Eric Maldonado, CFP®, MBA, a Fee-Only Financial Planner, is located in San Luis Obispo, CA serving clients both locally and virtually across the US. Aquila Wealth Advisors provides financial planning to help business owners and families build, manage, and protect their assets throughout all seasons of life. Eric Maldonado is a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) Professional. We have a specialty in serving business owners and near-retirees. We help you maximize your income and revenue while aligning finances with your values and goals. We work with you in coordination with your tax, legal, and insurance professionals to customize and implement a plan unique to you, your family, and your business.

Jesus Fernandez is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he works closely with clients to develop personalized strategies aimed at achieving their financial goals. He focuses on various aspects of financial planning, including investing, retirement planning, and managing unexpected expenses. Jesus collaborates with Bank of America specialists to provide clients with comprehensive banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. With a passion for helping individuals and families manage their finances amid competing priorities such as homeownership, education funding, eldercare, and healthcare preparation, Jesus offers ongoing advice and adjusts portfolio strategies to align with clients’ changing needs. He holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix. Fluent in English and Spanish, Jesus is involved in his community as an assistant coach for girls youth softball and enjoys activities including baseball, football, music, softball, volleyball, woodworking, watching movies, and spending time with his family.

Elena Stanley is a Financial Advisor with the Eidell Christian Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from DePaul University. Elena specializes in holistic wealth planning, 401(k) rollovers, inheritance and wealth transfers, alternative investments, women and wealth, retirement planning, and estate planning strategies. Her client focus areas include college education planning, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. She emphasizes understanding client priorities to create personalized financial plans aligned with their goals and aspirations. Outside of her professional work, Elena is involved with organizations such as ECHO and HER STORY, reflecting her commitment to community engagement. Her personal interests include gardening, golfing, music, painting, spending time with family, swimming, watching movies, and yoga.

Iran Zaranda Velazquez is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining the firm in 1991, he has provided wealth management services to a diverse clientele through The Filsouf Cox Wealth Management Group, which serves clients across 25 states. His client base includes successful business owners, oil and gas executives, retirees, affluent women who have experienced divorce or loss of a spouse, and members of the medical community. Mr. Velazquez is a qualified Portfolio Advisor who assists clients in pursuing their investment objectives by recommending strategies from Merrill Lynch Wealth Management or approved third-party investment managers. His services include aligning investment and retirement planning with wealth transfer, education funding, and liability management. He meets clients according to their schedules and often visits their homes, offices, or hospitals to provide tailored support. He earned a bachelor's degree from West Texas AM University and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Fluent in Persian, Polish, and English, Mr. Velazquez is active in community organizations such as March of Dimes, Serra Club, Amarillo Downtown Lions Club, and St. Thomas The Apostle Church. Outside of work, he enjoys chess, football, music, soccer, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Samantha Rodrigues is a Financial Solutions Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In her role, she collaborates closely with clients to identify their financial priorities and develop strategies aimed at achieving their short-, mid-, and long-term goals. She offers guidance on a broad range of financial matters, including investing, retirement planning, and emergency savings, and connects clients with Bank of America specialists for banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Samantha is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Arizona Global Campus. She works one-on-one with clients to define their goals and tailor portfolio strategies accordingly, providing ongoing advice and adjustments as clients’ situations evolve.

Michael Leeder serves as the Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in San Luis Obispo. He holds the positions of Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor, bringing nearly two decades of experience managing the financial affairs of individuals and families in California. Michael joined Merrill Lynch in 2004 following a career in the technology industry. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California and holds professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA). His areas of expertise include college education planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, LGBT wealth planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, socially responsible and values-based investing, tax minimization, and retirement income. Michael is involved with several community organizations such as 805 Lacrosse, Alex's Lemonade Stand, California Central Coast Estate Planning Council, Central Coast Economic Forecast, Jack's Helping Hand, Little Wishes, and the San Luis Obispo Community Foundation. His personal interests include golfing, scuba diving, skiing, and tennis.

Jeff Showers is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Based in the Bakersfield office, he has been with Merrill Lynch since 1984. Jeff helps clients determine long-term financial goals and develop strategies in areas such as education planning, family wealth management, retirement planning, and retirement income. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from San Jose State University and has earned multiple professional designations, including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Jeff is a native of Kern County and is involved in the community as a member of the advisory board for the Bob Elias Athletic Hall of Fame. Outside of his professional work, Jeff enjoys hiking, music, reading, and spending time with his wife, Kym, their two children, and three grandchildren.