Dean Mailhes

James Orten is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides guidance by leveraging Merrill’s investment resources alongside the banking services of Bank of America to support various aspects of clients’ financial needs. James has been active in the financial services industry since 1981 and joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1995. He holds a bachelor's degree in business from Louisiana Tech University and a graduate degree in banking from the School of Banking of the South. He also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. James is recognized as a member of the Guillot Orten Breaux Nelson Group, which was named to the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” list in 2023 and 2024.

Kenneth Guillot is the Senior Resident Director of the Monroe branch at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he also serves as a financial advisor. With over 17 years of experience in the financial services industry, Kenneth focuses on managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, small business strategies, sports and entertainment, and retirement income. He emphasizes creating personalized wealth management strategies tailored to each client’s financial goals and circumstances, leveraging the investment resources of Merrill and banking solutions of Bank of America. A lifelong resident of Northeast Louisiana, Kenneth holds a Bachelor's Degree from Louisiana Tech University, where he also played baseball. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designation. Beyond his professional responsibilities, Kenneth is actively involved in his community, serving as a board member of the Big Whit 77 Foundation and having held leadership roles such as past president of the Louisiana Tech University Alumni Association and the West Monroe High School Foundation. He is also engaged with First Baptist Church West Monroe. Outside of work, Kenneth enjoys spending time with his family and participating in sports-related activities. His personal interests include baseball, fishing, football, golfing, hunting, traveling, and watching movies. He is committed to supporting his community through volunteer work and church involvement.

William Swander is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and The Swander Group. He joined the firm in 2003 and works closely with clients to develop strategies tailored to their unique financial needs. His expertise includes investment management, tax minimization strategies, wealth transfer, and creating retirement plans aimed at maximizing income while minimizing risk. Bill earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Economics from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He has also obtained the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. William resides in Monroe with his wife Lindsey and their three children. He has been active in the local community, serving on Boards such as The United Way and The Boys Club of Northeast Louisiana. Bill and his family are members of North Monroe Baptist Church and enjoy traveling and spending time with extended family.

Emily Morris is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She provides comprehensive wealth management services to clients by integrating the investment resources of Merrill and the banking services of Bank of America. Emily works closely with individuals and families to address various financial needs, including college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, and retirement income. Emily holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies from Louisiana Tech University. She has earned multiple professional designations, including Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She is also a member of the Financial Planning Association and is involved with the United Way of NELA.

W Adams Rodgers is a Senior Financial Advisor and Managing Director with extensive experience in the financial services industry since 2001. He is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC) and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designations, as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. Within The Rodgers Group, he specializes in investments, relationship management, and business development. Adams has been recognized on the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list consecutively from 2019 through 2025. His client focus areas include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, retirement planning, philanthropic planning, and services tailored to endowments, foundations, non-profits, and small businesses, among others. He is committed to helping clients navigate complex financial decisions and aims to bring clarity and transparency to their financial planning. Residing in Monroe with his wife, April, and their two daughters, Adams is actively involved in his community. He has held leadership roles including president of the ULM Alumni Association, chairman of the board for Seeker Springs Ministry and The Jeremy Barnhill Foundation, as well as president of the Northeast Monroe Rotary Club. He serves on the Board of Trustees for The Nature Conservancy. Outside of his professional and philanthropic work, Adams enjoys playing drums, fishing, participating in men’s spiritual retreats, and church worship.