Carissa Crowe

Cooper Woolson is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in delivering wealth and asset management strategies tailored to the unique needs of high net worth individuals and institutional clients. He focuses on aligning each client's risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity requirements, and overall investment objectives to develop personalized financial plans. Cooper’s expertise encompasses discretionary portfolio management, stock option analysis, sophisticated retirement planning, and wealth preservation services, including working alongside clients' tax and legal advisors to address liability management, tax minimization, and asset transfer strategies. Cooper began his career with Edward Jones in Rocky Mount, Virginia, before joining the Roanoke Merrill office in 2018. He employs a holistic approach that leverages Merrill’s global resources to manage complex financial situations, such as concentrated equity positions and life insurance funding. Cooper holds professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Liberty University. Active in his community, Cooper serves on the boards of the Franklin County YMCA and Healing Strides of Virginia. Based in Rocky Mount, he lives with his wife, Elizabeth, and their twin daughters, Anne and Catherine. In his free time, Cooper enjoys outdoor activities such as golfing and dirtbiking.

Brandon Lacroix is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in wealth and asset management strategies for high net worth individual and institutional clients. He tailors these strategies to align with each client's risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, cost considerations, and overall investment goals. Brandon joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in March 2006, after working at a multi-national insurance and financial planning firm. He holds a B.S. in Economics and a Markets and Management Certificate from Duke University, where he also served as captain of the varsity golf team. Brandon is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant, a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and a Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He is qualified to manage personalized investment strategies, including individual stocks and bonds, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies, and may manage client portfolios on a discretionary basis through the Firm’s Investment Advisory Program. Brandon is involved in several community and professional organizations, including serving as a board member of the Life Ring Foundation and the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame Scholarship Committee, where he helps determine recipients for scholarship awards totaling approximately $100,000 annually. He also contributes as an area alumni interviewer for Duke University admissions. A native of Roanoke, he resides in the area with his wife, Caroline, and daughter, Lilly.

Ellen Hammer is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She holds the professional designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), and has experience as a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Since joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2011, Ellen has focused on retirement and estate planning, wealth transfer of assets, charitable gifting, and college funding. She holds a business degree with a concentration in finance and a minor in Spanish from Roanoke College. Ellen serves her community as a Board Director for the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Junior Achievement, and is on the Advisory Council of Blue Ridge Literacy. She has previously served on the boards of Rotary, Blue Ridge Literacy, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Ellen is a member of the Roanoke Women’s Foundation and Junior League of Roanoke Valley and is an alumna of Leadership Roanoke Valley. She lives in Roanoke with her husband and four children.