Jones Zafari Group

Merrill Private Wealth Management
2049 Century Park East
Floor 11
Los Angeles CA 90067
(310) 407.4925
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Mission Statement
Surpassing Expectations With Integrity & Trust
Welcome

The Jones Zafari Group delivers boutique-style advice to individuals, families, executives, and institutions navigating complex, long-term wealth. As a nationally recognized, multigenerational team within Merrill Private Wealth Management, we help clients preserve opportunities, strengthen legacies, and create lasting impact.
Our approach centers on a personalized experience focused on what matters most—integrating investments, planning, lending, philanthropy, and liquidity events into one cohesive strategy. Grounded in trust, discretion, and innovation, we pair family office-style sophistication with the resources of a global bank to help families navigate change with clarity and confidence.

Recognition
Richard Jones
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
Barron's "Top 100 Financial Advisors", 2007-2025
(Published annually Mar – April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.)
Forbes "America's Top Wealth Advisors", 2016-2025
(Published in April 2023-2024. Rankings based on data as of June of the previous year. Years pre-dating 2023, published annually Aug - Oct. Rankings based on data as of March - June of current year.)
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors", 2018-2025
(Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.)
Forbes "America’s Top Wealth Advisors", 2025
(Published on April 8, 2026. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2024.)
Barron's "Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams", 2025
(Published on May 9, 2025. Rankings based on data as of December 31, 2024.)
Forbes "America’s Top Wealth Management Teams Private Wealth", 2025
(Published on November 12, 2025. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2025.)
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams", 2025
(Published on January 9, 2025. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2024.)
Show more recognition
Jones Zafari Group
Barron's "America's Top Private Wealth Advisory Teams", 2020-2025
(Published annually Mar – April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.)
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams", 2023-2026
(Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.)
Forbes "America's Top Wealth Management Teams Private Wealth", 2022-2025
(Published annually in November. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of current year.)
Click here to learn more about advisor recognitions
Our Approach
Our Philosophy

Collaboration is at the core of the Jones Zafari Group. By bringing together deep experience and a client‑first approach, we deliver highly tailored financial strategies aligned with each client's goals, values, and long‑term vision.

With partners in Los Angeles, San Diego, Palo Alto, and Dallas, our team provides sophisticated wealth solutions for ultra‑affluent individuals and families, as well as corporations, endowments, and foundations.

As of December 31, 2025, clients have entrusted us with $98.4 billion in assets—reflecting enduring trust in our insight, stewardship, and discretion. Our clients include entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 executives, sports and entertainment professionals, and nonprofit organizations.

Backed by Merrill's deep investment platform and Bank of America's integrated banking capabilities, we deliver a seamless, family office–style experience—combining personalized service with global scale and innovation.

Meet Our Team
Richard Jones
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
310.407.4925
Reza Zafari
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
310.407.4923
Jerome S Klein
Managing Director, Private Wealth Senior Consultant
310.407.4919
Thomas Tournat
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
310.407.4917
Eleni Mavromati,

AWMA®, SE-AWMA®

Managing Director, Private Wealth Manager
310.407.4913
David Niehaus,

CFA

Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
310.407.4918
Fraser McAlpine,

CAIA®

First Vice President, Investment Associate
310.407.4909
William Byers,

CFA

Vice President, Private Wealth Senior Relationship Manager
310.407.4908
Jeremy DeCuir
Vice President, Private Wealth Senior Relationship Manager
310.407.3929
Victoria R Santoro,

CFA

Vice President, Private Wealth Senior Relationship Manager
310.407.4910
Steven Adkinson
Managing Director, Private Wealth Manager
858.587.4507
Danielle Prunier,

SE-AWMA®

Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
310.858.4744
Cheryl Catharine Smith,

ADPA®, CFP®, CPFA®, CRPC™

Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
650.473.2052
Suzanne W Killea,

CFA

Managing Director, Senior Relationship Manager
650.473.2042
Denisha Baker
Private Wealth Client Associate
310.407.4911
Maritza D Camilo
Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Associate
650.473.2041
Lharmina Tangco Castro,

