Gary Cranford

Artem Rusakov is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2023. Prior to this, he served as an Investment Consultant and Investment Solutions Representative at Fidelity Investments from 2021 to 2023. Artem's career in the financial services industry began in 2019 with Wells Fargo, where he worked as a Teller and Banker, followed by a position as a Personal Banker at Keybank from 2020 to 2021. Artem holds insurance licenses in Arkansas and California, supporting his ability to provide comprehensive financial services. He is committed to working with clients to develop customized financial plans that address their unique family needs and goals. Outside of his professional career, Artem enjoys comedy, movies, and skiing.

Paul Biafore is the Senior Resident Director at Merrill, where he provides personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients' individual goals and aspirations. He works closely with clients to develop flexible financial plans that adapt to changing market conditions, offering access to Merrill's investment insights and Bank of America's banking and lending solutions. His client focus areas include college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, philanthropic planning, retirement income, and services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits. With a background that includes senior roles in the gaming industry and experience as a college basketball manager, Paul serves a diverse client base that includes C-suite executives, professional and college basketball coaches, retirees, and non-profit organizations. He collaborates with clients' CPAs, estate and tax attorneys to provide comprehensive strategies that address managing risk, creating legacies, and helping clients pursue long-term financial goals. As a qualified Portfolio Manager, he builds and manages customized investment strategies, which may include individual securities, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party strategies, sometimes managing portfolios on a discretionary basis. Paul earned a bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, where he served as Senior Student Manager for the men's basketball team that won the 1990 NCAA Championship. He was honored as the 2011 Lee Business School Alumnus of the Year at UNLV. Additionally, Paul holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. He supports community organizations such as the National Youth Sports Organization and the UNLV College of Business. Outside of work, his interests include basketball, golfing, music, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Mark Ventresco is a Managing Director and Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has more than 30 years of experience advising business owners, executives, retirees, and multi-generational families on significant financial decisions such as transferring or selling a business, optimizing executive compensation, tax-minimization strategies, and legacy planning. Mark and his team focus on providing a customized and coordinated approach that addresses the complexities of significant wealth, allowing clients to concentrate on their personal and professional priorities. Mark has worked in financial services since 1993 and joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2013. He holds an M.B.A. in business management from Pepperdine University, where his capstone project focused on transition planning for privately held business owners. His professional designations include Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). He is also a member of the Graziadio Alumni Network and the Pepperdine University Alumni Association. Outside of his professional role, Mark enjoys renovating homes, classic cars, and rock and roll. He and his wife Amy have one daughter, Lauren.