Francis O'connor

Myah Irick is a Private Wealth Advisor at Merrill Private Wealth Management, where she leads the Irick Group. She specializes in providing wealth planning strategies for successful executives, sports and entertainment professionals, individuals and families experiencing sudden wealth, as well as nonprofits and foundations. Myah helps clients align their wealth with their values to create comprehensive wealth and investment plans. Prior to joining Merrill in January 2020, Myah served as an Executive Director at JPMorgan Private Bank and held senior roles at PNC Wealth Management and Columbia University. She holds a B.A. from Lewis & Clark College, an M.A. from Columbia University, and a joint international M.B.A. with honors from Brown University and Instituto de Empresa. Additionally, she has a certificate in Financial Planning from Northwestern University and the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation. Myah is active in community and professional organizations, serving on boards such as the Carnegie Science Center, Girls Inc., and the United Way. She is a strategic partner to The Advanced Leadership Institute and the Miss USA Organization, motivated by her experience as Miss Oregon in 2003 to promote educational opportunities for women. Myah is also a frequent speaker on topics including managing sudden wealth, values-based investing, family governance, and strategic philanthropy.

Michael Duckworth is a Private Wealth Advisor and Managing Director within Merrill Private Wealth Management. He is a founding member of The Duckworth Haggerty Group, a private wealth management team based in Pittsburgh that serves a national clientele. Michael and his team provide specialized support and planning tailored to the complex financial needs of successful business executives and entrepreneurs. Their services include investment management, liquidity event strategies, trust and estate planning, customized credit and lending through Bank of America, philanthropy, and family wealth dynamics and governance. The team also has significant experience addressing financial planning challenges faced by families with a member who has a medical disability, severe illness, or special needs. Michael joined Merrill in 2008 after 15 years of experience in the private client advisory group of a large commercial bank. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designation. He has been recognized multiple times by Barron's as one of the "Top 1,200 Advisors in America" and by Forbes as a "Best-in-State Wealth Advisor," reflecting his sustained commitment to his clients and professional excellence. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Michael has served as the immediate past President of the Board of Directors for the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. He lives north of Pittsburgh with his wife Tracy and their three children. His personal interests include hiking, reading, running, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Gennaro Disilvio is a Private Wealth Advisor at Merrill Private Wealth Management. In his role, he focuses on understanding clients' goals, future needs, and risk appetite to act as a steward of their capital. As both a Private Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager, he employs active management strategies aimed at achieving maximum risk-adjusted returns while adapting to market changes and inefficiencies. He manages personalized or defined investment strategies on a discretionary basis, which may include individual stocks and bonds, model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. Gennaro's expertise extends to serving a variety of clients, including families, institutions, endowments, foundations, and non-profits. He utilizes Merrill’s resources, such as an inventory of investment-grade fixed income securities and secondary market presence, to help clients maintain liquidity under challenging conditions. He also provides professional oversight related to fiduciary responsibilities and guidance concerning Investment Policy Statements. His client focus covers a broad range of areas, including family wealth management, institutional investment consulting, liquidity management, socially responsible investing, and tax minimization. He holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Duquesne University. Outside of his professional work, Gennaro has an interest in adventure sports, basketball, billiards, football, golfing, ice hockey, music, skiing, and traveling.

David Foster is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he supports clients by providing personalized financial advice, retirement planning, and ongoing performance tracking. He works closely with individuals and small business clients to help optimize their retirement plan benefits and develop strategies tailored to their financial goals. With over 17 years of experience at Merrill, Foster’s expertise includes divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, defined benefit and defined contribution plan consulting, portfolio management, and retirement income planning. He holds professional certifications including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Foster earned a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and Business Communication from Robert Morris University. He resides in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, with his two children, and enjoys attending their events as well as recreational activities such as boating, camping, fishing, football, golfing, hunting, and skiing.

Brad Chiesa is a Private Wealth Advisor with Merrill Private Wealth Management, specializing in assisting business owners and entrepreneurs with complex wealth management needs following significant liquidity events or business sales. His practice emphasizes exit planning and liquidity strategies, investment management, trust and estate planning, customized credit and lending solutions through Bank of America, philanthropy, and family wealth governance. Brad also offers expertise in supporting families facing medical disabilities, severe illness, or special needs. With over a decade of experience as a commercial lender at large domestic banks, including Wells Fargo and Bank of America, Brad brings a broad perspective to financial advisory services, combining lending, cash management, and investment banking knowledge. He focuses on helping clients navigate the complexities of structuring sales, investing proceeds, wealth preservation, and legacy planning to align with long-term goals. Brad holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Brad is involved with The Challenge Program and lives in South Fayette with his family. Outside of work, he enjoys biking, cooking, football, golfing, music, and soccer.

Victoria Hays is a Planning Consultant with experience in financial services spanning several roles over more than a decade. She has held positions including Relationship Manager at Fidelity Investments from 2024 to 2025, Registered Wealth Management Client Associate at Merrill Lynch from 2020 to 2024, Client Solution Specialist and Manager at PNC Investments from 2016 to 2020, and Call Center Representative at Pacific Life Insurance Company from 2012 to 2016. Her expertise includes client relationship management and wealth management support, with a focus on developing financial plans aligned with clients' goals. Victoria holds a California Insurance License, supporting her work in insurance-related financial services. Outside of her professional career, Victoria enjoys cooking and baking, reading, and volunteering. She also values parenthood as a significant personal interest.