Alan Lax

Shelterbelt Advisors serves the sustainable food and farm community with personalized advice, planning and education. We are committed to the stewards of the earth – the farmers, food entrepreneurs, and the good folks who support that work – because we share in their vision of abundance, diversity, and regeneration. Who Are You? You are stewarding creation on your land and in your work. You are nourishing your community and feeding your family. You are spreading the seeds of your wealth. Who Are We? A financial planning and tax firm that can help you build real wealth from agriculture and food systems work, make smart money choices that support your values, and transform your wealth into a force for good. What Is real financial planning? It is.. Personal: Made just for you and your journey. Interpersonal: Open and honest for those you show up for. Community: Invites, includes and invests in people. System: Rooted and returned in multiple forms. Michael Grady Robertson is a Certified Financial Planner® Certificant and tax professional. He has been a farmer for twenty years. He lives in the Hudson Valley of New York on a fiber-focused sheep farm. His most recent vacation was to delightfully charming All Things Oz Museum in Chittenango, New York.

I work with women who feel unseen by traditional financial service providers, and are tired of being talked at instead of spoken to. This includes women breadwinners, who want to be sure they're doing all they can with their money to secure the future; and women who feel like they should be able to create a financial plan but aren't sure where to start. Outside of financial planning, I serve on the board of a non-profit affordable housing network in the metro New York area, am active in my local Rotary Club, and am slowly learning how to build a garden that is friendly to pollinators and unappealing to rabbits. My journey has included life and work in India, Vietnam and other places, an MBA from Cornell University, several years on a trading floor right out of college and stops along the way that contribute to the life experience that I bring to each of you.

Martin Schwartz is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been part of the financial services industry since 1983, providing guidance and support to multiple generations of clients. His approach is centered on connecting clients with tailored plans and processes to help them pursue personal financial goals, including college education planning, retirement income, and tax minimization. With expertise spanning managing new wealth, portfolio management, socially responsible investing, and addressing complex life transitions such as retirement and loss of a loved one, Martin works alongside his team to deliver comprehensive wealth planning. He emphasizes simplifying investment complexities and collaborating with clients’ CPAs and attorneys to coordinate tax-minimization and estate planning strategies. His client base includes entrepreneurs, medical professionals, educators, attorneys, retirees, and multi-generational families. Martin earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. He resides on Long Island, New York, with his spouse and is involved in his community through a longstanding affiliation with the Five Towns Kiwanis Club, where he has served as Past President and Treasurer Emeritus. Outside of work, Martin enjoys baseball, football, golf, ice hockey, reading, and spending time with his family.

Donald Bell is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He collaborates closely with clients to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at pursuing long-term goals. His approach integrates flexibility to adapt to evolving market conditions, leveraging investment insights from Merrill along with banking and lending solutions provided by Bank of America. Donald holds the professional designations of Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He completed his high school education at Saugerties Central. In addition to his advisory work, he is engaged in community service through volunteer activities, reflecting the Merrill tradition of local participation.

Eric Johnson is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in the Kingston, NY office. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 1981, providing financial guidance to clients through tailored investment strategies designed to address their risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, and overall investment objectives. Eric employs asset allocation models and professional money management to support clients in achieving long-term wealth accumulation goals. He also assists high net worth clients with estate planning strategies, including trust work and charitable gifting. Eric holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation, earned in 2007, and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) certification. He completed his Bachelor's Degree from Cortland State. Outside of his professional work, Eric enjoys hiking, running, spending time with his family, and traveling.