Eric Gray is a Managing Director, a Private Wealth Advisor, and the founder of the Gray-Polverini Team at Merrill Private Wealth Management. For more than three decades, Eric has provided strategic advice and sustained leadership to ultra-high-net-worth clients and their families, helping them reduce the complexity of their financial affairs so they can pursue the lives and legacies they envision. Clients look to Eric as a “thinking partner”—someone with the depth of experience and integrity of character to help advance their ambitions.

Eric and his team focus their efforts on a limited number of families—a decision that results in the intensive analysis and effort these relationships require. He and his team are adept in addressing the intersecting needs of successful families—from tax-sensitive investments and wealth transfer to long-term planning, family wealth dynamics, and access to banking services and customized credit. They also connect clients to capabilities enterprise wide, including investment banking, commercial banking, philanthropic services, and family office services.

Eric points out that the tax situations and time horizons of ultra-high-net-worth families are innately different from those of other clients. As a result, he and his team use a disciplined investment process, specially designed to address the priorities of ultra-high-net-worth clients, helping them service their wealth in a way that makes sense for them and their extended family. He believes that clients appreciate that he and his team “look out for them and after them,” developing long-term relationships, comfort, and continuity that are difficult to replicate. Moreover, Eric emphasizes the importance of client privacy and discretion, maintaining that trust as an essential part of the team’s mandate.

Throughout the course of his career, Eric has garnered a number of national accolades for his work:

· Barron’s “Top 100 Financial Advisors” list, from 2010 – 2022. (Published annually March – April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.)

· Barron’s “Top 50 Private Wealth Management Teams” list, 2019 and 2020. (Published annually in April.  Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.)

· Barron's “Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams” list, 2021 and 2022. (Published annually in April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.)

· Barron’s “Hall of Fame,” 2019. (Published throughout 2019. Rankings as of current list.)

· Forbes "America’s Top Wealth Advisors" list 2023. (Published annually Aug - Oct. Rankings based on data as of March 31 - June 30 of current year.)

· Forbes "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" list from 2018-2023. (Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.)

· Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list 2023 (Published on January 12, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.)

· Forbes "America’s Top Wealth Management Teams Private Wealth" list 2022 (Published on November 8, 2022. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.)

· FT “Top 400 Advisers” from 2013-2017. (Published annually March – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.)

Prior to joining Merrill Private Wealth Management in 2000, Eric spent eight years with Goldman Sachs, where he was a Vice President, focused on the needs of high-net-worth clients. Earlier in his career, he worked at New England Digital, a technology start-up that developed music and digital audio hardware and software.

Eric earned his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and his M.B.A. from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. He also attended the New England Conservatory of Music and studied percussion with Arthur Press of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

A Trustee of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Eric is head of its Advancement Committee. He also serves on the board of the Transpacific Yacht Club, where he is the Chair of the Finance Committee. Committed to giving back, Eric founded the Los Angeles Sailing Foundation, a 501c(3) organization that benefits underprivileged youth through sailing scholarships and collegiate regattas. An active sailor, Eric won his class in both the 2011 and the 2015 Transpacific races from Los Angeles to Hawaii.

Eric and his wife live in Manhattan Beach, California, and have two daughters.

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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.

Merrill Family Office Services are offered through Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner&Smith Incorporated (“Merrill”). In connection with its Family Office Services, Merrill is not acting in the capacity as a broker-dealer, nor as a registered investment adviser. Accordingly, through its Family Office Services, Merrill is not offering, and its clients are not paying for, advice with respect to securities, the purchase or sale of securities, or the valuation thereof, nor do Merrill’s Family Office Services encompass financial planning, discretionary account management, or any other securities-related accounts, products or services. Merrill offers a broad array of brokerage and investment advisory accounts, products and services through other parts of its business outside of Family Office Services, which are subject to separate agreements, disclosures, and fee arrangements, and may be procured by applying or enrolling and contracting through those other business channels. Please contact your Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor with questions regarding Merrill's brokerage or investment advisory offerings.

