Monroe, LA Office

James Orten is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides guidance by leveraging Merrill’s investment resources alongside the banking services of Bank of America to support various aspects of clients’ financial needs. James has been active in the financial services industry since 1981 and joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1995. He holds a bachelor's degree in business from Louisiana Tech University and a graduate degree in banking from the School of Banking of the South. He also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. James is recognized as a member of the Guillot Orten Breaux Nelson Group, which was named to the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” list in 2023 and 2024.

Kelsey Davis is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She provides personalized financial advice and customized planning to help individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions and pursue their goals. Before joining Merrill Lynch, Kelsey spent more than a decade in banking and commercial real estate. She focuses on developing long-term relationships and creating strategies that align wealth with clients' personal priorities. Her expertise includes simplifying financial complexity and preparing clients for their future needs. Kelsey holds a Bachelor's Degree from Texas Tech University System and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation.

Kenneth Guillot is the Senior Resident Director and a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been serving clients since 2004. With over 17 years of experience in the financial services industry, he focuses on managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, small business strategies, sports and entertainment, and retirement income. He emphasizes creating personalized financial strategies tailored to clients' long-term goals, supported by Merrill's investment insights and Bank of America's banking and lending solutions. Mr. Guillot is a lifelong resident of Northeast Louisiana and a graduate of Louisiana Tech University, where he also played baseball. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is involved in various professional and community organizations, including serving as a board member of the Big Whit 77 Foundation and past president of both the Louisiana Tech University Alumni Association and the West Monroe High School Foundation. Outside of work, he enjoys sports-related activities, spending time with his family, and community service through his local church.

William Swander serves as a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and The Swander Group. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 2003, focusing on developing personalized strategies tailored to clients' financial needs. His expertise includes maximizing retirement income while minimizing risk, as well as managing investments, tax minimization strategies, and wealth transfer. William holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Economics from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ designation and is also recognized as a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). William resides in Monroe with his wife Lindsey and their three children. He has been active in the local community, serving on boards such as The United Way and The Boys Club of Northeast Louisiana. William and his family are members of North Monroe Baptist Church.

Emily Morris is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2017 and also associated with Bank of America since 2020. Outside of her advisory role, she owns and operates Emily Morris Paint, a limited liability company through which she sells her paintings. 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 services. The firm emphasizes manager selection and tax-efficient investment strategies, supported by its integration with Bank of America’s broader banking and capital markets platform.

W Adams Rodgers IV is a Senior Financial Advisor and Managing Director at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been active in the financial services industry since 2001. Adams Rodgers is recognized for his work with multiple appearances on the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list from 2019 through 2026. Within The Rodgers Group, he focuses on investments, relationship management, and business development. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 1998 and holds several professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ and Certified Exit Planning Advisor. His expertise includes areas such as retirement income planning, wealth transfer and legacy planning strategies, and planning for healthcare expenses. Outside of his professional work, Adams Rodgers lives in Monroe with his wife, April, and their two daughters. He has served in leadership roles including President of the ULM Alumni Association, Chairman of the Board for Camp Ch-Yo-Ca, Seeker Springs Ministry, and The Jeremy Barnhill Foundation, as well as President of the Northeast Monroe Rotary Club. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Southern Division of The Nature Conservancy. His personal interests include playing drums, fishing, participating in men's spiritual retreats, and church worship.

Melanie Roose is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a board member for the West Monroe High School Lady Rebel Soccer team, where she volunteers in coordination efforts. 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, and institutions.

Ashley Tonore is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She specializes in assisting clients across a range of areas including college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, and services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits. Ashley works closely with clients to develop personalized financial strategies that align with their long-term goals. Ashley holds a Bachelor's Degree from Louisiana State University System and holds professional designations such as Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Her approach emphasizes simplicity and transparency when navigating the complexities of financial planning. Outside of her professional role, Ashley enjoys boating, golfing, and spending time with her family.

Sharol Gault is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2019 and is also employed with Bank of America, N.A. since 2020. 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.

Jeffrey Sunsin is a Senior Financial Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with the firm since 1998, providing financial guidance and expertise to clients. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and maintains professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He and his family reside in Lincoln Parish. Outside of work, Jeffrey enjoys exercising and spending time with his family.

Douglas Hinton is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings extensive experience in financial management, focusing on Business Management, Retirement Planning, and Investments. In his role, Douglas delivers customized financial advice by understanding clients’ current situations and future goals to develop tailored strategies. Douglas holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University and is a Louisiana-licensed Certified Public Accountant. He has FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Before joining Merrill Lynch in November 2014, he had a 34-year career in public and corporate accounting, including 15 years as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in privately held companies. Beyond his advisory role, Douglas serves as President of The Lauviah Foundation, Inc., a family foundation, and is a past president of the Society of Louisiana CPA’s – Northeast Chapter. His personal interests include baseball, football, spending time with family, and traveling.

James Breaux is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of The Guillot Orten Breaux Nelson Group. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2003, he has focused on long-term strategic planning and implementing wealth management strategies to help clients grow their wealth and preserve their lifestyle. He provides personalized wealth management plans tailored to each client's long-term goals and coordinates the team's equity management and portfolio design. James has expertise in complex market cycles and works closely with clients to understand their financial situations and priorities. James holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He holds professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He was named to the 2023-2026 Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list as part of his group. He lives in Monroe, Louisiana with his wife Emma and their two children. James is involved in his community, having served as Board President of the local Ronald McDonald House and currently serving as Vice President of the Board for Med-Camps of Louisiana. He is also a member of the local Civil Air Patrol organization. His interests include running, spending time with his family, and community service.

Matthew Nelson is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career at Merrill Lynch as a Client Associate in 2014 and became a Financial Advisor in 2015. Nelson works with clients through a disciplined wealth management process, providing customized advice and recommendations to help preserve and grow their wealth. He earned both a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University, completing his undergraduate degree in three years while on a football scholarship. Nelson holds several professional designations, including Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Outside of his professional responsibilities, Nelson is involved in sports and community activities. He runs a kicking and punting academy and serves as a board member for a local soccer organization. He is also a board member of the Louisiana Tech University Alumni Association and the Wiggin’Out Cancer Association. Nelson resides in Monroe, Louisiana, with his wife and two children.

Eric Criswell is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill in 2021, he worked at Josh Fuselier State Farm Agency, Key West Properties LLC, and CenturyLink. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.

Maggie Humphries is a financial advisor at Merrill with five years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill since 2019. Her prior experience includes roles at Oglesby Financial Group, Asteri Networks, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, and Louisiana Tech University. 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.