Vero Beach, FL Beachland Blvd Office

Matthew Saum is a Resident Director at Merrill, where he leads a team focused on delivering personalized wealth management strategies to clients and their families. He specializes in solving complex financial problems and works closely with clients to navigate liquidity events and achieve worry-free retirements. Matt's expertise encompasses executive compensation, family wealth management, new wealth management, individual and corporate investment strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income planning. He takes a holistic approach by integrating investment planning, lending access through Bank of America, and tax-efficient portfolio management. His practice primarily serves legal and financial professionals and assists them in navigating the financial markets. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Matt worked on the institutional finance side at Morgan Stanley and Telsey Advisory Group. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University, where he was a member of the Trading and Investment Club. Matt is a qualified Senior Portfolio Advisor and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation.

Peter Kelly is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He collaborates with clients to understand their goals and create personalized wealth management strategies that reflect what matters most to them. His approach includes providing investment guidance and access to Merrill's portfolio management resources, as well as leveraging the products and services offered by Bank of America to address clients' entire balance sheets. Peter has over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, having worked with firms such as Wachovia Securities, AIG Securities Lending, and Charles Schwab in various roles including Repo Trading Product Supervisor, Securities Lending Trader, Institutional Fixed Income Sales, Regional Bond Specialist, and Financial Consultant. His areas of expertise include employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, institutional investment consulting, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, small business strategies, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Originally from Huntington, New York, Peter grew up in Manhasset, New York and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Richmond. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is associated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Peter moved to Florida in 2010 and currently resides in Vero Beach. He has three children and enjoys golfing, snow skiing, and spending time at the beach.

John Tovar is a financial advisor at Merrill with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Merrill, Ameriprise, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo in various capacities. Outside of his advisory role, he is a managing member and general partner of Virtual Freedom Marketing LLC, a company focused on online merchandise sales and website development for local service niches. 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 institutions.

Thomas Nelson is a financial advisor with Merrill in Vero Beach, FL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and 38 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2009 and also affiliated with Bank of America, N.A. 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 investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Zachary Shave is a Financial Advisor and Senior Portfolio Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works closely with clients to understand their personal perspectives and priorities, aiming to develop strategies that address their unique financial goals. His approach includes assisting clients with areas such as college education planning, retirement income, family wealth management, and tax minimization. Zachary holds a Bachelor's Degree from Flagler College and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He serves as a resource for general investing, retirement planning, and saving for unexpected events, providing ongoing advice and guidance tailored to clients' evolving needs. He also facilitates access to additional Bank of America specialists in banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Beyond his professional work, Zachary is involved with United Way. His personal interests include adventure sports, boating, golfing, music, pickleball, running and marathons, scuba diving, surfing, and tennis.

Christie Green is a financial advisor with Merrill in Vero Beach, FL, holding Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and possessing 27 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill, UBS Financial Services, and Morgan Stanley. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Carleen Porreca is a financial advisor at Merrill with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has been with Merrill for 10 years. 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 for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

John Dobay is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Based in Sebastian, Florida, he has been assisting individuals in planning for their financial goals since 1995. Before beginning his advisory career, John served 11 years in the military. His areas of focus include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, special needs planning strategies, and retirement income. John follows Merrill’s tradition of community participation and spends time volunteering with local organizations. John holds a High School Diploma from Maplewood High School and has completed an Accredited Certificate Program from The American College of Financial Services. He lives with his wife Dawn and their four boys, along with two granddaughters. Outside of work, John enjoys adventure sports, boating, cooking, football, music, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Scott Schwartz is a Wealth Management Advisor and First Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He is a partner of the Shambo, Schwibner & Schwartz Wealth Management Team, serving clients in Vero Beach, throughout South Florida, and across the country. Scott focuses on providing personalized, goals-based financial strategies to a diverse client base including pre-retirees, retirees, high performers, business owners, multigenerational families, physicians, attorneys, and executives. His expertise encompasses retirement and income planning, inheritance guidance, investment analysis, tailored wealth management including cash flow analysis, and customized lending and banking services through Bank of America. Scott earned both his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Accounting from the University of Florida. He holds the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certificant awarded by the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards, Inc. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, Scott worked as a Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in New York City. He is a native Floridian and serves as the President of the Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County and is involved with the Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Scott enjoys travel, culinary experiences, ice hockey, golfing, and spending time with his wife Chloe, their daughter Sadie, son Meyer, and their lab Cheddar.

