James Krakowski is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. With more than 20 years of experience in financial services, he brings extensive expertise in family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, portfolio management, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income planning. His approach centers on understanding clients' values and goals through personalized conversations, ensuring tailored strategies that support their financial and life priorities. Throughout his career, James has worked closely with business owners and real estate investors, leveraging his knowledge to develop wealth plans that consider the impact of closely-held companies on clients' balance sheets. He collaborates with teams across Commercial Banking, Private Banking, and Wealth Planning to provide comprehensive solutions, including M&A advisory and customized financing strategies for direct real estate investing. Prior to his current role, he served as a Wealth Management Private Banker with Wells Fargo Private Bank. James earned his degree from Montclair State University and holds professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). Outside of work, he enjoys baseball, basketball, chess, football, golfing, running, and spending time with his family.

Joann Polis is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has worked since 2001. She collaborates closely with colleagues to develop and implement investment strategies for clients, focusing on personalized wealth planning to help individuals achieve their financial goals. Joann’s expertise areas include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, and retirement income. She holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Master’s Degree from Monmouth University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Gettysburg College. Residing in Middletown, New Jersey, Joann balances her professional career with family life alongside her husband and three daughters. She is committed to community involvement and volunteers her time whenever possible. In her leisure time, she enjoys boating, dancing, practicing yoga, and spending time with family and friends.

Fred Peters is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He applies Merrill’s Goals-Based Wealth Management process to help clients pursue meaningful financial objectives by prioritizing clear decision-making and transparency. Fred serves a diverse clientele including business owners, entrepreneurs, retirees, senior citizens, and families with special needs members, developing tailored strategies for short- and long-term financial goals. With over sixteen years of management experience prior to joining Merrill Lynch in 2016, Fred leverages his expertise to address complex financial challenges such as special needs planning, retirement income, philanthropic planning, and personal retirement planning. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and is pursuing an MBA at Georgian Court University. Fred’s professional designations include Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Fred is active in his community, serving on boards for the Brick Township Chamber of Commerce, Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce, and Ocean County Family Service Organization, as well as participating with the Brick Township Morning Rotary Club. Outside of work, he enjoys chess, football, music, racquetball, running marathons, spending time with his family, and watching movies. As a military parent, he supports armed forces deployments with personal dedication.

Zachariah Ivins is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in financial services. He operates a client-first practice structured similarly to a private family office, providing services such as investment management, estate and trust coordination, business succession strategies, and comprehensive financial guidance tailored to clients’ lives. Serving clients primarily in Monmouth County, NJ, New York City, and across much of the United States and its territories, Zachariah focuses on areas including family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, LGBT wealth planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, small business strategies, special needs planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Holding the designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), Zachariah is committed to understanding what matters most to his clients by asking thoughtful questions and carefully listening. He aims to design and implement customized wealth management approaches that help clients and their families pursue personal financial goals while managing investment risk. Zachariah’s educational background includes a high school diploma from Shore Regional High School. Outside of his professional work, Zachariah enjoys antiquing, boating, cooking, fishing, music, spending time with family, tennis, and traveling.

Anthony Caldarise is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in comprehensive wealth management and financial planning. He works closely with clients to address a range of needs including divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, retirement income, portfolio management, and small business strategies. Leveraging the resources of Merrill and Bank of America, Anthony provides disciplined and innovative financial solutions tailored to each client’s unique circumstances. With extensive experience and a commitment to personalized service, Anthony emphasizes building strong client relationships founded on listening and understanding what matters most to each individual. His approach supports clients preparing for major life events such as retirement or education funding, as well as securing their financial future with long-term care and insurance solutions. He holds professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Anthony is a lifelong resident of Ocean County, New Jersey, where he lives with his family. He is actively involved in his community through organizations such as the Rotary Club of Point Pleasant Beach, Hope Sheds Light, and the Sons of the American Legion. Outside of his professional work, Anthony enjoys dancing, golfing, and spending time with his family. He earned his Associate’s Degree at Ocean County College, graduating with honors in Business with a focus on finance, and holds a High School Diploma from Monsignor Donovan High School.

