Eric Waechter

Donald Newton is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Baton Rouge. He provides comprehensive financial advice and wealth management services tailored to meet the complex needs of individuals, families, and businesses. His areas of focus include family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, portfolio management, retirement income, and services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits. Newton assists clients in making informed life decisions, aligning financial options with their goals, and facilitating tax-efficient wealth transfer. He also offers guidance on personal and corporate liquidity, financing, and cash management. Newton holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and French from Hampden-Sydney College and a Master of Business Administration from Tulane University, where he also served as a graduate assistant football coach. Since beginning his career with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1991, he has maintained a comprehensive approach that emphasizes listening to clients and developing strategies grounded in their overall life objectives. He is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and is fluent in English and French. Outside of his professional work, Newton enjoys coaching, playing guitar, and canoeing. He is engaged in community service consistent with Merrill’s tradition of local involvement.

Chelsea Smith is a Wealth Management Advisor with The David Robertson Smith Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She specializes in wealth management planning and investment management, working with individuals, families, and business owners to develop and implement personalized financial strategies tailored to their unique goals. Chelsea focuses on areas including family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. Chelsea holds a Bachelor’s degree in finance from Louisiana State University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and Personal Investment Advisor. She has accumulated extensive experience in the financial services industry, having joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2015 following seven years as an investment associate at UBS Financial Services. Chelsea is also a member of the National Charity League and actively contributes to her community as a coach for Girls on the Run and a member of the Mary Bird Perkins Echo Alliance. In her personal time, Chelsea enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Bryan Mcclendon is Senior Resident Director at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he provides wealth management planning services and portfolio strategies tailored to individuals and businesses. His expertise encompasses investment style diversification, liability management, hedges, option strategies, and alternative investments. Bryan works closely with clients and, when appropriate, their tax and legal advisors to develop financial strategies aligned with clients’ goals, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and timelines. His focus areas include college education planning, family wealth management, retirement income, tax minimization, and services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits. Bryan began his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1991. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Hampden-Sydney College and a high school diploma from Darlington School. He has earned the designations Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Bryan is involved with professional organizations such as Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Coastal Conservation Association, Knock Knock Museum, and Baton Rouge Symphony. He also volunteers with Grace Episcopal Church in Saint Francisville, Louisiana. Residing in St. Francisville with his wife Laura and their two sons, Turner and Mills, Bryan enjoys a range of personal interests including cooking, fishing, gardening, golfing, hiking, hunting, traveling, watching movies, woodworking, and spending time with his family.

Cory Ludwick is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in personalized wealth management strategies. He focuses on developing comprehensive approaches tailored to clients’ unique financial situations, goals, and values, offering flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions. Cory provides clients access to Merrill's investment insights alongside the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America, addressing diverse aspects of their financial lives. His areas of expertise include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, socially responsible and ESG investing, and tax minimization. Cory holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His education includes a High School Diploma from Seven Rivers Christian, coursework in finance at the University of Arizona Global Campus, and attendance at the University of Central Florida. Cory participates in community service consistent with Merrill's tradition of community involvement. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys baseball, basketball, football, golfing, swimming, and spending time with his family.