AWMA®

Officer, Registered Private Wealth Client Associate
310.407.4926
Winter Samone Chambers
Winter Samone Chambers
Wealth Management Specialist - Non-Registered
Marianela Chow,

AWMA™, CAP®, SE-AWMA™

Private Wealth Relationship Manager
310.407.4939
Susan Francis
Registered Senior Private Wealth Client Associate
310.407.4927
Michael Ginestro
First Vice President, Private Wealth Advisor
310.407.4938
Kelly Heath
Registered Private Wealth Client Associate
310.407.4922
Delaney Johnsen
Wealth Management Specialist - Non-Registered
310.407.4905
Jessica Lackmeyer,

AWMA®, SE-AWMA®

Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Relationship Manager
310.407.4929
Tina Lou
Private Wealth Client Associate
310.407.4916
Brandon M Luckwaldt,

CSRIC®

Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Relationship Manager
310.407.4907
Jenna M Mai
Private Wealth Client Associate
310.407.4915
Marianna Orjanyan
Officer, Private Wealth Client Associate
310.407.4921
Matthew Robinson,

AWMA®

Private Wealth Management Specialist
310.407.4924
Jakob Roulier,

AWMA®

Private Wealth Management Specialist
310.407.4906
Marian Ting,

CPWA®

Vice President, Private Wealth Senior Relationship Manager
650.473.2049
Shirley Valladares,

AWMA™

Private Wealth Relationship Manager
310.407.4892
Brandie M Wilson,

AWMA®

Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Relationship Manager
310.407.4930
Leon Yu,

AWMA®

Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Relationship Manager
310.407.4912
Jason Kelso,

CEPA®, CPFA®, SE-AWMA®

Senior Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor
904.273.3879
JOY MILAN,

CEPA®, CFP®, SE-AWMA®

Assistant Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
310.536.1648
John Naviaux,

CPFA®, CPWA®

Managing Director, Wealth Management Advisor
858.381.8128
Matthew Spring,

CPFA®, SE-AWMA®

Senior Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor
310.777.5311
Jason Tong,

CPWA®, CRPC™

Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
949.859.2977
Lucian Ursan,

CFP®

First Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
949.721.6583
Additional Resources
The following specialists do not make securities recommendations. Please contact your Merrill Private Wealth Management Advisor if you have questions about how a specialist might be able to assist you.
Jean Y. Kim
Private Wealth Strategist
Merrill
Michael Powers
Wealth Strategist
Merrill
Insights
About Private Wealth

We meet complexity head on
Growing and navigating wealth isn't a straight line. There are complexities and opportunities at every turn. That's why your Merrill team serves as mission control for your wealth, offering the highest level of execution and world-class intellectual capital to help keep you moving forward through every pivotal moment. Find out what it's like to work with us.

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Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™, AWMA®, and the AWMA® logo certification marks or registered certification marks of The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in the United States.
Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™, SE-AWMA®, and the SE-AWMA® logo are certification marks or registered certification marks of The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in the United States.
CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks of the CFA Institute.
CAIA® and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst® are registered service marks of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association.
Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor™, ADPA®, and the ADPA® logo are certification marks or registered certification marks of The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in the United States.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and the CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™, CRPC™, and the CRPC™ logo are certification marks or registered certification marks of The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in the United States.
Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™, AWMA™, and the AWMA™ logo certification marks or registered certification marks of The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in the United States.
CAP® and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® are the property of The American College, which reserves the sole rights to its use, and are used by permission.
Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™, SE-AWMA™, and the SE-AWMA™ logo are certification marks or registered certification marks of The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in the United States.
Chartered SRI Counselor™, CSRIC®, and the CSRIC® logo are certification marks or registered certification marks of The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in the United States.
Investments & Wealth Institute® (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks CPWA® and Certified Private Wealth Advisor®. Use of CPWA®, and/or Certified Private Wealth Advisor® signifies that the user has successfully completed the Institute’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for wealth advisors.