Southbury, CT Main St N Office

Joan Buonocore is a financial advisor at Merrill with 25 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with Merrill since 2011. 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 strategies designed by internal teams and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Suzanne Macero is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 17 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2010. Outside of advising, she works as a banquet server with Vyne LLC. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, offers managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm provides a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Alexander Bauer is a financial advisor at Merrill with 14 years of industry experience. He has held his current position at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since 2012. Bauer holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and is based in Southbury, CT. 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 strategies developed by internal Chief Investment Office teams and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Nicholas Drew is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he provides personalized wealth management guidance to help clients build, preserve, and transition their assets. He focuses on understanding each client's financial goals, risk tolerance, and priorities to deliver disciplined strategies based on long-term planning and sound investment principles. Nicholas leverages Merrill Lynch's research, resources, and technology to design customized portfolios, support retirement and tax-efficient planning, and assist clients in navigating complex financial decisions. He holds professional designations including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Nicholas earned a Bachelor's Degree from Keene State College. His client focus areas include college education planning, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Outside of his professional work, Nicholas is involved with St. Jude's and enjoys a variety of personal interests such as basketball, football, gardening, golfing, hiking, skiing, soccer, spending time with family, and woodworking.

Richard Fabian is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in comprehensive financial planning and investment management. With over 10 years of experience, he provides tailored strategies to help clients achieve goals across areas such as college education planning, family wealth management, retirement income, and socially responsible investing. Richard leverages Merrill's extensive resources and research alongside his industry expertise to develop customized solutions aligned with each client's unique needs and aspirations. Richard holds a Bachelor's Degree from Lehman College and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He is fluent in English and Spanish, enabling him to effectively communicate with a diverse client base. His professional approach emphasizes transparency and trust, focusing on building long-term relationships to support clients and their families in securing their financial futures. Outside of his professional role, Richard enjoys adventure sports, baseball, basketball, biking, dancing, and music. He values spending quality time with his family and engages in community service events to contribute to the well-being of others.

Steven Sax is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 38 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 1987 and has been affiliated with Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a consultant for a nonprofit organization in Connecticut. 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.

Christopher Conto is a Wealth Management Advisor and Managing Director at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career in the financial services industry in 1992 and joined Merrill in 1993 after moving back to his home state of Connecticut. In his role, he provides personalized financial advice and asset management to high net worth clients, focusing on helping them achieve their financial goals and aspirations. Christopher’s areas of expertise include college education planning, employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, retirement income, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and managing new wealth. He employs a goals-based planning approach and offers support with insurance and estate planning services. As a qualified Portfolio Manager, he builds and manages personalized or defined strategies to support his clients’ objectives. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Springfield College and the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation, sponsored by the Investments & Wealth Institute™ at the Wharton School of Business. Christopher resides in Woodbury, Connecticut, with his wife Amy and their three children. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, traveling, coaching youth sports, staying active, and volunteering at local charitable organizations.

John Deleo is a Resident Director and Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in helping individuals, families, and businesses with retirement planning, asset management, and administration of retirement plans for organizations. His client focus areas include divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, defined benefit plans, liquidity management, portfolio management, investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. John holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Central Connecticut State University and has earned professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He emphasizes developing personalized financial strategies tailored to clients' long-term goals. He is a member of the Ansonia Volunteer Fire Department and engages in community service. Outside of work, John enjoys camping, cooking, fishing, hiking, spending time with his family, traveling, and watching movies.

Javier Dedios is a financial advisor with Merrill in Southbury, CT, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 32 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since 2008, following a brief tenure at Citigroup Global Markets. Prior to that, he was with Merrill for 11 years. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program to Bank of America fiduciary clients. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Brian Clemente is a financial advisor with Merrill in Southbury, CT, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2007. 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 strategies developed by internal Chief Investment Office teams and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Nicholas Miceli is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 12 years of experience in the financial services industry. Since beginning his career in 2011 with Merrill Lynch, he has developed expertise in wealth management, employee benefits planning, portfolio management, and retirement income strategies. Nicholas and his team leverage Merrill’s global resources to provide comprehensive wealth management services tailored to corporate executives and their families. Nicholas holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Seton Hall University. He has earned several professional designations, including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). His experience spans advising on corporate benefit programs such as equity compensation, defined benefit, and defined contribution plans, as well as helping clients manage concentrated stock positions and transition events like retirement or business sales. Outside of his professional role, Nicholas enjoys spending time with his family and pursuing personal interests such as golf, chess, fishing, football, reading, and watching movies.

Matthew Cole is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he works directly with clients to define their financial goals and develop portfolio strategies tailored to their needs. He provides ongoing advice and adjusts strategies as clients' circumstances evolve. Matthew's expertise encompasses general investing, retirement planning, and preparing for unforeseen life events. He emphasizes understanding what is important to each client and collaborates with them to create personalized financial plans. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Fairfield University and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional work, Matthew has interests in basketball, golfing, and soccer.

Harold Smith Jr. is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has over 40 years of experience in financial advising and wealth management, including roles as Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill for 28 years, Executive Vice President at Webster Bank for more than 20 years, and member of KPMG Peat Marwick, C.P.A.'s for 2 years. Harold holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation, the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification, and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University. Throughout his career, Harold has worked with high-net-worth clients, advising on family wealth management strategies, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, legacy planning, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, and portfolio management services. His approach involves working one-on-one with clients to develop personalized financial strategies tailored to their long-term goals. Harold also collaborates with clients' attorneys, accountants, and other advisors to coordinate comprehensive financial and legacy planning. Harold resides in Middlebury, Connecticut, with his wife and two children and is a former Captain in the United States Marine Corps. He has been involved in various community service organizations and board memberships, including the United Way, Naugatuck Valley Development Corporation, Waterbury Association for Retarded Citizens, Waterbury Development Corporation, Waterbury Hospital Corporation, and the YMCA. His personal interests include golfing, hiking, skiing, and tennis.

Theodore De Giacomo is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds professional designations as a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Theodore completed an Accredited Certificate Program from CSU. His expertise focuses on providing investment management and personal advising services to clients.

Christopher Scudder is a financial advisor at Merrill with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked previously at Bank of America, Wells Fargo Clearing, and Wells Fargo Bank. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Football Commissioner on the executive board of Brookfield Football and Cheer, a youth sports organization in Connecticut. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies developed by internal and third-party managers. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a range of investment approaches.