Ralph Agostini

Cavalot Capital is a fee-only, wealth management firm serving clients nationwide from offices in Truckee and Redding, California. We specialize in working with business owners, multi-income households, and retirees who are looking for a more integrated approach to financial planning. Many of our clients have complex situations that involve multiple income streams, equity compensation, real estate, or retirement transitions, and they value having a single, trusted partner to help bring clarity and coordination. Our services combine financial planning, investment management, and proactive tax strategy under one roof. By bundling these areas together, we help clients reduce friction, avoid costly surprises, and ensure more of what they earn goes towards their life goals and financial objectives. The value we offer is rooted in transparency, responsiveness, and practical guidance. Clients come to us because they want a clear plan for the future that adapts as life changes, and to have a financial expert on retainer to make sense of it all. Our goal is to help each client make better financial decisions, gain back time and peace of mind, and feel confident that their money is aligned with the life they want to live. Damian currently lives around Lake Tahoe, CA and spends most of his down time ski racing and trail running. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Registered Life Planner® & CTEC Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP).

Scott Macdonald is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and the founder and leader of the firm's Special Needs Team. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 1987, he has dedicated his career to providing financial advice and guidance specifically tailored to disabled, special-needs, and elder-abuse victims and their families. His team focuses on complex wealth planning and investment management for Special Needs Trusts, court-supervised trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships, working closely with attorneys, caregivers, trustees, fiduciaries, and benefits counselors to address the unique short- and long-term financial needs of society’s most vulnerable populations. Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with honors from the California State University system. He is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and a Senior Portfolio Manager, managing discretionary investment strategies that may include individualized stocks and bonds as well as various model portfolios and third-party strategies. His expertise includes California Probate Code restrictions, the Uniform Prudent Investor Act, and National Guardianship Standards. Scott has been recognized with Merrill Lynch’s David Brady Community Service Award and has been named to Forbes’ "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list for multiple consecutive years from 2020 through 2025. Active in his community, Scott is a member of the Rotary Club of Tahoe Incline and involved with the Society for disAbilities. He lives in Incline Village, Nevada, with his wife Meredith and their four children. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys boating, fishing, hiking, skiing, and spending time with his family.

Brett Malamet is a Wealth Management Advisor and the founder and leader of The Malamet Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since 2002, he has provided customized wealth management advice with a focus on delivering personal attention to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Brett directs asset allocation, sector diversification, and security and fund selection within his team. He specializes in addressing the investment needs of ultra-affluent clients by considering their risk tolerance, timelines, lifestyle requirements, and long-term goals. His expertise spans diverse markets and multiple asset classes, including domestic and international markets and traditional alternative instruments. Brett also serves as the lead advisor for a select group of families and integrates proprietary research and Merrill economic forecasts to inform his market outlook. Brett earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Nevada, Reno, and holds the Certified Portfolio Manager designation from the Academy of Certified Portfolio Managers at Columbia University School of Finance. He is a qualified Senior Portfolio Manager with the ability to manage discretionary personalized or defined strategies, incorporating individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. His background includes experience at Bank of America, providing him with a comprehensive perspective on client needs to coordinate the firm's resources to benefit clients and their families holistically. A native of San Francisco, Brett has lived in Northern Nevada for over thirty years and primarily works out of the North Lake Tahoe area. He spends his free time engaged in biking, golfing, hiking, music, photography, and traveling. His client focus areas include family wealth management strategies, legacy and liquidity planning, retirement income, portfolio management services, and small business strategies.