Tayler Fenton

Donald Newton is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Baton Rouge. He provides comprehensive financial advice and wealth management services tailored to meet the complex needs of individuals, families, and businesses. His areas of focus include family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, portfolio management, retirement income, and services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits. Newton assists clients in making informed life decisions, aligning financial options with their goals, and facilitating tax-efficient wealth transfer. He also offers guidance on personal and corporate liquidity, financing, and cash management. Newton holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and French from Hampden-Sydney College and a Master of Business Administration from Tulane University, where he also served as a graduate assistant football coach. Since beginning his career with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1991, he has maintained a comprehensive approach that emphasizes listening to clients and developing strategies grounded in their overall life objectives. He is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and is fluent in English and French. Outside of his professional work, Newton enjoys coaching, playing guitar, and canoeing. He is engaged in community service consistent with Merrill’s tradition of local involvement.

Chelsea Smith is a Wealth Management Advisor with The David Robertson Smith Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She specializes in wealth management planning and investment management, working with individuals, families, and business owners to develop and implement personalized financial strategies tailored to their unique goals. Chelsea focuses on areas including family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. Chelsea holds a Bachelor’s degree in finance from Louisiana State University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and Personal Investment Advisor. She has accumulated extensive experience in the financial services industry, having joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2015 following seven years as an investment associate at UBS Financial Services. Chelsea is also a member of the National Charity League and actively contributes to her community as a coach for Girls on the Run and a member of the Mary Bird Perkins Echo Alliance. In her personal time, Chelsea enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

John Bevinetto is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined the firm in January 2023 after practicing as a trial attorney in Louisiana for nearly seven years. John works on a team of five advisors, assisting clients with personalized wealth plans tailored to their short- and long-term financial goals. John graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance in 2012 and earned his Juris Doctorate and Doctor of Civil Law degrees from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in 2015. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) designation and is recognized as a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). While John does not provide legal advice in his current role, his legal background contributes to his ability to identify potential solutions for clients' financial needs. Outside of his professional work, John enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, and participating in activities such as baseball, football, skiing, and traveling. He is also involved in raising funds for local charities through a competitive barbeque team.

Cory Ludwick is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in personalized wealth management strategies. He focuses on developing comprehensive approaches tailored to clients’ unique financial situations, goals, and values, offering flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions. Cory provides clients access to Merrill's investment insights alongside the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America, addressing diverse aspects of their financial lives. His areas of expertise include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, socially responsible and ESG investing, and tax minimization. Cory holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His education includes a High School Diploma from Seven Rivers Christian, coursework in finance at the University of Arizona Global Campus, and attendance at the University of Central Florida. Cory participates in community service consistent with Merrill's tradition of community involvement. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys baseball, basketball, football, golfing, swimming, and spending time with his family.