THE VALDES GROUP Valdes, Shimberg, Duncan
Merrill Private Wealth Management
101 E Kennedy Blvd
Tampa, FL 33602
Learn more about an advisor's background on
You face a range of opportunities as well as complexities. We offer a limited number of individuals and families boutique-like service, broad global resources and customized financial strategies to help simplify your life so you can spend more time pursuing what matters most to you.
THE VALDES GROUP Valdes, Shimberg, Duncan
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Welcome

Managing your wealth begins with a deep understanding of your full financial picture. Based on what matters most to you, I can help create a strategy as flexible as today's changing market conditions, and I can provide access to the investment insights of Merrill and the banking convenience and lending solutions of Bank of America. I will work to help you pursue your goals through personalized wealth management strategies.

Recognition
Michael Valdes
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list in 2018, 2018
(Published on February 15, 2018. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2017.)
Forbes "America's Top Wealth Advisors", 2017
(Published on October 24, 2017. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2017.)
Financial Times "FT400", 2018, 2020
(Published annually Mar – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.)
Show More Recognitions
Michael Shimberg
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors", 2019-2024
(Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.)
Financial Times "Top 401 Retirement Plan Advisors", 2017-2018
(Published annually May – Oct. Rankings based on data as of Dec 31 of prior year.)
Darby Duncan
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors", 2022-2024
(Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.)
Velen Thompson
Forbes "Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisors Ranking", 2023-2024
(Published annually Feb – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 – September 30 of prior year.)
Kyle Melear
Forbes "Best-in-State Next Generation Wealth Advisors", 2023
(Published on August 8, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023.)
Click here to learn more about advisor recognitions
Our Approach
The Valdes Group

The Valdes Group operates as a boutique financial practice within Merrill Private Wealth Management. We are a group comprised of industry professionals that delivers all the resources of a global institution through one single point of contact. We work with individuals, entrepreneurs, families, and businesses to serve their complete wealth management needs to deliver a family-office experience where each client gains customized support and disciplined financial oversight. Our goal is to always provide the education, resources and transparency that keep clients informed, while having the freedom to pursue unique opportunities across the broad financial landscape.

Collaboration

Our mission is to understand each client's primary purpose for their wealth. By embracing their values, opinions, and perspectives we are able to create an advisory environment that inspires the freedom to think differently. By constantly analyzing the financial markets and researching opportunities specific to each individual, we seek to find the most efficient way to help each client achieve their financial objectives using a goals-based wealth management approach.

Customized Support

Our service model provides the stability clients need to prepare for the future. Each associate has a distinct industry background that complements the full spectrum of capabilities and personalized services we deliver to help simplify our clients' lives. Through active/passive portfolio management, daily financial oversight, multigenerational planning, lending solutions and beyond from Bank of America, clients gain lifelong, collaborative advisors who guide and serve them and their families with what we believe is an industry-leading standard of support.

Core Values

Integrity, trust, discipline, and open communication comprise the essence of The Valdes Group. With everything we do, we offer transparency to help clients make more informed decisions. Our priority is to provide the financial acumen that enables each client to confidently and consistently know they are moving on the right path toward their financial goals. With each client we serve, we value their relationship, both personally and professionally, and share joy in enhancing their lives.

Meet Our Team
Michael Valdes
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
813.273.8544
Michael Shimberg, CFP®,CKP®,CPFA™
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
813.273.8639
Darby Duncan
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
813.273.8503
Velen Thompson, CFP®,CPFA™,CRPC™
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
813.273.8634
Kyle Melear, CFA®
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
813.273.8563
Alexandra Valdes, CPWA®
Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
813.273.8535
Stephano Mastro
Financial Advisor
813.463.3954
Kimberly A Bunting
Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Associate
813.273.8513
Dianna Van Camp
Assistant Vice President, Wealth Management Associate
813.273.8664
Lauren Janel Longo, AWMA™
Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Associate
813.273.8558
Carla Rossi
Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Associate
813.273.8644
Ariel W Giddings, AWMA™
Private Wealth Business Manager
813.273.8576
Laura D. Campbell
Registered Private Wealth Client Associate
813.273.8570
Tracy Poon Tip
Officer, Registered Private Wealth Client Associate
813.273.8508
Rebecca A Mangual, AWMA™
Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Investment Management Specialist
813.273.8514
Mary Ann Chivers
Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Associate
813.273.8518
Candice Cason, AWMA™
Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Investment Management Specialist
813.273.8512
Jack W. Kirkland
Senior Private Wealth Planner
813.273.8554
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.
Yvonne Frye
Wealth Management Banking Specialist
Merrill
Jason Albano
Wealth Strategies Advisor
Bank of America, N.A.
Sheau-Lei H Ellison
Structured Credit Executive
Bank of America, N.A.
Let's Have A Conversation
We take the time to listen and learn about you and your family before creating strategies that aim to meet your needs, goals and best interests now and in the future
About Merrill Private Wealth Management
Looking at your wealth from every angle

Navigating complex wealth requires more than making investing decisions. It takes a trusted confidante who can help you step back and see the big picture. Your Merrill Private Wealth Advisor is that steadfast guide — advocating for you, your family, and the people and causes you care about. Working together, we can help you grow, sustain and transfer your wealth to amplify the impact at every step of life's journey with insight, simplicity, perspective and solutions. Find out what it's like to work with us.

Sign Up for Perspectives Monthly E-Newsletter
Get the latest investment insights, tips and strategies to help you live your best financial life
Sign Up
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.
C(k)P® is a registered trademark of The Retirement Advisor University, Inc.
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.
CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks of the CFA Institute.
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.