Rancho Santa Fe, CA El Tordo Office

Michael Carroll is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining the firm in 2012, he has served as the lead portfolio manager and co-director of the team's investment committee, directing the management, research, and strategic positioning of client portfolios. He brings over 20 years of experience in investment management and corporate finance to his role. Prior to his current position, Mr. Carroll was vice president and lead portfolio manager at M&T Trust, a family office and private foundation in Rancho Santa Fe. He also held roles at Nicholas|Applegate Capital Management, Morgan Stanley & Co., and the University of Notre Dame Investment Office. He holds a bachelor's degree in finance and business economics from the University of Notre Dame and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Diego and serves on the advisory board for the Applied Investment Management Program in Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business. Additionally, he is vice president of the Notre Dame Club of San Diego and participates on the Notre Dame Wealth Management Symposium Steering Committee. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mr. Carroll lives in San Diego with his wife and two daughters and pursues personal interests including adventure sports, biking, boating, golfing, hiking, music, skiing, tennis, and traveling.

Kaleah Yearwood is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 credential and three years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Logix Federal Credit Union, and various other firms. Outside of finance, she works part-time at a fashion boutique in San Diego. 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.

Nathan Labiak is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been advising clients on wealth management and investment strategy since 1998 and joined Merrill Lynch in 2003. Nathan leads a team working with affluent individuals, families, business owners, and executives on complex financial decisions including retirement planning, concentrated wealth management, liquidity events, tax strategies, estate planning, and multigenerational wealth transfer. Nathan's approach involves a comprehensive assessment of each client's financial landscape, considering income requirements, risk tolerance, tax exposure, estate goals, family priorities, and legacy objectives. He designs personalized strategies to bring structure and clarity to managing significant wealth, coordinating with clients' tax and legal advisors to emphasize tax-aware investment planning and integrated wealth management. He holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation, Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, and other professional credentials. Nathan earned his bachelor's degree in finance from the California State University system. He is involved with the Helen Woodward Center, San Diego Humane Society, and Sigma Chi Alumni. Nathan lives in Cardiff-by-the-Sea with his family and enjoys camping, surfing, and the outdoors.

Peter Huffman is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked since 2008. He specializes in comprehensive wealth management with a focus on Behavioral Finance and how financial and investment decisions affect individuals and families. His expertise encompasses family wealth management strategies, philanthropic planning, socially responsible investing, and liquidity management among other areas. Before joining Merrill Lynch, Peter spent five years in Africa and Asia working in managerial roles for the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), including serving as Country Director for Ethiopia where he managed one of the largest HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs worldwide. He also acted as the principal liaison for official visits by former President William J. Clinton to Africa. Peter is engaged in philanthropy through board service and co-founding a nonprofit focused on youth empowerment and health services in South Africa and Ghana. Peter holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon and is a Personal Investment Advisor. He has been recognized as a Top 1200 Financial Advisor by Barron's, a Best in State Wealth Advisor by Forbes, and included in On Wall Street's Top 40 Under 40. Peter lives with his wife and their two children.

Allison Wong is a financial advisor with Merrill in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. She has been with Bank of America and Merrill since 2010. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program to fiduciary clients of Bank of America. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Jared Hegardt is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, joining the Hegardt, Steelman, Carroll & Associates team in 2019. His professional experience includes roles in finance at AEG Facilities, a major owner and operator of sports and music venues, and sales development at OneRent Inc., a Silicon Valley property management startup integrating technology into tenant and landlord experiences. Jared holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Santa Clara University, where he also played Division I soccer, and a Master's Degree in Finance from the University of San Diego. He has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. A native of San Diego, Jared is involved in his community through volunteer work with Make-a-Wish San Diego. His personal interests include soccer, hiking, and skiing in California.

Devon Hawley is a Series 66 licensed advisor with Merrill, based in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and has seven years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at the University of San Diego and the California Innocence Project. He serves as a trustee for a private trust. 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, and institutions.

Joshua Rayburn is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining Merrill in 2006, he has held various leadership roles within the organization. In his current position, Joshua and his team serve a multi-generational client base consisting of individuals, families, business owners, and executives, providing wealth planning solutions tailored to client goals and circumstances. Joshua’s approach centers on connecting clients to personalized strategies that address their unique ambitions, such as planning for education funding, retirement lifestyle, and potential healthcare costs. His team emphasizes clear and concise advice that considers more than just financial numbers, translating client goals into actionable steps toward desired outcomes. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the State University of New York System and a Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University College of Law. Joshua holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). In his role at Merrill, Joshua does not provide legal advice.

