Merit | Jacksonville Location
Jacksonville, FL
8826 Goodby’s Executive Dr, Suite B
Jacksonville, FL 32217
Phone: 904.733.1123
Fax: 904.733.9952
Toll-Free: 1.888.733.1102
Bill Traer
Director of Mergers and Acquisitions
Bill Traer
Director of Mergers and Acquisitions
Bill has over 25 years of experience as a practicing CPA with national and local CPA firms before transitioning to the financial planning and investment business in 1999. His experience is dealing with complex tax and financial planning issues for both individuals and businesses.
Bill served two years in the Army where he was a parachutist with the 82nd Airborne Division. After his military service, he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of North Florida, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1974. Bill obtained his CPA certificate in 1975 and his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificate in 1999. In addition, Bill has participated in executive education programs at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, MIT Sloan Executive Education Center, and the Yale School of Management Executive Education Program.
Bill enjoys financial planning because he is able to personally help clients through bankruptcy, estate issues, debt problems, death of a spouse and other money related dilemmas. He is well trusted in this industry and finds happiness in educating clients on financial products.
Bill is a member of the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA), The Financial Planners Association, and the Southside Rotary Club of Jacksonville. He has served as an instructor in continuing education for members of the FICPA, and has taught financial planning courses for Compass Ministries.
Amanda Rhodes
Financial Advisor, Branch Manager
Amanda Rhodes
Financial Advisor, Branch Manager, CFP®
Amanda serves as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ at Merit Financial Advisors. Prior to joining Merit Financial Advisors, Amanda served as a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, Smith Barney, and the Institute for Wealth Management in Denver, CO. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from The Florida State University School of Business and a Graduate Degree from The College for Financial Planning.
Amanda enjoys guiding individuals and families toward reaching their financial and life goals.
Amanda’s hobbies include reading, working out, hanging out with her husband, Jason, her daughter, Griffyn, and snow skiing. Her family is a member of Image Church. Amanda and Jason are witnesses for Jesus to refugees and people on the streets of Jacksonville and mentors a teenage boy and his family through the Boselli Foundation.
Russ Whitehead
Financial Planner
Russ Whitehead
Financial Planner
Russell started at Merit Financial Group in February of 2017. Russell has five years of experience in the financial business. He stated out as a Financial Counselor at the Aspire Clinic as part of his Master’s program, where he assisted clients with the basics of financial planning. More recently, he worked for Merrill Lynch in their 401(k) department assisting participants with their retirement accounts.
His position at Merit will continue the growth of the Worksite Financial Wellness program. He will be providing email and call support to participants, as well as assisting the advisors in the onboarding process of qualifying participants for further services.
He attended the University of Georgia for a Master’s degree in Financial Planning. He moved to Jacksonville in July 2016 to explore options outside of his home town of Athens. In his spare time, he enjoys the Florida weather by fishing, boating, hiking, and camping.
Kimberly Fulton
Client Service Manager
Kimberly Fulton
Client Service Manager
Kimberly joined Merit Financial Advisors in November 2014, after relocating to Jacksonville from Pennsylvania with her husband, Mark and dog, Sadie. Prior to joining Merit Financial Advisors, she served as Director of Client Services for Penn Wealth Planning in the Philadelphia area.
She has many years of client services experience in the financial industry and enjoys assisting clients with their account needs by providing exceptional service that goes beyond their expectations.
Kimberly is a proud alumni of Earlham College and her interests include antiquing, gardening and bird watching. She is a member of Yardley Friends Meeting where she has served on numerous committees; including, Pastoral Care, Nominating, Flea Market, and Clerk of the Cemetery Committee.
Gayle Terrebonne
Client Service Manager
Gayle Terrebonne
Client Service Manager (Mon - Wed)
Gayle started her second career with Merit Financial Advisors in 2003. With a background in telecommunications as a retired AT&T manager, she is responsible for the day to day administrative work, as well as establishing accounts for new and existing clients at Merit Financial Advisors.
Her favorite part about working at Merit is the open door policy. If she has a concern or a question, she can go to anyone within the company for support. Her dependability and extensive knowledge in the industry make her an indispensable resource to the Merit team.
Gayle married her high school sweetheart and has 2 children and 5 grandchildren. Her favorite hobby is crocheting.