Michelle Surita

Gary Hubbard is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since beginning his career at Merrill in 2000, he has focused on providing clients with personalized wealth management strategies tailored to their individual financial goals. His approach emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of each client's full financial picture to develop flexible strategies that align with changing market conditions. He offers access to Merrill’s investment insights alongside the banking and lending services of Bank of America. His areas of expertise include college education planning, employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. Gary holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a bachelor's degree from Campbell University. Outside of his professional work, Gary participates in community volunteer activities, reflecting the Merrill tradition of community involvement. He enjoys antiquing, genealogy, music, reading, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Steven Smith is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been since 1986. He holds the role of Senior Portfolio Manager, enabling him to construct and manage personalized investment strategies that may include individual stocks and bonds, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment approaches. His position allows him significant discretion in portfolio construction and security selection, and he manages client assets through the Firm’s Investment Advisory Program, sometimes on a discretionary basis. Steven's client focus includes education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Wake Forest University and carries the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional work, Steven enjoys biking, fishing, photography, reading, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Michael Best serves as a Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2000, he collaborates with clients to establish quantifiable financial goals and prioritize their needs. He develops customized strategies utilizing a wide range of financial instruments to assist clients in pursuing long-term objectives. His client focus includes college education planning, family wealth management, retirement planning, portfolio management, socially responsible and ESG investing, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree from East Carolina University, an M.B.A. from Fayetteville State University, and an associate degree from Wayne Community College. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). A lifelong resident of eastern North Carolina, Michael is active in charitable organizations and community service. He is a past president of the Lafayette Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, and volunteers with Liberty Point Rotary Club service projects. In his personal time, he enjoys boating, fishing, camping, cooking, football, gardening, writing, and spending time with his three children.