The Johnson Group

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
4 Penn Ctr
Philadelphia PA 19103
(800) 203.5484
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Mission Statement
Since 1984, The Johnson Group has served affluent families, executives, business owners and organizations with boutique attention and institutional depth. We help clients simplify complex financial lives, make thoughtful decisions around wealth, and build legacies designed to endure. 2025 & 2026 Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list, published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.
Welcome

Wealth often becomes more complex before it becomes simpler. Our role is to help bring order, perspective, and discipline to important financial decisions—while remaining deeply personal in how we work with you.

Clients come to us when the stakes are higher and the moving parts are many. We focus on what matters most by listening closely, asking the right questions, and delivering thoughtful guidance designed around your goals.

What you can expect from us:

  • Attentive listening and follow‑through.
    We take the time to understand your full financial picture, identify areas requiring focused attention, and act decisively on what we learn.
  • Sophisticated advice with cost awareness.
    We aim to provide the level of service typically associated with private banks, while remaining disciplined about expenses—helping you retain more of the wealth you’ve built.
  • An integrated approach to complexity.
    We work to align investing, concentrated and restricted stock strategies, retirement planning, tax minimization, next‑generation wealth transfer, and structured lending into a coordinated plan.
  • Direct access and personal accountability.
    In an increasingly AI‑driven world, you will reach us directly. No call trees, no hand‑offs. We treat our clients like family and manage your finances with the rigor of a well‑run business.

    Our approach is rooted in a legacy we value deeply. As second‑generation members of The Johnson Group, we are proud to follow in our father’s footsteps. He shaped our careers by instilling enduring principles of hard work, transparency, and accountability—values that continue to guide how we serve our clients and their families.

    Reach us directly:
    Benjamin L. Johnson
    Managing Director, Wealth Management Advisor
    215.587.4733

    Christopher L. Johnson
    Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
    215.587.4688
Recognition
Benjamin L. Johnson
Managing Director, Wealth Management Advisor
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors", 2018-2026
(Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.)
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams", 2023-2026
(Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.)
Show more recognition
The Johnson Group
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams", 2023-2026
(Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.)
About Us
How We Help

Since our founding more than 40 years ago, we've taken a highly personalized approach to each client. We take the time to learn about you—not only your assets and liabilities, but your aspirations, family dynamics, and intentions. Here are the ways we can help you design a more purposeful approach to your life and wealth:

Breadth and scale. Each day, we offer the strength of a global institutional powerhouse with the boutique-level service favored by affluent and ambitious clients.

A practical approach. We believe, Hope is not a plan. We can help you prepare for what you envision, as well as unlikely circumstances. By scrutinizing distinct areas of your financial life, we can identify potential opportunities and alert you to possible challenges.

Experienced problem-solvers. Bring us your most pressing issue. Our close-knit team is skilled in unwinding the thorny issues that can accompany significant wealth. If we don't know the answer, we'll connect you with someone who does.

Attuned to your interests. Tell us what's on your mind. If you have concerns about your wealth, we want to know about them. Here are some of the questions we've encountered from peer clientele:

-When will I have enough to retire?
-How can I maximize my compensation?
-Should I diversify my company stock?
-Can I start a new venture?
-My child has special needs: How can I put a plan in place?
-Am I taking advantage of new tax legislation?

Your success is the metric that matters. Our big-picture perspective extends well beyond investments, methodically addressing your needs. We strive to be tax efficient, cost efficient, and transparent, helping you advance a more purposeful approach to your financial life.

Meet Our Team
Benjamin L. Johnson,

CIMA®, CPFA®, CPWA®, CRPC™, CSRIC®

Managing Director, Wealth Management Advisor
215.587.4733
Christopher L. Johnson,

CFP®, CPFA®, CRPC™

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
215.587.4688
Victor Altadonna Sr,

CPFA®, CRPC™

Managing Director, Senior Resident Director
610.668.6160
Charles G Walker,

CRPS™

Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager
215.587.4729
Deborah J Sheehan
Assistant Vice President, Wealth Management Associate
215.587.4664
Matthew Hunter von Worrall,

AWMA™, CRPC™

Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager
215.587.4610
Analeigha  Ortega
Analeigha Ortega,

CRPC™

Assistant Vice President, Wealth Management Associate
215.587.4681
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.
Christopher Caradec
Wealth Strategies Advisor
Bank of America, N.A.
John Ventura
Investment Solutions Group Portfolio Strategist
Bank of America, N.A.
Chris Claps
Alternative Investments Regional Specialist
Bank of America, N.A.
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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Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks CIMA® and Certified Investment Management Analyst®, CPWA® and Certified Private Wealth Advisor®. Use of CIMA®, and/or Certified Investment Management Analyst®, CPWA® and/or Certified Private Wealth Advisor® signifies that the user has successfully completed the Institute’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for certification.
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.
Chartered SRI Counselor™, CSRIC®, and the CSRIC® 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.
Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist™, CRPS™, and the CRPS™ logo are certification marks or registered certification marks of The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in the United States.
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.