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Recognition

Merrill is proud of our advisors who’ve received recognition from financial industry publications or directly from Bank of America Corporation. We believe they are setting the standard for exemplary client service.

Bryan A Krause

Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" 2023
Published on April 4, 2023. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2022.

Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” 2024
Published on January 9, 2024. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023.*

Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" 2022
Published on April 7, 2022.  Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2021.

Joseph P Brooks

Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” 2024
Published on January 12, 2024. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023.*

Meet the Team

Supported by the global resources of Merrill, our team is comprised of talented and experienced individuals committed to building strong client relationships based on trust and personalized service.

Additional Resources

The following specialists do not make securities recommendations. Please contact your Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor if you have questions about how a specialist might be able to assist you.

Christopher Caradec

Wealth Strategies Advisor

Bank of America, N.A.

Alison Guard

Senior Wealth Management Lending Officer

Bank of America, N.A.

NMLS #535296

Sondra Gee

Wealth Management Banking Specialist

Merrill

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

At Dome Krause Brooks Wealth Management, our perspective on wealth management has been shaped by our 125-plus years of financial experience and desire to provide a measure of attention beyond what clients might expect – but certainly deserve.

The way we see things, our value extends well beyond dollars and cents. It’s best measured over time, by the delivery of personalized advice and guidance – centered around a custom financial and investment plan.

With advisors on the team having started in the early 70’s, 80's and 90's, we’ve earned our stripes assisting a largely referred clientele of successful women and men – business owners and corporate executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, attorneys, generations of wealthy families, retired couples and widows. Distinguished by their accomplishments, each are unique in their financial complexities and priorities.

We focus intently and holistically on matters of trust and estate planning, liability management and other critical areas that – when ignored – can significantly disrupt a client’s financial path (even when investments are managed effectively).

As a highly successful and established team that has managed clients’ money and emotion amid the volatility of 1987, 2000, 2008 and 2020, we are proud that virtually all of those clients remain with us today. We believe that’s due in large part to our experience on mitigating investment risk and helping clients prosper from the wisdom in our disciplined approach and long-term plan.

Given our history, it’s natural for us to view financial matters from a family perspective. Currently, we serve two, three and four generations of families. Ultimately, we feel honored that clients treat us like family members. Each of us – including our wonderful and experienced wealth management associates – enjoys treating clients with the same respect.

Planning is Everything

We are devoted to appreciating “where you’ve been, how hard you’ve worked, and what you’ve achieved.” By the same token, we are eager to help you look forward and plan for circumstances you anticipate and prepare for those you don’t.

As a team of veteran advisors, we are well equipped to understand the decision points you’ll face. Our distinct, planning-based approach is ongoing – not a one-time event. Over the course of our relationship, we will spend significant time and effort developing and enhancing our understanding of you.

We learn by listening (more than talking). We may ask, “What does retirement look like for you? What type of legacy do you want to leave – family, charitable, or both? And what would give you peace of mind around your finances?”

We also get specific. We will ask about your cash flow – how much and how you spend money?

In the vast majority of cases, we find that a rewarding retirement lifestyle is the number one priority for clients. Consequently, we’ve developed a strong competency crafting retirement income generation and distribution strategies that aims to preserve and steadily increase wealth without unreasonable risk.

In addition to clients’ goals, we look for ways to improve their financial picture. Most often, they include liabilities, tax management strategies, philanthropic solutions, and protective components such as insurance, health care, trust and estate planning. This means working with client’s attorneys, accountants and other advisors.

Retirement Plans for Business

One area in which our practice and reputation have grown significantly is helping employers make smart decisions surrounding their company retirement plan.

With most plan sponsors looking to defer income, minimize tax consequences and offer attractive retirement benefits to employees, we help companies establish the ideal building blocks.

Through Merrill Fiduciary Plan Services, we offer the following 401(k) or Defined Contributions Plans/services:

  • Co or full Investment Fiduciary coverage ERISA 3(21) or 3(38)
  • Administrative Fiduciary coverage on 3(16)
  • Benchmark to gain greater cost efficiencies
  • Assistance with writing an Investment Policy Statement (IPS)
  • Design an investment menu based on plan goals and participant needs
  • Customize employee education
  • Deliver metrics, reports and reviews to evaluate plan performance and help meet fiduciary obligations
This comprehensive approach helps clients provide a strong, healthy, and fully compliant program that runs smoothly, engages employees and simplifies the sponsor’s role.

What You Can Expect

At Dome Krause Brooks Wealth Management, we help accomplished people accomplish more. Given our decades of experience, we rarely see situations we haven’t encountered. It is our intention to help you benefit from others we’ve assisted in similar positions. We feel fortunate to have long memories and relationships.

As a multi-generational team, our members’ ages align nicely with those of clients, their parents and children.  This has helped ensure what clients deserve in the years ahead – a seamless continuity of strategy and service.

As our client, you can expect that we will:

  • Apply a fiduciary standard to our efforts and always put your needs first.
  • Build a trusted, collaborative relationship. This extends to your CPAs, attorneys and trusted advisors – given your permission to coordinate with them.
  • Make thoughtful, sound recommendations – giving you comfort in making informed decisions about your wealth.
  • Encourage you to call us for any financial matter. We are driven to be your “first and only call”.
  • Do our best work when your needs grow in complexity. We enjoy meeting challenges, resolving problems and helping you focus on the people and passions in your life.
  • Build a wealth management plan with alternate scenarios for your consideration.
  • Be fully agnostic to which investments we use. Our customized portfolios reflect your goals, investment timeline, liquidity needs, risk tolerance and personal preferences.
  • Be fluid in our investment positioning and overall wealth management plan. Whether it’s small or significant, changes in life and in market conditions require revisiting and adjusting our approach, if necessary.
Results and relationships matter to us. Ultimately, we believe clients choose to work with us, stay with us and refer others because of the overall value we deliver.

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.

    #DigitalMerrill

    MyMerrill is your online destination for access to your financial information, secure communications, and a robust offering of tools and capabilities.

    Your advisor is a click away within our site or mobile apps

    You can manage account security with our customizable security capabilities such as touch ID, one time passcode, and other security features

    Access to your complete financial life is available with My Financial Picture, Merrill’s asset aggregation tool

      Let’s Have a Conversation

      Helping you reach your goals starts with getting to know you personally. Through understanding what matters most to you, together we can help you create a financial approach that reflects your personality. Only then can we 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.

      Why Merrill?

      As Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisors, we will sort through the financial complexities of your life, helping you build a customized investment approach to address your needs and pursue your goals.


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      We put you first, every day.
      Learn more about the dedicated one-on-one relationship you can have with a Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor.

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      Transcript of Video 

      No question too big or moment too small
      For every question you have, every decision you make and every answer you need, we are with you to listen and help guide you along the many paths your life can take. Watch this video to see some questions we can address together.


      The Power of the Right Advisor®
      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.