Merit | Dallas Location
Frisco, TX
3001 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 100
Frisco, TX 75034
Phone: 214.423.4200
Fax: 214.423.4211
Toll-Free: 1.866.980.3336
Blaine Malcolm
Financial Advisor, Partner, Branch Manager
Blaine Malcolm
CFP ®
Financial Advisor, Partner, Branch Manager
Blaine became intrigued with the financial markets while in college at Texas Tech University. This intrigue led him to pursue a career in financial services in the Dallas area upon graduation in 1999. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Blaine understands the need to stay up-to-date with the changing landscape of financial planning. He graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Marketing, and currently holds his Series 6, 7, 24, 63, and 66 registrations through LPL Financial as well as his Group One Insurance license. He has been recognized as one of the Dallas/Fort Worth Five Star Wealth Managers* by Texas Monthly magazine each year from 2011 to 2014.
Based in our Frisco, Texas office, Blaine’s primary role at Merit is serving as a Financial Advisor to our Botsford Private Wealth clients. In this role, he is instrumental in assisting clients with retirement planning, portfolio design, investment strategy, implementation and ongoing monitoring of their assets. Blaine joined us in 2009, bringing nine years of industry experience to the firm. Blaine lives in Sachse, TX with his wife Heather and their three active sons, Brody, Hunter and James. Blaine is a coach with his boys’ soccer and baseball teams. When he is not in the office or on the ball fields, he enjoys golfing and staying up to date with Texas Tech sports teams. He also has the privilege of sitting on the board for Activism for Empowerment, a non-profit foundation keeping the public informed and involved on issues dealing with domestic violence and abuse.
JP Pattinson
Financial Advisor, Partner
JP Pattinson
RFC®
Financial Advisor, Partner
JP graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Financial Services. He currently holds the Series 7 – General Securities Representative registration, and Series 66 – Uniform Investment Advisor registration with LPL Financial, and the Group One Insurance license. JP started his career with us in 2005. JP’s primary role at Merit is as a Financial Advisor to our Botsford Private Wealth clients. In this role, he serves as the key link between our clients’ objectives and the plan that is created. JP helps facilitate the planning process to provide a unique client experience. JP is married to Leslie and they have one beautiful daughter named Brynn. JP is an active member of Ducks Unlimited. In his free time, he likes to travel, fish and hunt.
Kyle Shores
Financial Advisor, Partner
Kyle Shores
Financial Advisor, Partner
Kyle Shores joined one of our legacy firm in 2001, after graduating from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Planning. Kyle’s primary role is an advisor at Merit in our Botsford Private Wealth Division. In this role, he is instrumental in assisting clients with retirement planning, portfolio design, investment strategy, implementation and ongoing monitoring of their assets. Kyle holds the Series 7 – General Securities Representative, Series 63 – Uniform Securities Agent, Series 65 – Uniform Investment Advisor and Group One Insurance License. Securities registrations are held with LPL Financial.
Kyle was recognized as one of the Dallas/Fort Worth’s Five Star Wealth Managers by Texas Monthly magazine in 2010 (the inaugural year for the award), 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. He lives in Flower Mound, TX with his wife, Klair and their four boys, Cameron, Dalton, Max and Harrison. Kyle’s life outside of work revolves around the boy’s baseball schedule and they enjoy cheering on all the local professional sports teams.
Zac Beckerley
Financial Advisor
Zac Beckerley
CFP®
Financial Advisor
Zac is a Financial Advisor at Merit serving in our Botsford Private Wealth division. He assists clients throughout the financial planning process, focusing mainly on retirement planning, cash flow analysis, investment planning and social security strategies.
Zac started his career in 2007 while working toward a Master of Science degree while working part time for a financial planner/advisor reviewing estate documents and financial plans. He attended Texas Tech University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning.
Sara Benavides
Office Manager
Sara Benavides
Office Manager
Sara began at one of our legacy firms in 2012 at our Frisco, Texas branch as the assistant to the Director of New Business Development and Marketing. She moved on to also become the assistant to Erin Botsford. She assists with client service requests as well as being a client service liaison coordinating administrative aspects of client portfolios. This allows Sara to have experience in many parts of the firm.
Sara’s primary role is the client liaison for both our Merit and Worksite Financial Wellness divisions. Sara insists all clients have a rewarding and enlightening experience as family members of Merit. Sara facilitates client correspondence and plays a large role in planning exciting events throughout the year for Merit clients and friends to enjoy.
Sara graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. When she is not in the office, Sara and her husband, Jonathan, are busy with their three munchkins, Xavier, Addison and Kimber. They live in Little Elm and enjoy boating on the weekends. Sara enjoys running 5Ks, 10Ks and is a part of Susan G Komen 60 mile 3 day walk in November.
