Profile

Following in the footsteps of his father, a former Merrill advisor with whom he worked for five years, Scott continues a proud legacy of care, consideration, and consistency on behalf of a growing circle of successful individuals and generations of their families.

Most of Scott’s clients are C-suite executives (active or retired) and business owners - some with 401(k) and other benefit plans that he handles. Others are younger couples building wealth and families.

“While my clientele is diverse in age and stage of life, I find that a vast majority benefit from my background as a Retirement Benefits Consultant and ability to account for ‘meaning and metrics’ in crafting a thoughtful retirement strategy,” Scott says. “I enjoy serving clients who know the right strategy is critical to what they can achieve financially and personally.”

By limiting the number of households he serves, Scott can work closely with both spouses – digging deeper to appreciate what each defines as essential. At the outset of the relationship and frequently thereafter, Scott asks questions, so that a client’s customized plan can stay aligned with their situation and ambitions, “What is the enduring purpose of your money? What are the three most important things in your life, understanding they are most likely not about money? Do you have a wealth management plan? What are your major concerns? Who are you responsible for? Have you accounted for them from an estate-planning standpoint? How can I help?”

In addition to addressing clients’ goals, Scott looks for “holes” in their financial picture – areas that may have been overlooked by a previous advisor. He also scrutinizes both sides of clients’ balance sheets to see if clients can benefit from improved management of their liabilities. Experience tells Scott that investment conversations are meaningless without a plan or clearly articulated goals.

When it comes to investments, Scott considers input from the firm’s Chief Investment Office and often uses a wide range of strategies that he can customize for clients. Scott also relies on investments from other managers he’s known for years carefully vetted by the firm.  Scott not only helps clients understand the “what’s and why’s” of their portfolios, but also shares monthly research updates via email.

Scott has received rigorous industry training and is able to bring business owners and others an extra measure of knowledge and insight. In addition to holding the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor, CPFA designation from the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA), he is a Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC), one of a select group of highly qualified and credentialed Merrill advisors specialized in defined contribution plans. He is also a First Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor, and Merrill IAP Senior Portfolio Advisor.

Over the course of his career, Scott has set up more than 100 company-level 401(k) and profit-sharing plans. Before joining his father at Merrill in 2012, Scott was a 401(k) provider at Paychex. Prior to that, he served clients for six years at Arthur Andersen in Chicago.  He was offered and accepted the position at Andersen before his senior year of college.  Scott earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting at Miami University (Ohio). 

Scott resides in Hobe Sound with his wife, Trisha, and their teenage daughter and son. His passions revolve around family time spent at Mariner Sands Country Club, golfing, working out, playing pickleball, fishing, and supporting his children’s concerts, performances, and sporting events.

*Scott does not provide tax or legal advice in his role at Merrill.

*A Senior Portfolio Advisor can help clients pursue their objectives by managing on a discretionary basis custom investment strategies, selecting from a wide range of Merrill model portfolios and third-party investment strategies.

*The Chief Investment Office (CIO) provides thought leadership on wealth management, investment strategy and global markets; portfolio management solutions; due diligence; and solutions oversight and data analytics. CIO viewpoints are developed for Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., (“Bank of America”) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S” or “Merrill”), a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). This information should not be construed as investment advice and is subject to change. It is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be either a specific offer by Bank of America, Merrill or any affiliate to sell or provide, or a specific invitation for a consumer to apply for, any particular retail financial product or service that may be available.