Napa, CA Main St Office

Wyatt Knippen is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in goals-based wealth management, customized investment strategies, and dedicated client service. He works closely with the Negrete & Associates team to develop tailored approaches that align with the unique circumstances and objectives of each client. Wyatt serves as a key client contact, focusing on building long-term relationships and remaining attentive to clients' evolving priorities, while leveraging the resources of Bank of America’s Retirement and Benefit Plan Services Group. Before joining Merrill Lynch in 2017, Wyatt spent 13 years as an insurance broker, gaining experience in client relations and financial planning. His areas of expertise include divorce transition planning, defined benefit and contribution plan services, employee financial health, managing new wealth, and personal retirement planning. He holds professional designations such as CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Wyatt earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from California State University-Sonoma and an MBA from Saint Mary’s College of California. Raised in Napa Valley, he enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, gardening, and hunting. In his personal time, Wyatt cultivates his garden, tending to fruit trees, tomatoes, and melons.

Kristoffer Conrad Pingul is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works directly with clients to define their financial goals and develop portfolio strategies tailored to their individual needs. His approach includes ongoing advice and portfolio adjustments to align with clients' changing situations. His expertise encompasses employee benefits planning, retirement income, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and both individual and corporate investment strategies. He holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Kristoffer earned a High School Diploma from Davis Senior High School, an Associate's Degree from Solano Community College, attended San Francisco State University without degree completion, and completed an Accredited Certificate Program at The American College of Financial Services. Kristoffer speaks Tagalog and English and is affiliated with the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ). His personal interests include billiards, bowling, golfing, reading, spending time with family, tennis, traveling, volleyball, watching movies, and woodworking.

Katherine Engel is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She focuses on helping clients achieve their financial goals through personalized wealth management strategies that adapt to changing market conditions. Her client focus areas include Family Wealth Management Strategies, Personal Retirement Planning, and Individual and Corporate Investment Strategy. Katherine earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) certification in 2022, enhancing her expertise in the financial services sector to better assist her clients. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Fordham University and a Master's Degree from the University of Sydney. She carries professional designations including Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Engaged in her community, Katherine participates in organizations such as 100 Women Who Care and Soroptimists International. She volunteers with local groups including the Community Resources for Children Development Committee, Leadership Napa Valley Class 35, Napa United Soccer as a coach, and the Napa Valley Support Services Committee. Her personal interests include cooking, football, reading, running, scuba diving, soccer, softball, spending time with her family, traveling, and watching movies.

Fredy Tanchez is a Series 66 credentialed advisor at Merrill with three years of industry experience. He previously worked at Flynn Restaurant Group LLC before joining Merrill. 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 institutions.

Stephen Schug is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career in financial services in 2019 and focuses on helping families, small businesses, and executives achieve their financial goals through a comprehensive goals-based wealth management approach. Stephen holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of California System. His expertise centers on retirement planning and benefits strategies, particularly for businesses and self-employed professionals. Stephen and his team work closely with clients to optimize plan design, evaluate administration costs, and improve retirement outcomes. They also assist with areas such as divorce transition planning, employee benefits planning, executive compensation, liquidity management, and tax minimization. In addition to his professional work, Stephen is involved with the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance. Outside of work, his personal interests include cooking, fishing, golfing, and skiing.

Cynthia Voth is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in the Napa office since 2003. She holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation along with credentials as a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Cynthia advises individual clients, families, and business owners, providing customized investment strategies focused on retirement planning, wealth transfer, asset preservation, and employee benefit options including 401(k) and deferred compensation plans. Cynthia earned her bachelor's degree from Pacific Union College and is fluent in both English and Spanish. She brings extensive experience from her earlier career in San Francisco’s financial services industry and applies this knowledge to help clients achieve their short- and long-term financial goals. In addition to her professional work, Cynthia volunteers in her local community as a member of Soroptimist International of St. Helena Sunrise. She lives in St. Helena with her family and enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.

Fatima Sosa Ortiz is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Napa. She advises individuals and families on financial decisions, focusing on managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and supporting women in wealth management. Fatima emphasizes personalized strategies and long-term relationships to help clients achieve their financial goals. Before joining Merrill in 2022, Fatima worked with business owners at JPMorgan Chase in St. Helena, gaining experience in building trusted client relationships and guiding financial decisions through various life stages. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Pacific Union College and has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. Fatima is fluent in English and Spanish. Fatima is involved with professional and community organizations including Girls on the Run, Leadership Napa Valley, Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Soroptimist International of St. Helena Sunrise, and The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Napa Lodge #2043. She resides in Napa Valley and engages in interests such as cooking, hiking, music, painting, reading, running, skiing, traveling, and spending time with family.

