Named to Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list in 2023 and 2022* (published on April 4, 2023. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2021.)

Named to the 2023 Barron's “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors" list* (published on March 10, 2023. Rankings based on data as of September 30, 2022.*)

James has worked in the financial service industry since 1996 and currently leads a wealth management team within Merrill Private Wealth Management. As a Private Wealth Advisor, James caters to the sophisticated wealth management needs of a limited number of ultra-high net worth families and business leaders. He guides the team’s wealth management practice and is actively involved in the fields of portfolio development, wealth transfer, cash flow analysis, estate planning strategies, philanthropic planning, and credit and lending.  Additionally, James leads The Somers Group’s Investment Committee.

James received his B.S in Finance from Old Dominion University.  James also holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® certification.  He focuses on the sophisticated needs of high-net-worth families throughout their wealth lifecycle – accumulation, preservation, and distribution.  He is able to develop specific strategies designed to minimize taxes, monetize and preserve assets, maximize growth, and transfer of wealth.

In the community, James actively supports: Begin Again Foundation, The Charity Bowl, and The Pink Ride and he serves on the Board of Trustees for the Old Dominion University Athletic Foundation.

James lives in Virginia Beach with his wife, Stephanie, and children, Cade, Noah, Jax and Coley. His interests include antique cars, golfing, and boating.

*Source: The Barron'srials “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors" list, published on March 10, 2023. Rankings based on data as of September 30, 2022.

The Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” list, March 10, 2023. The Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” ranking considered advisors with a minimum of seven years of financial services experience and 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 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 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.

*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.

*Credit and Lending Services are through Bank of America, N.A.

John focuses on offering a comprehensive approach to managing wealth that begins with getting to know a client and the client’s family, financial situation, and what matters most to them. He then helps them create a customized wealth management approach that can be flexible as their needs and market conditions change.  He provides access to the investment insights of Merrill and banking convenience of Bank of America to help address the various aspects of clients’ financial lives. He is driven by his passion for delivering excellent service and helping clients pursue their goals.

John earned his degree in Finance from Virginia Tech .  He also holds a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor certification, and the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor designation.

John follows the deep-seated Merrill tradition of participating in the communities we serve. This drives my interest in spending time volunteering with organizations in our community.

Alisa is the Private Wealth Senior Business Manager for The Somers Group.  In this role, she creates and implements strategies that manage the complex needs of ultra-high-net-worth families.  Her primary goal is to ensure that our families are experiencing a seamless and elite level of service.

Alisa started her career with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2006 as a Registered Senior Client Associate.  In that role, her focus was on providing exceptional client service as the main point of contact for day to day client needs to include account opening and servicing, tax reporting, loan management, and transactional needs.  In 2014, Alisa transitioned into the Relationship Manager role where she focused on relationship building by providing proactive support in all phases of client servicing.
 
Alisa earned a B.A. in English from Old Dominion University and was a member of Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society. She also holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor designation. 

She lives in Virginia Beach with her husband, Anthony, and their daughters.

*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.