Tucson, AZ E Sunrise Dr Office

Steven Strong is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been serving affluent clients for over twenty-eight years. He specializes in investment management and wealth preservation, developing personalized strategies that address the complex needs of high net worth individuals. His services include creating portfolio strategies, estate planning, trust services through Bank of America Private Bank, asset and liability strategy implementation, and sophisticated retirement planning. Steven's team focuses on delivering customized advice aimed at helping business owners, non-profit organizations, and high net worth individuals achieve their financial goals. They prioritize clarity and simplicity in financial planning to assist clients in navigating complex financial environments. Steven holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona. Outside of his professional career, Steven has an athletic background, having played catcher for the University of Arizona Wildcats Baseball Team. He is a past president of the Junior Achievement Advisory Board. Steven has lived in Tucson for over forty years and resides there with his wife and three children. His personal interests include baseball, fishing, football, gardening, golfing, hunting, spending time with family, and traveling.

Mary Clements is a financial advisor at Merrill with seven years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Bank of America, N.A. since 2018. Outside of her advisory role, Mary instructs group fitness classes at several local fitness centers and nonprofit organizations in Tucson, including the YMCA of Southern Arizona and the Tucson Jewish Community Center. She also serves as a committee member for Angel Charity For Children. 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 supported by internal and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Paulette Yates is a Series 66-registered financial advisor at Merrill with 14 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2010 and concurrently affiliated with Bank of America, N.A. since 2016. 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.

Kelly Stephenson is a financial advisor at Merrill with 14 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill since 1999. He also serves as a Successor Trustee in a separate capacity. 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 both model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.

Layla Tovar is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She focuses on creating personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients' unique financial situations and goals. Her areas of expertise include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, special needs planning, and retirement income. Layla follows the Merrill tradition of community involvement through volunteer work with local organizations. Outside of her professional role, she pursues a variety of personal interests including basketball, chess, cooking, dancing, football, golfing, hiking, music, traveling, and yoga.

Joseph Poliseo is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career with Merrill in 1998, initially serving as Head Operations Controller in New Jersey. Over the years, Joseph held various roles in client service and management, later moving to Arizona in 2005 to become Client Relationship Manager for the Phoenix-Tucson Complex, overseeing client services for seven offices and 150 Financial Advisors. He transitioned to a Financial Advisor role in Tucson, Arizona in 2015, focusing on providing comprehensive wealth management solutions that address clients' evolving needs and financial goals. Joseph’s areas of expertise include college education planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation, demonstrating his commitment to ongoing professional development. Joseph earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Technological Entrepreneurship and Management from Arizona State University, complementing his extensive experience in financial services. Outside of his professional work, Joseph enjoys spending time with his wife, Marissa, and their three daughters. He also has personal interests in basketball, music, and watching movies.

Michael Mansour is a financial advisor at Merrill with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has prior work history that includes roles at Bank of America, Northern Arizona University, Peak Corrosion Control, and local educational institutions. 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.

Michelle Dojaquez is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been in the financial industry since 2018 and joined Merrill Lynch in 2024. In her role, Michelle focuses on building trusted relationships and supporting clients through personalized financial strategies that align with their unique goals and priorities. Her areas of expertise include retirement income planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, small business strategies, special needs planning, and managing wealth for diverse client groups such as women and the LGBT community. Michelle emphasizes understanding clients' personal perspectives to create tailored plans encompassing education funding, retirement lifestyle coverage, and long-term family goals. Michelle holds a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Arizona University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of work, she enjoys activities such as chess, cooking, music, reading, swimming, watching movies, and spending time with her family.

