Alexander Skabry

I am so glad you are here! My name is Jeff Arber, the founder of Triple Play Planning. I am a lifelong Western New Yorker with a knack for helping people organize and plan out their complex financial life. Money was always important to me. While I can’t quite pinpoint why, I knew that when I grew up, I didn’t want money (or lack thereof) to be a problem. About 15 years ago, I decided to investigate a career switch to financial services. Those years of experience through the various channels of financial advisement has led me to this point. I am very excited to introduce you to the type of firm I have always wanted to create. What I hear most often from clients I work with is that they are happy they have someone to help guide them to through the gradually increasing complexity of their financial lives. Several of us set up our 401k’s one time and forget about it. Set up a 529 plan when the kids were born, but haven’t looked at it since? Should I consider a Roth contribution over a 529 plan? What are the tax consequences of these decisions? Restricted stock options, what are those? These are all the things we talk over and help you navigate. Of all the things in my life, my family is the most important. I am the proud husband of an awesome wife, Brooke, and the proud Dad of Nolan and Everett. Brooke and I came from different money philosophies. We have worked hard to find a common ground and have a system that works for us both. Nolan is headed to college soon, and Everett will be there soon enough as well. If any of these things resonate with you, let’s chat about it. I am always happy to pass on my life experiences and learnings to help you get on track.

Blake Dougherty is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Williamsville, New York. Since joining the firm in 2015, he has focused on understanding the priorities of individuals, families, and businesses to provide personalized attention and customized investment management strategies. Blake leverages the investment capabilities of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management alongside the banking resources of Bank of America to support clients in addressing various aspects of their financial lives. Blake works closely with clients to identify key goals such as education funding, tax minimization, retirement planning, and wealth preservation. His expertise encompasses corporate benefits, executive compensation, family wealth management, liquidity management, and retirement income strategies, among other areas. His approach involves crafting disciplined strategies aimed at helping clients build, manage, and preserve wealth for current and future generations. Blake earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where he also played Division I Ice Hockey for four years. He holds professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Outside of his professional life, Blake enjoys football, golfing, ice hockey, watching movies, and practicing yoga.

Kristin Marusza is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been in the financial services industry since 1991 and joined Merrill in 2006. Kristin focuses on developing strategies for high net worth individuals, their families, and their businesses to help them meet their short and long term financial goals. As a qualified Portfolio Manager, Kristin provides traditional advice and guidance while also building and managing personalized or defined investment strategies. These strategies may include individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. When servicing clients through the firm's Investment Advisory Program, she may manage her strategies on a discretionary basis. Kristin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and a Master of Business Administration, both from Canisius College. She has earned several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She is involved in professional organizations such as the Merrill Lynch Women's Exchange and New York State Women Inc., Buffalo Niagara. Kristin is committed to community involvement and spends time volunteering with organizations in the communities she serves.

Matthew Gorton is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2011, he has focused on working with executives and business owners to address their unique financial goals and needs. Matthew collaborates closely with clients and their other advisors to coordinate financial, legal, and tax-related decisions. His areas of expertise include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and values-based investing, and services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Wayne State University and maintains professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC), and Sports & Entertainment (SE).