Carl Cascella

Adam Walsh is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his Wall Street career over 28 years ago as an institutional equities trader at Bankers Trust and spent six years practicing as a securities and antitrust attorney prior to joining Merrill Lynch in 2003. Bringing together his legal background and extensive investment experience, Adam works with clients and their estate planning attorneys to navigate the complexities of estate planning. His advisory approach includes analyzing clients’ risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, and overall investment goals, with a focus on high net-worth families and small businesses. Adam holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR® designations, as well as credentials as a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Catholic University and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Adam serves as a Commander in the United States Navy reserves and is a decorated veteran of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Outside of his professional work, Adam is involved with the New York Yacht Club and the Sail Newport Advisory Board. He enjoys boating, running, scuba diving, and skiing. Adam and his wife Lauren divide their time between Londonderry, Vermont, and Newport, Rhode Island.

John Jacobi is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides financial strategies in areas including investment management, retirement planning, small business 401(k) solutions, tax minimization, and socially responsible and values-based investing. John serves a diverse client base of individuals, families, and business owners, focusing on long-term financial security and planning. With over 30 years of experience in the financial industry, John holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA®), and Chartered SRI Counselor (CSRIC®). He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Vermont and a Master’s degree in Finance from Boston College. His expertise includes executive compensation planning, managing concentrated stock positions, generational wealth planning, and fiduciary guidance for small business retirement plans. John is based in Vermont and actively contributes to his community. He serves as President of the Board for Habitat for Humanity of Bennington County and coaches youth sports programs including Bridgewater Girls Softball and Bridgewater Youth Soccer. Outside of work, he enjoys skiing, golfing, fishing, hiking, and spending time with his family.

Rhonda Lathrop is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, leveraging her expertise to help clients pursue personalized wealth management strategies. She combines access to Merrill’s investment insights with the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America to support her clients' financial goals. Rhonda focuses on a broad range of client needs including college education planning, family wealth management, LGBT wealth planning, retirement planning, and socially responsible investing. With a background as a former entrepreneur and technology executive, Rhonda applies her problem-solving skills and experience to empower and educate clients across various stages of financial life. She works closely with diverse client demographics, including women in transition, blended families, and multiple generations. Her approach emphasizes understanding client values, family dynamics, and legacy planning through thoughtful communication and collaboration with relevant professionals. Rhonda holds a Bachelor’s degree from Boston College and carries multiple professional designations, including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered SRI Counselor (CSRIC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She participates actively in professional and community organizations such as the Okemo Valley Womens Club, Catamount Trail Organization, Stratton Mountain School Race Crew, BC Alumni Vermont Chapter, and the BART Adaptive Program. Outside of work, Rhonda enjoys gardening, golfing, skiing, tennis, and spending time with her family.

Caralee Kennedy is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based near the Manchester Center office in Vermont. Since joining Merrill in 2019 as a Client Associate in Saratoga Springs, she returned to her home state in 2020 to advance her career. Caralee provides guidance to executives managing concentrated stock positions or navigating significant life transitions such as retirement, inheritance, or business sales. She also offers access to Bank of America Private Bank’s trust, estate planning, credit, lending, and banking services, working collaboratively with clients' attorneys, accountants, and other professional advisors to coordinate comprehensive financial and legacy plans. Caralee holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University and carries the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. She serves as Secretary of the Board for the Rutland Vermont NAACP and volunteers with several community organizations, including Burr and Burton Academy, JDRF, Meals on Wheels, Mettawee Community School, Spartan Race, and Tough Mudder. Caralee enjoys hiking, travel, fitness, and spending time with her family. She is originally from Southern Vermont and is active in local efforts to educate students in subjects such as science and finance.

Christopher Smiles is a Senior Financial Advisor and founder of The Smiles Group, a family office-style investment team within Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining the firm in 1984, he has over 40 years of experience assisting clients with complex financial decisions. He leads a team focused on providing high-touch, relationship-driven service, working closely with each client’s legal and tax advisors to develop and implement fully integrated investment strategies. His expertise includes creating customized solutions for entrepreneurs, executives, and high-net-worth families nationwide, with areas of focus such as corporate executive services, executive compensation, family wealth management, retirement planning, philanthropic planning, and tax minimization. Mr. Smiles holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® (CPFA®), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC) designations. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Bates College. He resides in Weston, Vermont with his wife and their three dogs. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys biking, fishing, hiking, skiing, and yoga. Christopher is also involved in community events including Nantucket Race Week’s Rainbow Parade.

Adam Ihasz is a Senior Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor based in Manchester, Vermont. He has over 30 years of experience in finance, starting his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Forest Hills, New York. Adam’s professional background includes roles as an Investment Advisor, Institutional Trader, Portfolio Manager, and Chairman and CEO of his family-run investment advisory business. His expertise spans asset management, institutional sales trading, and alternative asset management focused on selecting disciplined hedge fund strategies uncorrelated to underlying markets. Throughout his career, Adam has worked with a range of clients, including some of the largest hedge funds, providing trading ideas and strategies centered on technical analysis, event-driven opportunities, and special situations. He holds several FINRA registrations, including Series 7, 24, 31, 53, 55, and 65, as well as the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation. Adam's education includes coursework at Long Island University. Adam lives in Danby, Vermont, with his wife Ronda and their two daughters. He maintains a fitness-oriented lifestyle and has competed in amateur bodybuilding competitions. He is also actively involved in the local community, reflecting the Merrill tradition of service. His client focus areas include family wealth management, retirement planning, college education planning, and socially responsible investing.