Erik Johnston

My passion is helping people determine what is most important to them and establishing a plan to make that goal a reality. With my clients this takes the form of placing them and their goals at the center of everything we do, and regularly tracking their progress towards those goals. I take pride in becoming a valued and dependable resource for my clients through building relationships that are based on trust and accountability. I joined Merrill in 2019 after almost 8 years of working in the scientific research and development industry. My previous experience and education in the sciences sharpened my skills in critical thinking and problem solving. I use these skills to not only to define my client’s goals, but to really understand why the goals are important to them and how we are going to achieve them. There is no better feeling than when a plan comes to fruition and that ultimate goal is realized. I strive to be a part of that process, from start to finish, for my clients and to share in the joy of their successes.
My wife Emilie, and sons Ren and Carter enjoy attending Griz games, community events, and getting out and about while enjoying our parks, trails, rivers, lakes, and ski hills. I am a graduate of the University of Montana with a PhD in Materials Science and a BS in Chemistry. I also am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® Professional. *Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP^® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® in the U.S.*