I began investing with my first mutual fund purchase in 1983. I've continued studying investments and financial planning ever since, becoming a member of the American Association of Individual Investors in 1984. I earned the Associate of Science in Electronics, from Gavilan College in 1986, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (cum laude) at Chapman University in 1995, Master of Business Administration at Columbia College of Missouri in 2002. I completed Boston University’s Online Program for Financial Planners in 2006, and most recently earned the Master of Science in Finance & Economics at West Texas A&M University in 2024. I began formally helping others reach their financial goals in 1991, as the Command Financial Specialist aboard USS Dixon (AS 37), as part of the US Navy’s then-new Personal Financial Management program. I served in the same position at Afloat Training Group in Yokosuka, Japan. After completing a Navy career, I worked at Bank of America, first in Northwest Dealer Banking, and was soon promoted to Investment Specialist in Retirement Services. I enjoy helping others apply principles of financial management to their personal situations and teach courses in: Personal Financial Planning; Business Finance; Principles of Real Estate; Investments; and Micro and Macro Economics for Columbia College in Oak Harbor and Marysville. I also taught Personal Finance & Investments for Skagit Valley College from 2004 through 2016. Penn Cove Financial, LLC was established in 2005 and began offering Financial Planning & Investment Management services to the public in March 2006.

William Norris is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he employs a goal-based wealth management approach to help clients achieve alignment with their financial objectives. He utilizes Merrill’s platform and resources to provide tailored strategies suited to clients’ unique circumstances. Mr. Norris has expertise in areas including estate planning services, investments, tax minimization strategies, wealth transfer, retirement income, and retirement benefits consulting. He holds professional designations as a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He is also registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) and licensed with the State of Georgia Department of Insurance. He earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Florida. Beyond his advisory duties, Mr. Norris spends time working with companies to implement and manage their retirement benefits. He and his wife, Amy, live in Marietta, Georgia, and volunteer as scuba divers at the Georgia Aquarium.