James Spickard

Proper financial planning begins with understanding you, your family, and your life. We take the time to learn what’s important to you and then build a plan designed to help you reach your goals with confidence.

Branden Brooks is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has over three decades of experience in wealth management, serving multiple generations of client families. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch in 2007, Branden spent fifteen years with A.G. Edwards. He focuses on a holistic approach to financial planning, working with individuals and affluent families—including those with special needs children—to help set realistic goals and keep clients informed about their progress. Branden holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP), Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California State University, Fullerton, and an MBA in Personal Financial Planning from Indiana Wesleyan University. Outside of his professional work, Branden resides in Lynchburg with his wife Joslyn and their six children. His personal interests include golfing, hiking, racquetball, skiing, table tennis, and tennis.

John Hoskins serves as Senior Resident Director at Merrill, where he leads a goals-based planning practice that leverages resources from Bank of America and Merrill to provide comprehensive wealth management strategies. With over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, he focuses on helping clients with college education planning, personal retirement planning, and portfolio management services. His approach centers on developing personalized financial strategies designed to support clients’ long-term goals. John holds a Bachelor's Degree from West Virginia University and a High School Diploma from E C Glass in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is professionally designated as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Committed to community involvement, he volunteers with organizations such as the Old City Cemetery/Southern Memorial Association. Outside of his professional role, John enjoys a variety of personal interests including antiquing, fishing, gardening, genealogy, hiking, horseback riding, reading, table tennis, woodworking, and spending time with his family. He and his wife Kathy have been married for 25 years and have two sons, Hundley and James. In his free time, John cares for his heirloom apple orchard, maintains the family farm, searches for arrowheads, and studies history.

Jared Srsic is a Financial Solutions Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he works closely with clients to understand their financial priorities and develop strategies aimed at pursuing their short-, mid-, and long-term goals. Jared provides guidance on a range of financial topics including general investing, retirement planning, and saving for unexpected expenses. He also connects clients with Bank of America specialists for services such as banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Jared holds a Bachelor's Degree from Lynchburg College and has earned professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His approach involves ongoing discussions with clients to address their goals, concerns, and questions, offering advice and guidance as their needs evolve.

Brian Soistmann is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2024. He assists clients in reviewing their complete financial situations and developing financial plans aimed at achieving their financial objectives. His approach emphasizes building trust and comfort with clients to support confident investment decisions based on well-developed plans. Brian's professional experience spans several roles and firms in the financial services industry. Before his current position, he served as an Investment Consultant and Financial Representative at Fidelity Investments between 2023 and 2024. He was Vice President and Financial Consultant at Charles Schwab from 2010 to 2011 and managed Soistmann Putney Asset Management as Managing Partner and Portfolio Manager from 2003 to 2010. Earlier in his career, Brian worked as a Financial Advisor at UBS from 1999 to 2003 and as a Financial Consultant at Merrill Lynch from 1996 to 1999.