Gary Hubbard

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.

Eve Fowler is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She began her career in the financial industry in 1996 and joined Merrill Lynch in 2004. Eve’s advisory approach emphasizes understanding clients’ goals through detailed conversations, allowing her to guide them in making informed and objective decisions about their financial futures. Her areas of focus include managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, and portfolio management services. Eve holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She has earned several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She is also recognized as a member of The Tilghman Fowler Lawhead Group, which was named to the 2023 Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list. Residing in Fayetteville with her husband Jason and their two sons, Eve values her community and maintains involvement with the Center for Economic Empowerment & Development (CEED). Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.