Oakland, CA Broadway Office

Blake Welpton is a Wealth Management Advisor with over 25 years of experience in the financial industry. He is dedicated to helping clients achieve their long-term financial goals through a comprehensive and personalized wealth management process. Blake offers expertise in investments, wealth and risk management, retirement planning, long term care, education, divorce, and estate planning services. He provides clients with access to the resources of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and the banking services of Bank of America. Blake holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) designations. He earned a Bachelor's degree from California State University San Francisco. His approach emphasizes personalized service aimed at making the financial aspects of life easier for his clients. Outside of his professional work, Blake enjoys basketball, billiards, boating, bowling, football, gardening, spending time with family, swimming, and traveling. He is active in the community, supporting organizations such as Beyond Emancipation and Children's International.

Walton Edward "Buzz" Brown, Jr. is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Oakland, California. He has been managing investments and providing financial guidance to both individual and institutional clients since 1998. In his role, Buzz focuses on creating personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients’ unique financial situations and goals. He works closely with clients navigating significant life changes such as sudden wealth, approaching retirement, and those in need of stock option, tax minimization, and estate planning strategies. Additionally, he has particular expertise supporting women who are newly divorced or widowed. Buzz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Pepperdine University and carries the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. A third-generation Californian, he has deep roots in both Northern and Southern California and resides in the Lincoln Highlands District of Oakland. Beyond his professional commitments, Buzz participates actively in community service through volunteering, reflecting the Merrill tradition of community involvement. His personal interests include adventure sports such as rock climbing, skydiving, and bungee jumping, as well as biking, cooking, gardening, hiking, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Martha Madrid is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has been serving clients since 1979. With over 40 years in the financial industry, she focuses on providing a comprehensive approach to wealth management that begins with understanding each client's unique financial situation and personal priorities. Martha helps clients develop customized and flexible strategies that can adapt to changing market conditions, leveraging the investment insights of Merrill and the banking services of Bank of America. Her areas of expertise include college education planning, personal retirement planning, and addressing the financial needs of women and wealth. Martha holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and completed her high school education through the State of New Jersey Department of Education. She lives in the Bay Area and balances her professional responsibilities with personal interests such as traveling, cooking, tennis, dancing, sewing, and watching movies. Martha is also committed to community involvement, volunteering with local organizations in line with Merrill's tradition of service.

Patrick Oswald serves as a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings over 30 years of experience in the financial markets, focusing on constructing dividend-paying stock and bond portfolios tailored for long-term results. His client focus includes corporate executive services, equity compensation, family wealth management strategies, and retirement income planning. Patrick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Economics (1988) and a Master of Business Administration (1992), both from the University of California. He has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. His earlier education includes attending De La Salle High School in Concord, CA, where he was named Athlete of the Year and inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Committed to community engagement, Patrick volunteers with Catholic Charities and serves as a football coach for the San Ramon Valley T-Birds. Outside of his professional and community activities, he enjoys golf, fishing, snowboarding, baseball, cooking, gardening, hiking, softball, and football. He resides in Danville, CA, with his wife Elisa and their four sons.

Mary Jane Sullivan is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2009. 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 strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Kenny Heller is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides financial guidance tailored to clients' goals, priorities, and concerns, focusing on strategies for investing, retirement planning, liquidity needs, and managing unexpected events. Kenny connects clients with Bank of America specialists for services such as banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions, adjusting strategies as clients' circumstances evolve. His areas of expertise include equity compensation services, LGBT wealth planning, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. Kenny holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies from San Jose State University. Outside of his professional work, Kenny enjoys adventure sports, biking, boating, fishing, gardening, hiking, photography, reading, skiing, and traveling.

Yvan Fung is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has over 12 years of experience in finance, including wealth management, loans, and real estate. Yvan works with a range of clients including individuals, families, small businesses, and large corporations, focusing on identifying and defining their financial goals and objectives to create customized wealth management strategies. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Yvan emphasizes an interactive relationship with his clients to help them prioritize and pursue the financial goals that matter most to them. Outside of his professional work, Yvan is involved with community nonprofit organizations and regularly participates in youth programs in the Bay Area. He is connected with groups such as the Asian Youth Service committee, Cal Martial Art Program, and Wa Sung Community Service. Additionally, he contributes to martial arts events nationwide by managing and judging tournaments.

Michael Oster is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Oakland, where he has been serving clients since 1993. Since May 2015, he has held the position of Resident Director of the Oakland office. Michael's professional focus includes working with high-net-worth individuals and families, non-profit organizations, corporate executives, and business owners to deliver customized financial advice aimed at helping clients meet their financial goals and manage their wealth efficiently. He offers expertise across various areas including asset allocation, retirement income planning, tax minimization strategies, estate planning, and socially responsible investing. Michael is a qualified Portfolio Manager, managing portfolios on a discretionary basis with access to a range of investment products such as equities, fixed income, alternative investments, ETFs, and model portfolios. Clients also benefit from access to banking, credit, and lending services through Bank of America, N.A. Michael holds several professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). He has Series 7, 63, and 65 FINRA registrations and holds a Bachelor of Science and an MBA from the California State University system. Outside of his professional work, Michael lives in Oakland with his wife and two sons. He is actively involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Oakland as a long-term volunteer. His personal interests include golfing, reading, running, swimming, and traveling.