Joshua Johnson is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation. He joined Merrill in 2025 and has prior experience in mortgage lending, legal support, and various entrepreneurial ventures. His background includes roles at Cross Country Mortgage, The Law Office of Samuel Dagan, and Destination West Builders, LLC. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies to a wide client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm integrates investment management with Bank of America’s broader platform, providing access to a range of financial products and services.

Jesse Menashe serves as a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined the team in 2015, contributing to both financial advising and the firm's business development, marketing, and administrative efforts. Jesse focuses on areas such as employee benefits planning, executive compensation, equity compensation services, and investment consulting for defined contribution plans, among others. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business marketing from Arizona State University and has earned professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Jesse applies his education and experience to assist clients in leveraging financial opportunities. Outside of his professional work, Jesse engages in activities such as chess, golfing, hiking, and music, with a particular interest in playing guitar and composing and recording music.

Tanner Curtiss is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a third-generation Merrill Advisor, working alongside his father at the Curtiss and Associates group. He helps clients pursue their long-term financial goals through personalized wealth management strategies, drawing on Merrill's investment insights and the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America. His client focus areas include college education planning, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, and retirement income. Before joining the Curtiss and Associates team, Tanner gained experience as a financial analyst at both a local startup and a Fortune 100 technology company. His team emphasizes delivering consistent resources and practical analysis across various industries to help clients achieve financial freedom despite changing environments. Tanner holds a Bachelor's Degree from Tulane University and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designations. He is involved in professional organizations such as Junto and Startup San Diego. In addition to his professional work, Tanner participates in community volunteering aligned with Merrill's tradition of community service. His personal interests include camping, golfing, hiking, racquetball, running, surfing, tennis, and yoga.

John Naviaux is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over 15 years of experience providing counsel to senior executives, public and private C-suite leaders, entrepreneurs, and families. He specializes in delivering guidance on wealth preservation, accumulation, and distribution, with a focus on navigating large liquidity transactions, personal and professional transitions, and unplanned life events. John applies a personal and thoughtful approach to address his clients' challenges and uncover emerging opportunities. John holds several professional designations, including Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. He participates in the Merrill Next Generation Leadership Council and the USC Marshall School of Business Alumni Group. Beyond his professional commitments, John is involved with the American Heart Association and Miracle Babies. He enjoys activities such as basketball, football, golfing, tennis, reading, traveling, and spending time with his family.

David Frederiksen is a financial advisor at Merrill with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 registrations and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and T. Rowe Price Investment Services Inc. Frederiksen also has experience in higher education, having taught at Towson University and the Community College of Baltimore County. 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, retirement plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Annterese Toth is a Senior Financial Advisor and partner of the VCMP group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been in Financial Services for 30 years and joined Merrill in 2003. Annterese holds several professional designations including the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She assists affluent individuals and business owners with financial strategies, retirement income planning, and estate planning services. Annterese earned her bachelor's degree in business from National University, graduating cum laude. She also attended Hofstra University in New York and completed the Wharton School of Business Executive Training Program. In addition to her professional work, Annterese has been active in her community, serving as a board member of the Finance committee and Vice President for the Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club. She has also been involved with Country Friends of Rancho Santa Fe, Bonsall Woman's Club, and Rally for Children. Annterese resides in Rancho Santa Fe with her husband, former Soccer Hall of Champion Zoltan Toth. They enjoy spending time with their three adult children and other family members.

Ryan Wetsel is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined the firm in 2009 and specializes in assisting clients with commercial banking and financing strategies, managing concentrated stock positions, and navigating significant transition events such as retirement, inheritance, or the sale of a business. Before joining Merrill Lynch, Ryan gained experience working with Welfare Strategies in Adelaide, Australia, where he helped business owners establish corporate benefit programs. He also contributed to quality control and accounting standards efforts at the American Standard plant in China. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Business from Westmont College in Santa Barbara. He has spent considerable time studying International Business across Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Ryan resides in Del Mar with his three children.