Eric Chu is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he serves as a senior partner of Nan/Chu & Associates. In this role, he collaborates with a team of financial professionals to provide banking solutions and investment advisory services. He works closely with clients to develop personalized financial strategies tailored to their long-term goals, focusing on areas such as college education planning, family wealth management strategies, and legacy planning. Eric holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of California system and completed further education through The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His expertise includes overseeing the management and distribution of family wealth, establishing estate and trust accounts, accessing fiduciary agency advisory services, and developing tax-sensitive wealth management and trust tax preparation strategies. Outside of his professional duties, Eric participates in community organizations including Merced Sunrise Rotary and the University Friend's Circle. His personal interests include chess, golfing, and skiing. Fluent in English and Chinese, he engages with clients and community members across diverse backgrounds.

Jairo Servin is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in helping individuals, business owners, and families develop strategies to achieve their financial goals. He focuses on areas including college education planning, corporate executive services, employee benefits planning, equity compensation services, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, sports and entertainment, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Raised in Salinas, California, Jairo moved to the Bay Area in 2008 and is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. His background as a student athlete has instilled dedication and discipline, qualities he applies in his financial planning career. Since beginning his work in the financial sector in 2019 at Northwestern, Jairo has developed a commitment to connecting with clients and serving as a resource to help them obtain their financial objectives. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC) designation, is Series 7 and 66 FINRA registered, and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Jairo is bilingual in English and Spanish. In addition to his professional work, Jairo volunteers as a wrestling coach at local high schools. He lives in Belmont with his dog Belfi and enjoys activities such as working out, running, football, hiking, attending concerts, dining out, and walking on the beach.

Gorgees Benyamein is a Financial Solutions Advisor at Merrill, where he works closely with clients to develop personalized investment strategies aligned with their financial goals. He provides investing advice and facilitates access to banking and lending services through Bank of America. He holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Gorgees earned his Bachelor's Degree from California State University Stanislaus. Gorgees emphasizes understanding what matters most to clients and their families to help craft strategies aimed at pursuing their financial objectives.

Leonard Jalli is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Modesto, California. He co-founded the Jalli/Seibold Group alongside his partner, Judy Seibold, leading a team supported by four client associates. The group provides wealth management services to high-net-worth families, pensions, trusts, and endowments nationwide. Leonard also offers strategic financial guidance to Fortune 500 quick service restaurant owners and operators, utilizing resources from Merrill Lynch and Bank of America to assist with credit solutions, cash management, retirement planning, and exit strategies. Beginning his financial services career at Merrill in 1993, Leonard formed a team with his father in 1998 and has since developed a consultative approach that integrates all aspects of clients’ financial lives. With their permission, he collaborates with other trusted advisors, such as CPAs and attorneys, to deliver coordinated strategies. Leonard focuses on accountability and proactiveness in all market cycles, emphasizing disciplined long-term planning to mitigate emotionally driven decisions. Leonard earned a Bachelor’s degree in business from California State University, Sacramento. He holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designations. Residing in Modesto with his wife, Michele, and their fraternal twins, he maintains an active lifestyle through cycling and skiing. Leonard is a longtime Rotarian with the Downtown Modesto Rotary Club and has served three terms as chair of the United Way of Stanislaus County. He also supports the American Heart Association.

Jovanna Mukaddes is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Since joining Merrill in 2005, she has focused on understanding the unique needs of high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses. Jovanna offers personalized attention and develops disciplined, customized financial strategies that address a broad range of goals including asset allocation, education funding, retirement planning, tax minimization, and estate planning. She leverages the investment insights of Merrill alongside the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America to provide comprehensive wealth management services. Jovanna’s client expertise includes family wealth management, services for endowments, foundations and non-profits, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, small business strategies, socially responsible and ESG investing, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income planning. She emphasizes a collaborative approach that focuses on understanding clients’ life priorities and designing flexible strategies aligned with their goals and aspirations. Jovanna applies a disciplined, emotion-aware methodology especially suited to navigating uncertain market conditions, aiming to create opportunities for favorable financial outcomes. She holds a bachelor's degree from Stanislaus State University and has earned professional designations including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Jovanna is actively involved in her community, volunteering with organizations such as United Way, and participates in professional groups like United Way Power of the Purse and the Professional Women's Group. Outside of work, she enjoys activities including billiards, bowling, dancing, fishing, hiking, music, reading, soccer, swimming, and spending time with her family.

Michael Joseph is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of the Special Needs Team. Based in Modesto, he serves clients in the Greater Sacramento area and throughout Northern California. Michael applies over 10 years of experience to provide individualized financial guidance, working closely with business owners, professional fiduciaries, trust attorneys, and non-profit organizations to help them navigate complex financial landscapes and pursue their long-term goals. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) certification and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Michael earned a Bachelor's degree with a double concentration in operations and finance from California State University, Stanislaus. His expertise includes retirement planning, portfolio management, special needs planning strategies, services for endowments and non-profits, and retirement income planning. Michael and his team were recognized on Forbes' "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list for 2023 and 2024. Outside of his professional role, Michael is involved with local community organizations, including his local church and the Salvation Army. He enjoys boating, camping, golfing, and skiing, and values balancing his career with personal interests and family life.

Kristie Brown is a Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor with the Special Needs Team at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In her role, she functions similarly to a chief operating officer, managing a diverse set of responsibilities that include overseeing daily team operations, marketing, hiring, training, trading operations, business process improvements, and mentoring. Her focus is on enabling her team to deliver a unified client experience dedicated to the long-term financial well-being of individuals with special needs and their caregivers. Kristie collaborates closely with other special-needs professionals and family members to provide tailored financial advice and guidance. Kristie began her career at Merrill Lynch as an intern in 2011, joining the Special Needs Team full-time the following year, and has since taken on increasing responsibilities within the team. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from California State University – Stanislaus and maintains the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Kristie's experience includes legacy planning, liquidity management, new wealth management, portfolio management services, special needs planning strategies, and women and wealth. Outside of her professional life, Kristie lives in Escalon, California, with her husband, Ryan, their two sons, Karson and Nolan, and their maltipoo, Bailey. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as outdoor activities such as camping and beach outings.