The Pearce Group
Merrill Private Wealth Management
901 Dulaney Valley Road
Suite 516
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 321.4340
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Mission Statement
As a client of The Pearce Group, you'll have access to the experience and skill of highly trained financial advisors, who are supported by a wealth management platform and thought leadership program we believe are second-to-none. We offer an objective and flexible framework that we can use to help you organize your financial life, whether your aim is growth, wealth preservation, succession planning or wealth transfer. We offer a highly disciplined wealth management philosophy, specifically targeted to address the needs of a high-net-worth clientele - individuals and families, corporate executives, business owners, foundations, venture capital firms and private and public businesses, including companies that interact with the New York Stock Exchange, AMEX, and NASDAQ. We also call upon Merrill specialists, as needed, to help us deliver wealth management strategies that focus on the long-range goals of professional athletes in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. We begin each relationship by taking the time to fully understand each client's unique financial situation. We then use that information to shape a thoughtful, customized approach that can make use of numerous products and services from one of the world's largest full-service investment firms. Our global perspective helps you adjust to financial challenges and identify unique opportunities.
Welcome

As a client of The Pearce Group, you'll have access to the experience and skill of highly trained financial advisors, who are supported by a wealth management platform and thought leadership program we believe are second-to-none.  We offer an objective and flexible framework that we can use to help you organize your financial life, whether your aim is growth, wealth preservation, succession planning or wealth transfer.


We offer a highly disciplined wealth management philosophy, specifically targeted to address the needs of a high-net-worth clientele - individuals and families, corporate executives, business owners, foundations, venture capital firms and private and public businesses, including companies that interact with the New York Stock Exchange, AMEX, and NASDAQ.  We also call upon Merrill specialists, as needed, to help us deliver wealth management strategies that focus on the long-range goals of professional athletes in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. 

We begin each relationship by taking the time to fully understand each client's unique financial situation.  We then use that information to shape a thoughtful, customized approach that can make use of numerous products and services from one of the world's largest full-service investment firms.  Our global perspective helps you adjust to financial challenges and identify unique opportunities.

 
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Welcome to the Pearce Group
Recognition
Kent Pearce
Managing Director, Private Wealth Manager
Barron's "America's Top 1200 Financial Advisors State-by-State", 2021-2023
(Published annually in March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year.)
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors", 2019-2023
(Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.)
Forbes "America"s Top Wealth Advisors", 2019-2021
(Published in April 2023-2024. Rankings based on data as of June of the preious year. Years pre-dating 2023, published annually Aug - Oct. Rankings based on data as of March - June of current year.)
Barron's "Top 100 Financial Advisors", 2020-2023
(Published annually Mar – April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.)
Financial Times "400 Top Financial Advisers", 2020
(Published on April 16, 2020. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2019.)
Forbes "Top 100 Private Wealth Teams", 2022
(Published on April 15, 2022. Rankings based on data as of December 31, 2021.)
Forbes "America’s Top Wealth Advisors", 2022-2023
(Published in April 2023-2024. Rankings based on data as of June of the preious year. Years pre-dating 2023, published annually Aug - Oct. Rankings based on data as of March - June of current year.)
Forbes "America’s Top Wealth Management Teams Private Wealth", 2023
(Published on November 7, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023.)
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams", 2023-2024
(Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.)
Show more recognition
The Pearce Group
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams", 2023-2024
(Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.)
Our Approach
A Commitment to Service

Merrill Private Wealth Management is committed to providing a select group of clients with highly personalized one-on-one service. When you work with us, our knowledgeable, rigorously trained private wealth advisors will gain a deep understanding of your goals, help you develop a multigenerational wealth strategy, and help you update your strategy as needed. We are committed to providing you access to the investment insights of Merrill and the banking convenience of Bank of America, and Merrill will continue to invest in client tools and new technology to enhance your overall experience as you and your private wealth advisor pursue what's most important to you.

Meet Our Team
Kent Pearce
Managing Director, Private Wealth Manager
410.321.4340
Karl Porter,

CIMA®, CPFA®

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
410.321.4311
Jeremy Kober,

CDFA®, CFP®, CKP®, CPFA®

First Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
410.321.4350
Jason Slotkin,

CFP®, CPFA®, SE-AWMA™

Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
410.321.4390
George Bradford,

CPFA®, SE-AWMA™

Senior Vice President, Resident Director
410.321.4312
Kevin Brandel,

CFP®, CPFA®

Wealth Management Advisor
410.321.4367
Courtney Quinn Rodgers,

CRPC™

Vice President, Private Wealth Senior Business Manager
410.321.4361
Christopher G Anderson,

CRPC™

Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Senior Investment Manager
410.321.4366
Austin King,

AAMS™

Private Wealth Management Specialist
410.321.4384
Joshua Logan Campbell,

CEPA®, CRPC™

Assistant Vice President, Relationship Manager
410.321.4385
Alexander Knapp,

CRPC™

Wealth Management Specialist
410.321.4396
Stephanie A Kormanis
Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Associate
410.321.4318
Tricia A Schell
Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Associate
410.321.4307
Amy E McElhose
Wealth Management Client Associate
410.321.4302
Howard O Bryson
Wealth Management Client Associate
410.321.4381
Hilda Sarai Portillo
Wealth Management Client Associate
410.321.4351
Christopher Jonas Elmonus
Wealth Management Client Associate (FP)
410.321.4339
Connor  Balea
Connor Balea
Wealth Management Seasonal Client Associate (FP)
410.321.4332
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.
Lisa M Froehlich
Wealth Management Banking Specialist
Merrill
Patricia Sue Lueckert
Senior Wealth Management Lending Officer
Bank of America, N.A.
NMLS #532638
Brian Canuel
Structured Credit Executive
Bank of America, N.A.
About Private Wealth

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 with strategies designed to 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.

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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.
C(k)P® is a registered trademark of The Retirement Advisor University, Inc.
CDFA® and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® are trademarks of The Institute for Divorce Financial AnalystsTM.
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.
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 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 Asset Management Specialist™, AAMS™, and the AAMS™ logo are certification marks or registered certification marks of The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in the United States.