*Source: The Barron’s “Top 100 Financial Advisors” list, published annually Mar – April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.

The Barron’s “Top 100 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. Quantitative and qualitative measures used to determine the advisor rankings include client assets, return on assets, client satisfaction/retention, compliance records, and community involvement, among others. Rankings are based on the opinions of Barron’s 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. Barron’s does not receive compensation from advisors, participating firms and their affiliates, or the media in exchange for rankings.  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.

*Source: The Barron’s “Top 50 Private Wealth Management Teams” list, published annually in April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.

The Barron’s “Top 50 Private Wealth Management Teams” list is the first-ever ranking of wealth management teams that specialize in serving individuals and families. The teams are ranked on a variety of factors, including their size and shape, the regulatory records and credentials of their members and the resources they have at their disposal to serve their client bases. The Barron’s “Top 50 Private Wealth Management Teams” ranking considered advisors with a minimum of seven years of financial services experience and who have been employed at their current firm for at least one year. Quantitative and qualitative measures used to determine the advisor rankings include client assets, return on assets, client satisfaction/retention, compliance records, and community involvement, among others. Rankings are based on the opinions of Barron’s 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.  Barron’s does not receive compensation from advisors, participating firms and their affiliates, or the media in exchange for rankings. 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.

*Source: The Barron’s “Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams” list, published annually in April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.

The Barron’s “Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams” list is a ranking of wealth management teams that specialize in serving individuals and families. The teams are ranked on a variety of factors, including their size and shape, the regulatory records and credentials of their members and the resources they have at their disposal to serve their client bases. The Barron’s “Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams” 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. Quantitative and qualitative measures used to determine the advisor rankings include client assets, return on assets, client satisfaction/retention, compliance records, and community involvement, among others. Rankings are based on the opinions of Barron’s 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. Barron’s does not receive compensation from advisors, participating firms and their affiliates, or the media in exchange for rankings. 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.

*Source: The Barron’s “Hall of Fame” list, published throughout 2019. Rankings based on data as of current list.

Each member of the Hall of Fame has appeared in 10 or more of Barron’s annual Top 100 Advisor rankings. Advisors considered for the Top 100 Financial Advisors rankings have a minimum of seven years financial services experience and have been employed at their current firm for at least one year. Quantitative and qualitative measures used to determine the Advisor rankings include client assets, return on assets, client satisfaction/retention, compliance records, and community involvement, among others. Barron’s does not receive compensation from Advisors, participating firms and their affiliates, or the media in exchange for rankings. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 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.

*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 in-person, 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 and should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. 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 Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” list, published on January 12, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s 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 team 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 “America’s Top Wealth Management Teams Private Wealth” list, published on November 8, 2022. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes “America’s Top Wealth Management Teams Private Wealth” ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s 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 team 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. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

*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 are opinions from the Financial Times and 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.

Lance Polverini is a Senior Vice President and Private Wealth Manager with the Gray-Polverini Team at Merrill Private Wealth Management. Lance provides strategic advice and perspective to ultra-high-net-worth clients and their families, helping them forge a more unified path to their ambitions and aspirations. His investment acumen is paired with a deep appreciation for people and their priorities, supporting clients’ unique vision for their wealth and its generational impact.

Clients look to Lance for a sophisticated understanding of the complexities—and opportunities—they encounter in managing their wealth. He has particular depth in portfolio design, risk analysis, tax-sensitive investment structuring, concentrated stock strategies, and investment-manager evaluation. As co-chair of the team’s investment committee, Lance is also responsible for managing its investment platform, which includes capital markets analysis, asset allocation, and integration of BofA Global Research. Lance notes that the team provides third-party audited performance reporting—a differentiating feature of its investment offerings.

 Lance has earned a number of accolades as a member of the Gray-Polverini Team:

• Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list 2023 (Published on January 12, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022).

