Northbrook, IL Skokie Blvd Office

Garrett Dahm is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been providing financial guidance since 2017. He specializes in developing strategies and offering advice tailored to the short- and long-term financial objectives of individuals, families, and businesses. As a qualified Portfolio Manager, Garrett manages discretionary Personalized and Defined Strategies that may include individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management model portfolios, and third-party investment options. His areas of focus include family wealth management, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, liquidity management, retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and strategies for sports and entertainment clients. Garrett earned a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He completed his high school education at Prospect High School and attended Harper College without earning a degree. Outside of his professional role, Garrett has a background in classical guitar, having performed solo and with orchestras worldwide since the age of four. Notably, he performed in multiple cities in Australia during the opening ceremonies of the 2000 Olympics. He lives in Mt. Prospect with his wife Tanya and their son Jace. His personal interests include golfing, ice hockey, practicing guitar, and spending time with his family.

Kevin Nagasawa is a financial advisor at Merrill with 26 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Morgan Stanley for nine years before joining Merrill in 2025. Merrill, alongside 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 and serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Peter Mccarthy is a financial advisor at Merrill with 28 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Wells Fargo Advisors, Credit Suisse Securities, and Morgan Stanley. He has an ownership interest in MCCARTHY 2012 INVESTMENT LLC, an investment-related entity involved in his mother’s estate planning. 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.

Michelle Place is a Wealth Management Advisor and principal of The Place Wealth Management Group, based in Northbrook, Illinois. She has been working in the investment industry since 2007, beginning her career in asset management at Morgan Stanley Asset Management. She joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a Financial Advisor in 2010 and currently focuses on servicing and managing high net worth individuals and families. Michelle's expertise covers a range of areas including executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, women and wealth, individual and corporate investment strategy, and tax minimization. She holds several professional designations including Certified Private Wealth Advisor®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™, and Personal Investment Advisor. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree from the School of Business and completed an Accredited Certificate Program at the University of Chicago. Outside of her professional work, Michelle enjoys dancing, ice skating, pickleball, yoga, and spending time with her family.

Eric Thonn is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in helping equity-compensated executives and business owners simplify their financial lives by addressing complex planning needs. His approach involves building long-term client relationships through consultative, tailored, and comprehensive strategies focused on multi-generational wealth transfer aligned with clients’ values and aspirations. Eric’s expertise includes long-term wealth strategy, equity compensation, business optimization, college education planning, executive compensation, family wealth management, legacy planning, retirement income, portfolio management, small business strategies, and tax minimization. He holds the title of Senior Portfolio Advisor at Merrill, managing discretionary custom investment strategies to support client objectives. He began his financial services career in 2014 with State Farm and has served as a Financial Advisor with Merrill since 2018. Eric earned a Bachelor’s degree in financial planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Outside of his professional role, Eric volunteers as a mentor for young adults with Erie Neighborhood House. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Amy, and their dog, Chloe, engaging in activities such as golf, basketball, cooking, and attending concerts.

Charles Kilborn is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He serves as an advisor and primary point of contact for families and individuals, working closely with clients to ensure their financial needs are addressed. His responsibilities include developing individualized financial plans, researching equity and fixed-income managers, and tracking portfolio performance. Charlie earned his Bachelor’s degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, graduating cum laude. He was a four-year member and senior captain of the men's tennis team during his time there. He also completed Northwestern University’s certification program in Financial Planning and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER4 designation granted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Outside of work, Charlie volunteers with Care for Friends by serving meals to those in need. He enjoys racquet sports, including paddle, tennis, and pickleball, and spends time with his family.

Timothy Womack is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been working in financial services since 1991, bringing extensive experience in helping clients with retirement income planning, cash flow management, fixed income strategies, and a variety of wealth management needs. His role centers around assisting clients and their families in achieving their lifestyle and financial goals. Tim's areas of expertise include college education planning, corporate benefits, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Michigan State University. Outside of his professional work, Tim enjoys adventure sports such as biking, ice skating, running, and skiing. He also values spending time with his family and traveling.

Eddie Favela is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he held positions at ICU Medical and Bank of America, N.A. 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.

Jack Balkey is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill since 1976 and joined the current team in 2023. Jack holds the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He earned both his Bachelor of Science in Finance and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois. With decades of experience, Jack has focused on serving clients and maintaining long-term relationships, supporting multiple generations of clients.

William Eaton is a Wealth Management Advisor based in Crystal Lake, Illinois, with over 30 years of experience assisting families, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives in navigating their financial affairs. He specializes in family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, tax minimization, retirement income, wealth transfer, philanthropic planning, and long-term care. William and his team provide a personalized, goal-centered approach that integrates all aspects of a client's financial life to help prioritize and pursue their most important objectives. William holds several professional designations, including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned his bachelor's degree from Middlebury College. His offices in Illinois and New York provide full accessibility to resources from Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Bank of America to tailor strategies that adapt to changing market conditions and client needs. Beyond his professional work, William is actively involved in community organizations such as Crystal Lake Youth Rugby, where he coaches, the Foundation for Wellspring, and serves as a trustee on the Sailors' Snug Harbor Board of Trustees. His personal interests include adventure sports, cooking, rugby, and spending time with his family. He divides his time between Crystal Lake, Illinois, and Hull, Massachusetts, sharing his passion for rugby and philanthropy.

Burdette Martin IV is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill for seven years and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, obtained in 2022, as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In his role, Burdette focuses on connecting all aspects of clients' financial lives to help them prioritize and pursue their most important goals. He works with individuals and families to understand their financial situations, risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs. Burdette helps clients articulate their short- and long-term objectives and recommends financial strategies aligned with these aims. His approach combines personalized service with the investment insights of Merrill and access to the banking convenience of Bank of America. Burdette maintains an active role in his community, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters. He is also a member of the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity.

Emily Figueroa is a financial advisor at Merrill with seven years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill and Bank of America since 2023. Prior to that, she spent four years with Wealth Enhancement Brokerage Services and related firms. 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.

Canary Chia is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 12 years of experience in the financial services industry. She specializes in comprehensive wealth management, providing guidance to successful professionals to help grow, preserve, and manage wealth through a disciplined process. Her expertise includes areas such as divorce transition planning, education planning, employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, and personal retirement planning. Canary is proficient in utilizing alternative investments and sophisticated third pillar products to hedge risk in challenging market conditions. Canary earned both her Bachelor's degree and MBA in finance and economics from the University of Chicago. She holds several professional designations, including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She is fluent in English and Korean and is a member of the Soul of Money Institute. A long-time resident of Barrington, Illinois, Canary and her husband Tim have three children. She is involved in the community as a co-coach for First Lego Robotics. In her personal time, Canary enjoys skiing, practicing yoga, and playing pickleball.

John Garrity is a financial advisor at Merrill with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 credential and has prior experience at PepsiCo and Rust-Oleum Corporation. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through its Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Daniel Schwarber is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving clients across the United States through a multi-generational wealth management team based in the Greater Los Angeles and Chicago areas. He works closely with clients to address financial challenges and life goals, focusing on areas such as corporate executive services, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, sports and entertainment, tax minimization, and retirement income. Dan began his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2008 and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation from the College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. He graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. Throughout his career, he has helped clients plan for education, retirement, and philanthropy, emphasizing client education to empower financial decision-making. Dan was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and remains a dedicated fan of Cleveland professional sports teams as well as the Cornell Big Red. He resides in Wilmette, Illinois with his wife Samantha and their daughter Dottie. In his free time, he enjoys golf, fishing, exercising, and outdoor activities.