Financial Advisors and Wealth Management in Alpharetta, GA
Headquarters
Alpharetta, GA
2400 Lakeview Pkwy, Suite 550
Alpharetta, GA 30009
Phone: 678.867.7050
Fax: 678.867.7060
Toll-Free: 1.866.637.6949
Corporate Office
Rick L. Kent
CEO, Founder
Rick L. Kent
CFP®, ChFC, AIF®
CEO, Founder
Rick is an entrepreneur and visionary leader who founded Merit on a servant-leadership philosophy and a commitment to helping individuals reach their financial goals while supporting fellow advisors and entrepreneurs in meeting their professional goals. He has been widely recognized for his contributions to the industry, including being ranked among the Forbes Top 10 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors List in Georgia for 2 consecutive years. Rick has a clear vision for Merit’s growth, designing a program that allows advisors to align with Merit in a number of ways. Rick is well versed in the industry and is striving to change it for the better.
Rick delivers high-energy presentations that challenge audiences to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters most at work and in life. Audiences appreciate his practical strategies they can apply directly to their business model. Rick offers his insight to business owners, advisors, and executives. Having been a key player in multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years, Rick is well versed in the industry and is striving to change it for the better.
Earning many awards for his financial services capabilities, his team, and his vision have further highlighted Rick’s journey towards excellence. This perspective motivated him to coach, develop, inspire, and mentor fellow advisors as they strive to keep up with the everchanging financial services industry. He brings this same dedication to his work with business leaders to empower their teams and achieve greater success. Being a successful entrepreneur, Rick started multiple companies making him a diverse leader willing to share his recipes for success with others.
Kay Lynn Mayhue
President
Kay Lynn Mayhue
CFP®, AEP®, RFC®
President, Partner
Kay Lynn has played many roles in the financial advisory industry: as a successor, partner, seller, and buyer. This unique and diverse background allows her to be able to relate to advisors in all phases of their careers and mergers and acquisitions. With a background in financial planning and leadership, her career expands over several areas, including advising clients, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic growth.
Kay Lynn worked her way up from an entry-level position to earn her seat at the C-Suites table as President of Merit, which manages over 5 billion in RIA and Brokerage assets under management. She holds her CFP®, AEP®, and RFC® and has been a critical decision-maker for two firms over the past twenty years. Kay Lynn has overseen multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years and has been recognized for her position as a female leader in the financial services industry.
She is passionate about helping people take their careers – and themselves – to exceptional levels. Kay Lynn’s influence in the industry and her drive for success is a driving factor in Merit's ongoing growth and appeal to growth-oriented advisors.
Most recent awards won:
- America's Top Women Wealth Advisors 2022 - Forbes/SHOOK
- America's Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State 2022 - Forbes/SHOOK
Mike Mitchell
Chief Financial Officer
Mike Mitchell
Chief Financial Officer
Mike's professional background includes over 30 years of experience in corporate finance and operations, mainly within the financial services industry. During his career, he's held progressive leadership positions with Fortune 500 firms, including Toyota, Wachovia Bank, and AT&T, as well as small to medium-sized growth companies. His focus is centered on revenue growth, expense management, margin expansion and boosting bottom-line profitability.
Merit Financial Advisors and LPL Financial are not endorsed by or affiliated with Toyota, Wachovia Bank, and AT&T.
Chrissy Lee
Chief Operating Officer, Partner
Chrissy Lee
Chief Operating Officer | Partner
Chrissy serves as our Chief Operating Officer at Merit. Chrissy has over 15+ years of experience in the Wealth Management and Broker Dealer channel, having started her career in Operations and eventually rising to the role of COO and President at her previous firm. She previously served as a board member for IPA, served on the Advisory Council of Docupace, a technology provider for wealth management firms, created the Women Advisor Network, and served as a committee member for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion task force.
At Merit, Chrissy is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm, working within the executive leadership team and each department within the organization to create efficiencies and streamline the client service experience. She is also responsible for operational strategy, driving strategic growth through mergers and acquisitions, and overseeing the onboarding process, business development, and technology implementations to create a best-in-class experience for the Merit community.
As a member of Merit’s Executive Leadership Team and Senior Leadership Team, Chrissy’s goal is to create a bridge between firm initiatives and working with the entire Merit team to bring open communication, forum to gather new ideas to make the client experience evergreen, to empower every team member to make decisions and help to execute goals together. This aligns with Merit’s belief that servant leadership comes above all else.
Chrissy enjoys spending time with her husband of 25+ years and their grown children. She loves reading classic literature, going to Disney, and watching classic movies. She has a heart for helping underprivileged families and considers this a life- long stewardship.
Amelia B. Wood
Chief Transitions Officer, Partner
Amelia B. Wood
Chief Transitions Officer | Partner
Amelia brings over 20 years of experience in the financial services space, entirely of service to Merit. As the Chief Transitions Officer, she works with the transition team to onboard acquired and independent advisor partner firms to the Merit platform. With her extensive experience in serving the Merit team and specific expertise in accounting, payroll/benefits, compliance, technology, and business management, Amelia is a key resource in the transition process.