• Forbes "America’s Top Wealth Management Teams Private Wealth" list 2022 (Published on November 8, 2022. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022).

Lance joined Merrill Private Wealth Management in 2007. His continuity with his team has heightened his ability to unwind the intricacies of substantial wealth—particularly for families that seek to preserve generational wealth or nurture a philanthropic vision. Lance relates that the team limits its number of client relationships by design—a dynamic that yields a closeness and immediacy that allow for intensive customization.

A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Lance earned his B.A. in Political Science and Government. He also holds an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics. He is a CFA® charter holder awarded through the CFA® Institute.

Lance and his wife, Amy, live in Pasadena with their two sons. Amy is a breast cancer surgeon with Cedars Sinai Cancer Center at Huntington Hospital. Both Lance and Amy are active with SCRUBS, an organization dedicated to supporting healthcare initiatives in Pasadena. Deeply interested in causes that support children and youth, Lance serves on the board of Five Acres, a longstanding nonprofit in Pasadena that provides stability and services to children in crisis.

In his free hours, Lance loves spending time with his family and playing golf and tennis.

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Any information presented in connection with BofA Global Research is general in nature and is not intended to provide personal investment advice. The information does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any specific person who may receive it. Investors should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized. BofA Global Research is research produced by BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”) and/or one or more of its affiliates. BofAS is a registered broker-dealer, Member SIPC, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. BofA Global Research does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, investors should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should consider this report as only a single factor in making their investment decision.

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.

Asset allocation, diversification, dollar-cost averaging and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. Rebalancing may pose a tax event.

Source: The Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” list, published on January 12, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC.  Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s 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 team 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 “America’s Top Wealth Management Teams Private Wealth” list, published on November 8, 2022. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes “America’s Top Wealth Management Teams Private Wealth” ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s 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 team 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. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

Drew Sapede is a Vice President and Senior Private Wealth Planner with the Gray-Polverini Team at Merrill Private Wealth Management. Drew works closely with a select group of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, helping them enact a more strategic approach to the complexities of significant wealth. He builds deep and enduring relationships with multiple generations of client families, supporting their efforts to pursue the lives and legacies they envision, mindful of their values and aspirations.

Within the team, Drew has particular depth in wealth planning, investment analysis, pre-liquidity-event strategies, and family wealth dynamics. He offers a tax-sensitive perspective that looks to align multiple facets of client wealth, from portfolio design and wealth transfer to charitable giving and business structuring. Drew notes that the team focuses its efforts on a limited number of relationships. This immediacy, he believes, results in an “institutional memory” that allows the team to provide continuity and reliability across generations. Drew is also entrusted with overseeing the smooth functioning of the team, resulting in a consistent client experience that is notable for its responsiveness.
 
Drew has earned a number of accolades as a member of the Gray-Polverini Team:

• Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list 2023 (Published on January 12, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022).

• Forbes "America’s Top Wealth Management Teams Private Wealth" list 2022 (Published on November 8, 2022. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022).

Drew has worked in wealth management since 2009 and has been a member of the Gray-Polverini Team since 2014. Earlier in his career, he was a Senior Investment Analyst with J.P. Morgan Securities, where he focused on investment due diligence and portfolio oversight. His experience also includes four years with UBS, where he was a Senior Credit Analyst and a member of the structured credit desk.

Drew earned his B.S. in Finance with a minor in Economics from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Committed to professional excellence, he holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® designation, and the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation, and the Certified Portfolio Manager® designation.

A resident of Hermosa Beach, Drew loves spending time with his daughter and son. In his free hours, he likes to surf, snowboard, and play soccer. Within his community, Drew volunteers as a coach with AYSO soccer and participates in the Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program at Hermosa View Elementary School.

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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.

Source: The Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” list, published on January 12, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC.  Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s 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 team 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 “America’s Top Wealth Management Teams Private Wealth” list, published on November 8, 2022. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes “America’s Top Wealth Management Teams Private Wealth” ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s 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 team 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. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.