Alex Johnson

Jason Brown is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on developing personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients' individual financial goals. Jason works closely with clients to create flexible financial plans that adapt to changing market conditions, providing access to investment insights from Merrill as well as banking and lending solutions through Bank of America. Jason's areas of expertise include college education planning, employee benefits planning, personal retirement planning, and retirement income. He holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Bowling Green State University. In addition to his professional work, Jason is committed to community involvement, volunteering with local organizations. His personal interests include basketball, chess, football, golfing, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Derek Watkins is the Senior Resident Director at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked since 2003. He became the Resident Director of the Jamestown Office in 2009. Derek specializes in working with individual families and privately held business owners, focusing on family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. Before joining Merrill Lynch, Derek served four years in the United States Army and attained the rank of Captain. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Clarkson University and holds professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Derek actively contributes to his community by serving on the boards of the Gebbie Foundation and the Jamestown City Center Development Corporation (JCCDC Ice Arena). He resides in Lakewood with his wife, Margaret, and their two children. In his personal time, Derek enjoys baseball, ice hockey, running, tennis, and spending time with his family.

Taylor Swanson is a Wealth Management Advisor and partner with the Brown Group at the Merrill Lynch office in Jamestown, New York. With over 17 years of experience as a financial advisor, Taylor works with high net worth families, businesses, and foundations throughout Chautauqua County and across the country. The Brown Group, established in 1986, currently serves more than 200 clients. Taylor specializes in retirement planning, portfolio design, and wealth management, focusing on creating personalized financial strategies tailored to each client's goals. Services include defined benefit and defined contribution plan consulting, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, and retirement income strategies. Regular reviews ensure that client plans adapt to changing market conditions and personal objectives. Taylor leverages the investment insights of Merrill Lynch and the banking services of Bank of America to support clients' comprehensive financial needs. Taylor holds a bachelor's degree in business from Buffalo State College and an associate's degree from Jamestown Community College. Professional designations include CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Outside of work, Taylor enjoys biking, football, spending time with family, and traveling.

Michele Turk is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of the Watkins Turk Wealth Management Group. She has been in the financial services industry since 1998 and joined Merrill Lynch in 2010. Michele works with individuals and businesses to help prepare for their financial needs, focusing on areas such as family wealth management strategies, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, and retirement income. She earned the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation in 2018 and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation in 2016. Michele also holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA) designations. She obtained an Associate's Degree from Jamestown Community College. Michele and her husband, Robert, live in Ellington with their two children, Ava and Dylan. She is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Falconer and volunteers with the Junior Achievement program. Michele enjoys camping, hiking, hunting, and spending time with her family.