Devyne Washington

Phillip Hulme, grew up believing there was a better way. Money was tight, his parents worked long hours and yet there never seemed to be enough to escape the grind. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. As fortune would have it, Phillip had a mentor in the Army who spotted his curiosity for finance and guided him to read and learn more. It lit a fire inside of Phillip and he has never looked back. After serving in the U.S. Army for over 7 years as a special operations signal soldier, Phillip sharpened his passion for finance and his strategic mindset by earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance and an MBA with concentrations in both Finance and Strategy. Phillip went to work in corporate America earning, saving and investing all along. After he achieved financial independence at the age of 34, he decided to follow his calling by sharing his learnings with the people who have given us all so much, the Veterans of this great country.

Desmond Blue is a Wealth Management Advisor and Merrill Resident Director who brings a diverse background and a wealth of expertise to his clients. He partners with business owners, athletes, and high-net-worth families to develop strategies for investing, wealth transfer, legacy planning, and managing complex wealth transitions. His professional focus includes college education planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, retirement income, tax minimization, and sports and entertainment financial planning. Desmond holds multiple professional designations, including Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Lee University and an MBA from Liberty University. Leveraging lessons learned from his previous career as a professional basketball player across five continents, Desmond applies strategic planning and discipline to his financial advisory services. Residing in Canton, GA with his wife, Jill, Desmond is involved in community organizations such as City Takers and City of Refuge. Outside of his professional role, he enjoys playing the drums, spending time with his family, and supporting local initiatives. He is an active member of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce.

Christian Raynor is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career with Merrill Lynch in September 1998 and focuses on personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income strategies. Christian works with clients to develop personalized financial strategies tailored to their long-term goals. Christian graduated from Florida State University in 1995 and subsequently played professional golf for three years before joining Merrill Lynch. He holds the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Christian participates in community volunteering and enjoys football, golfing, running, and spending time with his family.

Tien Sun is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She specializes in working with first-generation professionals, immigrants, digital creators, and other rising earners who are managing significant income for the first time. Tien provides personalized strategies that integrate cash flow management, investment planning, and tax efficiency to help clients grow, protect, and sustain their wealth. Her client focus includes college education planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, women and wealth, and retirement income. With a bachelor's degree in finance and international management from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, Tien holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. She brings over a decade of industry experience and a commitment to leveraging Merrill and Bank of America's full capabilities, offering clients seamless, customized strategies encompassing investment management, business transition planning, estate strategies, and philanthropic design. In addition to English, she speaks Mandarin and is involved with professional organizations such as the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA), the National Association of Chinese Americans (NACA), and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). Outside of her professional role, Tien is a mother of three children and engages actively in her community through volunteer roles including leadership positions with Four Corners Group, PTSA Co-President, and as a Second Saturday Workshop Leader. She is also passionate about drawing, hiking, music, reading, rock climbing, traveling, watching movies, and yoga.

William Norris is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he employs a goal-based wealth management approach to help clients achieve alignment with their financial objectives. He utilizes Merrill’s platform and resources to provide tailored strategies suited to clients’ unique circumstances. Mr. Norris has expertise in areas including estate planning services, investments, tax minimization strategies, wealth transfer, retirement income, and retirement benefits consulting. He holds professional designations as a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He is also registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) and licensed with the State of Georgia Department of Insurance. He earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Florida. Beyond his advisory duties, Mr. Norris spends time working with companies to implement and manage their retirement benefits. He and his wife, Amy, live in Marietta, Georgia, and volunteer as scuba divers at the Georgia Aquarium.