I am privileged to serve as a senior partner of Merrill's J&R Group. Our team's focus is on addressing the investing and wealth management needs of a select group of institutions and multi-generational families. We work closely with our clients to determine their needs and aspirations so that we can craft customized strategies to help them pursue their goals.My career in financial services began when I joined Merrill in 1998. My day-to-day role is focused on client relationship management and the implementation of financial strategies for corporations, nonprofit organizations and multi-generational families, as well as on leading the team of 12 that I am so privileged to work alongside every day.I am a proud graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics, and I also completed advanced post-graduate coursework at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business to earn the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation awarded by the Investments and Wealth Institute™. I am a nine-time finisher of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, having raised funds for several charitable organizations including the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Chicago Run, a group focused on empowering young people with equitable access to inclusive physical activity programs. In my free time you might find me at Wrigley Field cheering for my beloved Chicago Cubs, or relaxing at home in Lake Forest with my wife Alison and our rescue dogs Matilda and Poppy.*Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks CIMA® and Certified Investment Management Analyst®. Use of CIMA®, and/or Certified Investment Management Analyst® signifies that the user has successfully completed the Institute's initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for investment management professionals.