Financial Advisors and Wealth Managers in Roswell, GA
Contact us today to learn more about what our award-winning team can do for you.
Accolades:
Our Roswell, GA Office
Contact
Phone: 678.647.8040
Fax: 678.935.3990
Location
1025 Old Roswell Rd.
Suite 104
Roswell, GA 30076
Business Hours
Mon - Fri (8AM - 4:30PM)
Sat - Sun (Closed)
Our Team
Kirk Wilkerson
Regional Director, Partner
Meet Kirk >
Kirk Wilkerson
CIMA®, CFF
Regional Director | Partner
Kirk integrates financial planning, investment management, and estate and philanthropic planning into a custom-tailored financial plan that helps clients accomplish their financial goals. He is responsible for bringing together the specialized resources necessary to meet his clients' needs effectively and for building long-term client relationships based on integrity, confidence, and trust.
Before joining Merit, Kirk was a founding member of Consilium Financial Group, and spent 17 years as a Senior Wealth Advisor with Ronald Blue & Co. Other Broker-Dealer positions, beginning in 1992, include his role as a Financial Consultant with Shearson Lehman Brothers, The Robinson Humphrey Company, and Sr. Financial Advisor with Paine Webber, Inc.
When employed in the Broker-Dealer arena, Kirk held his Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses, Georgia Life Insurance, and Annuity licenses, and earned several professional designations, including Guided Portfolio Manager and Retirement Planning Consultant, and Managed Account Consultant. In 2001, he earned the designation of Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) through the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Finance and the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA). In 2020 he earned his Certified Financial Fiduciary® (CFF) designation dedicating the practice to a standard of care, loyalty, and best interest of the client.
Jill Crawford
Wealth Manager
Meet Jill >
Jill Crawford
CFP®
Wealth Manager
Jill Crawford guides clients in reaching their financial objectives through a sound financial plan that will allow them to gain peace of mind regarding their financial matters. She believes that every client's situation requires a unique solution and is committed to understanding her client's particular goals, creating the best possible plan, and helping clients execute their plans. She brings over 15 years of planning experience to each client's situation.
Before joining Merit, Jill was a founding member of Consilium Financial Group, served as a Financial Advisor at Ronald Blue & Co, where she obtained her Certified Financial Planner® professional designation. With her previous work experience at Arthur Andersen, LLP, she earned her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and maintained this license through 2017.
Jill and her husband, Dave, live in Buford, Georgia, and enjoy time spent traveling, boating, and visiting family.
Brad Cast
Wealth Manager, Partner
Meet Brad >
Brad Cast
RFC®
Wealth Manager, Partner
Brad Cast, RFC®, is a Partner and Wealth Manager for Merit in the Botsford Private Wealth division. His main focus is comprehensive financial planning for high net worth executives and individuals in transition (widows, divorcées, retirees, etc.) Brad enjoys spending time with clients while assisting them as they strive to reach their personal financial goals. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University. Brad likes to travel, spend time with his family, fly fish in North Georgia and work on home improvement projects.
Todd Hicks
Wealth Manager
Meet Todd >
Todd Hicks
Wealth Manager
Since 1983, Todd Hicks and his team have been making a significant impact in clients' lives both financially and on a personal level.
"I believe my drive and passion come from a deep desire to serve and help others. I know and remember what it is like to do without and what it takes to turn life into a different direction and outcome. I purposely chose a noble profession that helps others obtain their aspirations and dreams. The work we do has a significant impact on generations to come, and that is real "legacy planning."
His approach is straightforward but built on a foundation of honesty, integrity and years of knowledge and experience. Todd is a published author, ex-radio host of The Retirement Coach show, public speaker, and a mentor to many.
Todd and his wife Teresa founded the Angel's Touch Charity, a 501(c)3 that helps hurting and special needs of families and individuals. The charity has had a profound impact on the lives of others. It is also a helping hand to families at Christmas that otherwise would not be in the position to celebrate the season due to financial hardships. Children are a special concentration and benefactor of the charity.
Todd spends his personal time as an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. Whether it is climbing a 10,000-foot mountain or horseback riding in the British Columbia Mountains, it's in nature that he finds peace, tranquility and the still voice of God and his beautiful creation.
Scott Meyer
Wealth Manager, Partner
Meet Scott >
Scott Meyer
Wealth Manager, Partner
Scott’s passion for financial planning was instilled in him at an early age, as he would often discuss with his family the value of a hard-earned dollar, as well as the numerous benefits afforded to an individual from proper saving, budgeting, and thoughtful financial planning. With over 15 years of experience presenting educational workshops to numerous corporations, Scott truly connects on an individual level and seamlessly articulates an individual’s needs and priorities in a personalized manner that helps them look to the future with confidence and assurance. Raised in Atlanta, Scott holds a Finance degree from Valdosta State University, where he received both golf and academic scholarships. Scott enjoys playing golf, running and spending time with his wife Cagney and two daughters Austin and Clarke.