Erin Botsford
New Business Development Officer
Erin Botsford
CFP®, CRPC,
New Business Development Officer
Erin Botsford was the founder our legacy firm, Botsford Financial Group. Erin is a widely-recognized thought leader on investing, risk management and retirement planning, she now serves as a Strategic Business Development Officer in order to build further momentum toward Merit's future growth. Erin was quoted say, “I am thrilled to join forces with Merit, an organization that shares our group's passion for constantly raising the bar in the service experience we deliver to our clients. I could not have asked for a better partner to continue to provide our clients with the white-glove treatment they expect and deserve, while investing heavily in the business to drive enhanced services for their needs over the long term."
Erin and her husband, Bob, an American Airlines pilot, reside in McKinney, Texas. Their son Kevin is married to Kristin Botsford and they have two sons, Cooper and Carson. Erin and Bob love to snow ski, a sport they enjoy with their family and the Dallas Ski Club. Bob and Erin spend the majority of their free time working on their philanthropic endeavors, which include serving returning military veterans and providing water wells, orphan homes and other humanitarian relief to women and children in Africa.
Nate Cavender
Vice President of Corporate Relations
Nate Cavender
Vice President of Corporate Relations
Nate earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Texas Tech University. Nate served eight years in the United States Air Force as an officer/pilot. He was an Instructor Pilot in the C-17A and amassed over 650 hours of combat flying time. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, three Air Medals and two Air Force Commendation Medals before separating in the rank of Captain. During his service, Nate graduated from American Military University with an MBA in Global Business in 2012.
His passion to serve along with his love of finance guided him in pursuing a career in Wealth Management. Just as he never flew any mission without a detailed plan, Nate understands the importance of detailed thorough planning when it comes to achieving your financial goals.
Nate was a financial advisor with a large financial institution where he obtained his Series 7 & 66. The Series 7 registration is held through LPL Financial, and the Series 66 registration is held through LPL Financial. He also holds his life, accident, and sickness insurance license for Texas. He then made the move to go from a traditional wire house to an independent financial planning firm because Nate believed his clients would be better served in an independent environment.
When Nate is not working with clients, he dedicates his time to his family, friends and passions. He lives in Dallas with his wife Crystal. Nate enjoys flying, playing golf, working out, and is an active member of the Dallas Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter. Nate and Crystal attend the Village Church.
Michelle Shields
Client Service Associate
Michelle Shields
Client Service Associate
Michelle is the client service associate in the Frisco, TX branch. In this role, Michelle strives to provide world class customer service to everyone she encounters while facilitating the administrative aspects of client portfolios. Michelle assists in implementing new client investments, as well as service requests on existing investments.
Michelle joined the firm after 4 years of working in the mortgage industry as a loan officer assistant and loan processor. Michelle resides in McKinney, TX with her husband Jeremy, and their son Brady. When she’s not in the office, she is spending time outdoors at every opportunity with her son or in the kitchen learning to prepare a new dish.
Tami Snider
LPL Registered Service Associate
Tami Snider
LPL Registered Service Associate
Tami assists the team with providing a positive client experience. She provides excellent customer service with her timeliness and follow-through. Tami is responsible for implementing new client investments as well as service requests on existing investments. She coordinates administrative aspects of client portfolios. She also assists in coordinating our volunteer activities as we strive to leave our footprint in our community.
Tami joined our legacy firm in 2014. She brings 16 years of experience in the finance industry to the group. She currently holds her Series 7 and Series 66 registrations through LPL Financial and her TX Life and Health Insurance license.
Tami currently lives in Frisco, TX where she is a member of Preston Trails Community Church and participates in boot camp with Texas Fit Chicks. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves to travel and explore new places and is an avid reader and collector of books.
Casey Stegman
Vice President of Corporate Relations
Casey Stegman
Vice President of Corporate Relations
Casey brings more than 15 years of financial services experience to our Worksite Financial Wellness division. He graduated with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing at Texas Tech University and currently holds his Series 7, 63 and 24 registrations with LPL Financial and his Series 65 with Merit Financial Group. Prior to joining Worksite, Casey was with an investment banking boutique specializing in raising capital for private equity fund managers.
He has always had a passion for helping and educating people in the finance industry as well as helping clients focus on healthy habits and positive financial behavior. Casey also serves on Rawls College of Business Scholarship Committee. When Casey is not working with clients, he enjoys spending time with his wife Courtney and two kids (Hunter and Emma), fishing, traveling, golfing, and coaching baseball.
Joey Beason
Relationship Manager
Joey Beason
Relationship Manager
As a Relationship Manager, Joey analyzes and processes documentation in order to assist in the development of client financial and investment plans. Before joining our team, Joey attended Texas Tech University where he obtained his Bachelors of Science degree in Personal Financial Planning. Joey also gained experience by completing an internship at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Lubbock, TX. After Graduation, Joey relocated to McKinney, TX with his wife Sam. He is also dedicated to obtain his Series 7 – General Securities Representative registration, Series 66 – Uniform Investment Advisor and his Insurance license.