I help small business owners & pre-retirees navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. My goal is to provide comprehensive, personalized guidance that empowers clients to make smart choices around taxes, retirement, investments, charitable giving, estate planning, and business transitions. My approach is fee-only and education-driven. Clients can work with me through a transparent subscription-based planning model or, when appropriate, traditional investment management. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions—my work is tailored to each client’s income, assets, and life goals. I specialize in helping clients who are in major financial transitions, such as preparing for retirement within 10 years, selling a business, or managing complex taxable accounts. I also work with high-income DIY investors and first-generation wealth builders who want objective advice without the conflicts of interest that come with traditional asset management. What sets me apart is my ability to combine technical expertise with behavioral insight. I help clients uncover the underlying habits and beliefs that may be holding them back, then design strategies to optimize lifetime taxes, plan charitable giving, implement Roth conversion strategies, and build comprehensive estate plans from scratch. I enjoy working with clients who value clarity, long-term planning, and a collaborative partnership. My goal is not to sell products but to provide actionable guidance that gives clients confidence in their financial decisions today and peace of mind for the future. Whether you are a solopreneur, business owner, educator, or high-earning professional, I tailor my services to meet your unique needs and help you achieve financial goals on your terms.

Christopher Holloway is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he focuses on helping clients develop personalized financial plans that address individual goals such as funding education, planning for retirement, and managing long-term family objectives. He aims to provide clarity and transparency in wealth planning and investment management. Christopher holds a Bachelor's Degree from Salve Regina University and has earned professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His expertise encompasses portfolio advisory and senior financial advisory responsibilities. He is actively involved in his community and professional organizations, serving on advisory boards such as Catholic Charities of SE CT and Junior Achievement of CT, as well as youth sports boards including East Lyme Babe Ruth Baseball and Old Lyme Little League Baseball. Christopher also contributes as a manager and coach in youth baseball and soccer and volunteers with organizations such as the Salvation Army and the Lyman Allyn Museum.

Santino Funaro is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in the Mystic, Connecticut office. He began his tenure with Merrill Lynch in 2022, bringing four years of experience in the financial services industry from East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Santino specializes in working with families and businesses to develop tailored financial plans that focus on retirement planning, college education planning, and family wealth management strategies. He collaborates closely with clients' accountants, other advisors, and attorneys to coordinate comprehensive financial planning. Santino holds a Bachelor's Degree from Roger Williams University and is a member of professional organizations including Beta Alpha Psi and Beta Gamma Sigma. He also holds the designations of CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional work, Santino enjoys an active and healthy lifestyle, engaging in activities such as basketball, boxing, hiking, and interior decorating. He values spending time with his family and has interests that include music, traveling, watching movies, and writing.

Joseph Mariani serves as a Senior Resident Director and Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in capital preservation and growth strategies, including wealth management services, asset allocation, investment selection, options and hedging, and income tax minimization for individuals and business owners. He also focuses on asset management by utilizing top managers globally. His client focus areas include divorce transition planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and small business strategies. Joe graduated from Providence College in 1989 with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. He began his career as a Naval Aviator, flying two different carrier-based aircraft before transitioning to Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In 2007, he earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation, and he also holds the CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC) credentials. He has been named to the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list multiple times from 2019 through 2025 and is a member of the McBride Mariani Group, which was recognized on the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list. Joe is involved in his community through participation in organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion. He volunteers with the Waterford American Legion Baseball and serves on the Mitchell College Board of Trustees. He resides in Waterford, Connecticut with his wife, Gwen, and their two sons, Joe and Nicholas. His personal interests include baseball, cooking, and skiing.

Nishant Sahoo is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his financial services career in 2014 and employs a goals-based approach to assist clients in managing their wealth. Nishant focuses on creating comprehensive wealth management strategies tailored to individual needs by actively listening and collaborating with clients, including families and small businesses, to define and implement both short- and long-term objectives. Nishant’s areas of expertise include divorce transition planning, equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, legacy and philanthropic planning, personal retirement planning, and portfolio management services. He holds a bachelor's degree in Finance and Economics from Fordham University and has earned multiple professional designations, including Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). In addition to his professional work, Nishant is actively involved in his community. He serves as Vice President and EMT for the Stonington Volunteer Ambulance Corps and participates in several local organizations such as the City of Groton Economic Development Commission, the Mystic Lions Club, and the Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition. His personal interests include biking, cooking, running, and spending time with his family.

Wayne Devoe is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been serving clients and their families since 1988, bringing over 30 years of experience to his role. Wayne assists clients in building wealth management strategies tailored to their individual needs, with a focus on comprehensive planning through attentive listening and informed decision-making. His areas of expertise include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, and advising women on wealth issues. Wayne holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from the University of Hartford. He has earned professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Wayne resides in Old Saybrook with his wife, Patty, and is a father to three grown children. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys biking, hiking, and swimming.

Derek Pirruccello is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2007 and is part of the Holloway Pirruccello Group. Derek holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and additional credentials including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). With over 15 years of experience, Derek focuses on a range of client needs including executive compensation, equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, retirement planning, philanthropic planning, socially responsible and ESG investing, and portfolio management. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and served as Past President of the Estate and Tax Planning Council of Eastern Connecticut. Derek has also contributed to his community as a board member and officer of the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut from 2014 to 2024, including serving as board chairman from 2021 to 2022. Derek earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music (magna cum laude) from the University of North Texas. Outside of his professional role, he enjoys golfing, hiking, music, reading, skiing, and spending time with his family. Derek and his wife Laura live in Waterford, Connecticut with their two children and are active in their local parish church.

Seth Panucci is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of Noonan, Gilmore, Panucci & Associates, where he collaborates with a team of five financial professionals. Together, they serve affluent and high-net-worth individuals and families across the United States. Seth works closely with clients to develop strategies focused on achieving both their short-term and long-term financial goals through retirement and wealth planning, investment guidance, risk management, and wealth transfer strategies. Since joining the group in 2014, Seth has specialized in risk-managed investing and guiding clients through significant life transitions with financial impact, such as promotions, job changes, divorce, disability, retirement, inheritance, and liquidity events. He holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation sponsored by the Investments & Wealth Institute™ at the Wharton School and is also a qualified Portfolio Manager. Seth earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut. Outside of work, he serves on the boards of the Noank Community Support Services Group and the Mystic Lions Club and enjoys boating, fishing, golfing, ice hockey, and spending time with his family.

Nicholas Prunier is Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2023. He has been with Fidelity Investments since 2014, progressing through several positions including Financial Consultant, Investment Consultant, Relationship Manager, Financial Representative, and High Net Worth Associate. In his current role, Nicholas partners with clients and their families to develop holistic financial plans tailored to their individual goals. He emphasizes collaboration, candor, and respect to help clients prepare for financial uncertainties and achieve peace of mind regarding their financial futures.