Amelia received a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of South Florida in Tampa and maintains her Series 7, 24 and 63 securities registrations with LPL Financial. After living in the city of Atlanta for almost 20 years, Amelia now calls the northern suburb of Milton home with her husband, Bryan, and their two children, Alex and Olivia. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing tennis, traveling, and watching her kids play sports.
Brian Andrew
Chief Investment Officer, Executive Vice President
Brian Andrew
Chief Investment Officer | Executive Vice President
Brian Andrew, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer, focuses on managing Merit’s investment strategy and team to provide investment solutions for advisors and their clients. Brian enjoys understanding the economy and markets and helping advisors build investment strategies for their clients. Brian received his B.S. in Finance from the University of Minnesota and completed the CFA®/Harvard Investment Management Program. Brian likes to travel with family, ski, and enjoy motorcycle travel.
John Cote
Chief Growth Officer
Doug Baxley
Chief Compliance Officer
Doug Baxley
Chief Compliance Officer
Doug Baxley is an accomplished executive leader with over twenty years of experience in the registered investment adviser and broker-dealer industry. Doug currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of Merit Financial Advisors. Most recently, Doug served as Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of Silver Oak Securities, a dually registered RIA and B/D. Prior to this, from 2021 to 2023, Doug served as First Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, from 2017 to 2019, Doug was Vice President of Retirement and Fiduciary Services at Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services and, from 2006 to 2016, Vice President and chief compliance officer of SSN Advisory. Doug began his financial services career as an advisor with American Express Financial Advisors. Doug is a Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional; Certified Financial Planner, insurance licensed for life, health, and variable contracts; and holds the FINRA Series 4, 7, 24, 27, 63, and 65 licenses.
Nick Moon
Director of Portfolio Management
Nick Moon
Director of Portfolio Management
Nick is the Director of Portfolio Management for Merit focusing on providing portfolio management solutions to advisors as well as supporting firm operations and compliance. He enjoys providing in-depth analysis to aid advisors and the firm. Nick received his bachelor’s degree in financial planning from the University of Georgia. He likes to travel and watch UGA football. Go Dawgs!
Matt Wilson
VP Corporate Systems
Tony DiGirolamo
VP of Technology
Tony DiGirolamo
VP of Technology
Tony DiGirolamo is the VP of Technology for Merit, focusing on the day-to-day management, configuration, and improvement of the key technology platforms with Merit. He enjoys building integrations, workflows, and automation that help make Merit's advisors' jobs easier. Tony received his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Master's degree from DePaul University. He enjoys spending time watching horror movies with his wife, Lauren, and daughter, Stassi.
Jennifer Keegan
VP of Operations
Jennifer Keegan
Vice President of Operations, Compliance Manager
Jennifer Keegan is the Vice President of Operations and Compliance Manager for Merit focusing on testing and implementing our registered investment advisor and broker-dealer compliance programs. She enjoys all things compliance! And the opportunity to work with each advisor and branch office within the firm. Jen received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Arts in Legal Analysis from Webster University. She likes to go golfing, boating and watch St. Louis Cardinal Baseball games with her husband, John and their son Daniel.
Margarite Lynch
Chief Administrative Officer
Jim Gaston
Internal Director of Finance
Martina Chisholm
VP of Marketing
Martina Chisholm
Vice President of Marketing
Martina Chisholm is the VP of Marketing for Merit, focusing on the planning, development, and execution of all Merit marketing, branding, and advertising initiatives. Martina enjoys creating a memorable digital and in-person experience for existing and potential clients while interacting with the Merit brand. She received her MBA from The University of Maryland – Global Campus. She likes to travel the world, experience different cultures, spend time with her friends and family, and attend all the concerts and sporting events Atlanta offers.
Jooliana Krummel
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Jooliana Krummel
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Jooliana is the Director of Strategic Partnerships for Merit. She focuses on identifying and building strategic alliances with advisory businesses looking to partner with Merit Financial Advisors to forge lasting relationships that will mutually benefit and create pathways for growth for all parties. She embraces a mindset of exploration, constantly seeking new avenues and creative approaches to drive transformative partnerships. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Music Business from the University of Georgia. She likes to visit new restaurants, travel to new countries, and spend quality time with her friends and husband, Brandon.
Zach Kholman
Director of Employee Experience
Zach Kholman
Director of Employee Experience
Zach Kohlman is our Director of Employee Experience. He focuses on developing and delivering innovative, efficient, and cost-effective human resource programs, policies, and services designed to support the firm's mission. He enjoys initiating collaborative efforts that will help us succeed by increasing individual and institutional effectiveness and by earning the respect and trust of those who support us and do business with us.
Zach served for 20 years on active duty in the greatest naval force this world has ever seen, the U.S. Navy. With a specialty in human resources on active duty, he has taken his unique military experience and proven leadership to forge a unique human resources philosophy. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in History and his Master’s Degree in Contemporary World History and Politics, both from Excelsior College. He enjoys photography, astronomy, and reading about history.
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