Michael Murphy

Cavalot Capital is a fee-only, wealth management firm serving clients nationwide from offices in Truckee and Redding, California. We specialize in working with business owners, multi-income households, and retirees who are looking for a more integrated approach to financial planning. Many of our clients have complex situations that involve multiple income streams, equity compensation, real estate, or retirement transitions, and they value having a single, trusted partner to help bring clarity and coordination. Our services combine financial planning, investment management, and proactive tax strategy under one roof. By bundling these areas together, we help clients reduce friction, avoid costly surprises, and ensure more of what they earn goes towards their life goals and financial objectives. The value we offer is rooted in transparency, responsiveness, and practical guidance. Clients come to us because they want a clear plan for the future that adapts as life changes, and to have a financial expert on retainer to make sense of it all. Our goal is to help each client make better financial decisions, gain back time and peace of mind, and feel confident that their money is aligned with the life they want to live. Damian currently lives around Lake Tahoe, CA and spends most of his down time ski racing and trail running. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Registered Life Planner® & CTEC Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP).

Scott Macdonald is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and the founder of the Special Needs Team. He has focused his career on addressing the financial needs of disabled, special-needs, and elderly individuals, providing wealth planning and investment management for Special Needs Trusts and other court-supervised trusts. Scott and his team collaborate closely with attorneys, caregivers, trustees, fiduciaries, benefits counselors, and other professionals to anticipate and address the near- and long-term needs of their clients. With over thirty years of experience, Scott applies extensive knowledge of the Uniform Prudent Investment Act, various state Probate Codes, and National Guardianship Standards. He uses sophisticated modeling tools and analytics to discern and address cash-flow requirements and quality-of-life parameters for special-needs populations. His approach is collaborative and centered on the well-being of each client. Scott earned his bachelor's degree from the California State University system and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Best-in-State Wealth Advisors for multiple years, including 2020 through 2025. Scott is actively involved in professional and community organizations such as the Rotary Club of Tahoe Incline, Society for disAbilities, and the Tahoe Fire Helicopter Project. He enjoys boating, fishing, hiking, skiing, and spending time with his family.

Ralph Agostini is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management who works primarily with small business owners and entrepreneurs. He focuses on helping clients preserve and grow retirement savings, manage personal and business assets, and establish strong succession plans to ensure financial independence and a secure retirement. His approach begins with a realistic assessment of each client's unique situation, taking into account their life, business, and family circumstances to develop a tailored financial roadmap. Ralph holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree from The City College of New York and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Beyond his professional work, he is a member of the League To Save Lake Tahoe and supports community organizations including the ASPCA and Keep Tahoe Blue. In his personal time, Ralph enjoys antiquing, various sports, hiking, music, reading, skiing, spending time with family, and traveling.

Mary Spence is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She focuses on providing comprehensive financial advice, integrating debt and asset management to help clients achieve their long-term goals. Her expertise includes home and custom lending, risk management involving life insurance and long-term care, as well as liquidity event planning. Mary's client focus areas include college education planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, socially responsible and values-based investing, women and wealth, and tax minimization. She is committed to understanding all aspects of her clients' financial lives to build personalized strategies. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from the University of Richmond. Mary has earned several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). In her personal time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, rock climbing, skiing, traveling, and practicing yoga.

Peter Kong is a Private Wealth Advisor and Managing Director with Merrill Private Wealth Management. He has over 26 years of experience advising wealthy families and individuals, specializing in strategies for entrepreneurs with concentrated equity positions. His expertise includes tax-efficient diversification, asset allocation, and capital preservation. Prior to joining Merrill, Peter practiced corporate tax law and estate planning, worked at Montgomery Securities starting in 1996, and later formed a partnership at Thomas Weisel Partners. He subsequently helped build the high-net-worth presence on the West Coast for Barclays Wealth Americas before joining Merrill as a managing director. Peter holds a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College, graduating Cum Laude in 1989, and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, earned in 1993. He is a member of the California Bar Association and has been recognized by Forbes on their "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list multiple times, including 2019, 2020, and 2023. Outside of his professional career, Peter has competed in domestic and international tennis tournaments and maintains interests in adventure sports, cooking, fishing, golfing, hunting, music, reading, traveling, and watching movies.