Lecanto, FL Office

Walter Szturma is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings a disciplined and creative approach to advising, developing personalized financial strategies designed to help clients pursue their long-term goals. Walter collaborates closely with individuals, families, businesses, and non-profits to provide investment management solutions focused on growing and preserving wealth. His client expertise includes college education planning, family wealth management, divorce transition planning, legacy and retirement planning, as well as specialized services for endowments, foundations, defined benefit and contribution plans, and sports and entertainment sectors. Walter began his career after working with the New York Stock Exchange and joined Merrill in 1978. Over more than four decades, he has integrated his entrepreneurial skills with a commitment to client-centered service, leveraging research and resources from Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. His educational background includes a master’s and bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University, where he was recognized by Beta Gamma Sigma and Omicron Delta Epsilon honor societies for scholastic achievement. Walter holds professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), and he is a voting member of the American Economic Association. Walter’s career also reflects strong community involvement. He spent 21 years conducting business in the US Virgin Islands, where he was active in local non-profit boards and mentoring programs, supporting organizations such as the Caribbean Dance Company, Island Center for the Performing Arts, and the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix. A lifelong Rotarian, he continues to dedicate time to volunteer activities. His personal interests include baseball, football, ice hockey, music, photography, scuba diving, singing, softball, swimming, and tennis.