Chad Battaglia is the founding partner of The Battaglia Group. He began his career in the financial services industry in 1998 and joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2004. Today a select group of multi-generational families and companies look to him for detailed financial strategy and sustained advice and guidance. He brings the acumen, knowledge, and perspective he has gained from more than two decades of industry experience to help his clients grow, preserve, and transfer their wealth more effectively.

A hallmark of Chad’s approach is his unwavering focus on his clients’ lives and livelihoods. He strives to be the person they turn to when they need a reassuring presence, an informed guide, and a diligent, lifelong financial collaborator who will work hard on their behalf. Chad’s belief is to exceed their expectations with exceptional service and personalized attention in matters large and small. Utilizing a planning-based approach, he strives to understand his clients’ goals and what they want to achieve so he can create a comprehensive financial strategy customized to their objectives.

A graduate of Bentley University, Chad earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. He also holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation, sponsored by the Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Chad is honored to have been recognized by Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” annually since 2018 (*Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.)

When not in the office Chad enjoys spending time on Cape Cod with his family and playing golf.

*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.

Katie Soule is a Wealth Management Advisor and a partner at the Battaglia Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She began her career in financial services in 2002 and joined Merrill® in 2015. Katie’s background provides her with an unusual vantage point; she has served as a Certified Public Accountant* in several major accounting firms and corporations, which offers her insight into the key decision points that clients encounter in their personal and professional finances. 

Her warm, caring and engaging approach addresses the complex wealth management needs of retirees, engineers, accountants, business owners, and multi-generational families who seek ways to grow, preserve, and transfer their wealth. She also welcomes the opportunity to help charitable foundations manage their assets and fulfill their missions. 

As tax laws are rewritten and personal and family circumstances shift, Katie leverages her acumen and works in concert with clients’ accountants, attorneys, and other professional advisors to help develop personalized strategies that can help address their family’s philanthropic and tax planning goals. (Katie does not offer tax or legal advice in her role at Merrill.)

Katie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Delaware and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern Maine. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certificant and holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation.

 Active in her community, Katie volunteers to run parent organizations for her children’s schools. Additionally, she serves on the finance and committee and is a member of the women in accounting committees for the Massachusetts Society of CPAs and is proud to have been recognized as one of its Experienced Woman to Watch in 2020. Katie resides in Winchester, Massachusetts, with her husband, their three children, and their English Cream Retriever, Maggie. In their spare time, the family enjoys sailing and skiing in Maine.

*Katie does not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice in her role at Merrill. 

Ryan joined the Battaglia Group in February of 2019, following 5 years working in commercial insurance for a prominent insurance agency in the New England region. Ryan draws on the extensive experience of the team surrounding him as well as the investment insights of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Ryan strives to create and grow his client’s wealth in the most tax efficient way to help their families build a legacy they can pass down to the next generation. He uses a comprehensive approach specific to each client to help simplify and organize their financial lives. He begins this process by listening to the client’s needs and then assisting in developing a wealth management plan that best meets their goals.

Ryan received a Bachelors degree in Communication with minors in Business Management and Psychology from the University of New Hampshire. While attending the college, Ryan was the radio color commentator for the University of New Hampshire Men’s Hockey team. In his free time Ryan enjoys traveling, playing hockey and golfing. Ryan currently resides in Charlestown, MA.

*Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.