Kansas and is involved with professional organizations such as the Chi Omega Fraternity and KU Women in Finance Club. Raised in a family of cattle ranchers, she values trust, hard work, and long-term relationships. Outside of work, she enjoys golfing, horseback riding, spending time with family, swimming, traveling, and yoga. Emma is based in Kansas City, where she participates in community activities and supports local organizations.

Ivor Vinsant is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Kansas City. With a career spanning over five years at Merrill Lynch, Ivor works with multi-generational client families to provide personalized wealth management strategies. His team collectively brings over five decades of combined experience, offering full-service financial planning tailored to each client's unique needs and long-term goals. Ivor's expertise encompasses areas such as college education planning, family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and ESG investing, as well as tax minimization. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Kansas. Outside of his professional pursuits, Ivor enjoys activities including running, rock climbing, skiing, football, golfing, hiking, pickleball, and volleyball.

Daniel Benninghoff is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving clients at Group One Wealth Management since 1994. As the senior member of the team, he oversees the direction and implementation of their investment philosophy and the management of client assets. Dan specializes in delivering client-centered investment solutions through a holistic and sustainable approach, taking into account clients' risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, investment goals, and associated costs. With over 30 years of experience, Dan provides customized investment strategies to high net worth families, corporate executives, and business owners. He manages discretionary investment portfolios using personalized or defined strategies that may include individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch model portfolios, and third-party investment options. His areas of focus include college education planning, family wealth management, endowments and foundations, legacy and philanthropic planning, personal retirement strategies, tax minimization, and services for women, sports, and entertainment professionals. Dan is a native of Newton, Kansas, and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas. He earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation from the Investments & Wealth Institute™, in partnership with the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. Outside of his professional work, Dan is a former collegiate baseball player and enjoys baseball, golf, fishing, travel, and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Janelle, reside in Overland Park, Kansas, and have four adult children. Dan also serves on the Philanthropic Committee for Starlight Theatre.

Richard Homuth is a financial advisor at Merrill with 39 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Merrill since 1986, also working at Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Outside of his advisory role, he is a General Partner of Canterbury Circle Family, a family estate planning LLC. 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 a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.

Kyle Baker is a financial advisor at Merrill with 10 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Bank of America, N.A. and 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Joseph Gilgus is a financial advisor at Merrill with 24 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at both Merrill and Bank of America since 2002 and 2009, respectively. 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 developed by internal teams and third-party managers for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Matthew Cybulski is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in helping individuals, families, and business owners with various aspects of wealth management, including college education planning, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. Matthew focuses on understanding each client's unique goals and priorities to provide tailored financial guidance. He has extensive experience partnering with clients to develop personalized strategies centered on investing, retirement planning, and wealth accumulation. Matthew is committed to building long-term relationships based on trust and transparency, aiming to help clients navigate financial decisions with confidence. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas. Outside of his professional work, Matthew enjoys baseball, basketball, boxing, football, golfing, music, and spending time with his family.

Paul Davis is a Financial Advisor based in Leawood, Kansas, working with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in helping successful families and business owners simplify financial complexity and achieve clarity in their financial lives. His client focus areas include managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, and tax minimization. Paul's approach to financial advising is centered around a clear, disciplined planning process that prioritizes clients' goals. He emphasizes education before action to ensure clients understand the rationale behind each decision, and he takes ownership in following through on recommendations. His work often involves coordinating with specialists in banking, lending, tax, and estate planning to provide integrated wealth management. Paul holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC) designation earned in 2023 and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He holds a Bachelor's degree from Utah State University. Paul is involved with several professional organizations including the Leawood Chamber of Commerce, Mid-America Association of Real Estate Investors (MAREI), and The Connection KC. He also participates in community involvement with the Band of Angels. Outside of his professional work, Paul enjoys activities such as chess, hiking, music, reading, running, writing, yoga, and spending time with his family.

Ryan Antes is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (CRPC®) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. Ryan has been developing goals-based financial strategies for clients since 2002. He specializes in building and managing custom investment strategies, incorporating Merrill Lynch Wealth Management model portfolios and third-party investment options. As a Senior Portfolio Advisor, Ryan may manage client portfolios on a discretionary basis through the firm's Investment Advisory Program. He is a key contributor to the ASA Group's portfolio design team, focusing on enhancing clients’ potential for long-term financial sustainability. Ryan earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities, bass fishing, travel, and cooking. He lives in Olathe with his wife Ashley and values their connections to their large families.