Patrice Cobb
Relationship Manager
Connor Brechbill
Relationship Manager
Carin Dixon
Client Service Manager
Andy Lubben
Managing Operations Principal
Meet Andy >
Andy Lubben
CFP®
Regional Director | Partner
As a Certified Financial Planner® professional, Andrew specializes in investment management, retirement planning, and estate planning. His area of expertise is comprehensive financial planning.
Before joining Merit, Andrew was a was a founding member of Consilium Financial Group, and Senior Private Wealth Advisor with Ronald Blue & Co., where he also held the Manager of Investment Operations position. He worked as a project/process manager for Portal Technologies, providing information systems consulting to Fortune 500 clients. He earned his BA from the College of Charleston in South Carolina.
Andrew and his wife, Louise, live in Atlanta, Georgia, and have four children.
Jim Russell, III
Wealth Manager, Partner
Meet Jim >
Jim Russell, III
ChFC®
Wealth Manager, Partner
Jim has always been fascinated by the flow of money, economics and geopolitics. Prior to Merit Financial Advisors, he began his financial and estate planning career with the Mixon Baker Agency National Life of Vermont in 1978. After that, he joined the Al Adams Rare Coins firm in 1980 where he became the Vice President of the company. After becoming a registered representative in 1995, he joined Allegiance Advantage Group. He now serves as an advisor for Merit Financial Advisors.
Jim graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and is also a Chartered Financial Consultant. His naturally compassionate nature and unwavering dedication to his clients’ well-being and financial independence make him a personal- yet professional touch in the financial industry.
Jim is an avid scuba diver (Dive Master/ Master Scuba Diver) He shoots sporting clays, reads every day, thoroughly enjoys travel, wilderness hiking, the theater, and working out. Jim also has 3 children and 4 very active grandchildren.
Craig Anderson
Wealth Manager
Meet Craig >
Craig Anderson
Wealth Manager
Craig Anderson has 30 years of financial sector experience, dating back to 1987 when he earned his first securities registration. An Illinois native, he completed college and went to work helping people prepare for the future.
“Growing up, I learned very early on what it meant to try and save money and to stick to a budget. Having to learn fiscal discipline at a young age made investment advising a natural career for me. I know what it takes for a person to pursue their financial goals, and my primary objective is to help people chart a path toward an independent and confident financial future,” said Craig.
A transplanted Chicagoan, Craig considers himself a Georgia Bulldog to the core. “My roots are in Illinois,” he said. “But my heart, my family and my home are and will remain here in Georgia. It’s a fantastic area, the people are proud to call it home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.”
Craig has earned numerous licenses, including Series 7, 8 and 63, currently held with LPL Financial and 65, currently held with Merit Financial Group. His undergraduate education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL.
The product of a large family (seven children), he’s the father of two daughters. In his spare time, the former college football player and two-time Alta City Champion tennis player enjoys the outdoors and attending sporting events at the University of Georgia.
A volunteer youth basketball and softball coach, Craig and his wife, Janet, recently celebrated their 28th anniversary. “She’s a rock,” he said. “Having a true partner like Janet makes me a better advisor.”
The Anderson family resides just north of Atlanta in Canton, Georgia.
Kat Grier
Wealth Manager
Meet Kat >
Kat Grier
CFP®, CPA
Wealth Manager
Kat is a wealth advisor in Atlanta, GA. Kat believes that financial planning is more than just numbers and investment selection. It is about listening to our clients’ desires, values, and concerns, and tailoring financial strategies for their unique needs and aspirations. Kat is committed to building long-term client relationships and helping clients to navigate all chapters of their lives.
Kat is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional and licensed CPA. Before joining Merit, Kat co-founded and served as managing partner of an Atlanta-based tax consulting firm. Kat’s tax background provides clients with an additional perspective on tax concerns as they relate to equity compensation, long-term business planning, and estate planning. She holds a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning and a Master of Science in Taxation from Georgia State University.
Kat was born and raised in Atlanta. When she is not helping her clients or with her Merit team, she’s spending time with her wife and daughter, working in her vegetable gardening, cooking (and making an absolute mess of the kitchen), listening to live music, or planning the family’s next travel adventure.
Bill Spalding
Wealth Manager
Meet Bill >
Bill Spalding
Wealth Manager
Bill Spalding is an independent financial advisor with over 30 years of industry experience. As an investment steward, Bill will safeguard and protect your assets with a sense of calmness and discipline. Creating an honest, impartial investment approach is the core component of all our relationships. Bill's clientele includes individual investors, retirees and entrepreneurs from all walks of life. He also believes in personal interaction with you, the client, and will provide a tailored solutions designed to fit your unique needs. Bill's guiding philosophy also entails a tax efficient investment approach to minimize your capital gain tax expenses. Bill is also a published author and wrote a financial column in Sandy Springs Living magazine.
