Cory Howard

I’ve found that clients come to me with a series of specific challenges that they’d like help with as they approach retirement and living in retirement. These challenges center around how to best: Replace their employment income from the assets they’ve saved Minimize taxes paid now and in retirement protect against the risks of the future (i.e. inflation, market downturns, unplanned health issues, assets taken from them unjustly, longevity, etc.) How to avoid common mistakes that can be very costly over the course of their lifetime. There are dozens of important financial decisions you face that can easily feel confusing and overwhelming. This is where I can help you. I launched Gray Wealth Strategies to bring highly personal, truly objective, evidence-based advice to your key financial decisions. This is what we should expect as we make critical financial choices. Regrettably, however, a vast majority of the financial services industry does not operate under such a standard where the advice/products being recommended truly align with your best interests. In fact, you may have even experienced a few of those “advisors” yourself. I aim to change that experience for you. I operate under a “fiduciary standard”. This means that I am legally bound to provide objective advice in your best interests with zero product sales or commissions as your flat-fee only CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. My flat-fee only structure is unique in the industry. We offer clients two flat-fee only options: 1) a one-time retirement plan which is intended for DIY investors who want to get a second opinion and validate their decisions and 2) a full-service wealth management relationship. As part of our full-service relationship, we focus on leveraging your retirement roadmap (i.e. initial financial plan) and using it to inform, customize, and optimize your investments, taxes, and estate planning needs. Clients who are familiar with the standard asset under management (AUM) fee structure (i.e. being charged a percentage of your assets) will appreciate these flexible, flat-fee only offerings, and I personally think it’s a great way to objectively help pre-retirees and retirees. I absolutely love the work I do and I am proud of the value I bring to my client’s key financial decisions. That said, my #1 pride is my family: my wife, Jessica, and our three children (Waverly, Everton, and Zealand). We split time between the outdoor wonderland of the Pacific Northwest where we mountain bike, ski, camp, and raise our littles, and the great city of Austin, TX where family resides and Lake Austin calls for fun family time. That’s my “why”: being the best advisor I can be to my clients and living the best life possible with my family and friends. What’s your “why”? And how can I best help you live it with the resources you have? Please reach out and I look forward to getting to know you. Read Andrew's blog here: https://graywealthstrategies.com/blog/

Kevin Harrington is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works directly with clients to understand their financial goals and develop strategies to address short-, mid-, and long-term objectives. His role includes providing guidance on investing, retirement planning, and saving for unexpected expenses, as well as facilitating access to Bank of America specialists for banking, credit, home financing, and small business needs. With 18 years of experience in finance, including premier banking, insurance, and investments, Kevin focuses on areas such as college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, small business strategies, socially responsible investing, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations and earned his bachelor's degree from Saint Norbert College. Outside of his professional work, Kevin enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and hunting, and he has a lifelong passion for hockey, participating as a player and coach. He has been involved with the Eau Claire Youth Hockey Association as a volunteer coach and level director and has served as a high school hockey assistant coach.

Ian Rogers is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Bend, Oregon. He provides financial advice and guidance to individuals, families, and their businesses, focusing on family wealth management strategies, portfolio management services, and women and wealth. Ian has served at Merrill since 1986, bringing more than three decades of experience to his role. Ian’s expertise lies in helping clients navigate financial markets by offering thoughtful, non-emotional advice that accounts for their obligations, intentions, and long-term goals. He draws on his extensive knowledge of market environments and the research capabilities of BofA Global Research to deliver informed perspectives and customized strategies. Ian works primarily with wealth creators, executives, and professionals, many of whom he has advised for decades. He earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge, and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of work, Ian is active in his community through coaching youth sports and involvement with the Laurelhurst Soccer Club and CYO Portland. He and his wife Sherry enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing in the Pacific Northwest and have two adult children.

Annie Etchegoyhen is a Private Wealth Advisor with Merrill Private Wealth Management. She began her career as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2001. Annie works closely with individuals and families who have complex wealth management needs, providing customized strategies and ongoing management to help preserve and grow their wealth. She also focuses on planning for liquidity events and offers advice on wealth planning tailored to clients' personal objectives. Annie holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of San Diego and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Her areas of expertise include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, socially responsible and ESG investing, women and wealth, sports and entertainment, tax minimization, and retirement income. In her personal time, Annie enjoys basketball, camping, fishing, hiking, music, reading, and spending time with her family.