Chris has spent his entire financial services career with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, beginning in 1992 and holds a Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation. He is the founder and leader of the GCCA Group. Chris and his team work closely with a limited number of affluent individuals and families to help them make sound financial decisions based on their unique circumstances and goals.

Chris has received national recognition as a leading Financial Advisor. Chris was named to Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list from 2019 - 2023. Published annually Jan - April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.¹ He was also named to Forbes "America's Top Wealth Advisors" list in 2016 - 2023. Published on August 24, 2022. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.² Barron’s named Chris each year to its Top 1000 Advisor list from 2009 - 2013. Published annually in Feb-March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year.³ Barron’s also named Chris each year to its Top 1,200 Advisor list from 2014 - 2023 ranking him the number one Merrill Lynch advisor in New Jersey in 2021, 2018, 2016 and 2014. Published annually in Feb-March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year.⁴ The Financial Times recognized Chris in its Top 400 Advisors list* in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017 Published annually Mar - April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.⁵ He has served as an instructor and featured speaker for Merrill Lynch’s Practice Management Development Program. Chris has a degree in finance from The E. Claiborne Robbins School of Business at the University of Richmond. He also received his Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation from the Investments & Wealth Institute™ in conjunction with the Wharton School of Finance. Chris served on the Board of Trustees at the Chatham Day School and currently serves on the Board of Trustees at the Morris County Golf Club. He resides in Madison, New Jersey with his wife, Theresa, and their two children.

¹ *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.


² Source: The Forbes “America’s Top Wealth Advisors” list, published annually Aug - Oct. Rankings based on data as of Mar 31 - June 30 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

 
³ Source: The Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State” list, published annually in Feb - 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.


⁴ Source: Financial Times “400 Top Financial Advisers” list, published annually Mar - April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.

The Financial Times “400 Top Financial Advisers” (FT 400) list is an independent listing produced annually by Ignites Research, a division of Money-Media, Inc., on behalf of the Financial Times. The FT 400 is based on data gathered from advisers, broker-dealer home offices, regulatory disclosures, and the FT’s research. The listing reflects each adviser’s status in six primary areas: assets under management (AUM), asset growth, compliance record, experience, credentials and online accessibility. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients and is not indicative of this adviser’s future performance. Neither the brokerages nor the advisers pay a fee  to the Financial Times in exchange for inclusion in the FT 400. Rankings and recognition from the Financial Times 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 adviser. All rights reserved.

Will began his financial services career with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1999.  He prides himself on being a valuable resource for clients, committed to helping high-net-worth individuals to stay on track through customized wealth management strategies, including private equity and alternative investments.  He focuses on the development of new investment relationships—working closely with a largely referred clientele—and he is responsible for constructing and managing portfolio strategies.  As a Portfolio Manager, Will can help clients pursue their objectives by managing on a discretionary basis their own personalized or defined strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. He holds a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor designation and has received national recognition as a leading Financial Advisor.  Will was named to Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list from 2020 - 2023. Published annually Jan - April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.**

Will believes that no matter how much money a client may have, putting a retirement strategy in place is one of the most important things he can help an individual to do while working on an overall financial strategy.  He also offers small- and mid-sized business owners access to retirement plan administration services, as well as cash management, succession strategies and credit and lending through Bank of America.   Will is a graduate of the Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University, with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance.  He has been a coach and instructor in the firm’s Financial Advisor Development Program (formerly Practice Management Development Program).

*Some or all alternative investment programs may not be in the best interest of certain investors. No assurance can be given that any alternative investment’s investment objectives will be achieved.


**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.

John joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1981 and, along with Chris Cook, became a founding member of The GCCA Group in 1999. Initially, John assisted Chris with the design and construction of fixed-income portfolios, and today continues to employ a combination of index-based vehicles and individual municipal bonds strategies that he has honed over four decades. 

John is extremely service-oriented and works closely with clients—including multi-generational families—to educate them on complex wealth management issues and to suggest strategies designed to help them address their financial objectives.  He employs a holistic, goals-based approach to determine how wealth planning, including equity and tax minimization strategies, fits into clients’ lifestyle needs and wants.  John believes that continuing conversations with clients are necessary to stay abreast of circumstances and changing market conditions that may require adjustments.  When deemed necessary, John may offer access to credit, lending and specialists from Bank of America, N.A.

John is a graduate of Villanova University with a degree in Business Administration.

*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.