New Orleans, LA Poydras St Office

Stephen Swander Jr. is a Wealth Management Advisor and co-founder of the Davis Deshotels Swander Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in New Orleans, Louisiana. He began his career at Merrill Lynch in 1998 in Lafayette, Louisiana, later relocating to Shreveport as Resident Director overseeing the Northwest Louisiana market before moving to New Orleans in 2021 to establish his current practice. He advises clients with complex financial situations, including business owners, executives, medical professionals, professional athletes, and retirees. His expertise includes retirement analysis, wealth transfer strategies, investment management, and liquidity event strategies. Stephen's approach focuses on understanding clients' priorities, family dynamics, and professional outlook to provide guidance at critical financial crossroads. Stephen holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Louisiana Lafayette and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). In his personal time, he enjoys golfing, skiing, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Svetlana Kletsina is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Merrill in New Orleans, LA, with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill in 2021, she was associated with Hosteeva Short Term Rentals for three years. She is also the owner of Bayou City Real Estate LLC, a limited liability company created to manage rental property holdings. 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, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Caroline Casey is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. She previously worked at Hancock Whitney and has a background that includes four years at the University of Alabama and fifteen years at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. 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, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Lauren Crosby is a financial advisor with Merrill in New Orleans, LA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 20 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill and Bank of America since 2016. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, offers managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm provides model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Bryan Mcclendon is Senior Resident Director at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he provides wealth management planning services and portfolio strategies tailored to individuals and businesses. His expertise encompasses investment style diversification, liability management, hedges, option strategies, and alternative investments. Bryan works closely with clients and, when appropriate, their tax and legal advisors to develop financial strategies aligned with clients’ goals, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and timelines. His focus areas include college education planning, family wealth management, retirement income, tax minimization, and services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits. Bryan began his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1991. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Hampden-Sydney College and a high school diploma from Darlington School. He has earned the designations Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Bryan is involved with professional organizations such as Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Coastal Conservation Association, Knock Knock Museum, and Baton Rouge Symphony. He also volunteers with Grace Episcopal Church in Saint Francisville, Louisiana. Residing in St. Francisville with his wife Laura and their two sons, Turner and Mills, Bryan enjoys a range of personal interests including cooking, fishing, gardening, golfing, hiking, hunting, traveling, watching movies, woodworking, and spending time with his family.

Chloe Charbonnet is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions with NET Ministries Ireland and the Apostolate for Family Consecration. 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.

Barrett Champagne is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of St. Francisville, Postlethwaite & Netterville, and August Boutique. He is based in New Orleans, LA. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Bradley Mashburn is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He is dedicated to helping individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals through tailored wealth management strategies. His expertise includes investment research, portfolio management, and alternative investments, with a focus on building trust and long-term relationships with clients. Before joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Bradley served as a Research Analyst with Infinity Capital Partners, a Fund of Hedge Funds in Atlanta. In this role, he collaborated with Registered Investment Advisors and family offices to construct and manage alternative investment portfolios tailored to clients' specific risk and return objectives. Bradley holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business. He is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and actively participates as an alumnus of his university. His personal interests include football, music, reading, running, and watching movies.

John Whiting is a financial advisor at Merrill with seven years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Bank of America and Merrill Lynch since 2018. Prior to that, he held positions at Bass Commercial Concrete, Greg & Julie Hackney Farm Partnership, and The Atwell Law Firm. 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 range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth investors, and institutional plans.

John Cassidy is a financial advisor with Merrill based in New Orleans, LA, holding a Series 66 designation and 14 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as President of the Algiers Point Men's Club, where he coordinates volunteer community improvement efforts. Merrill and its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC provide managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individual, high-net-worth, corporate, and charitable clients.

Lubin E. Mire Jr. serves as a Senior Financial Advisor and Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been part of Merrill Lynch since April 1985, following earlier experience as a Credit Analyst and Loan Officer with First National Bank of Lafayette and Commerce and Energy Bank. Lubin has been active in the financial services sector since 1982. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, both from Louisiana State University. Lubin's professional credentials include the designations of CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). His areas of expertise include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, retirement income, and portfolio management services, among others. Beyond his professional work, Lubin has contributed to various community organizations, including serving on the Board and committees of the Saint Catherine of Siena Men's Club, where he was past President. He has also been involved with the Finance Committee of the Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, the Christian Brothers Foundation, and is a perpetual hereditary member of the Military Order of World Wars. Additionally, he supports fundraising efforts at Jesuit High School. Lubin is married with three children and pursues interests in hunting, fishing, sailing, tennis, golf, basketball, music, and cooking.

Phillip Duckworth serves as a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He earned a Master's Degree from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor's Degree from Mississippi State University. Phillip specializes in middle market investment banking and transaction planning. His areas of expertise include capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, growth capital, and tailored investment strategies. He works with high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners to develop bespoke financial strategies that align with their long-term objectives. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Phillip volunteers with local organizations in New York City and New Orleans and is an active parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Uptown.

Paul Ribka is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career in the financial services industry in 1997 and joined Merrill Lynch in 2005. Paul focuses on retirement income strategies, cash flow management, and fixed income investing. His expertise also includes college education planning, family wealth management, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, LGBT wealth planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and ESG investing, tax minimization, and retirement income. Paul holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned his High School Diploma from Coral Gables Senior High School. In his work, he prioritizes building trust and providing open and transparent communication to help clients navigate the ups and downs of the investment markets and life changes. Outside of his professional role, Paul enjoys spending time with his wife, Erin, and their three children, with travel being a shared family interest. His personal hobbies include cooking and competitive skeet shooting, a sport in which he has held several state titles. Paul is also involved in community organizations such as Feeding America and Friends of Marsalis Harmony Park.

Sarah Mitchell is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She specializes in areas including divorce transition planning, education planning, family wealth management strategies, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and values-based investing, women and wealth, and retirement income. Sarah works with clients to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at pursuing their long-term goals. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Mississippi and a Master's Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. Sarah has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation, reflecting her professional commitment to investment advisory services. In addition to her professional work, Sarah participates in community volunteer activities consistent with Merrill's tradition of community involvement. Her personal interests include antiquing, cooking, gardening, music, reading, and yoga.

Michael Davis is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 39 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 1986 and has been affiliated with Bank of America since 2009. He serves as a board member for the New Orleans City Park Improvement Association. Merrill serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, charities, and institutional clients, offering managed account programs, discretionary portfolio management, and brokerage services. The firm emphasizes manager selection and tax-efficient strategies and benefits from deep integration with Bank of America affiliates.