Ellison Kibler
Merrill Private Wealth Management
1301 Gervais St
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 733.2130
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Mission Statement
Ellison Kibler & Associates private wealth managers and financial advisors have 403 years of combined experience. We have navigated the markets since 1983 and can apply the collective wisdom from that experience to our guidance for clients' wealth management strategies.
Welcome




Ellison Kibler & Associates was formed in 1983 with the goal of providing a superior wealth management experience and unsurpassed client service to affluent families, corporations, endowments and foundations. From our offices in Columbia, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina, our team brings you the breadth of Merrill and Bank of America on a boutique and customized level. Through our core principles of teamwork and trust, we strive to enhance the financial lives of our clients to achieve their desired personal and financial outcomes. 




*Barron’s “America’s Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State” 
Published annually in February. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year.

*Barron’s “America’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State” 
Published annually in February-March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year.
Recognition
Richard Migliore
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors", 2019-2022
(Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.)
Barron's "America's Top 1200 Financial Advisors State-by-State", 2018-2022
(Published annually in March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year.)
Show more recognition
Ellison Kibler
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams", 2023-2024
(Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.)
Barron’s "Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams", 2022-2023
(Published annually in April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.)
Our Approach
A Tribute

Hagood was a figure that was larger than life that believed one should serve rather than be served. His selfless acts, visionary leadership and passion for his family and clients was second to none. Hagood believed that things could always be better and with that principle in mind, he formed one of the first teams within Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. While Hagood is deeply missed by family, friends and clients his legacy lives on in all that we do each day..

Meet Our Team
E. Robertson "Bud" Kibler
Managing Director, Senior Consultant
803.733.2141
Richard Migliore,

CIMA®, CPFA™, CRPC™

Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
803.733.2126
Gordon Whittaker,

CFP®, SE-AWMA™

Managing Director, Wealth Management Advisor
704.339.2128
John DaWalt,

CEPA®, CIMA®, CPFA™, CRPC™

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
803.733.2194
John McCardell
Managing Director, Senior Financial Advisor
704.339.2021
F. Ronald Dennis,

CEPA®, CIMA®

Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
803.733.2180
Thomas Kibler
Senior Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor
803.733.2117
Jessica Miles,

CFP®

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
803.733.2190
Andrew Ellison,

CPWA®

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
704.339.2033
Karen M. Alessi,

CFP®, CRPC™

Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager
803.733.2142
Laura R. Williams,

CIMA®

Vice President, Private Wealth Senior Relationship Manager
803.733.2144
Amanda B. Turner,

CRPC™

Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Relationship Manager
803.733.2147
Cathy H. Greenwood,

AWMA™

Business Manager
803.733.2164
W. Stuart Paulk,

CKP®, CPFA™

Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager
803.733.2182
Aaron K. Rowland
Senior Private Wealth Client Associate
803.540.3363
Angie P. Whittaker,

CRPC™

Assistant Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager
803.733.2108
Courtney L. Myers
Officer, Senior Private Wealth Client Associate
803.733.2195
Robert D. Forsyth Jr.
Assistant Vice President, Wealth Management Associate
803.733.2124
Benjamin L. Covar,

CFA

Vice President, Private Wealth Senior Investment Manager
803.733.2188
Christopher C. Leigh,

CIMA®

Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager
803.733.2134
Tricia Cartin
Officer, Registered Private Wealth Client Associate
803.540.3378
Rebecca Leanne Beckley
Registered Wealth Management Client Associate
803.540.3388
Elizabeth Conger
Officer, Registered Wealth Management Client Associate
803.733.2914
Hayden R. Ellison
Wealth Management Client Associate
803.540.3387
Donald Chase Bartol
Registered Wealth Management Client Associate
704.339.6985
Jenna Friendly
Registered Private Wealth Client Associate
803.540.3372
Taylor Kitchen,

CRPC™

Relationship Manager
704.339.2053
John Zimmerlink,

CFP®, CIMA®

Vice President, Senior Private Wealth Planner
704.339.2156
Devin Rogers,

AWMA™

Private Wealth Relationship Manager
704.339.6991
Cara A Cospito
Assistant Vice President, Registered Wealth Management Client Associate
732.308.1217
Christopher Grady
Senior Financial Advisor
704.339.2018
Jack Wynkoop,

SE-AWMA™

Financial Advisor
803.733.2111
Blake Loggins
Assistant Vice President, Registered Wealth Management Client Associate
803.733.2161
Virginia Deas Hicks
Wealth Management Client Associate
803.733.2158
Graham Bokinsky,

CFP®

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
803.733.2152
James Turner
Senior Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor
803.733.2105
Jeremy Coliton
Registered Wealth Management Client Associate
803.733.2900
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 Private Wealth

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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks of the CFA Institute.
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.