Scottsdale, AZ 23655 N Scottsdale Rd Office

Edward Sarraf is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He collaborates with a team of wealth-management professionals to provide a broad range of financial strategies aimed at high net worth individuals and businesses. His comprehensive approach to wealth management encompasses investing, estate planning strategies, retirement planning strategies, concentrated stock positions, alternative investments, life insurance, and corporate relationship management. Ed earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Personnel Management from the University of Arizona Business School in 1991. He began his financial services career with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1992 as a 401(k) representative at the World Financial Center in Manhattan, NY. After nine years working as a NASDAQ and hedge-fund trader, he returned to Merrill Lynch in 2004. Ed holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Residing in North Scottsdale with his wife and daughter, Ed is an active member of the Senior Business to Business Networking group. In his spare time, he enjoys playing recreational ice hockey, a long-standing personal interest.

Christine Wilkinson is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has dedicated her entire financial career to Merrill, beginning over 20 years ago at Merrill Lynch Trust Company, now known as Bank of America Private Bank. Christine works as part of The A Team, one of the largest advisory teams in Scottsdale, which includes senior consultants, financial advisors, and client associates collaborating to provide a broad range of financial advice and investment solutions. Her background in trust and estate services enables her and her team to assist clients with legacy and charitable planning while helping them achieve investment and retirement goals. Christine’s areas of expertise include education planning, legacy planning, philanthropic planning, personal retirement planning, socially responsible investing, tax minimization, and services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, among others. She holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Christine lives in Mesa, Arizona with her husband of 20 years and has two adult children, one of whom serves in the U.S. Army. Outside of work, she enjoys adventure sports, cooking, dancing, gardening, hiking, reading, running, and spending time with her family and her Bernedoodle puppy.

Jennifer Hersh serves as a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has contributed since 2007. With a career beginning in 1999, Jennifer has developed specialized expertise in income planning and retirement strategies, focusing on comprehensive financial guidance for business owners, corporate executives, and multigenerational families. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, continuity, and thoughtful planning aligned with each client's long-term objectives. Jennifer holds a Bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and professional designations including Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). She works with diverse client needs such as retirement income, legacy planning, socially responsible investing, and wealth management strategies for women, LGBT clients, and small businesses. Outside her professional commitments, Jennifer is involved in community organizations including the Valley of the Sun United Way, Women's Leadership Council, National Charity League, and serves on the board of Hunkapi Programs, a nonprofit providing equine-assisted therapy. She enjoys horseback riding, spending time with her family, tennis, and traveling.

Jeremiah Erzen is a financial advisor at Merrill with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at Merrill during two periods, totaling 10 years, as well as with Prestige Medical Consultants and the University of Arizona Global Campus. 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.

Michael Troxell is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® practitioner. He holds the FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 registrations, as well as life and health insurance licenses. Michael has been serving clients in the financial services industry since 1999, and prior to joining Merrill Lynch, he was a Senior Wealth Manager at USAA. Michael specializes in areas including education planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, special needs planning strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. He assists clients with creating and growing wealth, preserving assets, planning efficient distributions throughout their lives, and designing tax-efficient distribution plans for after death. Michael earned a bachelor's degree in agribusiness and management from Cornell University and holds a Six Sigma Green Belt from the University of Michigan. Raised in Cincinnati, Michael lives with his wife Michelle and their two young adopted sons, Carter and Remington. He has two rescue dogs and is devoted to helping veterans, military families, disadvantaged children, and animals by applying his time, energy, and donations. Michael integrates his understanding of clients’ life priorities into his financial planning approach to develop personalized strategies tailored to their goals and aspirations.

Kory Fuller is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since 2003, he has been assisting clients in developing personalized financial strategies aimed at achieving their long-term goals. With decades of experience in the financial markets dating back to 1996, Kory brings a deep understanding of market dynamics, having managed through significant events such as the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic. His expertise encompasses investment insights and wealth management strategies tailored to evolving market conditions. Kory graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors from the University of Arizona with a degree in business administration. He earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification in 2001 and became qualified as a Portfolio Manager through the Merrill Investment Advisory Program in 2004. His professional designations include CFP® and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional role, Kory participates actively in community volunteer work, reflecting his commitment to the communities Merrill serves. He and his wife have two sons and enjoy spending their free time playing pickleball.

Mariella Chavez Gehrig is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. She has previously worked at Cetera and Renaissance Financial. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved as a host at Bacio Italiano, a restaurant in Tucson, AZ. 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 model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Mark Nixon is a Senior Financial Advisor and Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He advises high-net worth individuals, families, and current and former business owners, focusing on creating customized financial strategies tailored to their specific needs and goals. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and six years in leadership and management roles, Mark specializes in portfolio management, retirement solutions, asset allocation, education funding, tax minimization strategies, and estate planning services. He helps clients understand the percentage return needed on their assets to achieve their financial objectives across generations. His practice also emphasizes wealth management planning and supports business owners in decisions related to lending, business sales, and wealth transfer. Mark holds a Bachelor's Degree from West Texas A and M University and a Master's Degree from Eastern New Mexico University. He has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional work, Mark participates in team roping and country western dancing and is involved with the World Series of Team Roping organization.

