Scot Benefiel joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1988 and has worked in the Phoenix area his entire career serving a limited number of high net worth Wealth Creators and their families.  He founded a multi-generational team, The Benefiel Group, which delivers highly customized wealth management strategies to help meet the unique and complex needs of their clients.  The Benefiel Group’s focus is to be the single, reliable source for their client’s financial needs which include portfolio development, pre and post transaction advice for business owners, estate planning strategies, family legacy planning, and structured credit through the Bank of America for all financing needs.

Scot graduated Indiana University in 1982 with a B.S. in Accounting. He started his career at Price Waterhouse Phoenix then became the Director of Finance at Markland Properties. He was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from 1984-1988 before moving on to Merrill in 1988.  Scot and his wife Mary have been active in the Phoenix community for the last 40 years.  Scot was a member of the Executive Council of the Phoenix Boys and Girls Clubs, is on an Advisory Board of the Hoyt Foundation, and has coached high school basketball in Scottsdale for many years.  Scot enjoys spending time with his wife Mary, their two children, and four grandchildren.

*Scot does not provide tax advice in his current role with Merrill.

Matthew Benefiel joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2017 as a Financial Advisor for the Benefiel Group. He works with families, individuals, and businesses to develop customized wealth management strategies.  Matt has a particular focus in portfolio design, manager selection, investment due diligence, and performance evaluation. He uses a disciplined process to build custom portfolios to help meet client’s objectives and evaluates investments on a regular basis to respond to changing client needs and market conditions.  He utilizes Merrill Personal Wealth Analysis® to create personalized financial plans for clients to set a clear path forward and track progress toward goals.

Matt holds a B.S. in Actuarial Science from Biola University and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. Matt and his wife Heather live in Phoenix, Arizona with their daughter Ruby. Matt enjoys playing golf and rooting for the Phoenix Suns.

Madeline Bair has been with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management since 2014. Madeline provides clients with high-touch and personalized service, focusing on problem resolution and coordinating the team’s efforts to help clients meet their unique and complex goals. Madeline leverages her long-standing client relationships and extensive understanding of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Bank of America’s banking capabilities to identify opportunities for clients to help meet their short and long term objectives.

Madeline joined Merrill after working for an independent broker dealer in Santa Monica, California for 3 years. She graduated from Arizona State University and holds her Series 7, Series 63, and Series 65 FINRA registrations. She grew up and currently resides in Central Phoenix with her husband Zach and daughter River.