James Baldree

My Financial Background: I am a CFA® Charterholder and CFP® Professional. For over a decade I served in various roles at Morgan Stanley and BNP Paribas in the New York metro area before relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2021 where I was most recently a Vice President at Bank of America. Why I founded PB Wealth: I started PB Wealth to make a real impact in people’s lives, specifically focusing on professionals and families who may have some time before they retire, but they are in their peak decision-making years and need someone that truly invests in and empowers them. Starting my own RIA has given me the flexibility and independence I need to serve clients in their best interest, without compromise. My Mission: I believe a financial advisor should meet you where you are, whether you’re just starting out or whether you’re in your peak earning years, it should not matter. My mission is to help you build a life that is truly meaningful to you and that starts with getting to know who you are and what matters most to you.

For more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside people as a Financial Advisor, helping them navigate life’s big moments and build a secure future. I’m passionate about creating lasting, trust-filled relationships—especially with those who’ve worked hard to grow their wealth and want a partner to protect it. My journey in finance has been shaped by a love for problem-solving and a deep commitment to seeing my clients thrive, both financially and personally. My career has taken me across industries and continents—from banking and management consulting to wealth management and mortgage banking, splitting time between the US and Japan. I graduated from the University of Notre Dame with degrees in Finance and Japanese, which sparked an incredible chapter in Tokyo, where I spent nearly eight years with global financial firms. Eventually, I landed in Charlotte, NC, bringing with me a blend of experiences that still inform how I serve my clients today. As a Certified Financial Planner™, Tax Planning Certified Professional®, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, I’ve gathered extensive tools and perspectives that help me adapt to whatever challenges come our way. I’ve guided families and individuals through every twist and turn of the economic cycle—including the chaos of the 2008-2009 Financial Crisis. What drives me is a belief that your financial plan should be as unique as you are. I don’t lean on one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, I take an active, hands-on approach to managing portfolios, staying nimble so we can safeguard what you’ve built and seize opportunities as they arise. I’ve always admired the wisdom of investors like Warren Buffett, who remind us to stay prepared for the unexpected. That’s why I focus on dynamic, personalized strategies to cut through the noise of today’s markets. My goal? To help you feel confident and empowered about your finances, so you can focus on living the life you’ve dreamed of. I’d love to sit down with you, hear your story, and explore how we can work together to make your goals a reality. Let’s build something meaningful, step by step.

What are the roles in your life that are most important to you? The top three for me are Christian, spouse and parent. The other roles that I’m spending more time in are beach hanger outer (technical term), drummer, basketball coach, concert/live theatre goer, bourbon taster and national park attender. The top three roles require intentionality to do them well. All the other roles require planning. These are all things that I’m not waiting for retirement to do. I’m doing them now and I’m spending more time in them with each year that goes by. At Silvis Financial, we want to help you focus on the most important roles in your life along with the other roles in your life that you love to do. We want to come along side you as your guide to help you navigate the financial decisions that need to be made now to help you create the work optional lifestyle that you’ve been envisioning. As for me, I’m from St. Louis, MO. Die hard St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. I majored in Economics at Vanderbilt University and played basketball there as well. I had a taste of professional basketball overseas before I settled into my career in financial services back in the late 90’s. Now it’s all about doing life with my wife and two kids. The roles listed above give a pretty good description of what I like to do when I’m not engaged in the business. Check out our website to learn more about our planning process or to set up a free consultation. I look forward to connecting with you soon!

Bryan Haney is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been in the financial services industry since 2004 and joined Merrill Lynch in 2013. Bryan holds a Bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University, where he completed a double major in Finance and Banking as well as Risk Management and Insurance. His expertise includes wealth management strategies for clients and businesses, with a focus on tax-efficient approaches. Bryan holds professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He is active in his church community, serving on multiple committees, and resides in Charlotte with his wife Katie and their two children, Carter and Madison. In his spare time, he enjoys family activities and playing golf.

Andrew Surla is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with professionals, families, and business owners to develop personalized financial strategies focused on education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, retirement planning, portfolio management, small business strategies, and tax minimization. Andrew’s approach involves understanding clients’ unique goals, risk tolerance, and values to create tailored roadmaps aimed at achieving financial confidence and long-term success. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and holds professional designations including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Andrew is also involved with several professional organizations such as Bank of America Employee Networks, Charlotte Coffee Club, Kingdom Kickbacks, and Mercy Church. His community involvement includes participation in programs like the ADP Peer Mentor Program, Beds for Kids, Better Money Habits, and Habitat for Humanity. Outside of his professional work, Andrew’s personal interests include baseball, dancing, football, hiking, pickleball, reading, running, spending time with his family, traveling, and watching movies.

Jasmine Sehgal is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in serving business owners and executives within the Asian Indian community. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2016, she has developed expertise in creating personalized wealth management strategies tailored to the unique needs of her clients. With over a decade of experience in the financial services industry, Jasmine focuses on comprehensive financial planning that encompasses estate guidance, insurance planning, wealth transfer, tax minimization strategies, and liquidity management. Her client services include corporate executive services, employee benefits planning, executive compensation, international wealth management, portfolio management, and small business strategies. Jasmine holds a Bachelor's Degree from Amity University and a Master's Degree from the University of Glasgow. She is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, she is active in several professional organizations including the Charlotte Latin American Chambers, Charlotte Indian American Business Owners, Charlotte Indian Professionals, E-WOMEN, and NABOW. Outside of her professional work, Jasmine enjoys dancing, interior decorating, singing, traveling, and practicing yoga.