Bill truly embraces the finer things in life. He regularly trains his two Westies, Trixie and Lilly. He participates in a Twilight Golf League, playing 9 holes once a week in the summertime. He loves to read and belongs to a men’s book club. As a hobby gardener, he and his wife Stephanie nurture their garden all year round. He plans travel adventures and has almost completed his goal of visiting all 50 states. His love of music has been a life long passion and he regularly curates new tunes for his playlists. He appreciates the visual arts as well, and supports his wife and their friends in their pursuit of art. Bill is also an active participant and is a supporter of his church in Atlanta, Georgia. He and his wife are active members of the Patrons of the Arts of the Vatican Museums. Bill was also invited to serve on The International Business Council for the Pope in Rome, and served for two years as Treasurer.
Heather Douglass
Client Service Manager
Donae Hollings
Client Service Manager
Kelly Gallimore
Wealth Manager, Culture Officer
Meet Kelly >
Kelly Gallimore
ChFC®, CES®
Wealth Manager, Culture Officer
Understanding that Wealth Management is about more than numbers, Kelly also focuses on the primary component: the why behind the process. A student of Behavioral Finance, she uses various tools to enhance clients' understanding of their financial views and how their innate strengths and struggles can influence their decision making and ultimate success in reaching their goals. Her desire is to walk alongside them, bridging the gap between actions and emotions.
Believing that every woman – especially those in transition - should have access to education in the area of personal finance, Kelly co-founded a non-profit organization dedicated to that purpose. She has acted as a financial consultant for CBF/Lilly Foundation grant recipients and has served on the Board of Directors of Grace Ministries International.
Before joining Merit, Kelly was a founding member of Consilium Financial Group, and served as a Financial Planning Associate at Ronald Blue & Co., where she obtained her Series 65 license. She has also earned her Certified Estate and Trust Specialist®, Chartered Financial Consultant®, and Certified Wealth Mentor® designations. Additionally, she spent several years in the banking industry; and worked at Arthur Andersen in Human Resources and Team Management.
In addition to books and art museums, Kelly enjoys hiking, golf, and Braves baseball. She and her husband, Brad, have two married sons, three grandsons, and a beagle. They live in Cobb County, Georgia.
David Elder, Jr.
Wealth Manager, Partner
Meet David >
David Elder, Jr.
CFP®
Wealth Manager, Partner
David is passionate about helping successful individuals and families make wise financial decisions and lead a life without financial regrets. He accomplishes this using traditional planning strategies combined with techniques from Behavioral Finance and Coaching. He holds a Master’s of Science in Personal Financial Planning from Georgia State University as well as a bachelor's degree in Music from Belmont University.
David is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional as well as an active member of the Georgia chapter of the Financial Planning Association. He believes it is very important for the financial services industry to give back and therefore he volunteers as a Pro Bono planner helping veterans and low-income individuals through the Foundation of Financial Planning.
David lives in Alpharetta with his wife Allison, their son Luke, daughter Anna Claire, and their dog Scout. He is a member of Alpharetta United Methodist Church and is excited about the things his Sunday School class is doing to help make their church a stronger faith community. In his free time, David loves to play golf, cook, and listen to music. If you have any tips to lower his handicap, great recipes to share, or albums to suggest, David is all ears.
Brian Martin
Wealth Manager
Meet Brian >
Brian Martin
Wealth Manager
Brian Martin is a Wealth Manager for Merit focusing on providing wealth management and financial planning strategies for clients, including serving corporate employees with respect to their overall benefits plans. Brian enjoys helping clients execute a defined plan of action that addresses their unique financial objectives, while also structuring investment strategies that are in their best interest.
He received his degree in Business Administration from Auburn University and is an avid supporter of everything Auburn. Brian is originally from Mobile, Alabama, and now enjoys living in the Johns Creek/Alpharetta area. When Brian is not in the office he likes to play golf when he can, and enjoys trips to the beach and visiting with family in Alabama. Brian loves spending time with his two kids, Hunter and Olivia as much as he can, and has coached youth teams for the last 8 years
Jim Colbourne
Wealth Manager
Meet Jim >
Jim Colbourne
CRPC
Wealth Manager
Jim joined Financial Development Systems in 2015, and has been in the financial services industry for over 20 years. Jim provides direction and focus for our clients to help pursue their goals. He also works with retirement plan fiduciaries and participants, helping to prepare and steer them to a comfortable retirement. Jim currently holds 7, 9, 10, 24 and 63 securities registrations through LPL Financial and 65 through Merit Financial Group. He is also licensed for life, accident and sickness insurance. Jim was raised in Marietta, Ga., and still resides there with his wife Kimberly and their two children, Katie and William. In his spare time, Jim enjoys playing golf, traveling, attending sporting events, and spending time with his family.
