Profile

Shaun grew up in a hard-working middle-class family, and he particularly enjoys guiding clients as they reach for the wealth management goals that are most important to them. Since joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2005, he has worked extensively with retired and soon-to-retire clients. This experience has given him insights into the financial concerns that are most important to retirees. He is often asked to share his knowledge with other Merrill financial advisors and was named to Forbes’ "America’s Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list in 2018(Published on July 25, 2018. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2018)* and Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022(Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year)**.

Shaun is a qualified Portfolio Manager who, in addition to providing traditional advice and guidance, can help clients pursue their objectives by building and managing his own personalized or defined strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. When servicing clients through the Firm’s Investment Advisory Program, a Portfolio Manager may manage his strategies on a discretionary basis. Shaun holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® certification awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. as well as the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™, CRPC™ designation.

In 2022 Shaun moved into the Resident Director role. In addition to the supervision involved in the role, Shaun enjoys using his experience to lead advisors and associates here in Birmingham.

Volunteering is an important part of Shaun’s life. He served on the board of directors for Easter Seals of Alabama, coaches youth sports, and is active in several ministries of his church. Shaun is also a member of the Merrill Lynch Christian Focus Group. He lives in Hoover, Alabama, with his wife, Ashley, and their son, Owen.

Education:
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Bachelor’s degree, Social and Behavioral Sciences


*Source: The Forbes “Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list, published on July 25, 2018. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2018.

Forbes’ “Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list was developed by SHOOK Research. Advisors considered for this ranking were born in 1980 or later with a minimum of four years of relevant experience; advisors have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person interviews, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criteria because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not representative nor indicative of any one client’s experience, future performance or investment outcome. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. Forbes is a trademark of Forbes Media LLC. All rights reserved.

*Source: The Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list, published annually Jan - April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual, and telephone due diligence meetings to measure best practices; also considered are: client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

    Where do we begin? It starts with you.

    At Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, your financial advisor focuses on the things you care about most- family, goals and priorities - even as they change over the years.

    Understanding Your Life

    Welcome

    Making their wealth last through retirement – and beyond – is a primary concern for most of my clients. I help them manage their investments for today and the years to come, with strategies designed to preserve assets from unnecessary risk while providing needed growth. My aim is to help clients generate income while preserving principle for the next generation.   

    More than half of my clients are active and retired employees of a large regional utility, and I am deeply familiar with the company’s retirement plan benefits. I also have a broad knowledge of retirement income planning and stock options strategies to help mid-level and senior executives of other large corporations make the most of their company benefit plans.      

    I believe in a diligent, careful and active approach to investing that can be adjusted to meet each client’s evolving needs. I look forward to addressing your unique financial situation with strategies that even the wealthiest investors have come to expect from a seasoned, driven Merrill advisor.

    Philosophy

    I believe the best financial approach is the one that helps you pursue your goals. That's why, from the start, we talk about your aspirations and encourage you to ask questions about issues that matter most to you. Worried about managing future health care expenses? College on the horizon? Considering the sale of a business or purchase of a home? Preparing to pass your wealth to future generations? With access to the investment insights of Merrill and the banking convenience of Bank of America, I will work with you to develop an approach designed to help address your financial needs.

    Capabilities

    We believe that to feel good about your finances, you need to know exactly where you are, where you want to go, and how much you may need to get there. I work with you to develop a customized financial approach, drawing on the best thinking of our firm, to help you with your financial future. I will make it clear what you’re paying for and what you’re getting. As your life needs and market conditions change, we can meet to help make sure you’re on track in pursuing your goals and to adjust your approach as needed for the journey ahead.

    Approach

    I begin every relationship with a conversation, helping you identify and prioritize which goals matter most to you. Whether it's transferring wealth to the next generation, customizing your financial approach to help you pursue your passions, or providing advice and guidance to help you stay informed, I start by listening to learn more about you and your family.

    Drawing upon research in the field of behavioral finance, Merrill developed the Investment Personality Assessment to help me get to know you better as an investor and help you refine your investing preferences. Together, I can help customize your investment approach. Using an understanding of your priorities and investment personality as a foundation, I help you access the full breadth of resources from Bank of America’s banking products and services and Merrill’s investment insights to address all aspects of your financial life.

    Your approach to investing

    Drawing upon research in the field of behavioral finance, Merrill developed the Investment Personality Assessment to help us get to know you better as an investor and potentially help you refine your own investing preferences. By gaining a deeper understanding of how you think and feel about investing through this assessment, we can customize the financial approach we develop together to help you pursue what matters most to you. Our Investment Personality Assessment is one of the ways to help us get to know you - to understand your goals and priorities. These questions will help us provide you with additional insights and resources.

    Understanding your goals and priorities

    Your life and goals change. We have tools to help you keep track of these changes so they can be reflected in your financial approach.

    Staying on Track

    We understand that both your life and the financial markets can change over time. By checking in to discuss changes in your life and revisiting your financial approach, our goal is to help you stay on track to achieve what's most important to you.



    Reviews to help you
    stay on track

    We’ll meet with you to review your goals and the progress you’ve made toward reaching them. We’ll also discuss any adjustments needed to your financial approach to help you stay on course.



      Changes in your life
      and to your goals

      Your life and goals change. As these changes occur, we can update your approach to reflect them.

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        Helping you reach your goals starts with getting to know you personally. Through understanding what matters most to you, together I can help you create a financial approach that reflects your personality. Only then can I offer an approach that is built around your life priorities and the advice you need to help you address fluctuations in the market and changes in your life. Let’s work together to help you achieve your goals.

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        Working with a dedicated Merrill advisor means you get personalized investment strategies from Merrill plus access to comprehensive financial solutions only Bank of America can deliver.

        Personalized advice from a dedicated financial advisor.

        We get to know you and your family, your financial situation and what matters most to you.

        A comprehensive approach, built around your life’s priorities.

        Drawing from our experience and the best thinking of Merrill, together we will design an approach that reflects your unique needs, priorities and financial situation.

        Adjusting your investment approach as your life and the markets change.

        We will work to help you stay on track, regardless of what the markets are doing.