Timothy Score is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked since 1994. In his role, he focuses on assisting clients with a broad range of financial planning needs, including college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, retirement income, and portfolio management services. He also serves as the Syndicate Coordinator in the office, a position he has held since 2009. Tim earned both his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and his Master of Business Administration from Southern Oregon University. He obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) certification in 2004 and completed the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Longevity Training Program at the University of Southern California Davis School of Gerontology in 2015. Timothy has contributed to the development of new advisors through his mentorship in the Professional Development Program. His professional designations include CFP and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional duties, Timothy is actively involved in his community and enjoys spending time with his family. He has coached youth sports and volunteered extensively at swim meets. His personal interests include baseball, genealogy, golfing, music, reading, table tennis, traveling, and attending events involving his grandchildren.

Gilbert Orozco is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining Merrill in 2005, he has developed expertise in legacy planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and tax minimization. Gilbert’s approach involves working one-on-one with clients to create personalized financial strategies aligned with their long-term goals and adapting to changing market conditions. Gilbert holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Saint Mary's College of California and carries the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designation. He brings extensive knowledge of Merrill’s programs and services to his role, supported by over 18 years of experience focused on client service and relationship development. Gilbert resides in Concord with his wife and two daughters. Outside of work, he enjoys camping, cooking, gardening, and spending time with his family.

Aaron Hudson is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on assisting corporate executives with strategies for concentrated stock positions, restricted stock transactions, and liquidity events. Aaron also works with non-profit organizations and families, offering tailored wealth management strategies that align with specific client objectives. Before joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2019, Aaron worked as a client service associate at Morgan Stanley. His professional approach emphasizes attentive and accessible service, aiming to build long-lasting client relationships through careful listening and understanding of each client's financial goals. His areas of focus include corporate executive services, divorce transition planning, executive compensation, equity compensation services, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, sports and entertainment, and tax minimization. Aaron earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of California system and completed an Accredited Certificate Program from the American College of Financial Services. He has professional designations including Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Outside of work, Aaron enjoys baseball, basketball, boxing, football, golfing, music, photography, and spending time with his family.

Ryan Amador is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. With over 26 years of experience in the banking and financial industry, he works closely with individuals and families to develop personalized financial strategies that align with their long-term goals. Ryan leverages the investment insights of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and the banking services of Bank of America to provide comprehensive wealth management solutions. His areas of focus include education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, and socially responsible investing, among others. Ryan's approach begins with understanding each client's unique financial objectives to deliver tailored strategies aimed at helping clients pursue their goals through thoughtful portfolio and income planning. Ryan holds professional designations including Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned his High School Diploma from Santa Monica High. Outside of his professional work, Ryan participates in community volunteering and enjoys personal interests such as baseball, billiards, cooking, fishing, football, golfing, music, reading, skiing, and swimming.

Josephine White is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and 21 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2005 and has been with Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Outside of her advisory role, she is a board member of the Rotary Club of Alameda, where she participates in community service activities including tree planting, food distribution, scholarship funding, and support for immigrants. 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 various organizations.

Barry Williams is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in corporate benefits, personal retirement planning, and retirement income. Barry focuses on education and transparency in wealth management strategies to help clients better understand investment behavior during volatile markets. Barry began his investment career after graduating from the University of California Berkeley. He initially worked with PaineWebber, which was later acquired by UBS, where he remained for three years. In 2003, he joined Citi SmithBarney, navigating complex market conditions in the early 2000s. Since 2010, Barry has been with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In 2013, he earned his Chartered Retirement Plan Counselor™ (CRPC) designation, enhancing his expertise in retirement strategies. He also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Barry is involved in his community through coaching at Sleepy Hollow School. His personal interests include adventure sports, golfing, scuba diving, and swimming. He works closely with clients to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at achieving long-term goals.

Xiao Meng Qi is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She specializes in family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Her approach to financial advising integrates asset allocation from a top-down perspective and meticulous selection of stocks and bonds from the bottom up. She emphasizes sector rotation to rebalance portfolios in alignment with clients’ goals and expectations. Ms. Qi holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and an educational background that includes a Master’s Degree from Claremont Graduate School, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Fudan University in Shanghai, China. She values a personalized, one-on-one approach to developing financial strategies tailored to help clients pursue their long-term goals. In addition to her professional work, Ms. Qi participates actively in community volunteer organizations. Her personal interests include cooking, gardening, hiking, music, photography, and traveling.