Robin Rocha is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, Robin collaborates with clients to understand their full financial picture and develop personalized wealth management strategies that address their unique priorities. Robin's approach includes helping clients navigate changes in life and finances while focusing on key life priorities such as family, finances, health, home, leisure, work, and giving. Robin's expertise encompasses areas such as college education planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, special needs planning strategies, women and wealth, and retirement income. With a belief that managing wealth extends beyond building investment portfolios, Robin works one-on-one with clients to define what matters most as they prepare for the next stages in life. Robin holds a Bachelor's Degree from Wheaton College and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of professional commitments, Robin is involved with community organizations including Collabra Care, Lincoln Theatre, and Strive for College. Additionally, Robin has professional associations with Napa Valley Vintners and has been a proprietor of Pellet Winery. Personal interests include basketball, dancing, football, traveling, and watching movies.

Nathan Krill is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in helping individuals and families build and grow their wealth with an emphasis on retirement planning and financial confidence. Drawing on his experience as a former professional athlete, Nathan applies the principles of discipline, preparation, and long-term goal setting to his financial advisory practice. Nathan holds a Bachelor's Degree from Wesleyan University and a Master's Degree from the University of San Francisco. He has earned the professional designations of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His approach focuses on thoughtful financial planning, disciplined investment strategies, and personalized guidance to assist clients in maximizing their wealth. Outside of his professional work, Nathan enjoys a variety of activities including basketball, biking, camping, football, golfing, pickleball, scuba diving, spending time with his family, and watching movies. He is committed to serving his clients and community with a focus on helping them uncover what matters most to them and pursue their financial goals accordingly.

Kirk Mulligan is a Senior Financial Advisor with extensive experience in personal and corporate advisory services, focusing on personal and family wealth strategies, legacy planning, and corporate benefits and executive compensation. Based in the Sonoma Valley, he works closely with family-owned businesses in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys to provide personal wealth strategies and holistic wealth planning. His approach helps clients bridge generational gaps by supporting legacy succession, wealth transfer, and related tax considerations. With 35 years in the financial services industry, Kirk has expertise in corporate benefits, employee benefits planning, institutional consulting, and retirement income strategies. He assists clients with defined contribution and defined benefit plans, as well as fiduciary and compliance-related challenges. Kirk's professional designations include Certified 401(k) Professional (CKP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California system. Kirk lives in Sonoma Valley, California, where he enjoys gardening and spending time with his family and dogs.

John Heflebower is a financial advisor with Merrill in Napa, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 36 years of industry experience. He has worked with Merrill since 1989 and Bank of America since 2010. Outside of advising, he occasionally consults for the wine industry and is involved as a limited partner in LLCs related to movie production. 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 investors, and institutions.

Monique Moreno is a financial advisor at Merrill with 15 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill Lynch Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. since 2007. Merrill, alongside its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program to Bank of America fiduciary clients. The firm offers a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies tailored for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Susan Lyle is a Senior Financial Advisor and First Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Napa, California. She brings more than three decades of experience in the financial services industry, having held positions at Dean Witter, First Union, WMFS Financial, FB Financial Services, and Wells Fargo. At Merrill Lynch, Susan serves a diverse and accomplished clientele nationwide, providing wealth management strategies tailored to multiple generations of families. Her expertise includes college education planning, executive compensation, family wealth management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, special needs planning, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. Susan holds a Bachelor's Degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University and professional designations as a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She collaborates with a team of strategic specialists at Merrill Lynch and partners with banking services at Bank of America. Susan also coordinates with clients’ CPAs and attorneys to address tax or legal updates, helping identify potential gaps in financial plans. Beyond her professional work, Susan has served as a board member for Mentis, Napa’s center for mental health services. She has volunteered for various causes supporting children and senior citizens and coached youth sports during her children's early years. Her personal interests include swimming, spending time with her pets, home improvement projects, and exploring the Napa area through dining and wine tasting.

Renee Mc Leod is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She specializes in collaborating with individuals and families to develop personalized wealth management strategies that address a broad range of life priorities, including family wealth management, retirement planning, and managing new wealth. Renee holds a Bachelor's Degree from Sonoma State University and has earned the designations of Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She has experience focusing on comprehensive financial planning, emphasizing goals-based wealth strategies that adapt to changing market conditions and life stages. In addition to her professional work, Renee has been involved in community organizations such as COPE Family Resources and the Napa Valley College Foundation, where she has served in roles including HR Committee member and board member, respectively. Outside of work, she enjoys antiquing, gardening, music, and spending time with her family.

Austin Fitzpatrick is a Financial Advisor based in Napa, California, affiliated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with individuals and families to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at helping clients make confident decisions about their financial futures. His focus includes college education planning, family wealth management strategies, and personal retirement planning. Austin's approach integrates principles learned from his experience as a former collegiate and professional athlete, emphasizing discipline, preparation, and a long-term perspective. He assists clients in navigating important financial decisions such as retirement preparation, wealth building and preservation, major life transitions, and legacy creation. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designation. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from California State University, Stanislaus. Beyond his professional work, Austin is involved in his community through participation with St. Helena Little League. His personal interests include baseball, cooking, fishing, hiking, and reading.