Thomas Schmidt

Robert Firth is a Private Wealth Advisor with Merrill Private Wealth Management. He leads Team RJF, a wealth management team that serves a select group of entrepreneurs, executives, and family offices. In his role, he directs macro-economic analysis, asset allocation, structured products analysis, and estate planning services, focusing on portfolio strategy and developing practical strategies tailored to the realities faced by business owners and executives. Firth has been in financial services since 1995. Before joining Merrill in 2008, he was National Sales Manager at Neuberger Berman and began his career with Sanford C. Bernstein. His prior experience includes owning and operating a technology firm, providing him with firsthand insight into business ownership. Over his career, he has participated in over 200 business sale transactions, offering guidance during significant financial crossroads while being attentive to clients’ family, personal, professional, and philanthropic priorities. He holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® designation and is a qualified Portfolio Manager, able to build and manage personalized investment strategies. Firth earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Stanford University and a Master of Business Administration from Duke University. His professional designations include Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, hiking, and traveling, and he is a former board member of the Lamplighter School in Dallas.

Michael Estabrook is an International Wealth Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Basalt, Colorado. Since joining the firm in 2013, he has leveraged his extensive international experience studying and working in Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom to serve clients domestically and abroad. His approach to wealth management integrates principles of value creation and service excellence, influenced by his background in hospitality, to help clients identify and achieve their financial goals. Michael is licensed to sell insurance in multiple states, including Colorado, Texas, California, Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, and New York. Michael holds a Master of Science from Rotterdam School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne. He is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, with working knowledge of Dutch, he maintains a commitment to ongoing professional development through internal courses at Merrill Lynch. His client focus areas include family wealth management strategies, international wealth management, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and small business strategies. In addition to his professional work, Michael participates in several community and professional organizations such as the Colorado Hispanic-Latino Business Council and the Hispanic/Latino Organization for Leadership and Advancement Colorado Chapter, both affiliated with Bank of America. He is also involved with the Roaring Fork Conservancy, My Environment Colorado Chapter, and the Raizado Festival supporting justice for migrant women. Michael enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, camping, cooking, fishing, and spending time with his wife Brechtje, their daughters Rafaella and Emmanuella, and their dogs.

Scott Mercier is the Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch. He has been in the financial services industry since 2000 and joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2012. Scott focuses on developing strategies and recommendations for successful individuals, families, and businesses to help them meet their short- and long-term financial goals. Scott's approach to wealth management is consultative, objective, and comprehensive, emphasizing the efficient allocation of client resources. His analysis includes both sides of the balance sheet: assets and liabilities. He has expertise in family wealth management strategies, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, socially responsible and ESG investing, sports and entertainment, and retirement income. Scott grew up in Telluride, Colorado, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley in 1990. He also holds a Master's degree from Harvard University Extension. He holds several professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Certified Private Wealth Advisor®, CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR, Personal Investment Advisor, and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor. Before his financial career, Scott was a professional cyclist from 1993 to 1997. He was a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Cycling Team in Barcelona, Spain, and raced with the US Postal Services Cycling Team. He has been recognized by the United States Anti-Doping Authority for his career as a clean athlete. Scott is a published author and has served as chair of the Community Hospital Board of Trustees and as a board member of Roaring Fork Cycling. He also writes a cycling column for the Aspen Times and has addressed military academy cadets on topics such as moral courage and integrity. Scott enjoys reading, writing, cycling, mountain biking, and skiing. He and his wife, Mandie, live in Basalt.

Dwayne Ross is a Senior Financial Advisor specializing in developing long-term financial strategies for families, individuals, and successful business owners. He has 36 years of experience in the financial industry and currently works within Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Mr. Ross holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business from the University of Florida, earned in 1985. His professional credentials include certifications such as CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Prior to his current role, he served as Senior Vice President Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney from September 1999 to December 2012 and as First Vice President Financial Consultant at Dean Witter & Prudential Securities from January 1989 to September 1999. Residing in Davie, Florida with his wife Durée and two children, Mr. Ross is an avid antique collector. He participates in local community events and assists local schools with their math and business curriculums, reflecting his commitment to community involvement.

Maxwell Rispoli is a Wealth Management Advisor and First Vice President at Di Ianni & Associates within Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining the firm in 2014, he has developed expertise in family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, philanthropic planning, and socially responsible investing. His client focus includes college education planning, managing new wealth, and serving endowments, foundations, and non-profits. Max graduated with honors from Babson College with dual concentrations in Finance and Economics. Before returning to Aspen to pursue his advisory career, he gained experience working with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management teams in New York and New Jersey and completed internships with UBS and Merrill Lynch. He holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) and Chartered SRI Counselor (CSRIC) designations and has been recognized multiple times by Forbes as a Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisor. Outside of his professional work, Maxwell is active in nonprofit and community organizations. He serves as Secretary and Alumni Chair for the Aspen Education Foundation and has previously held leadership roles with Springboard Aspen and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Advisory Board. An Aspen resident since 1999, he enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, biking, snowboarding, and running marathons, and is fluent in Spanish.

Donna Di Ianni is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been a financial advisor since 1983, founding Di Ianni & Associates and advising high-net-worth individuals, families, endowments, and private family foundations. Donna began her career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Bridgewater, New Jersey, where she worked for 17 years before relocating to Aspen, Colorado in 2000 to open the Aspen Merrill branch. Donna holds a Bachelor's degree from Susquehanna University and a Master's degree from The Pennsylvania State University. She has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Her community involvement includes serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations such as Jazz Aspen Snowmass, where she is currently on the Board of Trustees and Co-Chair of the National Council. She has also held past board positions with the Aspen Music Festival and School and Schools Need Active Parents (SNAP). Donna resides in Aspen, Colorado.