Craig Belaire

Scott Jones is the Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch. He has been with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management since 1998 and has been in the financial services industry since 1994. His work focuses on portfolio management, retirement analysis, and distribution planning. Scott holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Lamar University and an MBA from the University of Houston–Clear Lake. He is certified as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation. His client focus areas include college education planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and retirement income. Outside of his professional work, Scott enjoys fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family. He resides in Lumberton with his wife, Gina, and they have three adult sons.

Logan King is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides clients with personalized wealth management strategies that reflect a comprehensive understanding of their financial situation and priorities. Logan leverages the investment insights of Merrill and the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America to address various aspects of clients’ financial lives. Logan’s expertise includes education planning, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, legacy planning, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. He works closely with clients to tailor portfolios, build long-term relationships, and construct financial models aimed at helping them navigate market volatility and transition smoothly through different life stages. Logan is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He holds a bachelor's degree from Lamar University and is a member of the Coastal Conservation Association. Outside of his professional work, Logan has interests in basketball, camping, cooking, fishing, football, golfing, hunting, spending time with family, traveling, and watching movies.

Russell Smith is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings over 30 years of experience in helping clients navigate complex financial situations, including managing concentrated stock positions, transition events such as retirement, inheritance, or business sales, and coordinating comprehensive financial and legacy plans in collaboration with clients’ attorneys and accountants. Russell also provides access to Bank of America Private Bank services, including trust and estate planning, as well as customized lending and overall banking solutions. Russell’s expertise spans multiple client focus areas such as college education planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement and retirement income planning, philanthropic planning, small business strategies, women and wealth, and tax minimization. His approach emphasizes transforming uncertainty into clarity, helping clients make informed financial decisions amid changing economic and geopolitical landscapes. He holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations and earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Houston System. A native Texan and proud Eagle Scout, Russell is actively involved in community organizations including the Boy Scouts of America and the Exchange Club of America. Outside of work, he pursues a range of adventure sports such as boating, fishing, running, scuba diving, skiing, and skydiving, and values spending time with his family.