Neil Palka is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He collaborates with clients to develop and implement personalized financial strategies tailored to their long-term goals. Neil’s approach involves understanding each client’s full financial picture and adapting plans over time to reflect changes in their needs and objectives. He provides expertise across wealth creation, preservation, and transfer, assisting clients through various life stages. Neil’s client focus areas include divorce transition planning, employee benefits planning, executive compensation, services for endowments, foundations and non-profits, defined benefit plans, employee financial health, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, small business strategies, and retirement income. He holds professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Neil earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, in addition to his high school diploma from Cocoa Beach High School. He is involved in community mentoring as a mentor for first-generation college students and provides financial literacy training for University of Florida student athletes. Additionally, he participates in the Gator Family Giving Council. Outside of work, Neil enjoys boating, fishing, running, swimming, traveling, volleyball, and spending time with his family.

Charles Baker is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of the Baker duBois Group in Gainesville, Florida. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 1996, bringing extensive experience in advising clients on family wealth management, legacy planning, philanthropic planning, retirement income, and socially responsible investing. Charles is a qualified Portfolio Manager, capable of creating and managing personalized investment strategies that may include individual stocks, bonds, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party strategies, some of which may be managed on a discretionary basis through the firm's Investment Advisory Program. Before entering the financial advisory field, Charles served nine years as a Supply Officer in the U.S. Navy with tours aboard a ship, a submarine, and with a Navy SEAL team. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture from the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a Master of Business Administration from Old Dominion University while serving as a Naval Officer. Since 2001, he has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certificant, a professional designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Charles is committed to helping clients realize their financial objectives by understanding their priorities and providing disciplined guidance. He also shares his knowledge through client education events and private groups. Outside of his professional work, Charles has diverse interests including billiards, chess, drawing, hiking, music, reading, singing, swimming, table tennis, and woodworking.

Melisa Lemoyne is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She focuses on family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Melisa is committed to developing personalized financial strategies tailored to her clients’ long-term goals. Melisa brings extensive expertise in assisting individuals and families as they prepare for retirement, emphasizing listening to clients’ stories and understanding their concerns. Her approach addresses complex financial issues such as longevity and dementia through comprehensive wealth management plans that integrate retirement income, healthcare, and estate planning services. She holds professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Melisa holds a High School Diploma from Christian Brothers Academy, a Bachelor’s degree from LeMoyne College, and a Master’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany. She is active in the Central New York community, involved with organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter, and the New York State Children’s Alliance, Inc. Outside of work, she enjoys boating, golfing, reading, skiing, and watching movies.

Startoria Stevens is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of the Davis, Westerburg & Associates team. In this role, she focuses on delivering tailored financial planning that helps individuals and families pursue their unique financial goals, including family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, and retirement income. Stevens holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from the University of Florida and a Master of Science in Health Service Administration from the University of Central Florida. She also holds the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. With a strong foundation in mathematics and financial strategies, she advises clients to navigate their financial journeys with clarity and confidence, supporting them in making informed decisions to build wealth, prepare for retirement, and establish a lasting legacy. A native of Florida, Stevens is connected to her community and participates in various charitable initiatives. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys boating, camping, cooking, football, gardening, gymnastics, swimming, traveling, and spending time with family.

Pablo Vela is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in helping clients streamline their wealth, align investment strategies with long-term objectives, and create lasting financial legacies across generations. His areas of expertise include divorce transition planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, international wealth management, LGBT wealth planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, and individual and corporate investment strategy. Pablo holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of South Florida and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Florida. He is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and is fluent in both English and Spanish. Outside of his professional work, Pablo enjoys billiards, boating, cooking, drawing and sketching, hiking, running, scuba diving, spending time with his family, traveling, and watching movies.

Patrick Foran is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings a unique perspective to financial planning, having graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy and served as a Navigator in the Coast Guard. After his service, Patrick earned a Master of Business Administration from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and a Master of Health Administration from the University of Florida. He has professional experience in transportation, medical devices, and higher education as an MBA Admissions Director. Patrick focuses on building personalized financial plans that align with clients' goals, preferences, and unique situations. His expertise includes family wealth management strategies, employee financial health, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and emphasizes ethical stewardship and ongoing learning in his practice. Beyond his professional role, Patrick is active in his community as a member of several organizations, including the Gator Booster Clubs, Veteran's of Foreign Wars, and the Writer's Alliance of Gainesville. His personal interests include antiquing, baseball, biking, boating, camping, fishing, football, pickleball, running, and writing.