Eric Gonzales is the Senior Resident Director at Merrill's Napa Office and a Wealth Management Advisor serving client families primarily in Napa, Sonoma, and Solano counties. In his role, he leads more than a dozen advisors, focusing on office culture and community alignment. He is also the founder of the Gonzales Group, which emphasizes measuring wealth by how well it satisfies clients' priorities for themselves and their loved ones. Mr. Gonzales serves a diverse clientele including active and retired wine industry executives, business owners, and multiple generations of families. His approach incorporates Modern Portfolio Theory to mitigate investment risk and addresses common client concerns such as outliving assets, cash flow optimization, and Social Security strategies. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California. Beyond his professional responsibilities, Eric Gonzales is involved in community organizations including serving as a board member for Community Action of Napa Valley and contributing to various programs at Justin-Siena High School, such as creating and sponsoring a Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship Program. He has also held board and executive positions at educational institutions in the region. His personal interests include basketball, football, music, and spending time with his family.