Kevin O'Connor is a Senior Resident Director at Merrill, serving in a dual role as both a Financial Advisor and a leader in the Syracuse local market. He joined Merrill in 1993 and was appointed Resident Director for the Syracuse office in 2004. In his leadership capacity, Kevin provides training and coaching to Financial Advisors and Client Associates while focusing on growing the office through recruitment and development of talent. With more than 30 years of experience, Kevin and his team apply a Goals Based Approach to Wealth Management, emphasizing clear and regular communication to help clients understand and prioritize their financial goals. His expertise spans areas such as college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. Kevin holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Le Moyne College. He earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation from the College for Financial Planning and is a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® (CPFA®) professional. He resides in Syracuse with his wife Michelle and their two sons. Kevin is involved with various boards in the local community and enjoys golf, skiing, and traveling with his family.

Julia Georges is a Financial Solutions Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In her role, she works closely with clients to understand their priorities and develop strategies aimed at achieving their short-, mid-, and long-term financial goals. She provides guidance on a range of financial topics including general investing, retirement planning, and saving for unexpected events, and connects clients with Bank of America specialists for banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Julia holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from the State University of New York System. She emphasizes a client-centered approach, taking time to learn what matters most to each individual and their family in order to create tailored financial strategies. Throughout the relationship, she offers ongoing advice and support as clients' needs evolve.

Samantha Jebbett is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has been part of a team of four advisors since 2015. She specializes in financial planning aimed at helping clients achieve their financial goals throughout their careers and into retirement. Her approach focuses on addressing the complexities of investing with simplicity and transparency, tailoring personalized strategies that consider clients’ unique ambitions and priorities. Samantha’s areas of expertise include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. She collaborates closely with CPAs and attorneys to provide seamless service to her clients. Samantha holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University. Originally from Rochester, NY, Samantha now resides in Fairmount, New York. Outside of her professional responsibilities, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, cooking, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Rose Neill is a Financial Services Advisor (FSA) at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She works with clients to develop strategies aimed at pursuing their financial goals by focusing on what matters most to them and their families. Rose holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation, reflecting her expertise in retirement planning. She earned her High School Diploma from Pinnacle Charter High School.

Stefanie Peters is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. With over 25 years of experience in the financial industry, she focuses on assisting individuals, families, and business owners in growing, protecting, and preserving their wealth through personalized strategies. Her approach emphasizes listening carefully to clients, developing tailored financial plans, and providing ongoing guidance to enable clients to make informed decisions with confidence. Stefanie’s expertise spans concentrated stock strategies, wealth management, portfolio evaluation, estate and financial planning, business succession planning, and retirement planning. Stefanie holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Delaware and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Her client focus areas include education and legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, retirement planning and income, tax minimization, and strategies for women and wealth. She is committed to building strong relationships through accessible, knowledgeable, and experienced service, helping clients navigate critical financial decisions. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Stefanie participates in community service activities, including volunteering with the West Side Campaign Against Hunger. Her personal interests include biking, cooking, dancing, football, golfing, ice hockey, spending time with family, traveling, watching movies, and practicing yoga.

John Colvin is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in Syracuse, NY. He is part of the M C S Group alongside Senior Financial Advisors Bill Maffei and David Schneid, collectively offering over 40 years of experience serving New York State employees, business owners, executives, health care professionals, retirees, and multigenerational households. John provides personalized wealth management strategies to help clients pursue their financial goals, drawing on the resources of Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. His areas of expertise include college education planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and ESG investing, and retirement income. John holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations, underpinning his training and experience in financial planning, income taxation, investments, and estate and retirement planning. John earned his high school diploma from Union Springs High School and an associate's degree from Cayuga Community College. He is a volunteer with the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce. Residing in Auburn, NY, John lives with his wife Leanna, their children Cecilia and Charlie, and their cat Marshawn. He enjoys basketball, football, golfing, music, racquetball, reading, running, spending time with his family, and watching movies, and is a Buffalo Bills season ticket holder.

Mac Mott is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in downtown Chicago. He works with individuals and families to organize and plan for various aspects of their financial lives, focusing on aligning financial strategies with clients’ personal perspectives and priorities. His areas of expertise include divorce transition planning, education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, sports and entertainment finance, tax minimization, and retirement income. Mac holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Dayton and holds professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Mac grew up in Syracuse, New York before attending the University of Dayton. He has lived in Chicago for over three years and considers it home. Outside of work, he enjoys adventure sports, baseball, basketball, chess, football, golfing, pickleball, soccer, spending time with his family, and traveling. His approach centers on helping clients uncover what matters most to them to create strategies that pursue their financial goals.

Gregory Burns is a Senior Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in Syracuse, New York. He began his career with Merrill in 1990 at the New York City, 5th Avenue office. Gregory focuses on wealth management investment and planning strategies, working with individuals and small businesses to help them achieve their financial goals and objectives. His approach centers on a Goals Based strategy, prioritizing clients' financial goals and developing close relationships to deliver personalized service. Gregory’s expertise includes investment management strategies, retirement income planning, estate planning services, wealth transfer, philanthropic giving strategies, and qualified retirement plans. He holds several professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Gregory earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Syracuse University, where he was a member of the 1988, 1989, and 1990 national championship lacrosse teams and was an All-American each year. Outside of his professional activities, Gregory resides in Fayetteville with his wife and three children. He is involved in fundraising and youth sports and enjoys biking, boating, golfing, reading, running, skiing, tennis, and traveling with his family. He and his team were named to the 2026 Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” list for the fourth consecutive year.

Lisa Germain is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she specializes in serving active and retired high-net-worth clients. With expertise in LGBT wealth planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, socially responsible and ESG investing, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income, she develops discretionary investment strategies tailored to individual client needs. Lisa integrates a practical and personalized approach by considering clients' life priorities alongside market factors. Lisa holds a Bachelor’s degree from Alfred University and is credentialed as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She has completed advanced industry training at the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University. Lisa contributes to the Merrill Lynch Women’s Exchange Executive Committee and oversees the Community Mentor Program, supporting professional growth and community engagement. Outside of her professional role, Lisa enjoys adventure sports, boating, golfing, painting, and traveling. She emphasizes the importance of understanding clients’ goals and aspirations to create financial plans that reflect what matters most to them.