POH Team Photo

POH

Merrill Private Wealth Management

8075 Leesburg Pike
Suite 600
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 734-8066
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POH coaches families who are facing a financial transition so they will be ready to thrive as they begin the next season of their lives.
POH
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Welcome

At POH, we find ourselves in a different position than most other advisory groups. Rather than trying to be “everything to everyone,” we pride ourselves on being the right team for an impressive circle of discerning, self-made individuals and generations of their families.

Whom do we serve?

A loyal and growing clientele that shares entrepreneurial mindset. They include owners of family-owned businesses (including many government contractors), as well as C-suite executives residing in the Washington D.C. area and 15 other states.

What differentiates our clients is what defines our focus:

Most of the people we serve have experienced, or will experience a major liquidity event – the kind that often happens “once in a lifetime.” Given the serious nature of these events, we have developed a strong skillset in formulating strategies that help clients preserve their assets with an eye toward tax-efficient growth and consistent cash flow. The intensive planning that goes into the formation of these strategies starts well in advance of the actual event, ideally, at least one year prior.

Due to the close nature of our client relationships, we have structured our team to maintain a “coaching mentality.” Doing so allows us to educate and inspire best practices by our clients. However, experience tells us that the quality of our advice is only as effective as the questions we ask. That’s why we dig deep to help clients articulate and answer, “What is the real purpose of your wealth? What are your plans for your next season? And, when everything falls into place, will you be spending time with family and friends, traveling the world, or launching your next entrepreneurial opportunity?””

Each of us is privileged to be a trustworthy and proactive steward of clients’ wealth and wellbeing – as it moves across stages of careers, multiple generations and charitable pursuits. Ultimately, we judge ourselves not by the assets we manage, but by the lives we touch.

Recognition
Gregory Popera
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors", 2018-2024
(Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.)
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 "America's Top 1200 Financial Advisors State-by-State", 2014-2019
(Published annually in March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year.)
Show more recognition
Our Approach
Who We Work With

Company Founders, Private Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

When you have built your own business, your personal finances and the life of your company are closely intertwined. You may be thinking about how to invest in your company's growth while also deciding how best to use your personal assets. Helping ensure the future of your business likely involves employee benefits, retirement plans, and succession planning. Helping secure your family's legacy could entail wealth transfer strategies, trusts, and philanthropy. Whatever your specific needs, we at Merrill Private Wealth Management can help entrepreneurs and business owners balance their personal financial lives with their life's work. We are dedicated in providing the experience and resources to help support your ongoing success.
Corporate Executives

We understand the complexities that come with your executive position and the extreme demands on your time. We can help you develop a customized strategy that your finances and compensation require. We can help with risk management strategies for your concentrated stock position while navigating complex SEC rules, trading restrictions, and reporting requirements. If you've just been promoted and would like help evaluating your new compensation plan, or if you're looking to develop a long-term financial strategy for you and your family — designed to enable you to live life as you want it, with reliable access to cash — we can help simplify your financial life, as well as develop new strategies as your career and goals evolve.
Intergenerational Family Wealth

As a family that spans multiple generations, you have needs that go beyond preserving assets, tax minimization strategies and designating heirs. Your goals also likely include passing on values and helping the rising generation become effective stewards. We can help with personalized wealth transfer strategies, family wealth education, and developing and implementing philanthropic visions. In working with you to create an approach that reflects your family's intentions and helps ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes, we proceed in a manner that recognizes the complexities of your life challenges and the unique nature of your goals. Our extensive experience working with other families of significant wealth helps us to see and share best practices to help you achieve them.

Meet Our Team
Gregory Popera,

CEPA®, CPWA®

Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
703.734.8194
Kent Overholt
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor
703.734.8190
Richard Holland
Senior Vice President, Private Wealth Advisor
703.734.8066
Kathryn Stegmann,

AWMA™, CFP®

Vice President, Senior Private Wealth Planner
703.734.8054
James Kress,

AAMS™

Private Wealth Business Development Specialist
703.734.8072
Lori Pemberton Mazeas,

AAMS™

Assistant Vice President, Private Wealth Associate
703.734.8130
Melissa Sanders
Registered Private Wealth Client Associate
703.734.8023
Giselle E Rodriguez
Private Wealth Client Associate
703.734.8185
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.
Brian Canuel
Structured Credit Executive
Bank of America, N.A.
Keller Hardy
Senior Wealth Management Lending Officer
Bank of America, N.A.
NMLS #1043656
Merrill Lynch Logo
Christopher Harley
Wealth Management Banking Specialist
Merrill
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

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 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.
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.
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.