Susan Connor
Regional Operations Director
Dana Pierce
Relationship Manager
Barbara Bassoff
Client Service Manager
Our Financial Solutions
Financial Planning
We create personalized financial plans that adapt to your life’s twists and turns. By understanding your unique needs, we help you make smart decisions that support your goals now and in the future.
Wealth Management
Our wealth management strategies are all about growing and protecting your assets. We’ll work together to build a plan that makes sense for you, so you can confidently navigate the ups and downs of the market.
Life Transitions
Life is constantly changing, but that doesn't mean your financial goals have to. Whether it’s retirement, divorce, a career change, or widowhood, our team is here, ready to tackle whatever transition you are preparing for or already are experiencing.
Insurance Planning
Life happens—our insurance planning services help protect what matters most. We’ll find the right solutions to safeguard your assets and provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
For Businesses
Running your business is both a joy and a challenge that deserves careful planning and guidance. We’ll work closely with you to understand your business’s unique challenges and opportunities and offer customized strategies to address them.
Your Path to
Financial Success
Tailored financial plans that cater to your unique needs and goals
Expert guidance and strategies backed by years of industry experience
Wide range of services, including retirement planning, investment management, and tax planning
Frequently Asked Questions
At Merit Financial Advisors, we specialize in managing complex financial portfolios. Our team of experts uses a comprehensive approach to provide sophisticated solutions tailored to your diverse investment, business, and real estate holdings. We ensure every aspect of your wealth is strategically managed to meet your unique needs.
The Details
Understanding Financial Planning
Financial planning is a comprehensive process that helps set and achieve long-term financial goals. At Merit Financial Advisors, we assess your current financial situation and create tailored strategies for saving, investing, and managing your wealth. Our advisors ensure your plan is aligned with your goals, providing ongoing support and adjustments as needed.
Types of Financial Planning Services We Provide
At Merit Financial Advisors, we offer a comprehensive range of financial planning services designed to meet your unique needs:
- Financial Planning: Comprehensive analysis of your financial health, including budgeting, savings strategies, and debt management to build a strong financial foundation.
- Wealth Management: Personalized investment management to grow and preserve wealth, continuously monitoring and adjusting to optimize performance.
- Estate Planning: Creating wills, trusts, and legal documents to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes and minimize tax liabilities.
- Insurance Planning: Identifying and mitigating financial risks with life, disability, and long-term care insurance to protect you and your family.
- Retirement Planning: Setting retirement goals, estimating future expenses, and creating savings plans to ensure a secure and comfortable retirement.
Why You Need a Financial Advisor
- Expertise: Specialized knowledge in financial planning, investment management, and wealth management.
- Customized Plans: Tailored financial plans to meet your specific needs and goals.
- Access to Financial Products: Wide range of financial products and services, including advanced investment strategies and estate planning tools.
- Ongoing Support: Continuous guidance to keep you on track with your financial goals.
- Commitment to Service: Personalized service and continuous support for achieving and maintaining financial success.
Finding the Right Financial Advisor in Roswell
- Certifications: Look for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® or Chartered Financial Analyst® designations.
- Reviews: Check online reviews and client testimonials.
- Experience and Expertise: Evaluate their background and the services they offer.
- Fiduciary Duty: Required to act in the best interests of clients.
- Transparency and Communication: Clear and honest about fees and services.
- Approach: Understand their strategy for financial planning and investment management.
How Financial Advisors Can Help You Achieve Your Goals
Financial advisors create customized financial plans tailored to your individual needs and goals. They offer ongoing support and guidance, ensuring your plan adapts to life changes and market fluctuations. At Merit Financial Advisors, we provide comprehensive advice and support to help you achieve financial success. Our team makes informed decisions during significant life events and maintains focus on your long-term goals.
Overview of Merit Financial Advisors
Merit Financial Advisors enriches clients' lives with personalized financial planning and wealth management. Our team includes CFP®s and CFA®s who excel in managing complex portfolios, optimizing taxes, and developing estate plans. We provide detailed, tailored plans addressing all aspects of your financial life, ensuring your success with confidence and clarity.
Merit’s Service Areas Outside of Roswell, GA
Our service areas include:
- East Cobb
- Sandy Springs
- Johns Creek
- Milton
- Dunwoody
- Peachtree Corners
Achieve Financial Success with Merit Financial Advisors
Merit provides expertise, personalized planning, and ongoing support to achieve your financial goals. Our services in Roswell and surrounding areas include advanced investment management, tax optimization, and estate planning. Partnering with Merit ensures comprehensive financial solutions tailored to your unique needs, guiding you to long-term success with confidence and clarity.