Schaumburg, IL N Martingale Rd Office

Michael Ochs is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides guidance to clients in areas such as personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and socially responsible, values-based, and ESG investing. Michael takes a 360-degree view of clients' financial lives, evaluating both assets and liabilities to help identify areas for improvement and assist clients in prioritizing and achieving their financial goals. Michael holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. He has been in the financial services industry since 2004, with experience in retail banking and life and long-term care insurance sales. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2012 and has served in various roles, including assisting other advisors, managing branch operations, before becoming a financial advisor. He holds professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER4 (CFP), Chartered SRI Counselor (CSRIC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Michael lives in Algonquin, Illinois, with his wife, Michelle, and their six daughters. He is actively involved in his local community and church, serving on several committees and as a volleyball coach at his children's school. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and volunteers with organizations such as the 4-H program of Kane County, Feed My Starving Children, and Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Scott Dahl is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He offers specialized guidance in pre-retirement planning for successful individuals and small business owners aiming for a secure transition into retirement. Scott utilizes a defined process with each client to create personalized financial strategies that align with their unique circumstances, fostering long-term relationships. He assists clients with wealth planning, estate and income tax planning strategies, asset allocation, and customized portfolio management. Scott maintains regular meetings to ensure clients' financial plans remain consistent with their personal situations. Scott holds several professional designations, including Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Indiana University and is associated with The Exit Planning Institute. Residing in Inverness, Illinois, Scott lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Ethan, Trevor, and Jillian. He is involved with the Mothers' Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes and enjoys spending time with his family, watching sports, and pursuing hobbies such as golfing.

Suzann Schroeder is a financial advisor with Merrill in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 28 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2000. 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 strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Ezra Samuels is a Client Experience Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he collaborates with clients to understand their current financial situations and introduces them to the solutions available through Merrill and Bank of America. He aims to empower clients with knowledge and tools to manage their financial lives effectively. Ezra holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Syracuse University.

Anum Melwani is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill in 2019, Melwani worked at First Security Trust and Savings and JP Morgan Chase. 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.

Nathan Elby is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in providing tailored strategies including retirement income planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and family wealth management planning. His expertise encompasses financial planning, retirement income planning, tax-efficient portfolios, cash flow analysis, and estate planning services. Nathan grew up during the Great Financial Crisis, which inspired him to help individuals and families prepare for financial uncertainties. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Michigan State University and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designations. He focuses on offering financial plans characterized by honesty, transparency, and service. Beyond his professional work, Nathan is involved in community activities such as serving as a Track & Field Coach and participating in the Villas of Boulder Ridge Homeowner's Association. He also contributes to financial literacy through Junior Achievement.

Joel Ridle is a Senior Financial Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill for over 15 years, focusing on retiree wealth management, portfolio management, financial guidance, and working with small to mid-size businesses. Joel is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and a qualified Portfolio Manager who provides traditional advice and guidance, as well as manages personalized or defined strategies on a discretionary basis. These strategies may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, model portfolios, and third-party investment approaches. Joel holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Western Illinois University. He is involved with the Sigma Chi Fraternity and participates in community organizations such as the Golden Eagles Wrestling Club. In his personal time, Joel enjoys baseball, golfing, and traveling. He has been married to his wife, Sandy, since 1994, and together they have four children.

Christopher Auer is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing extensive experience in wealth management and financial planning since beginning his career in 1998. He specializes in education planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. Christopher focuses on delivering a comprehensive approach tailored to each client’s individual needs by listening carefully and helping them make informed decisions to achieve their financial goals. He holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Christopher also completed an Accredited Certificate Program at Northern Illinois University. Outside of his professional role, he is involved with the Porsche Club of America and enjoys hiking, music, photography, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Amy Jason is a financial advisor at Merrill with 26 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Merrill since 1998. 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 serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies developed by internal and third-party managers.

Trevor Hart is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in the Schaumburg, Illinois office. He has been serving the needs of high-net worth clients since 1993, primarily working with individuals, business owners, and corporate executives. Mr. Hart offers a range of services including retirement and wealth transfer forecasting, asset allocation and investment style analysis, asset and discretionary portfolio management, as well as cash management, banking services, and lending through Bank of America, NA. He uses a defined process to integrate clients' circumstances into tailored financial strategies and meets regularly with clients to ensure alignment with their personal situations. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. and a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Bradley University, where he also lettered in varsity basketball. Trevor resides in Barrington, Illinois, with his wife and three children.

Tauras Martinka is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and less than one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Bank of America, Brent Jablonski Allstate Agency, and various positions during his studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Illinois at Chicago. 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 a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Michael Kizman is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income strategies. Michael works closely with clients to develop personalized financial plans aimed at helping them pursue their long-term goals. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Illinois University and the professional designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Committed to community involvement, Michael actively volunteers with local organizations. Outside of work, he enjoys baseball, basketball, chess, running marathons, swimming, and spending time with his family.

Robert Churchill is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in comprehensive wealth management strategies tailored to individual client needs. He works closely with clients and their families to develop customized financial plans that adapt to changing circumstances and market conditions. Robert leverages the investment insights of Merrill along with the banking services of Bank of America to address various aspects of his clients’ financial lives, focusing on areas such as retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and socially responsible investing. With professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), Robert brings extensive expertise to his role. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Syracuse University. His approach emphasizes simplicity, transparency, and a disciplined process to help clients pursue their financial goals. Outside of his professional work, Robert participates in his local community through involvement with the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights and the Arlington Heights Youth Basketball Association. He enjoys spending time outdoors playing golf and racket sports, and values time at his summer cottage in Pentwater, Michigan.

Joseph Keller is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining Merrill in September 2014, he has focused on assisting business owners, individuals, and their families in managing and preserving wealth through personalized attention and customized, disciplined financial strategies. He works closely with clients to develop tailored plans that align with their long-term goals. His areas of expertise include legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, small business strategies, socially responsible and ESG investing, women and wealth, sports and entertainment, individual and corporate investment strategy, and retirement income. Joseph holds a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Illinois University and professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Joseph and his family reside in West Chicago, Illinois. Outside of his professional role, he is involved in community organizations such as the Fox Valley Beekeepers Association, Fox Valley Food For Health, and St. Peter Catholic Church in Geneva, Illinois. His personal interests include football, gardening, golfing, pottery, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Kristi Braun is a financial advisor at Merrill with 31 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked with Merrill since 1997 and Bank of America, N.A. since 2009. Outside of her advisory role, she is associated with Abbey Villa Unit in Fontana, Wisconsin. 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 a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.