Louisville, KY Bullitt Ln Office

Franci Doroska is a financial advisor at Merrill with 13 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with Merrill since 2014. 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 a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Adam Applegate is a financial advisor at Merrill with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member and fundraising chair for Cub Scout Pack 175 in Jeffersontown, Kentucky. 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, and institutional investors.

Cristalle Vivona currently serves as a Financial Solutions Advisor (FSA) at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In her role, she collaborates with a team of specialists to provide goals-based wealth management services tailored to affluent families, accomplished professionals, and large institutions. Prior to her career in wealth management, Cristalle was a practicing attorney and a successful grant writer for a large local nonprofit organization. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Bellarmine University and a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Kentucky. Cristalle is actively involved in her community, serving on the Bellarmine Alumni Board and participating in organizations such as Gilda's Club Kentuckiana and St. Edward Catholic Church. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, camping, and supporting local interests including the Bellarmine Knights and the city of Louisville.

Linda Marcukaitis is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She joined Merrill in 2014 as a part-time Client Associate and entered the Merrill Financial Advisor training program in 2017. In 2018, she became a fully licensed Financial Advisor and currently supports the team in her senior role. Linda’s expertise includes family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, and portfolio management services. She holds a bachelor's degree from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Louisville. Additionally, she maintains Series 7 and 66 FINRA registrations and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Prior to joining Merrill, Linda worked in the banking industry. Outside of her professional work, Linda enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. She resides in Prospect with her husband, Brian, and their two children.

James Bowman II is a financial advisor with Merrill in Louisville, KY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 40 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2007 and Bank of America, N.A. since 2009. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Mark Dill is a Senior Financial Advisor and partner with Brennan & Associates at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, a role he has held since 2018. His decision to enter the wealth management field was influenced by his personal experiences during the 2008-2009 recession. Mark holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designations, credentials that support his expertise in guiding clients through multigenerational family planning and complex financial decisions. Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Mark graduated from Henry Clay High School before attending Centre College. At Centre, he studied economics and finance, graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. During his college years, he was a four-year member of the baseball team and led a student investment group managing a portion of the college's endowment. Mark is actively involved in his community, serving on the Board of Deacons at Calvary Baptist Church and volunteering with organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Kentucky Children's Hospital. He and his wife, Alison, reside in Lexington with their two children and enjoy activities such as golfing.

Phillip Gross is a financial advisor at Merrill with 12 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Bank of America and Merrill since 2014. 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 both model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Golnoush Esmaeily is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She works with individuals and families to understand their current financial positions, define their goals, and develop personalized strategies to pursue those goals. Her approach emphasizes listening to each client's unique circumstances, concerns, and priorities to make financial decisions clearer and easier to navigate. Golnoush assists clients in various areas including retirement planning, wealth accumulation, education funding, estate and legacy considerations, and liquidity management. She also coordinates with specialists across Merrill and Bank of America to provide additional investment, banking, lending, and cash-management services as needed. Prior to her current role, Golnoush gained experience in accounting, focusing on individual, trust, estate, and gift taxation, which enhanced her analytical skills and perspective on wealth management. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Economics and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Louisville. She also holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Golnoush is fluent in English and Persian. In her personal life, Golnoush enjoys cooking, gardening, interior decorating, pottery, reading, spending time with her family, and traveling.

Denise Holmes is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 40 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 1983. 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 developed by internal and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Rebecca Thomas is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She works closely with clients to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at pursuing their long-term goals. Her client focus areas include education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, philanthropic planning, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. Rebecca holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She earned her High School Diploma/GED from Doss High School. She follows the Merrill tradition of community involvement and volunteers with organizations such as Heuser Hearing & Language Institute and Northside Christian Church. In her personal time, Rebecca enjoys activities such as fishing, football, gardening, horseback riding, music, spending time with her family, watching movies, and practicing yoga.

Bethany Watkins is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She holds the professional designation of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP).

Kristen Daugherty is a financial advisor at Merrill with four years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at First Kentucky Securities Corporation and Eye Level Films. 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 and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Braxton Day is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he provides personalized financial planning services, collaborating with clients to clarify financial goals, understand their overall financial situations, and implement tailored investment strategies aimed at maximizing assets and supporting long-term success. His client focus areas include family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and retirement income. Braxton holds Series 7 and Series 66 FINRA registrations. He has earned professional designations including the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® (CPFA®), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). These credentials reflect his knowledge in retirement planning, fiduciary best practices for plan sponsors, and plan governance. He holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing with a minor in Business from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Braxton resides in Louisville, Kentucky, where he participates in sports such as tennis, pickleball, and golf.

Paul Oberst is a financial advisor with Merrill in Louisville, KY, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing nine years of industry experience. He has been with Bank of America and Merrill since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, Oberst serves as a joint trustee of the Oberst Gift Trust, a financial planning instrument. 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 a range of individuals and institutions.

Lawson Brendle is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in working closely with clients to define their financial goals and develop personalized portfolio strategies. He focuses on areas including education planning, executive compensation, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and serving clients in the sports and entertainment sectors. Lawson emphasizes a client-centered approach, adapting financial plans as individual circumstances evolve. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree from Auburn University at Montgomery. Lawson has earned several professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). His background reflects a commitment to collaboration and service, shaped by early experiences in sports and church community. Outside of his professional work, Lawson participates in community activities through Reality & Truth Ministries. His personal interests include basketball, football, golfing, table tennis, volleyball, spending time with family, and watching movies.