Worcester, MA Front St Office

Jonathan Olson is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He collaborates with clients to organize, manage, and achieve their financial goals by taking time to understand their personal priorities and developing strategies to address their short-, mid-, and long-term objectives. His areas of focus include college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, small business strategies, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Jonathan also connects clients to Bank of America specialists for services such as banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Jonathan holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and has completed education at Nashwauk High School, Vermilion Community College, Hibbing Technical College's Accredited Certificate Program, and has attended the University of Minnesota System without degree conferment. Outside of his professional role, he enjoys baseball, boating, camping, fishing, ice hockey, reading, softball, spending time with his family, volleyball, and woodworking.

David Smith is a financial advisor at Merrill with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at both Merrill and Bank of America for over 15 years each. He serves as co-trustee of a family investment trust established for himself and his wife. 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 strategies for a range of individual and institutional investors.

Ryan Wakefield is a financial advisor with Merrill in Worcester, MA, holding a Series 66 designation and 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill and Bank of America since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, Wakefield owns a music production business where he composes and licenses music for use in songs, film, advertising, video games, and internet video. 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 individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations.

Matthew Shiely serves as the Senior Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch. He leads The Shiely Group along with 18 other financial advisors and support staff, focusing on meeting the distinct wealth management needs of affluent client families. He specializes in comprehensive wealth management including concentration-risk mitigation, succession and exit planning, multi-generational wealth transfer, tax-efficient investment planning, portfolio management, and private banking solutions. Matthew holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master’s degree from Babson College, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He has earned several professional designations including Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He is a member of the Investments & Wealth Institute. Outside of his professional role, Matthew lives in Groton with his wife and two children. He is involved with Junior Achievement of Central MA and values spending time with his family, caring for the environment, and sharing responsibilities and benefits of farm life with his children.

Christopher Griffin is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 credential and 10 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, Griffin is an author of science fiction works, including a published novel and ongoing writing projects. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program for Bank of America fiduciary clients. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers and serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Daniel Grammel is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 44 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 2009 and Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Outside of his advisory role, he is certified as an EMT and volunteers in that capacity one day a week. 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 strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.

Dennis Arnone is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds the professional designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), reflecting his commitment to providing tailored financial guidance. Dennis earned a Bachelor's Degree from Saint Michaels College. His expertise includes investment advisory services and wealth management, supporting clients in achieving their financial goals through strategic planning and personalized advice.

Anne Ford is a financial advisor at Merrill with 15 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. since 2010. 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 individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Richard Higgins is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and portfolio management services. Richard holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Northeastern University. Outside of his professional role, he has personal interests in football, horseback riding, music, and skiing.

Laura Wiedeman is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She joined Merrill Lynch in 2016 and leads The Freeman Wiedeman Group, providing comprehensive financial strategies that address clients' diverse financial needs. Laura combines her experience as a former Bank of America Assistant Manager with the investment resources of Merrill Lynch to serve a high-net-worth clientele including engineers, educators, business owners, and women seeking financial guidance. Her expertise encompasses college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, tax minimization, retirement income, and socially responsible investing. Laura emphasizes a client-centric approach, focusing on understanding clients' personal passions, goals, and challenges. She believes in educating clients and offering straightforward recommendations, especially during market volatility and personal difficulties. Laura earned a bachelor's degree from Worcester State College and a high school diploma from Tahanto Regional High School. She holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of her professional work, Laura is involved in community organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Dress for Success Worcester, and United Way. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing soccer, and practicing yoga.

Marie Paturzo is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in serving accomplished business owners, entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, medical professionals, and wealthy families. She began her career in 2000 at Bank of America, advancing from teller to branch manager by age 22, then to business specialist and sales trainer, eventually managing three branches before focusing on financial advising. Marie collaborates with colleagues Matt Shiely and Akash Garg to provide comprehensive wealth management services. She emphasizes building meaningful client relationships by understanding their financial pictures from their perspectives and addressing both assets and liabilities to support multi-generational wealth planning. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Framingham State College and holds professional designations including Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Marie is active in her community, serving as Chair of the Website and Social Media Committee for The Hopkinton Women's Club and volunteering with organizations such as the American Red Cross, Alzheimer's Association, Central Mass Conference for Women, Project New Hope, and Worcester County Food Bank. She resides in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, with her husband and two children.

Christina LaFortune is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Worcester, Massachusetts. She has been with Merrill Lynch since 2011 and co-leads The Smith-LaFortune Group. Christina provides guidance to clients including non-profits, business owners, executives, and families, focusing on financial strategies such as investment management, retirement planning, insurance solutions, and banking services. She holds several professional designations, including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Christina earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Westfield State College and a Master of Business Administration in Accounting from Fitchburg State University. Christina resides in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, with her family. She is involved with the Worcester County Food Bank and is affiliated with professional organizations including The National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) and Women we Admire.

Akash Garg is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings a personal understanding of financial planning, having begun investing at a young age and developed a long-standing commitment to helping clients articulate and pursue their financial goals. Akash supports a range of client needs including executive and equity compensation, family wealth management, legacy and philanthropic planning, tax minimization, and socially responsible investing strategies. A second-generation financial advisor, Akash holds a Bachelor's Degree from Bentley University and carries several professional designations, including Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He is fluent in English, Spanish, and Hindi and participates in professional and community organizations such as Mechanics Hall. Outside of his professional role, Akash enjoys spending time with family and friends in the greater Worcester area. His personal interests include volleyball, baseball, basketball, cooking, gardening, music, painting, photography, and watching movies. He is also engaged in community volunteer activities focused on promoting financial literacy.

Aditya Tibrewal is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, providing personalized investment advice and guidance tailored to clients' life goals, risk tolerance, and financial needs. He joined Merrill in 2020 and has been in the financial services industry since 2005. Adi's experience spans corporate benefit programs, including equity compensation and various retirement plans, as well as expertise in real estate, private equity, portfolio management, financial analysis, and corporate strategy. He offers specialized services in areas such as college education planning, executive compensation, family wealth management, international wealth management, and retirement planning. Adi holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Rajasthan and an MBA in Finance from Clark University. He also earned an Executive Leadership diploma from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 registrations. He is actively involved in the community, serving as a Board member for the Worcester State University Foundation and participating in organizations such as TiE Boston and Mechanics Hall in Worcester.

Veena Garg is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She began her career in the United States after moving to Massachusetts from India in 1984, where she initially worked as a teller and was soon promoted to assistant branch manager. She later served as an investment representative at Quick & Reilly before becoming a financial advisor at Banc of America Investment Services. Since 2009, she has been with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Throughout her career, Veena has worked with a diverse client base including active and retired business owners, widows, and others across Massachusetts and seven additional states. She focuses on building investment portfolios that align with clients' comfort with risk and need for liquidity, employing Merrill research to help clients pursue long-term financial goals for themselves and their loved ones. Her expertise encompasses retirement and education planning, liability management, tax minimization, and estate planning strategies. She holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) designation from the College for Financial Planning and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Veena lives in Worcester, where she values community involvement and volunteers with local organizations. She is multilingual, speaking English, Hindi, and Punjabi. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys cooking, gardening, hiking, knitting and crocheting, reading, spending time with her family, and practicing yoga.