The Hill Country Group

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
607 West 3rd Street
Austin TX 78701
(512) 397.1844
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Mission Statement
Shift the paradigm around financial planning and redefine wealth management.
Welcome

Delivering Merrill's global footprint through a boutique culture, The Hill Country Group at Merrill lives out our mission every day, to shift the paradigm around financial planning and redefine wealth management. Our team has over 100 years of experience with the world's top financial institutions, including JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, UBS, Fidelity, US Bank, Edward Jones, Morgan Stanley, and now Merrill. Utilizing the best-practices from each, we crafted a top-down, process-driven system that fuels our proactive approach to financial planning, implementation, ongoing service and support.

Our team holds the prestigious Merrill Institutional Consultant (MIC) designation, awarded to fewer than 120 advisors at Merrill. This distinction underscores our ability to deliver tailored, sophisticated financial strategies for institutions, high net worth families and business owners pursuing any meaningful transaction.

Merrill Institutional Consulting™ (MIC) is part of the Global Wealth and Investment Management (GWIM), the wealth and investment management division of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp"), and offers products and services for the benefit of institutional and ultra-high net worth clients through dually registered representatives of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or Merrill) who can provide brokerage or investment advisory services. The nature and degree of advice and assistance provided, the fees charged, and clients’ rights and MLPF&S’ obligations will differ depending upon the products and services actually provided. Banking products, services, and activities are offered by wholly owned banking affiliates of BofA Corp, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. MLPF&S and Bank of America, N.A. are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation. 
MLPF&S is a dually registered broker‐dealer and investment adviser and Member SIPC. MLPF&S makes available investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of BofA Corp.
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Different by Design
Recognition
Dustin Elliott
Managing Director, Senior Financial Advisor
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors", 2024
(Published on April 3, 2024. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2023.)
Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State", 2022
(Published on August 3, 2022. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.)
Forbes "America's Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors", 2021
(Published on September 21, 2021. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2021.)
Show more recognition
The Hill Country 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.)
About Us
Time, Talent and Treasure

THCG was built with intention from the ground up, seeking out first round draft picks to lead each critical discipline in a holistic wealth managment framework. Our clients benefit from the collaboration across the verticals, with the following team members leading:

  • Dustin - Team Lead, Asset Allocation & Credit
  • Andrew - Implementation & Insurance
  • David - Institutions & Endowments (401k, Stock Plans, Corp Benefits)
  • Alex - M&A, Entrepreneurship, Pre & Post Transaction Planning
  • Katelyn - Financial Planning & Chief of Staff
  • Abby - Private Alternatives & Marketing
  • Hannah - Brand Management, Events & Client Service
  • Mandy - Wealth Structure, Estate Planning & Client Service
  • Annie - Banking & Client Solutions
  • Arun - Next Gen

The Wealth Management industry has gone through a number of major paradigm shifts in the 21st century including the rise of financial planning, the shift from brokerage to advisory business, active management via mutual funds to passive indexing through ETFs. Today, our team continues to harness change:

  • Direct indexing with tax-loss harvesting can add after tax alpha annually while reducing concentration risk and mitigating significant future taxable events
  • There is a reverse shift in the race to IPO – as today more companies source capital and growth from the private markets – and access to those markets through cutting edge alternatives platform and dedicated resource is critical
  • Artificial Intelligence has very much arrived, albeit in the early innings, and we believe will provide never before seen real time potential solutions for teams who embrace it at the few firms who have the capacity, resources and commitment to develop and implement safely and effectively
  • Individual financial consultants reacting to client requests have given way to strategic wealth management teams proactively serving multi-generational families

Some or all alternative investments may not be in the best interests for certain investors. Certain alternative investments carry significant risk and are not subject to the same regulatory oversight as mutual funds and other traditional investments. For these reasons, access to alternative investments may be limited to investors who are designated as sophisticated, high-net-worth investors. Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

Friday, September 19th 2025| 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Faith-Driven Entrepreneur Conference

Here's to the faithful disruptors!

Join our watch party and hear from entrepreneurs and thought leaders who are shaping the movement. Featuring world-class speakers like Bear Grylls, Francis Chan, ...

Thursday, September 25th 2025| 6:00 pm
Dinner at Bob's Chophouse w/ THCG & TPG

Kicking off our private market dinners this fall with TPG, one of the world's leading alternative asset managers. This evening will feature a fireside chat to discuss opportunities in public and priva...

Monday, September 29th 2025
Warrior National - DTX Cup

Join us in Dallas for a day on the course supporting the Navy SEAL Foundation. After golf, we'll share dinner and hear firsthand stories from SEALs of courage and sacrifice you won't hear anywhere els...

Thursday, October 16th 2025| 6:00 pm
Dinner at Carve Barton Creek w/ THCG & HPS

We're hosting HPS Investment Partners, a global leader in private markets, at Carve for an evening filled with great food and great company. This fireside chat will spotlight opportunities in the publ...

Wednesday, October 22nd 2025
SWGP - Solving the World's Greatest Problems

Three-day conference in Austin with key leaders from around the world collaborating to leave it better than we found it. Featuring thought-provoking conversations from Henry Kaestner, Luke Roush, Jo...

Sunday, October 26th 2025
Warrior National - ATX Cup

The Warrior National continues in Austin with Franklin's BQQ dinner Sunday, October 26th followed by charity golf at Spanish Oaks Monday, October 27th. Like Dallas, this event benefits the Navy SEAL F...

Thursday, November 6th 2025| 6:00 pm
Dinner at Perry's Downtown w/ THCG & KKR

We'll be wrapping up our private dinners for the year with KKR at Perry's downtown location. KKR is one of the world's premier investment firms, and guests will enjoy an intimate fireside chat to disc...

Wednesday, December 3rd 2025
Celebrate the Season

Looking forward to a great fall season & close to the year… and to raising a glass with you once or twice!

We're excited to recap the year and plan for the next with our lovely clients and partners...

Meet Our Team
Dustin Elliott
Managing Director, Senior Financial Advisor
512.397.1820
David Carbone,

CPFA®

Senior Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor
720.941.2012
Alex Braun,

CIMA®, CPFA®

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
213.222.5720
Andrew Bushong
Senior Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor
512.397.1824
Katelyn Murff,

CFP®

Vice President, Senior Wealth Planner
512.397.1844
Abby Sutterman,

CEPA®

Wealth Management Specialist
512.397.1864
Hannah Wertz
Registered Wealth Management Client Associate
512.397.1840
Mandy L. Vigil,

CTFA

Registered Wealth Management Client Associate
720.941.2099
Annie Huber
Officer, Wealth Management Client Associate
512.397.1816
Arun Soorakulanthakan
Financial Advisor
310.858.4770
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.
Daniel Scalley
Wealth Strategist
Merrill
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®. 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.
Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor and CTFA are sponsored by the ABA Institute of Certified Bankers.