Jason Kelso

The Kelso Group focuses on educating and informing clients to help them achieve all their financial goals, bringing clients a concierge experience of products, advice, and services.   The team partners extensively with Merrill Private Wealth teams across the country, working with clients having $10MM or more of investable assets.

Specifically, as Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) professionals, the Kelso Group works with entrepreneurs and business founders who are considering going through the M&A process.  They can work with your tax and legal advisors to guide business owners well before a liquidity event from the sale or merger of a business.

Additionally, as Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ professionals, the Kelso Group works with collegiate student-athletes who are engaged in Name Image & Likeness (NIL) contracts with their chosen college or university, providing education to young people who are experiencing significant wealth for the first time in their lives.

Jason has been with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management since 2004.  He has been honored with the 2025 Forbes Best In State Wealth Advisors Recognition (Published on April 8, 2025. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2024) and his team has been named as 2025 Forbes Best In State Wealth Management Teams (Published on January 9, 2025. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2024).  The team meets with clients in Manhattan Beach, California and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. 

As a proud graduate of the University of Florida, he volunteers his time to work quite extensively on academic and athletic fundraising for his alma mater, serving as a Board of Directors member for Gator Boosters, Inc.  In his spare time, Jason enjoys golf, surfing, and fishing with his family, as well as attending Florida Gator athletic events.  Residing in Atlantic Beach, Florida, Jason and his wife Leslie have two children, daughter McKenna and son Cameron.