Frank Fallon is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 16 years of experience in wealth management. He specializes in helping families build and protect their wealth through personalized strategies tailored to their financial goals. His areas of focus include college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, retirement planning, portfolio management, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. Frank holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and has completed a non-accredited certificate program from The Chubb Institute. He approaches client relationships with prudence, integrity, and commitment, aiming to deliver results that align with each client's unique objectives. Outside of his professional work, Frank enjoys baseball, basketball, boating, boxing, chess, cooking, football, hiking, music, and spending time with his family.

Sean Flaherty is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a 28-year veteran of the firm. He focuses on providing individually tailored investment management, tax minimization strategies, estate planning, and wealth preservation for affluent clients. Sean develops personalized financial strategies using Merrill Lynch’s global resources and works closely with specialists and clients' other advisors to meet complex wealth management needs. Sean holds a Bachelor's Degree from Lynn University and is a graduate of the Merrill Financial Advisor's Program at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designation. Sean is involved with multiple cancer and heart disease charities and maintains an active lifestyle that includes golf, tennis, surfing, and coaching youth sports. He is a cancer survivor and supports medical institutions that contributed to his recovery.

Daniel Stizza is Senior Resident Director at Merrill’s Toms River Branch and a Wealth Management Advisor. He leads the Stizza Clawson Group, which provides affluent individuals and corporations with tax-sensitive investment guidance tailored to support clients’ lifestyles, retirement income needs, and legacy objectives. His approach centers on creating personalized financial strategies designed to help clients pursue their long-term goals while feeling comfortable throughout the process. Daniel holds a Bachelor’s degree from The College of New Jersey and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, as well as a CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He serves on the board of the RWJ Monmouth Medical Southern Campus Charitable Foundation and is actively involved in community organizations, including the Make a Wish Foundation, Point Pleasant Beach Little League, and the Point Pleasant Beach Recreation Committee. Residing in Point Pleasant Beach with his wife and two children, Daniel is engaged in local activities such as coaching his son’s little league team. Outside of work, he enjoys baseball, boating, boxing, reading, and running. He and his family embrace community service and giving back, which is reflected in their personal and professional commitments.

Gary Clawson is a Senior Financial Advisor and Vice President affiliated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in the Toms River office. He leads the Stizza Clawson Group, which focuses on providing a comprehensive advisory experience tailored to affluent individuals and corporations. His team emphasizes thoughtful, tax-sensitive investment guidance designed to support clients’ lifestyles, retirement income needs, and legacy objectives through a disciplined, transparent process. Gary’s expertise spans multiple client focus areas including college education planning, family wealth management strategies, employee financial health, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, socially responsible and values-based investing, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. Gary earned both his bachelor’s degree and MBA in Strategic Management from Rutgers University and the Rutgers Graduate School of Management. Raised in Ocean County near the shore, Gary currently resides in Old Bridge with his wife, Tracey, and their two children. He is passionate about education, helping others, and financial planning. Outside of his professional role, Gary enjoys outdoor activities, exercise, and spending time with his family.

Bryan Perry is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of The Payne Perry Group. He specializes in serving high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, focusing on areas such as executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, retirement and legacy planning, philanthropic planning, and investment strategy. Bryan’s practice emphasizes advanced tax mitigation, trust and estate planning services, and access to alternative investment opportunities tailored for entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Bryan began his career in financial planning in 1997 and joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2001, becoming part of The Payne Perry Group in 2003. He holds several professional designations including Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Bryan earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Bloomsburg University and a Master's degree in Taxation from Villanova University School of Law. Residing in Sea Girt with his wife and two daughters, Bryan is actively involved in his community. He serves on the Sea Girt Borough Council and has previously served on the Sea Girt Elementary School Board of Education. Bryan has also coached basketball and softball teams and participates in local youth sports programs. His personal interests include football, golfing, hiking, running, tennis, and traveling.