Randy Stephens

Advisor at Merrill

Updated today
Merrill logo

Firm

Merrill

Location

Macon, GA 31210

Credentials

Series 63, Series 65

Industry experience

28 years

About

Randy Stephens is a Senior Financial Advisor and Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he is a partner in the CERBS Group based in Macon, Georgia. The CERBS Group focuses on delivering personalized wealth management strategies, leveraging a disciplined investment approach that emphasizes asset class correlation to manage risk and enhance returns. Randy's role involves assisting clients with customized wealth management plans, investment planning, and financial guidance aimed at helping them achieve their retirement and financial goals.

With a career in financial services beginning in 1997 and joining Merrill Lynch in 2007, Randy brings over 20 years of experience in areas including retirement planning, tax minimization, family wealth management, and socially responsible investing. He holds multiple professional designations such as the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Randy earned a Bachelor's degree from Georgia State University.

Beyond his financial career, Randy has been actively involved in the tennis community. He is a former tennis professional and has served as past president of the Macon Tennis Association, the Georgia Tennis Association, and the Southern Tennis Association. He is also a member of the Georgia and Southern Tennis Halls of Fame. Randy enjoys camping, golfing, hiking, reading, tennis, and spending time with his family.

Client services

Portfolio management Pension consulting Selection of other advisers Educational seminars or workshops
Performance measurement reports, allocation modeling, ips, research reports and services, see schedule d

Expertise

General retirement planning Retirement income strategy Social Security optimization Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)

Work history

Bank of America, N.A.

2012 - Present (14 years)

Merrill lynch, pierce, Fenner & Smith incorporated

2007 - Present (19 years)

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

user avatar

James W

Series 66

Macon, GA

Merrill

James Willis is a Financial Solutions Advisor (FSA) with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he works closely with clients to understand their financial priorities and develop strategies aimed at achieving their short-, mid-, and long-term goals. He provides guidance on various financial matters, including investing, retirement planning, and emergency savings. Additionally, he facilitates access to specialized Bank of America services such as banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. James holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He earned a Bachelor's degree from Georgia Southern University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Western Governors University. His approach centers on uncovering what matters most to clients and their families to help create tailored financial strategies that support their objectives.

General retirement planning Wealth management Income planning

William B

Series 66

Macon, GA

Merrill

William Baxley is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He collaborates with a select group of families and businesses to develop and implement strategies that manage wealth effectively, focusing on asset and liability management. William’s approach emphasizes clear communication and individualized wealth management plans that support clients’ retirement goals and income needs. William began his career in financial services with SunTrust Bank, where he completed the Executive Management Program and worked as a commercial lending officer. He joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1997. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Vanderbilt University and completed a year of study at the London School of Economics. William holds multiple professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). In addition to his professional work, William is involved in his community, volunteering with Upward Bound and Vine Ingle Little League and serving on the Board of Trustees at Stratford Academy. He resides in Macon with his wife, Karen, and their children. His personal interests include fishing, golfing, and hiking.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy General retirement planning Income planning

Dianne N

Series 63, Series 66

Forsyth, GA

Merrill

Dianne Niblett is a Private Wealth Advisor at Merrill Private Wealth Management. She leverages extensive experience in banking and wealth management to help clients simplify their financial lives through investment advice and comprehensive planning guidance. Dianne focuses on building long-term relationships with clients and their families, providing service that emphasizes both asset management and liability management. Her expertise includes securities-based lending, residential and commercial financing, as well as custom and structured lending solutions for ultra-high-net-worth clients offered through Bank of America. Dianne earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Auburn University, after attending both the University of Florida and Auburn University. She was born and raised in Tampa Bay and currently lives there with her wife. Dianne is actively involved in her community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, an organization important to her as a parent of a child with type one diabetes.

Wealth management

Kevin F

Series 66

Macon, GA

Merrill

Kevin Frounfelker is the Resident Director of the Macon office and a Senior Vice President/Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) professional and a member of the Frounfelker and Maley Group. Kevin's work encompasses goals-based wealth management planning for individuals and families, as well as managing 401(k) plans through Merrill's Fiduciary Advisory Services Platform, which includes services such as investment policy development, fiduciary services, participant education, and plan design consulting. Kevin holds a High School Diploma from Beavercreek High School, an Associate's Degree from Middle Georgia State University, and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Georgia. He also holds several professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). In addition to his professional responsibilities, Kevin is actively involved in his community. He is a current member of the Macon North Rotary Club, served as its President during 2015-16, and participated in the 2018 Leadership Macon Class. He has also been a board advisor for United in Pink and served on the Middle Georgia State University Alumni Board. His personal interests include spending time with his wife and two daughters, mentoring, public service, cycling, running, swimming, yoga, and CrossFit.

Wealth management General retirement planning Retirement income strategy Income planning Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Executive

Jackson E

Series 66

Macon, GA

Merrill

Jackson Evans is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He transitioned from a career in the banking industry to focus on helping individuals and families pursue their financial goals and dreams. Jackson utilizes Merrill’s investment insights along with access to Bank of America’s banking services to develop comprehensive financial strategies tailored to clients' unique needs. His expertise includes retirement planning, lifetime cash flow analysis, risk tolerance assessment, and wealth planning services, integrating credit, lending, and banking solutions through Bank of America. Jackson’s client focus areas include college education planning, defined benefit plans, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, and small business strategies. Jackson holds a Business degree with a major in Management from Georgia Southern University. He is involved in his community through participation with Habitat For Humanity of Macon, Georgia, supporting efforts to build safe and affordable homes in the local area. Outside of work, he enjoys boating, camping, golfing, hiking, music, and spending time with his family.

General retirement planning Income planning Wealth management Cash flow / budgeting College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)

Andrew W

Series 66

Macon, GA

Edward Jones

Retirement income strategy ESG / Sustainable investing Planning for children with special needs Founder/Business Owner Intergenerational Families
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