Devin Reed is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, and financial guidance for women. She began her career in the financial services industry in 2004 and is committed to implementing Merrill’s goals-based wealth management process to help clients allocate resources and develop strategies aligned with their individual priorities and goals. Devin holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. She earned her High School Diploma from Western High School and an Associate's Degree from Indian River State College. Devin focuses on customizing financial plans to address significant life transitions such as retirement, legacy planning, wealth accumulation, and business restructuring, serving a diverse client base including business owners, professionals, families, and individuals in Vero Beach, South Florida, and nationwide. In addition to her financial advisory career, Devin is the inventor and former CEO of Molar Muncher, a baby teething product she created to meet a need she identified when she had her first child. A native of South Florida, she currently resides in Vero Beach with her family. Her personal interests include boating, cooking, fishing, gardening, music, and spending time with her family while enjoying the Florida lifestyle.

Maria Klipstine is a financial advisor at Merrill with 26 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. since 1998. Outside of her advisory role, Klipstine is the owner of Marick Builders, Inc., and serves as an officer for two charitable foundations, the Smith Family Foundation and The MJ and ABS Foundation, both located in Florida. 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 a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Brian Shambo is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has built a team of ten professionals dedicated to serving a select number of families with a goals-based wealth management approach, focusing on custom plans that address family dynamics related to wealth preservation and succession planning. The team emphasizes responsiveness and service delivery in their work with client families. Brian holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the College of Charleston and a High School Diploma from Providence Day School. He has pursued executive education programs at Harvard University, Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business, Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, and Wharton Executive Education. His professional credentials include the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA), and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designations. In addition to his professional commitments, Brian is involved with the Indian River Community Foundation. Outside of work, his personal interests include baseball, basketball, boating, boxing, fishing, football, golfing, soccer, softball, and swimming.

Stephanie Springer is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Vero Beach, Florida. She joined Merrill Lynch in 2013 after a career as a TV news anchor and reporter. Stephanie holds the Series 7 and 66 FINRA registrations and the Florida Life, Health & Variable Annuity license. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University in 2007. Her professional focus includes assisting women with financial matters, particularly those going through significant life changes such as divorce or the loss of a spouse. Stephanie also works with younger investors beginning their financial journeys. She emphasizes connecting all aspects of clients' financial lives to help prioritize and pursue their most important goals. Her areas of expertise encompass college education planning, personal retirement planning, retirement income, and women and wealth. Stephanie lives in Vero Beach with her daughter, Lily. Her personal interests include boating, cooking, drawing and painting, photography, traveling, writing, and spending time with her family.

Baerbel O'Haire is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has provided wealth management advice to high net worth families since 1986. She serves clients in areas including college education planning, family wealth management strategies, philanthropic planning, socially responsible and ESG investing, and women and wealth. Baerbel is a graduate of the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business and holds several professional designations, including Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Throughout her career, Baerbel has been recognized on the Forbes "Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" list from 2022 to 2026 and the Forbes "Best In State Wealth Advisors" list from 2021 to 2026. She was a corporate trainer for Merrill Lynch's Professional Management Development program from 1990 to 2000 and has spoken at numerous client seminars and internal nationwide conferences. Baerbel has served on multiple boards, including the Board of Trustees for Riverside Theatre, where she acts as treasurer, the fiduciary corporate board for United Against Poverty, and previously on the boards of Child Care Resources, Impact 100, and as president of the Merrill Women's Exchange of the Treasure Coast. Born and raised in Germany, Baerbel speaks fluent German and English. She resides in Vero Beach, Florida, and has three children. Her daughter Sydney works alongside her as a Financial Advisor, and her son Conor is a Wealth Management Client Associate for the O'Haire Group. Baerbel's personal interests include boating, scuba diving, skiing, swimming, tennis, traveling, yoga, and spending time with her family.

Jeremy Schwibner is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on working with transitioning professionals, including those changing companies or retiring, to review their 401(k) and other retirement plans. His approach involves uncovering hidden fees and analyzing investment options to ensure alignment with clients' short, medium, and long-term goals. He and his team have developed a goals-based wealth management process that adapts over time to clients' evolving needs, providing forward-looking advice through disciplined, agenda-driven planning. Jeremy holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification and the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® (CPFA®) designation, specifically related to employer-sponsored retirement plans. He also carries the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC) designations. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from the State University of New York System and is a member of Merrill's Next-Generation Leadership Council for the 2023-2025 term. Originally from New York, Jeremy has lived in Florida since 2006 and currently resides in Vero Beach, FL with his wife, Jenna Katz Schwibner, DMD, and their three children. He is involved with the Business People We Trust of Vero Beach and the Temple Beth Shalom of Vero Beach Foundation, Inc. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf.