Raleigh, NC 4242 Six Forks Rd Office

Prashant Pandya serves as a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he works with individuals, families, trusts, and small to mid-size business owners to develop customized financial strategies that align with their unique goals and risk tolerances. His approach involves gaining a comprehensive understanding of clients' financial pictures and providing access to investment insights from Merrill Lynch, as well as banking and lending solutions through Bank of America. Prashant's expertise spans college education planning, family wealth management, retirement planning, legacy planning, international wealth management, and retirement income strategies among others. He holds several professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR® (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He adopts a comprehensive planning approach covering investments, tax minimization strategies, retirement, insurance, and estate planning services. He obtained a Master's Degree in Engineering from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from the University of Bombay. Prashant is involved with professional organizations and community activities such as the American Cancer Society and the Pay it Forward Fertility Foundation. In his personal time, he enjoys cooking, ice hockey, music, spending time with his family, and watching movies.

Ryan Chapman is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of America, Spectrum, and Edward Jones. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions (SPS) Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Liliane Pascalis is a financial advisor with Merrill in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2013. 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.

Robert Roepke is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked for over 28 years. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He works with individuals, families, professionals, and small businesses, employing a consistent methodology focused on understanding each client's specific needs and concerns. Robert's approach begins with a disciplined process to establish explicit objectives and achieve financial goals while minimizing unnecessary risk. He utilizes Merrill Lynch's resources to develop tailored strategies and emphasizes regular reviews to ensure alignment with clients' objectives. His commitment to effective communication and ongoing monitoring allows strategies to be adjusted in response to changes in clients' lives or lifestyles. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1983, Robert and his wife settled in Raleigh, North Carolina, where they have raised their three children. He is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys playing golf. Robert also participates in community volunteer activities as part of Merrill's tradition of service.

Katrina James is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 63 designation and 32 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 1997. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as an administrator for a non-investment-related entity named D R E. 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 institutional investors.

Charles Brinkman is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Merrill based in Raleigh, NC, and has 15 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Merrill since 2010 and concurrently with Bank of America, N.A. since 2013. 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 both model-based and discretionary investment strategies, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors, with portfolio implementation tailored to investor tax sensitivity and preferences.

Scott Macdonald is a financial advisor with Merrill in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2003. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member for the Middle Creek High School Stampede Club, where he coordinates monthly meetings to support the school's athletics program. Merrill serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional investors, offering managed account programs, discretionary portfolio management, and brokerage services. The firm’s investment approach includes multiple strategy types and emphasizes tax-efficient solutions, supported by its integration with Bank of America affiliates and capital markets capabilities.

Quinn Angel is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Quinn has worked at Merrill since 2022 and has a diverse background including roles in education and retail. 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 plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

R. Grove Jr. is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 32 years of experience. He specializes in working with a select number of high-net-worth families and businesses, developing, executing, and tracking sophisticated financial management and portfolio strategies. His approach combines investment management with personalized financial services to help clients achieve financial security by simplifying complex financial landscapes. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina and is a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® designee. Grove takes a goals-based approach to wealth management that integrates his team's certifications with detailed knowledge of each client's family priorities and resources to design customized strategies. His areas of client focus include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and socially responsible, values-based, and ESG investing. Outside of his professional duties, Grove lives in Cary, NC with his wife and has three adult children. He enjoys golfing, running, and spending time with his family. He is the co-founder and Vice President of The Continuous Blessings Foundation and has served on the finance committee at his church, as a board member for the Y Guides of the Triangle, and Life Experiences, Inc.

Cecilia Garcia Leija is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. She previously worked at Carolina Country Club and the Wake County District Attorney’s Office. 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 plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Brock Adams is a financial advisor at Merrill in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Modern Woodmen of America, and several other companies. 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 clients, pension plans, and charitable organizations.

Matthew Szymanski is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since beginning his career at Merrill Lynch in 2003, he has provided traditional financial advice and guidance as well as built and managed custom investment strategies. His approach includes selecting from a wide range of Merrill model portfolios and third-party investment options, with the ability to manage strategies on a discretionary basis for clients participating in the firm's Investment Advisory Program. Matthew holds several professional designations, including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Vanderbilt University and completed his secondary education at St Joseph's Collegiate Institute. Matthew, along with his wife Emily and their son Barrett, reside in downtown Raleigh and are actively involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2023, Matthew was named to Forbes' "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list, a recognition developed by SHOOK Research based on factors such as industry experience, credentials, client retention, and firm nominations.

Joshua De Leon is an International Wealth Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides wealth management strategies to individuals, families, and businesses, focusing on legacy planning and addressing the complexities of the global financial environment. Joshua works to develop comprehensive strategies aligned with clients’ short- and long-term financial objectives. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. Joshua is fluent in English and Spanish and holds professional designations including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Through his role, he leverages the investment resources of Merrill and the banking capabilities of Bank of America to help clients manage various aspects of their financial futures.

Kimberly Blaes is a financial advisor with Merrill in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. She previously worked at UBS Financial Services for 11 years before joining Merrill in 2026. 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.

Xingyu Liu is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving the Carolina East Market. With over 11 years of experience in the financial industry, his background spans banking, lending, and wealth management sectors. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2019 as a Client Associate in Florida, Xingyu worked alongside multiple Senior Financial Advisors before relocating to North Carolina and beginning his own advisory career in 2022. Xingyu holds a Master of Science in Economics from NC State University, obtained in 2010. He is a native Mandarin speaker and holds active FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations, along with the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. His expertise includes wealth planning, client service, relationship management, and providing ongoing financial planning and advice to help high-net-worth clients preserve and grow their wealth responsibly and efficiently. Residing in Cary, NC, Xingyu enjoys reading, soccer, table tennis, tennis, and traveling. He also values spending time with his family. His professional philosophy emphasizes that financial success requires intentional planning, reflected in his approach to helping clients make informed decisions and stay on track toward their financial goals.