James Mirenda

John Jacobi is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over 30 years of experience to his role. He specializes in wealth management and investment strategies, retirement planning and income solutions, executive compensation planning, managing concentrated stock positions, small business 401(k) plans with fiduciary guidance, tax-efficient strategies and generational wealth planning, as well as sustainable and values-based investing. He serves individuals, families, and business owners, focusing on providing clarity and control over their financial futures. John holds multiple professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Chartered SRI Counselor (CSRIC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Vermont and a master's degree in Finance from Boston College. Beyond his professional work, John is active in his community. He serves as President of the Board for Habitat for Humanity of Bennington County, focusing on expanding affordable housing in Vermont. He also coaches youth sports, including the Bridgewater Girls Softball League and Bridgewater Youth Soccer, and is involved with the Magic Mountain Alpine Club. In his personal time, John enjoys skiing, golfing, fishing, hiking, and spending time with his family.

Caralee Kennedy is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based near the Manchester Center office in Vermont. Since joining Merrill in 2019 as a Client Associate in Saratoga Springs, she returned to her home state in 2020 to advance her career. Caralee provides guidance to executives managing concentrated stock positions or navigating significant life transitions such as retirement, inheritance, or business sales. She also offers access to Bank of America Private Bank’s trust, estate planning, credit, lending, and banking services, working collaboratively with clients' attorneys, accountants, and other professional advisors to coordinate comprehensive financial and legacy plans. Caralee holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University and carries the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. She serves as Secretary of the Board for the Rutland Vermont NAACP and volunteers with several community organizations, including Burr and Burton Academy, JDRF, Meals on Wheels, Mettawee Community School, Spartan Race, and Tough Mudder. Caralee enjoys hiking, travel, fitness, and spending time with her family. She is originally from Southern Vermont and is active in local efforts to educate students in subjects such as science and finance.

Carl Cascella is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on helping clients develop personalized financial strategies tailored to their individual goals and adapting to changing market conditions. Carl provides clients with access to investment insights from Merrill, along with banking and lending solutions through Bank of America. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Carl earned his Bachelor's Degree from Harvard University. In addition to his professional work, he is committed to community involvement and volunteers with local organizations.

Adam Ihasz is a Senior Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor based in Manchester, Vermont. He has over 30 years of experience in finance, starting his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Forest Hills, New York. Adam’s professional background includes roles as an Investment Advisor, Institutional Trader, Portfolio Manager, and Chairman and CEO of his family-run investment advisory business. His expertise spans asset management, institutional sales trading, and alternative asset management focused on selecting disciplined hedge fund strategies uncorrelated to underlying markets. Throughout his career, Adam has worked with a range of clients, including some of the largest hedge funds, providing trading ideas and strategies centered on technical analysis, event-driven opportunities, and special situations. He holds several FINRA registrations, including Series 7, 24, 31, 53, 55, and 65, as well as the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation. Adam's education includes coursework at Long Island University. Adam lives in Danby, Vermont, with his wife Ronda and their two daughters. He maintains a fitness-oriented lifestyle and has competed in amateur bodybuilding competitions. He is also actively involved in the local community, reflecting the Merrill tradition of service. His client focus areas include family wealth management, retirement planning, college education planning, and socially responsible investing.

Robert Mangiacotti is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He serves affluent families, retirees, professionals, and business owners, providing strategic guidance in financial planning, investment management, and private banking services. His approach emphasizes managing risk and creating personalized financial plans aligned with clients' life priorities and goals. Mangiacotti has earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Maryland and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Brown University. His professional credentials include Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He works with clients across various focus areas including college education planning, executive compensation, and retirement planning. In addition to his financial advisory work, Mangiacotti is active in ski racing as an official and Technical Delegate of the United States Ski Association. He is also involved with the Vermont Alpine Racing Association. He speaks both Italian and English and has a background as a varsity football player during his time at Brown University.

Adam Walsh is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his Wall Street career over 30 years ago as an institutional equities trader at Bankers Trust. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch in 2003, Adam practiced as a securities and antitrust attorney for six years. After retiring from law, he transitioned to wealth management, bringing his experience in investments and long-term retirement planning to serve his clients. Adam works with high net-worth families and small businesses, focusing on analyzing clients' risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, and overall investment goals to craft tailored strategies. He collaborates with clients and their estate planning attorneys to navigate the complexities of the estate planning process. Adam holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR®, and also holds Personal Investment Advisor and Retirement Benefits Consultant credentials. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Catholic University and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Adam serves as a Commander in the United States Navy reserves and is a decorated veteran of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He and his wife Lauren split their time between their homes in Newport, Rhode Island, and Londonderry, Vermont. Adam is also a member of the Sail Newport Advisory Board.