Holly Howard

You deserve simple, straightforward financial advice that you understand and trust. I’m the son of two master plumbers. When it came to plumbing, “master” is the right word. They were good at what they did. And, like all contractors and tradesmen, their business went through highs and lows. When times were good, we took amazing vacations and enjoyed life together. When times were tough, like going through bankruptcy to avoid losing everything, we had to bear the burden. This is a story told all too often, and it’s why I started Forthright Financial Services. I received a Bachelors Degree in Accounting, Masters Degree in Taxation, and a Certification in Financial Planning on my way to becoming a Certified Financial Planner® professional. I worked for 4 years at a CPA firm, where I became the lead tax associate for individuals and small partnerships. I switched careers to my original passion and worked for a great financial planning firm for 5 years. While there I became the director of financial planning and helped create and implement the entire financial planning process. Throughout my journey, I helped my dad in many different ways. After my dad passed away, I left my job and started my business with the mission to help other hard-working business owners, like him, understand their finances in order to minimize taxes, maximize cashflows, increase profits, and grow their business efficiently. As a contractor, your business and your personal financial situations are so connected that I believe you need special advice to address both of those areas simultaneously. That special guidance is exactly what we provide. Straightforward advice for all circumstances, goals, and seasons of life – that’s always a phone call away. If you’re ready to offload the stress and worry around your money and your business, now and for when your working days are done, let’s talk. Also help with: Small Business help Family Business Planning Self-Employed Individuals & Consultants planning Tax Planning Charitable Giving Business Planning Holistic Financial Planning Entrepreneurs Startup Founders Retirement Planning Cryptocurrency Financial Life Planning & Financial Coaching Family Financial Planning Social Security Optimization Baby Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y/Millenials, Gen Z Christian Business Owners

Brian Treger is a Senior Financial Advisor and Portfolio Manager at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2015 after beginning his financial advising career in 2001 at A.G. Edwards (now Wells Fargo Advisors). With over 20 years of experience, Brian specializes in helping individual clients and their families develop customized wealth management strategies aimed at simplifying complex financial lives. Brian's expertise includes college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, and personal retirement planning. He works closely with business executives, entrepreneurs in the oil and gas industry, and other professionals, providing advice and discretionary management of personalized or defined investment strategies that may include individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch model portfolios, and third-party strategies. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Texas Christian University and carries professional designations including Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Brian is involved in his community as a board member of Fort Worth University Little League and Pregnancy Lifeline, and formerly served on the TCU AddRan School Board. Residing in Fort Worth with his wife Jennifer and their three children, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, skiing, and coaching youth sports.

Elias Bashour is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works closely with clients to understand their priorities and develop strategies to pursue short-, mid-, and long-term financial goals. Elias provides guidance on a range of topics including investing, retirement planning, and saving for unexpected events, while also facilitating access to Bank of America specialists for banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. His areas of expertise include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Elias holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Texas State University. Outside of his professional role, Elias has interests in baseball, basketball, billiards, football, ice hockey, music, photography, spending time with family, traveling, and watching movies.

John Ryan is a Wealth Management Advisor and Managing Director at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined Merrill Lynch in 1989 after beginning his career as a floor trader on the Chicago Mid-American Exchange. John holds FINRA registrations Series 3, 7, 63, and 65, along with the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designation. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Texas Christian University. John specializes in family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, and tax minimization. His advisory approach focuses on minimizing taxes and managing risk to help families achieve their long-term financial goals, often serving three generations within the same family. He and his team emphasize tax efficiency and risk control throughout the wealth building and preservation process. John lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with his wife Amy and their two children. He has been involved with the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History as a board of trustees member. His personal interests include fishing, hiking, reading, running, traveling, and spending time with his family. John is also proficient in French and Spanish and has practiced karate.

Russell Green is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over 25 years of experience in wealth and portfolio management. He began his career in 1994 and returned to Merrill Lynch in 2007. Russell focuses on developing strategies and providing advice for high-net-worth individuals, their families, and businesses to help them meet both short- and long-term financial goals. His consultative approach emphasizes understanding each client's unique situation and family dynamics to create comprehensive reviews and tailored recommendations across investments, retirement planning, estate services, and philanthropy. As a qualified Portfolio Manager, Russell manages personalized and defined strategies that may include individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch model portfolios, and third-party investment approaches. He often manages these strategies on a discretionary basis through the firm’s Investment Advisory Program. Russell holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Texas Tech University and the Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®) designation, as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. Russell is active in his community, serving on the board of directors and mentoring for The WARM Place, a grief support center for children and young adults. He is also involved with the Aledo Community Lions Club. Russell lives in Aledo with his wife, Caroline, and their three children. His personal interests include basketball, fishing, and golfing.