Financial advisors in New York for Tax Planning

David Lopez is an International Wealth Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2021 after over 20 years of experience leading a tax, consulting, and cross-border business practice at BeachFleischman PC, one of Arizona’s largest accounting firms, where he was a partner. At BeachFleischman, David established the firm’s international tax practice, growing it into one of its fastest expanding segments. Prior to that, he worked at Ernst & Young LLP. In his current role, David collaborates with a team of experienced financial advisors to deliver comprehensive financial guidance, with a focus on serving high net worth and ultra-high net worth families. His approach emphasizes coordination with clients’ other advisors, such as attorneys and accountants, to provide a family office–style service. While David is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he does not provide tax or legal advice in his wealth management role. His areas of expertise include education planning, family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, retirement planning, portfolio management, and individual and corporate investment strategy. David holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Arizona and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He is bilingual in English and Spanish. He has been active in community leadership roles with organizations including Ronald McDonald House of Southern Arizona, Carondelet Foundation, Salpointe Foundation, Kino Border Initiative, Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce, and Nexus Executives. His personal interests include basketball, biking, skiing, tennis, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Kyle Rugg is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of The Kiefel Group. He joined The Kiefel Group in 2013 and focuses on in-depth wealth planning to assist individuals and families in achieving their financial goals and facilitating wealth transition for future generations. Kyle holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Portland State University. With over seven years of experience in the finance industry, Kyle specializes in family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. He and his team emphasize operating with trust and integrity, employing a rigorous wealth management process, and providing open architecture and objective advice to clients. Outside of his professional work, Kyle is involved in the community through organizations such as Charbonneau Golf Club and Silverton Hospital. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, and in his personal time, he pursues interests including golfing, fishing, hunting, and supporting sports teams like the Oregon Ducks, Portland Trailblazers, and Seattle Seahawks.

David Lopez is an International Wealth Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch in 2021, he was a partner at BeachFleischman PC, one of Arizona’s largest accounting firms, where he led the firm’s international tax practice and developed its cross-border business and consulting services over more than 20 years. Before that, he worked at Ernst & Young LLP. At Merrill Lynch, David collaborates with a team of financial advisors to provide comprehensive, multi-faceted wealth management services tailored to high net worth and ultra-high net worth families, coordinating closely with clients’ attorneys, accountants, and other advisors in a family office style approach. David holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). While he has a background in tax, he does not provide tax or legal advice in his current role. His client focus areas include education planning, family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, retirement planning, portfolio management, investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. In addition to his professional work, David has served in leadership positions with various community organizations, including Ronald McDonald House of Southern Arizona, Carondelet Foundation, Salpointe Foundation, Kino Border Initiative, Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce, and Nexus Executives. He continues to serve as a member of Nexus Executives and remains involved with the Kino Border Initiative. Outside of work, David enjoys basketball, biking, skiing, tennis, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Juan Pablo Sanz Rojas is an International Wealth Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined the firm in 2019 to support and enhance relationships with High Net Worth clients and corporations across the globe. Juan focuses on developing long-term relationships that align with each client’s priorities, risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, and goals, creating holistic strategies and recommendations tailored to High Net Worth families and their businesses. With more than 12 years of experience in Private Wealth Management, Juan specializes in international wealth management, family wealth strategies, legacy planning, executive compensation, portfolio management, and tax minimization. He assists Ultra High Net Worth clients in navigating global wealth complexities, including cross-border strategies and multi-jurisdictional planning, to preserve, grow, and transition wealth across generations. Juan earned a Master’s degree in Management from the Ecole Superieure de Commerce (ESC) de Toulouse in France and holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Business Administration from Universidad de los Andes in Colombia. He holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) certification and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Juan is fluent in English, Spanish, and French.

Basilio Lukis is an International Wealth Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in delivering comprehensive wealth management strategies for international clients both residing abroad and in the United States. Basilio leverages the investment insights of Merrill and the banking services of Bank of America to provide tailored financial strategies that reflect each client’s unique circumstances and goals across various jurisdictions. With over two decades of experience in finance and portfolio management, Basilio’s expertise includes family wealth management strategies, international wealth management, portfolio management services, and individual and corporate investment strategy. He works closely with clients to understand their financial situation, risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs, developing personalized financial plans that align with their short- and long-term objectives. Basilio holds a Bachelor's Degree from Florida International University and a Master's Degree from Instituto Torcuato Di Tella. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and is a member of the CFA Institute. Fluent in Greek, Portuguese, Spanish, and English, Basilio also has personal interests in adventure sports, golfing, and soccer.

Teresa Nehme is an International Wealth Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in the New York International Office. She works closely with clients, primarily international, to design and implement personalized wealth plans that consider clients’ unique ambitions and family priorities. Teresa employs a holistic approach to wealth management, connecting clients to the people, plans, and processes suited to their specific financial goals. Teresa joined Merrill in 2021, bringing extensive international experience that enables her to understand clients’ life priorities and effectively align them with appropriate financial products and services. Prior to her role as a financial advisor, Teresa spent over a decade as Managing Director of the largest Mexican newspaper in the Northeast, where she focused on sales and advertising strategies tailored to client objectives within the Hispanic market. She also worked with the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in Mexico City and New York City. Teresa was born and raised in Mexico and is fluent in English, Spanish, and French. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of her professional work, Teresa enjoys cooking, gardening, skiing, and traveling. She and her husband Erick are parents to two sons and partake in family skiing activities.

Paul Schmidt is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings over 35 years of experience in financial advising, helping individuals and businesses plan and achieve their financial goals. Paul's expertise spans managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Nyack College and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Paul follows a personalized approach to portfolio management, emphasizing availability and support for clients during both challenging and prosperous times. Beyond his professional role, he is involved in coaching the golf teams at McKee Staten Island Technical High School. Paul lives in Staten Island, NY, with his wife Wendy, and they have two daughters working in accounting and finance. His personal interests include antiquing, golfing, and spending time with his family.

Eric Schwartz is a Senior Financial Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with over seven years of experience supporting clients through retirement planning and broader financial decision-making. His work spans retirement income planning, insurance planning, estate considerations, tax-aware strategies, and comprehensive financial planning. Before joining Retirable, Eric held planning and leadership roles at several financial firms, including Drucker Wealth Management and Mid Atlantic Retirement Planning Specialist. Across these roles, he worked closely with individuals and families to develop and monitor long-term financial strategies, with a particular focus on retirement transitions and ongoing planning needs. Eric earned a bachelor’s degree in Financial Planning and Finance from the University of Delaware. He obtained his CFP® certification and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation in 2022, reflecting his commitment to professional standards, fiduciary responsibility, and ongoing education. Eric takes a holistic approach to financial planning, working with clients to understand their goals, concerns, and financial circumstances so they can move forward with clarity and confidence as they plan for the next stage of life.

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Michael Silverstein is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides financial planning and investment management services to clients, focusing on wealth management strategies. Michael holds several professional designations, including Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from New York University.