Neil Sawicki

ABOUT THRIVE RETIREMENT SPECIALISTS Standing out in our industry's “sea of sameness” and b#llsh!t, we introduce a new business model that applies the latest retirement research to deliver “reality-based” retirement planning, representing an evolutionary step forward in how people prepare for and thrive during retirement. We arm you with a framework to make better decisions based on your unique circumstances, enabling you to avoid unnecessary sacrifices symptomatic of following conventional “rules of thumb” intended for the masses. The result is living a more rewarding life optimized for contentment. ThriveRetire is an all-in-one, flat-fee service that includes: • Retirement Planning • Tax Planning • Investment Management • And more! ABOUT ANTHONY WATSON, CFA, CFP®, RICP® Prior to founding Thrive Retirement Specialists, Tony served as a Chief Investment Officer, providing advice and investment management services to over 600 individuals representing over $1.5 billion of investments. Before this, Tony served as Vice President at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, where he advised high- and ultra-high net worth individuals on all matters of wealth, including investments, portfolio construction, portfolio management, and retirement planning. EDUCATION: • BBA of Finance, Walsh College • MBA, University of Michigan, Ross School of Business CREDENTIALS: • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) • CERTIFIED FINANICAL PLANNERTM (CFP®) • Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)

Jennifer Sordyl is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in personalized wealth management strategies that align with clients’ long-term financial goals. She works closely with clients across various focus areas including college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, and women and wealth initiatives. Jennifer employs a goals-based wealth management process to develop, implement, and review retirement planning strategies tailored to individual client needs. Jennifer joined Merrill in 2009 following her graduation from Central Michigan University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance. Her professional designations include CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She values community involvement and volunteers with local organizations, embracing the Merrill tradition of community participation. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys hiking, traveling, practicing yoga, and spending time with her family. She resides in downtown Detroit, where she explores the city and its dining scene.

Brandon Johnson is a Financial Solutions Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he works closely with clients to understand their financial priorities and develop strategies tailored to pursue their short-, mid-, and long-term goals. Brandon serves as a resource for a range of financial needs, including general investing, retirement planning, and saving for unexpected events. He also provides access to Bank of America specialists for additional services such as banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Brandon’s expertise centers on helping clients manage competing financial priorities such as purchasing a home, funding education, caring for elderly family members, and preparing for healthcare needs. He collaborates with clients one-on-one to define their goals, tailor portfolio strategies to meet those goals, and provide ongoing advice to adjust plans as clients’ situations evolve. Brandon holds the professional designations of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned his bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University.

Angela Linder is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of the Palmer Linder Group, a financial advisory team based in Metro Detroit. She joined Merrill in 2007 and has over 16 years of experience in the financial services industry. Angela focuses on serving multi-generational, high net worth families and business owners, aiming to simplify and clarify clients' financial lives through a team approach and education to support informed decision-making. Her expertise includes college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, LGBT wealth planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, special needs planning strategies, women and wealth, and sports and entertainment. Angela earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation from the College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in 2014 and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. She has an Associates in Business from Henry Ford College. Angela is active in her community and volunteers for several charitable organizations, including the Dearborn Rotary Club and In Place of War, a global organization that uses creativity in places impacted by conflict for positive change. She is also involved with the Downriver Community Band and the Tec-troit Electronic Music Festival.

Eugene Valentine is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management who has been serving clients since 1985. Based in the Dearborn, Michigan office, he assists individuals, corporate executives, endowments, foundations, and non-profits with strategies related to investment management, tax minimization, retirement income, and philanthropic planning. His approach emphasizes aligning financial planning with clients’ personal goals, including education funding, retirement lifestyle security, and long-term family objectives. Gene holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree from the University of Michigan and carries the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Throughout his 38-year career, he has focused on simplifying complex investment concepts to help clients effectively manage their wealth. Outside of his professional role, Gene is active in charitable work, including seven years of involvement with the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. He resides in Bloomfield Village, Michigan, and is a father of four children. His personal interests include cooking, music, and traveling.

Scott Holmes is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in Dearborn, Michigan. Since beginning his career in the financial services industry in 2006 following his graduation from the University of Detroit Mercy with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Scott has specialized in providing tailored financial strategies to individuals, families, and business owners. He focuses on a goals-based wealth management approach, utilizing a disciplined process to develop investment strategies that manage risk while addressing clients’ unique circumstances. Scott is qualified as a Senior Portfolio Advisor and works with a team to coordinate comprehensive financial services that include portfolio management, retirement planning, and business strategies. Scott’s expertise encompasses education planning, family wealth management, liquidity management, retirement income, and services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits. He also collaborates with other professionals, including tax advisors, attorneys, insurance specialists, and a Wealth Management Lending Officer from Bank of America, N.A., to provide clients with a full range of financial solutions such as estate planning and home financing guidance. Scott is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and holds NMLS ID 1332821. In addition to his professional commitments, Scott is involved in his community through Kiwanis International, specifically participating in the Kiwanis Club of Shorewood. Outside of work, he enjoys boating, golfing, hiking, music, traveling, and spending time with his family.