Robert Rice

At Pier 42 Advisors, we understand that successful wealth planning is about more than just plugging numbers into a formula and generating a generic plan. Instead, it’s about taking the time to understand your specific needs and the “why” behind your motivations. Our goal is to serve as your trusted partner by working alongside you to incorporate your values, emotions, concerns and motivations into a tailored financial plan to guide your actions. By focusing primarily on building relationships, trust and understanding, we are better able to help you achieve your version of financial success, whatever that may be.

I grew up watching my parents pour everything they had into building small businesses from the ground up. Their work ethic was unmatched. But despite all their success, true financial security always seemed just out of reach. The missing piece? A cohesive plan to tie it all together. That stuck with me. It’s why I chose this path - to help people like my parents turn years of hard work into lasting peace of mind. It’s work that’s deeply meaningful to me, and one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I partner with clients to turn complex financial questions into clear, actionable strategies—especially around retirement timing, income planning, and tax efficiency. The goal isn’t just to create a plan, but to help you make confident decisions at every stage of life. Whether you are mid-career, nearing retirement, or just looking for a clearer path forward, I offer calm, objective guidance to help you move ahead with confidence. I especially enjoy working with Gen X professionals who are feeling the pressure of catching up—and are ready to take action. If you’re motivated to close the gap and build a secure, flexible future, we’re probably a strong fit.

Mary Sanchez is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She works closely with her family members, including her mother, father, and uncle, focusing on serving divorced individuals, business owners, and highly compensated executives. The team operates out of South Florida, including Miami and Marco Island, as well as Wellesley, Massachusetts. The McKee Group, with over 70 years of combined experience, specializes in wealth management services that encompass retirement income planning, college education planning, wealth preservation, tax minimization strategies, risk management, and liability management. Mary and her team employ sophisticated modeling tools to develop financial strategies tailored to the creation, preservation, and transfer of wealth, emphasizing enduring client relationships and comprehensive personal assistance. Mary holds a Bachelor's Degree from Connecticut College and maintains the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. She is an active member of the Junior League of Miami and serves as Co-Chair of the Women Who Make A Difference fundraiser for the organization. Outside of her professional commitments, Mary enjoys biking, boating, golfing, racquetball, scuba diving, skiing, swimming, tennis, yoga, and spending time with her family.

Alec Mc Leod is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in the Hyannis office. He works with clients to develop personalized wealth management strategies that align with their specific financial goals and positions. Alec's approach includes creating flexible financial plans that adapt to changing market conditions and leveraging the investment insights of Merrill alongside the banking and lending services of Bank of America. With four years of experience in the financial services industry at Merrill, Alec specializes in investment portfolios and financial planning. His expertise covers areas such as college education planning, retirement planning, tax minimization strategies, and divorce transition planning. Alec holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Alec graduated from Providence College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics, focusing on Finance. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys fishing, football, hiking, pickleball, racquetball, and spending time with his family.

Robert Santos is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in the Indian Wells office. He began his career with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in March 2020, having previously served as a Wealth Management Banking Specialist within the enterprise. In his current role as a Senior Portfolio Advisor, Robert manages and customizes investment strategies on a discretionary basis, selecting from a range of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management model portfolios and third-party investment strategies. He leverages investment insights from Merrill Lynch alongside banking resources from Bank of America to deliver comprehensive financial services. Robert’s experience includes assisting clients with managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. His approach centers on reviewing clients’ financial situations to provide solutions aligned with their liquidity, income, and growth expectations. He works primarily with active and retired professionals who appreciate direct communication delivered with kindness and an invested interest in their success. Robert earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Washington. Prior to his financial services career, he served seven years in the United States Army. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is fluent in English and Spanish. Outside of work, Robert enjoys basketball, football, hiking, and pickleball.

Timothy J. Willis, CRPC™, serves as a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 1998 and brings over 25 years of experience in business management and finance. Timothy provides clients with personalized wealth management strategies through a structured process that begins with comprehensive financial analysis to align investments with clients' short- and long-term goals. He collaborates with specialists across various fields to offer services including portfolio development, education planning, liability management, retirement planning, tax minimization, and asset preservation. Timothy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Bridgewater State University, where he graduated cum laude. His professional designations include Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Outside of his professional responsibilities, Timothy is involved with the Chatham Conservation Commission. In his personal time, he enjoys adventure sports, camping, cooking, fishing, hiking, music, photography, traveling, and spending time with his wife Josette and their children.