Eric Gonzales

Advisor at Merrill

Updated today
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Firm

Merrill

Location

Fairfield, CA

Credentials

Series 66

Industry experience

27 years

About

Eric Gonzales is the Senior Resident Director at Merrill's Napa Office and a Wealth Management Advisor serving client families primarily in Napa, Sonoma, and Solano counties. In his role, he leads more than a dozen advisors, focusing on office culture and community alignment. He is also the founder of the Gonzales Group, which emphasizes measuring wealth by how well it satisfies clients' priorities for themselves and their loved ones.

Mr. Gonzales serves a diverse clientele including active and retired wine industry executives, business owners, and multiple generations of families. His approach incorporates Modern Portfolio Theory to mitigate investment risk and addresses common client concerns such as outliving assets, cash flow optimization, and Social Security strategies. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Eric Gonzales is involved in community organizations including serving as a board member for Community Action of Napa Valley and contributing to various programs at Justin-Siena High School, such as creating and sponsoring a Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship Program. He has also held board and executive positions at educational institutions in the region. His personal interests include basketball, football, music, and spending time with his family.

Expertise

Wealth management Retirement income strategy Social Security optimization Charitable giving & philanthropy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)

Demographic focus

Married/Couples/Partners Parents Values-based investing SRI/ESG (Socially Responsible Investing/Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance)

Work history

Bank Of America, N.A.

2009 - Present (17 years)

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

1997 - Present (29 years)

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Arnie C

CFP®, EA

Vallejo, CA

Achievable Wealth, LLC

WHAT I DO: I help Locum Tenens physicians and advanced practice providers gain clarity about their finances, identify opportunities and pitfalls, and stay on track with a trusted accountability partner. WHY IT MATTERS: Three recurring concerns stand out in my conversations with Active Duty Military and Civilian physicians and advanced practice providers: Skill Atrophy – Concerns about staying clinically sharp and staying competitive due to limited patient volume or exposure to diverse clinical settings. Financial Catch-Up – After years of training, many feel the pressure to fast-track savings and build long-term financial security. Time Flexibility – A deep desire for greater control over one’s schedule to prioritize family, entrepreneurship, or personal goals. These pressures often lead physicians to pursue Locum Tenens work—part-time or full-time—for its higher earning potential and flexible structure. But with that flexibility comes greater financial complexity, making a clear strategy and support system more important than ever. HOW I DO IT: Together, we assess your strengths and gaps across the six pillars of financial planning: Cash Flow Management, Risk Management, Estate Planning, Tax Strategy, Retirement Planning, and Investment Management. Then, we develop action items over 3 months to strengthen your financial foundation. Clients are empowered to self implement recommendations or collaborate with us for efficiency and accountability. NEXT STEPS: Ready to take control of your financial future? Connect with me on LinkedIn or reach out directly at arnie@achievablewealthfp.com—I’d love to learn more about your goals and how I can help. MORE ABOUT ME: I rediscovered my love for running three years ago thanks to one of my sons, starting with local 5Ks around the San Francisco Bay Area. Since then, I’ve become especially fond of the half-marathon distance, with races like the Oakland and San Francisco Half under my belt. Marathon training is next on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to the challenge. I also love exploring new places—favorites so far include Ilocos Sur (Philippines), Tokyo, Seoul, Busan, Barcelona, Lisbon, and London.

Doctor or Medical Professional Military & Veterans

Wyatt K

Series 66

Napa, CA

Merrill

Wyatt Knippen is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in goals-based wealth management, customized investment strategies, and dedicated client service. He works closely with the Negrete & Associates team to develop tailored approaches that align with the unique circumstances and objectives of each client. Wyatt serves as a key client contact, focusing on building long-term relationships and remaining attentive to clients' evolving priorities, while leveraging the resources of Bank of America’s Retirement and Benefit Plan Services Group. Before joining Merrill Lynch in 2017, Wyatt spent 13 years as an insurance broker, gaining experience in client relations and financial planning. His areas of expertise include divorce transition planning, defined benefit and contribution plan services, employee financial health, managing new wealth, and personal retirement planning. He holds professional designations such as CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Wyatt earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from California State University-Sonoma and an MBA from Saint Mary’s College of California. Raised in Napa Valley, he enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, gardening, and hunting. In his personal time, Wyatt cultivates his garden, tending to fruit trees, tomatoes, and melons.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy General retirement planning Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Retirement withdrawal strategies

Kristoffer Conrad P

Series 66

Napa, CA

Merrill

Kristoffer Conrad Pingul is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works directly with clients to define their financial goals and develop portfolio strategies tailored to their individual needs. His approach includes ongoing advice and portfolio adjustments to align with clients' changing situations. His expertise encompasses employee benefits planning, retirement income, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and both individual and corporate investment strategies. He holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Kristoffer earned a High School Diploma from Davis Senior High School, an Associate's Degree from Solano Community College, attended San Francisco State University without degree completion, and completed an Accredited Certificate Program at The American College of Financial Services. Kristoffer speaks Tagalog and English and is affiliated with the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ). His personal interests include billiards, bowling, golfing, reading, spending time with family, tennis, traveling, volleyball, watching movies, and woodworking.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Elder care planning Medicare planning Retirement income strategy Wealth management

Justin G

CFP®, Series 66

Napa, CA

Edward Jones

Retirement income strategy Charitable giving & philanthropy Liquidity event planning Wealth management

Brenda B

Series 66

Vacaville, CA

Edward Jones

Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Divorce financial planning Business ownership considerations Military & Veterans Public Service Employee Educators, Teachers, and Academics Founder/Business Owner

John S

Series 63, Series 66

Suisun City, CA

Edward Jones

Retirement income strategy General retirement planning Wealth management
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