Justin Gillham is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing experience in delivering comprehensive financial strategies for high net worth individuals and businesses. Since entering the financial services industry in 2002 and joining Merrill Lynch in 2008, Justin has been a part of the WGS Group in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he offers a broad approach to wealth management. His services include investment management, retirement and estate planning, wealth transfer strategies, education and liquidity planning, tax minimization, life insurance, and wealth preservation. Justin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Bowling Green State University, where he specialized in Finance, Financial Planning, and Management Information Systems. He earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification in 2008 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation in 2007. His professional philosophy emphasizes personalized, consultative advice based on clients’ financial situations, preferences, and goals, with a focus on aligning asset allocation to clients’ income expectations, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. Outside of his professional role, Justin is an avid golfer and family man who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife and three children. He dedicates time to community involvement, including volunteering and coaching with the Cactus Foothills Little League, and has contributed to organizations such as the ALS Association, American Cancer Society, Arizona Foster Care, Adoption & Mentoring Agency, Fresh Start Women's Foundation, and Great Hearts Academies.

Patrick McCartney is a Financial Advisor and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC) professional with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with families, corporate executives, and retirees to design intentional financial plans that aim to build purposeful wealth and long-term confidence. Patrick partners with clients to navigate complex financial decisions and achieve meaningful goals, focusing on areas such as tax minimization strategies, concentrated stock strategies, estate planning and generational wealth, philanthropic gifting, risk management, professional investment management, and education planning. Leveraging the investment capabilities of Merrill and the banking services of Bank of America, Patrick provides integrated strategies including access to mortgages, custom lending, auto loans, and banking services to address all aspects of a client's financial life. He also collaborates with his clients' attorneys, accountants, and other professionals to ensure alignment across their financial affairs. Patrick holds a bachelor's degree from the Pennsylvania State University System and is active in his community and professional organizations, including the Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Parish, Scottsdale Leadership Inc., the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, and the Penn State Alumni Association's Phoenix Chapter.

Rube Woolsey is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on helping individuals and small businesses plan for and reach their financial goals. His work includes providing comprehensive wealth planning for clients with investable assets ranging from $1 to $15 million, addressing tax and estate considerations, and advising on major financial decisions throughout different phases of life. Rube specializes in assisting small business owners with exit strategies that allow them to maintain their lifestyle in retirement. He leverages resources from Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Bank of America's Investment Bank to support clients in navigating the complexities of selling their businesses. His expertise also covers education planning, executive compensation, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Arizona State University and has earned professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional work, Rube engages in adventure sports, boxing, horseback riding, and traveling.

Cody Hampson is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in helping clients preserve, grow, and transfer wealth through objective financial guidance grounded in a disciplined planning process. With a focus on building long-term relationships, he delivers strategies that support lasting financial success for individuals, families, and business owners. He brings experience in legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and portfolio management services. Drawing on the discipline and preparation learned from competitive sports, Cody applies a proactive approach to assist clients in navigating important financial decisions with confidence, aiming to reduce financial stress and help clients make informed choices. Cody holds a bachelor's degree from Grand Canyon University and has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys baseball, football, golfing, and spending time with his family.

Garett Fig is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked with top-tier investment banks and global insurance and advisory firms, providing financial solutions tailored to clients' risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, investment goals, and associated costs. Throughout his career, Garett has focused on building trust and maintaining a professional relationship to understand and address clients' financial concerns and expectations. Prior to his current role, Garett began his career as a tax analyst for AXA Financial in New York City, followed by roles at J P Morgan and Merrill Lynch on both the investment banking and retail sides. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Accounting from Roanoke College and has earned professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). His expertise includes portfolio management services and financial planning in areas such as retirement income, executive compensation, and college education planning. Outside his professional work, Garett participates in community organizations by volunteering and supports philanthropic efforts alongside his family. He engages in various adventure and sports activities such as boating, football, golfing, running marathons, surfing, volleyball, and yoga. Garett emphasizes developing personalized financial strategies collaboratively with clients to help them pursue their long-term goals.

Abtin Zarrabi is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on providing clients with personalized wealth management strategies designed to address their full financial picture and evolving market conditions. Abtin works closely with clients to develop tailored approaches in portfolio management, tax minimization, retirement income, and both individual and corporate investment strategies. He holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and completed his bachelor's degree at Shiraz University, followed by a master's degree from the University of California System. Abtin's client service approach centers on one-on-one collaboration to help clients pursue their long-term financial goals. Outside of his professional role, he enjoys hiking, music, photography, reading, and running.

John Bridgford is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He leads a team with over 100 years of combined experience, serving high net worth individuals across 36 states. His advisory approach focuses on safeguarding client assets through diversification and risk mitigation aligned with clients’ desired lifestyles. John’s client expertise includes family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income planning. John began his career in finance after earning a bachelor's degree in Economics from Arizona State University in 1990. He joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1992 and co-founded the Bridgford & Cromer Group. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations, which support his commitment to providing personalized financial strategies to help clients pursue long-term goals. In addition to his professional work, John has nearly two decades of community involvement in the greater Scottsdale and West Valley areas. He has served as Chair of the Board of Directors and Fund Development Committee for Benevilla™, a nonprofit supporting older adults, adults with developmental disabilities, and children. John is also a member of the Fighter Country Foundation Blue Blazer Squadron. Outside of work and community service, he spends time with his wife and three children and participates in coaching and supporting his children’s sporting and artistic activities.