Phillip Mills

Fair Oaks Financial LLC was founded in 2020 and began operations in 2021 amid the COVID-19 Virus era. Many changes were taking place and people were reevaluating their lives in the face of the pandemic. Suddenly life took on different priorities and meaning and one did not know if they would be affected and to what extent. This brought to attention many overlooked items, that people were waiting to get around to, and brought them to the forefront. Questions like "if something were to happen to me, am I prepared?" My goal is to help you prepare for an uncertain future. There are many things that can be done to reduce anxiety in these stressful times. As a Fiduciary Advisor, I will be working with you to develop a plan that is customized to address your needs and desires. Being a Fiduciary means acting in your best interest. I enjoy helping people make sense of a complex set of choices, objectively weighing the pros and cons, and making informed decisions consistent with their long-term goals. I have been working in the investment business for more than 25 years. I have seen complexity keep people from making the decisions needed to accomplish their goals. I enjoy helping explain things in a way that makes sense. Warren Buffet says "investing is simple, it's just not easy." Having a guide on your journey to help make decisions that will impact your future is not only important but essential. We all need objective advice, void of conflicts, to help us make wise decisions.

I build Personalized Financial Plans for every client to address important “Real Life” financial issues including Financial & Retirement Planning, Investments, Income Tax Planning, Executive Benefits & Compensation Planning, Insurance & Risk Management Planning, Social Security & Pension Planning, Multi-Generational Trusts, and Estate Planning. In addition, I have specialized expertise with Executive Benefits & Compensation Planning for Restricted Stock (RS), Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), Performance Shares (PS), Non-Qualified Stock Options (NQSO), Incentive Stock Options (ISO), Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPP), Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans (NQDC), Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA), 457(b) "Double-Limit Catch Up" Provisions, and 457(f) Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans. Why work with a Fee-Only CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional? Anyone can call themselves a Financial Advisor, but not everyone is held to the Fiduciary Standard of Care. Independent, Fee-Only, Financial Planners combine advanced training, fiduciary ethics, and complete transparency to help you make confident financial decisions during every stage of life. What does “Fee-Only” really mean? A Fee-Only Financial Planner is only compensated by clients. They do not receive any commissions, incentives, or compensation for selling financial products. No sales pressure. No hidden fees. No product bias. You simply pay for objective financial expertise and guidance. How does a Fee-Only Financial Planner plan for every stage of your life? A Fee-Only Financial Planner creates a clear, coordinated, and personalized Financial Plan which covers all aspects of your financial life. Your plan may include monthly cash flow & spending plan, retirement income & retirement distribution strategies, investment management and guidance, tax efficiency and Multi-Year tax planning strategies, insurance & risk management, liquidity planning, education planning, and family legacy goals. Professional Credentials: Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Personal Financial Planning CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®)

Michael Bertuzzi is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in the La Cantera office in San Antonio. He has been with Merrill since 1990, bringing 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Michael specializes in corporate benefit programs, including equity compensation, defined benefit, defined contribution, and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. He works with corporate executives to integrate their benefits into comprehensive long-term financial strategies. His client services also cover college education planning, family wealth management, retirement income, portfolio management, and investment consulting for defined contribution plans, among other areas. Michael holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Oklahoma State University and a Master's in Business Administration from Oklahoma City University. He has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. Raised in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Michael has resided in Boerne, Texas, for the past ten years and has been married for over 40 years with two children. Outside of his professional work, Michael is the founder and past president of Tour de Boerne Inc., a volunteer-run cycling event held annually in June, with all proceeds supporting Hill Country charities. His personal interests include biking, gardening, hunting, traveling, and spending time with his family.

John Carrillo is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works alongside a team with extensive investment experience to develop personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients' unique financial goals. John specializes in areas including family wealth management, legacy planning, retirement income, socially responsible and ESG investing, liquidity management, and tax minimization. John grew up in Laredo, Texas, and pursued his education with a focus on business and investments. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a bachelor's degree, ranking in the top 1.5% of his college as a Distinguished Business Student and serving as a Senior Analyst in the university’s Investment Society. Early in his career, John gained experience through various roles involving cash flow modeling, discrepancy analysis, and CFO office functions. He holds the professional designations of CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional work, John enjoys adventure sports, fishing, football, hunting, music, running, swimming, watching movies, and spending time with his family. He is also involved in professional development and mentorship through organizations such as the Next Level Leadership Program, Local AGN, and FADP/ADP Mentor.

Keith Conklin is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with the firm since 2010, initially serving as a Wealth Management Banker before transitioning to an advisory role in 2015. Keith brings over 17 years of financial advisory experience, having worked extensively with retirees, pre-retirees, small business owners, physicians, attorneys, and business executives. Keith employs a Goals Based Wealth Management approach, focusing on creating customized financial plans that align with clients’ lifetime income objectives, wealth preservation, and wealth transfer goals. He emphasizes strategies that balance diversification with clients’ risk tolerance and uses professional money managers to develop income-producing portfolios for retirees. His expertise covers areas including retirement income, family wealth management, legacy planning, and portfolio management services. Keith earned a Bachelor’s degree from Union College in Schenectady, NY, and an MBA from The Freeman School of Business at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. Born and raised in the New York City metropolitan area, he has lived in New Orleans and Dallas before settling in San Antonio. Beyond his professional work, Keith is active in community service, serving on the boards of charitable and political organizations. In his personal time, he enjoys traveling, cooking, football, gardening, music, reading, and spending time with his family.