Sugar Land, TX Dairy Ashford Rd Office

Robert Rodriguez is a financial advisor at Merrill with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and previously worked at Invesco Advisers, Inc. and A I M Distributors, Inc. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the board of a private Christian school in Sugar Land, Texas. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Drew Selensky is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in managing new wealth, small business strategies, and individual and corporate investment strategies. He works with professionals, families, retirees, and business owners to organize their financial lives and develop tailored strategies intended to simplify complex financial situations and help clients focus on their most important goals. Drew holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is a graduate of Texas A&M University. His approach emphasizes building long-term relationships based on trust and providing honest guidance. He prioritizes understanding each client's unique story and helping them navigate major financial milestones with confidence. Outside of his professional duties, Drew enjoys spending time with his family and engaging in outdoor activities such as fishing, football, and golfing. These personal interests contribute to his perspective on the importance of creating financial freedom to enjoy life with loved ones.

Fred Van Meter is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in various client focus areas including retirement planning, college education planning, divorce transition planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, liquidity management, managing new wealth, philanthropic planning, and portfolio management services. With close to thirty years of experience, Fred and his team assist clients in navigating each new phase of life by understanding their unique needs and goals. They provide tailored solutions and dedicated attention to help ensure a positive client experience. Fred holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Houston System and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designation. Outside of his professional work, Fred enjoys fishing, golfing, running, scuba diving, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Steven Ambriz is a Wealth Management Advisor with VMT Wealth Management, affiliated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Bank of America. Since beginning his financial services career in 2009 and joining Merrill Lynch in 2012, Steven has focused on delivering comprehensive wealth management strategies tailored to clients' individual goals and risk tolerances. His work includes asset management, insurance planning, estate planning services, customer lending, and access to private banking. Steven emphasizes clear communication and personalized service to help clients align their financial actions with their long-term objectives. He holds several professional designations including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Steven earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Houston Downtown and completed an Accredited Certificate Program at Rice University. Born and raised in Texas, Steven currently resides in Richmond, a suburb of West Houston, with his wife and three children. He is involved in community organizations such as Brookwood Community and Paternal Time Inc. Outside of work, he enjoys fishing, hunting, F3 workouts, and playing disc golf.

Ryan Taylor is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he focuses on creating personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients' individual financial goals and changing market conditions. He leverages the investment insights of Merrill and the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America to support clients' pursuit of their financial objectives. Ryan holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Houston System and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He is committed to serving clients by understanding their financial stories and providing guidance aimed at achieving their goals. His professional philosophy emphasizes the importance of meeting with an experienced financial advisor to develop personalized retirement strategies, regardless of the time horizon. Outside of his professional work, Ryan volunteers with organizations in the community, reflecting his dedication to service. He enjoys traveling with his family, golfing, and training for obstacle course races.

Jason Williams is a Financial Advisor affiliated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he works closely with clients to understand their financial goals and develops strategies to address short-, mid-, and long-term objectives. His services cover areas such as general investing, retirement planning, and saving for unforeseen events. He also provides clients access to Bank of America specialists for banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Jason holds the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. His approach focuses on uncovering what matters most to clients and their families to create tailored financial strategies. He maintains ongoing communication to address client goals, concerns, and changing needs.

Jonathan Rao is Senior Resident Director at Merrill and a founding member of The Murgai, Jerding & Rao Wealth Management Group. With over 20 years of experience at Merrill, he serves clients in the Houston area and across the United States, including successful business owners, executives, and other ambitious individuals with complex financial needs. He emphasizes client education and values "teachable moments" to help clients and their families understand financial strategies. Jonathan's approach involves thorough review of clients' financial and legal documents, often coordinating with their CPA and attorney to develop comprehensive strategies covering investment, liability management, tax minimization, and estate planning. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification and a Bachelor's degree in Business from Texas A&M University, along with an accredited certificate from Rice University. Active in his community, Jonathan is a donor to the Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation, serves as a committee member of the Children's Discovery Center of Fort Bend, and is a Director for the JRM Foundation. He and his wife Melinda reside in Sugarland, Texas, and enjoy activities including boating, fishing, football, golfing, hunting, and traveling with their three children.

Brian Papp is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2003. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with a business named Papp Rental Cottage. 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 serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Terry Kelly is a financial advisor at Merrill with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at Merrill since 2019. His prior experience includes roles at Invesco Advisers, Inc. and A I M Distributors, Inc. 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers.

Joshua Griffin is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he focuses on creating personalized financial strategies tailored to clients' long-term goals. His approach includes helping clients understand and manage essential aspects of their finances, such as retirement planning, spending, and investment decisions. Joshua has experience assisting clients with complex financial situations including managing concentrated stock positions and navigating significant life transitions like retirement, divorce, marriage, inheritance, and business sales. He collaborates with various professionals, including estate attorneys and accountants, to coordinate comprehensive financial and legacy planning. His areas of expertise encompass education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and strategies for small businesses and non-profits. An alumnus of Texas A&M University, Joshua holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He is active in community and professional organizations such as the Sugar Land Rotary Club, Junior Achievement, Central Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, Toastmasters International, and the Vantage Professional Network. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys camping, painting, reading, soccer, table tennis, volleyball, and woodworking.

Alireza Hashemi is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he provides financial guidance and investment strategies to clients, leveraging his expertise to help manage and grow their wealth. He holds the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation, underscoring his commitment to professional standards and knowledge in the financial advisory field. Alireza earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Houston System. His background combines formal education and professional credentials to support clients in achieving their financial goals.

Kathryn Biron is a Series 66-qualified financial advisor with Merrill in Sugar Land, TX, and has 17 years of experience with the firm. She serves as a board member for BridgeYear, a nonprofit organization focused on connecting underserved youth to career and educational pathways that promote economic stability. 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.

Martin Pate is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been serving clients since 1996. In his role, Martin assists clients in portfolio construction tailored to their risk tolerance, objectives, and time horizons through the Investment Advisory Program. His client focus areas include institutional and corporate benefit services, employee financial health, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, and retirement income. Martin holds several professional designations including Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Texas A&M University System, with a Master’s in Statistics. He has also completed training at Wharton’s Executive Education Program. A resident of Fort Bend County for over 38 years, Martin, along with his wife Pam and their three children, is active in the local community, including involvement with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Outside of his professional work, Martin enjoys baseball, cooking, fishing, football, gardening, golfing, horseback riding, and woodworking. His approach to wealth management emphasizes collaboration to align financial planning with clients’ unique life priorities and changing circumstances.

Stephen Richer is a financial advisor at Merrill with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining Merrill in 2020, he worked at New York Life and Lincoln Financial. 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 serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Amit Jain is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings over 25 years of experience assisting families and business owners in growing and protecting their wealth through tailored investment management strategies. Amit focuses on family wealth management, legacy planning, and personal retirement planning, taking the time to understand clients' financial goals and craft customized approaches to help them achieve financial independence. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston. Outside of his professional role, Amit is involved with the East Bay SPCA and pursues personal interests such as cooking, football, golfing, and traveling. His approach centers on connecting all aspects of a client's financial life to prioritize and pursue the goals that matter most.