Mark is the co-founder and leader of the Thorndyke Group, encompassing over 36 professionals dedicated to providing families, individuals, and corporations with extensive and customized financial strategies through a family-office like experience. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Illinois State University, Mark began his career with Merrill in 1986. He has participated in numerous executive programs at Harvard University, London School of Economics and The Wharton Business School. Mark is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, a designation earned from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and holds both the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation to further assist clients who are business owners as well as the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designation. 

Mark is regularly recognized for his accomplishments within the financial services industry including the following: Named to the Forbes “America’s Top 250 Wealth Advisors” list in 2022* for the fifth consecutive year(Years pre-dating 2023, published annually Aug – Oct. Rankings based
on data as of March – June of current year), the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list in 2022* for the fifth consecutive year(Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year), and the Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors in 2022* for the fourteenth consecutive year(Published annually February – March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year).

As a testament of his desire to help his peers succeed and grow, Mark has served as a member of the National Teaching Faculty for Merrill’s Optimal Practice Model for several years. Through this channel, Mark delivers frequent speeches regarding best practices of his team’s client service model and business development strategies at training forums throughout the country and is featured on firm coaching videos. Additionally, Mark has been a lecturer for both Barron’s and Forbes conferences.

Mark splits his time in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago and in Naples, FL, with his wife, Susan, and their four children. He previously held the position of President for The Chicago Farmers and is a Board member on the Illinois State University College of Business Advisory Council. Mark is also actively involved with multiple charitable organizations, including Marwen, Liv For A Cure, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. He enjoys spending time with his family, community, and being out on the water.







*Source: The Forbes “America’s Top Wealth Advisors” list. Years pre-dating 2023, published annually Aug - Oct. Rankings based on data as of March - June of current year.
Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. America’s Top Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on inperson, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of best practices, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: 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. Rankings are based on the opinions of Forbes and not representative nor indicative of any one client’s experience, future performance, or investment outcome and should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Rankings and recognition from Forbes are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results. 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.

**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.

***Source: The Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State” list, published annually in February-March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year.
The Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” ranking considered advisors with a minimum of seven years financial services experience and who have been employed at their current firm for at least one year. This is a list of the top advisors in each state, with the number of ranking spots determined by each state’s population and wealth. Other quantitative and qualitative measures include assets under management, revenues generated by advisors for their firms, and the quality of the advisors’ practices, regulatory records, internal company documents, and 100-plus points of data provided by the advisors themselves. Rankings and recognition from Barron’s are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results, and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Years prior to 2014, this Barron's list consisted of 1,000 advisors.

Dave utilizes the many tools available at Merrill to construct and manage goals-based portfolios for clients; focusing on retirement planning, college saving, and wealth transfer.  He also helps identify investments that complement the team’s unique portfolio strategies.  Dave is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant, and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation.  He joined Merrill in 1995, following his graduation from DePaul University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance.  Outside the office, Dave volunteers for Companies That Care, an organization dedicated to enhancing the well-being of employees and communities by educating and inspiring socially responsible employment practices.  Living in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood with his wife, Beth, his leisure time is spent golfing, playing softball, skiing, traveling, fishing, but most importantly, being a Chicago White Sox fan.

After Jim completed his degree from Miami University, he joined the Chicago office of Merrill in 2011. Working primarily with executives, consultants, and families, he provides clients with personalized strategies through a goals-based wealth management process. James is focused on helping clients achieve their personal financial goals – one step at a time. He was recognized on Forbes “Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list in 2020* for the fourth consecutive year(Published annually July – Sept. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of current year). James lives in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. When not in the office, he can be found volunteering his time to Project C.U.R.E and Ronan’s Reel, the latter of which he founded in 2019, playing squash at the University Club of Chicago, or waking up early on the weekends to watch his favorite Premiere League team, Manchester United.


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

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes “Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors” ranking. SHOOK considered advisors born in 1983 or later with a minimum 4 years as an advisor. 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 to measure best practices, 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. Rankings are based on the opinions of Forbes and not representative nor indicative of any one client’s experience, future performance, or investment outcome and should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. 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.