The Group AG - Gaither, Arrison, Knotts, Benton, Rice & Montgomery
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
1800 K St NW
Washington DC 20006
(800) 832.8501
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Mission Statement
The Group AG believes that good relationships are built through teamwork and involvement, delivered through our advisors, wealth management client associates and access to the global investment capabilities of Merrill and the banking convenience of Bank of America. We want to be your primary source for financial advice and guidance. And we want you to value the dedication and diligence offered to you at each step of the financial planning process.
Welcome

 

Our Group is Engaged and Committed to Your Success
When you work with The Group AG, you are not just getting an individual, you are getting a team supported by decades of experience in the financial services industry. We are focused on earning and maintaining your trust by fulfilling your needs and expectations. We have found that frequent communication, honesty and transparency can lead to success. We are accountable to you and are committed to maintaining an open dialogue with you in the framework of seven life priorities: health, home, family, leisure, giving, work and finance.

 

Our talented client associates are dedicated to the efficient administration of your financial needs


They strive to provide world-class service in a prompt and professional manner. Our goal is to help eliminate stress from your daily routine. The Group AG has the breadth and depth of engaged, experienced and conscientious professionals to address a broad array of financial and administrative situations.

 

Videos
Financial Planning with Merrill Personal Wealth Analysis® (PWA)
Recognition
Justin P. Gaither
Managing Director, Wealth Management Advisor
Barron's "America's Top 1200 Financial Advisors State-by-State", 2024-2025
(Published annually in March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year.)
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors", 2018-2024
(Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.)
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams", 2023-2025
(Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.)
Forbes "America's Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors", 2018-2019
(Published annually July – Sept. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of current year.)
Forbes "Best-in-State Next Generation Wealth Advisors", 2019
(Published on September 4, 2019. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2019.)
Show more recognition
The Group AG - Gaither, Arrison, Knotts, Benton, Rice & Montgomery
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams", 2023-2025
(Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.)
About Us
Client Commitment

Since 1998, The Group AG has offered customized wealth management services to affluent individuals, families, and professionals. We are focused on creating a strategy for your financial future based on your particular needs, priorities, hopes and concerns.We aim to develop a long-term relationship with you based on the understanding of your personal and financial goals. We are a multigenerational team that can work with everyone in your extended family, from the grandparents to the grandchildren. Our investment models, service schedule and pricing structure are all designed to serve the needs of multigenerational families.By combining what we know about your extended family, finances and values, we can help you develop a wealth management strategy that can be tailored to meet your evolving financial needs. Together, we will review your portfolio periodically to ensure your investments continue to align to your stated goals.

Tuesday, January 7th 2025| 11:00am
Virtual Market Update: Economic Trends and Projections Ahead of Inauguration Day

Join us for an exclusive virtual market update as we analyze the financial landscape and key economic trends leading up to Inauguration Day. Dan Braz, Head of Intermediary ETF Strategists at State Str...

Meet Our Team
Justin P. Gaither,

CFP®,CRPC™

Managing Director, Wealth Management Advisor
202.659.7240
James Arrison,

CFP®, CPWA®, CRPC™

Managing Director, Wealth Management Advisor
202.659.7373
Jeffrey Knotts,

CFP®, CRPC™

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
202.659.6041
James Benton,

CIMA®, CKP®, CPFA®

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
202.659.3064
J. Rice,

CFA, CRPC™

First Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor
202.659.7282
Peggy Hayes Montgomery,

CFP®, CRPC™

Senior Vice President, Senior Consultant
202.659.6071
Joseph Hughes,

CFP®, CRPC™

Senior Financial Advisor
202.659.6066
Natalie Meehan,

CRPC™

Officer, Relationship Manager
202.659.6132
Golda A Hector
Assistant Vice President, Wealth Management Associate
202.659.3080
Gina R Johnson
Registered Wealth Management Client Associate
202.659.6016
Garrett H. Sims
Wealth Management Client Associate
202.659.7235
Kerrie Ryan
Officer, Wealth Management Client Associate
202.862.2662
Jane Hill
Wealth Management Client Associate
202.659.7239
Additional Resources
The following specialists do not make securities recommendations. Please contact your Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor if you have questions about how a specialist might be able to assist you.
Ed Hussey
Wealth Management Banking Specialist
Merrill
Andrew Cervantes
Senior Wealth Management Lending Officer
Bank of America, N.A.
NMLS #276332
About Merrill

Bringing fresh perspectives to your financial life

The financial decisions you make today can help determine the future you build for yourself and your family. Carving a clear path forward starts with connecting your life and finances. A Merrill advisor provides access to the investing insights of Merrill and banking capabilities of Bank of America to help you make informed decisions as you pursue your goals.

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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.
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.
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.
C(k)P® is a registered trademark of The Retirement Advisor University, Inc.
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.
CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks of the CFA Institute.