Scott Tobin is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with individuals, families, business owners, and retirement plan sponsors to develop goals-based financial strategies that reflect clients' priorities, circumstances, and long-term objectives. His work includes investment performance analysis, portfolio manager evaluation, and strategic asset allocation, and he coordinates with clients' professional advisors to consider investment, estate planning, and tax implications as part of broader financial plans. Scott holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® designation, and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ designation. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in 2009. After a high-school internship with Merrill, he joined the firm in 2010 and has gained experience in its Phoenix and New York City offices before returning to Tucson. He has been recognized on the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list for 2026 and the Forbes "Top Next Gen Wealth Advisors Best in State" list for 2023 through 2025. The Lewis / Poliseo / Tobin Wealth Management Team has also been recognized on the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list for 2024 through 2026. Scott supports local organizations including United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. He lives in Tucson with his wife Tracy and their two children.

Matthew Lang is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he works closely with clients to develop strategies that address their short-, mid-, and long-term financial goals. He provides resources and guidance on topics including general investing, retirement planning, and saving for unexpected events. Additionally, he facilitates access to Bank of America specialists for banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Matthew holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Arkansas and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He emphasizes building lasting relationships with clients based on trust, integrity, and education, aiming to empower individuals and businesses to achieve financial confidence and long-term success through personalized and transparent strategies. Outside of his professional work, Matthew enjoys basketball, golfing, pickleball, and spending time with his family.

Mary Williamson is a financial advisor with Merrill in Tucson, Arizona, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 23 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill Lynch Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. since 2011. Outside of her advisory role, she manages Flourish Aromatherapy Studio, LLC, a family business where she creates skin care products. 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, and institutional investors, implementing a mix of internal and third-party management and tactical asset allocation.

Keith Courser is a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He brings a disciplined and strategic approach to financial planning, drawing on his military background and academic training in economics. Keith focuses on providing tailored guidance in areas such as college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, retirement income, and tax minimization. With a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Arizona and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation, Keith leverages his understanding of economic trends and financial markets to help clients navigate their financial futures. His experience encompasses portfolio management services and personalized retirement planning, serving individuals, families, and businesses. Outside of his professional work, Keith enjoys golfing, hiking, pickleball, reading, running, and spending time with his family. His commitment to providing practical, informed financial advice is grounded in a philosophy of empowering clients to achieve long-term financial security and build lasting wealth.

Matthew Apostolik serves as Senior Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill, where he has worked since 1996. He leads the Tucson Merrill office and is a senior partner with SAS Wealth Management. Matthew supports individual clients in articulating their financial objectives and developing investment and wealth management strategies centered on their goals. Additionally, he assists institutional clients through 401(k) education and enrollment meetings. Matthew earned dual bachelor's degrees in finance and business economics from the University of Arizona. He holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He is a member of the Investments and Wealth Institute, the CFP Board of Standards, and the Financial Planning Association. Residing in Tucson with his wife Carmen, Matthew and his family enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, fly-fishing, rock climbing, tennis, biking, camping, fishing, golfing, hunting, photography, and canyoneering. They also participate in community service efforts, including volunteering at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

Niklas Scherer is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been employed since December 1992. He specializes in areas including college education planning, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arizona in December 1988 and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC™) certification from the College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp., awarded in November 2004. Niklas is also recognized as a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His community involvement includes serving as a member of the Assistance League of Tucson Advisory Council. Outside of his professional work, Niklas resides in Tucson with his family. He enjoys activities such as movies, off-roading in his RZR, skiing with his sons, adventure sports, hiking, music, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Alejandro Ursua is an International Wealth Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of The GTZ Group. He joined the firm in 2015 and focuses on relationship management while providing client service. Alejandro contributes to team efforts by identifying opportunities and supporting the achievement of client objectives. He also represents Wealth Management Client Associates on the International Wealth Management Client Associates Working Group, supporting international offices. Alejandro earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a certificate in Finance from the University of Arizona in 2017. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, he worked as a Financial Consultant for New York Life. He holds the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. Born in Colima, Mexico, Alejandro has spent most of his life in Arizona. He is a member of the Eller Centurion at the University of Arizona and participates in local soccer leagues. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.