Philip M. Dodson
Philip M. Dodson, CIMA®
Managing Director–Wealth Management
Private Wealth Advisor
Senior Portfolio Manager
713.632.8369 | phil_dodson@ml.com

Phil has more than 27 years of investment experience and has been with Merrill Lynch since 1988. As managing partner and lead investment strategist for Tactical Associates, his primary focus is on the development and oversight of several investment strategies available within the firm’s Investment Advisory Program. As a senior portfolio manager, he designs and manages customized portfolios for many of the firm’s ultra-high-net-worth clients and also manages client assets for Merrill Lynch financial advisors across the country.

A frequent guest speaker at industry conferences, he has been a featured presenter at conferences sponsored by iShares, Vanguard, Standard & Poors/Dow Jones and Merrill Lynch among others. Phil holds the Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (CIMA®) designation offered through the Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. and Wharton School of Business. He has been recognized by Barron's in each of the last five years: in the Top 1,000 Financial Advisors list for 2012 and 2013, and in the Top 1,200 Financial Advisors list in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Phil received his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University.

Thomas V. Rushing
Thomas V. Rushing, CIMA®
Managing Director-Wealth Management
Senior Consultant
Senior Portfolio Manager
713.632.8301 | thomas_rushing@ml.com

With more than 47 years of investment experience, Tom serves as the team's lead investment strategist. Additionally, he focuses on alternative and customized investments. Tom began his career as a municipal bond analyst and later held a management position with a major Wall Street brokerage firm before joining Merrill Lynch in 1978.

Barron's named Tom to its 2014 and 2015 Top 1,200 Financial Advisors list. Tom was also recognized by Barron's in its 2012 and 2013 listings of America's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors, where he was ranked among the top 75 Financial Advisors in Texas. He holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation and is an active member of the Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc.

Tom received his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Texas. He has served on the faculty of Rice University, teaching an undergraduate course relating to investing. Tom is active in his community, having served as an elected public official. He presently serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations and is a trustee for the Houston Grand Opera.

Malia Skaer Morales
Malia Skaer Morales, CIMA®, CRPC®
Senior Vice President–Wealth Management
Private Wealth Advisor
Senior Portfolio Manager
713.632.8373 | malia_morales@ml.com

With over 10 years of investment experience, Malia is a private wealth advisor at Merrill Lynch. Malia began her career as an investment associate at a major brokerage firm before joining Merrill Lynch in 2006, where she became a private wealth advisor. Malia is a specially qualified senior portfolio manager who, in addition to providing traditional advice and guidance, can help clients pursue their objectives by building and managing her own personalized or defined strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. Senior portfolio managers are provided a high degree of flexibility in constructing portfolios and selecting securities. When servicing clients through the firm's Investment Advisory Program, a senior portfolio manager may manage her strategies on a discretionary basis. Malia holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation in conjunction with the Wharton School of Business, the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (CRPC®) designation, and is a member of the Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. She leads business development efforts for her team.

Malia graduated from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, with dual bachelor's degrees in political science and communication with an emphasis in media technology and psychology. She continues to be an active member of the Stanford Alumni Career Network.

Tyler Lane
Tyler Lane, CFA®
Senior Vice President–Wealth Management
Private Wealth Manager
Senior Portfolio Manager
713.632.8367 | tyler_lane@ml.com

Tyler joined Merrill Lynch in 2007, and after building his business for three years became a member of Tactical Associates. He is primarily responsible for communicating with clients, investment research and analysis, manager selection, and portfolio performance reviewing. Conducting both macroeconomic and investment-specific research, he develops and implements investment strategies. Tyler is a specially qualified senior portfolio manager who, in addition to providing traditional advice and guidance, can help clients pursue their objectives by building and managing his own personalized or defined strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. Senior portfolio managers are provided a high degree of flexibility in constructing portfolios and selecting securities. When servicing clients through the firm’s Investment Advisory Program, a senior portfolio manager may manage his strategies on a discretionary basis. After meeting certain additional requirements, a senior portfolio manager may use his own strategies to manage the assets of other Merrill Lynch advisors’ clients.

Tyler received his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation, awarded by the CFA Institute. He lives in Houston with his wife, their twin daughters, and twin sons.

Joe Bybee
Joe Bybee, CFA®
Senior Vice President–Wealth Management
Private Wealth Advisor
Senior Portfolio Manager
713-632-8356 | joe_bybee@ml.com

Joe is an accredited private wealth advisor. His focus on the team is portfolio construction and management. Prior to joining the Private Banking and Investment Group at Merrill Lynch in 2007, Joe was the lead equity manager and the head of the Houston office of U.S. Trust Co. Before joining U.S. Trust in 1996, he worked at another trust company for nine years as the chief domestic equity portfolio manager. Joe holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation. Joe is a specially qualified senior portfolio manager who, in addition to providing traditional advice and guidance, can help clients pursue their objectives by building and managing his own personalized or defined strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch model portfolios and third-party investment strategies. Senior portfolio managers are provided a high degree of flexibility in constructing portfolios and selecting securities. When servicing clients through the firm’s Investment Advisory Program, a senior portfolio manager may manage his strategies on a discretionary basis. After meeting certain additional requirements, a senior portfolio manager may use his own strategies to manage the assets of other Merrill Lynch advisors’ clients. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and history from The University of the South and an MBA with honors from The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. He is on the board of Cho-Yeh Camp and Conference Center and chairman of the board of Texas Presbyterian Foundation.

Ted Ellsworth
Ted Ellsworth
First Vice President-Wealth Management
Senior Consultant
713-632-8358 | ted_ellsworth@ml.com

Ted’s focus on the team is estate planning services, wealth structuring and retirement planning services. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch in 2007, Ted served as the chief fiduciary officer for U.S. Trust for 11 years. At clients’ request, he can work with their attorneys and CPA’s to develop tax-aware trust, estate and wealth management strategies. Ted has his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and an MBA in finance from the University of Houston, graduating Phi Kappa Phi. He is a member of the Houston Business and Estate Planning Council, the Houston Estate and Financial Forum, and the Planned Giving Council of Houston.

John H. Tyler
John H. Tyler
First Vice President–Wealth Management
Private Wealth Advisor
713.632.8364 | john_tyler@ml.com

John joined Merrill Lynch in 2009 and is currently a private wealth advisor in the Private Banking and Investment Group. He began his career in financial services at another major investment firm in the private client business where he worked with a number of high-net-worth clients across several industries. Prior to this he spent several years leading sales teams and business units for a diversified technology provider to the financial services industry. Currently John works with ultra-high-net-worth clients providing them with customized financial strategies across a broad spectrum of services. He has specific experience in providing asset allocation advice, succession planning for private business owners, wealth transfer strategies and building globally diversified portfolios utilizing top tier outside managers.

John is a member of the Advisory Council for the Business School at Stephen F. Austin State University, Klein Education Foundation, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Houston, and serves as committee member of Young Life in Northwest Houston.

Kurt White
Kurt White
Private Wealth Analyst–Business Development
713.632.8361 | kurt.a.white@ml.com

As a 25-year industry veteran, Kurt joined Merrill Lynch in 2012 after beginning his career as a financial advisor with another major investment firm in 1989. He later worked in asset management and advisor consulting, working with individual and institutional investors. Kurt received a bachelor of science in mathematics and mathematics education from the University of Texas at Austin. He also studied electrical engineering and mathematics at The Ohio State University. He is involved in numerous charities and churches, and he and his wife of 27 years are actively involved with the sports and extracurricular activities of their five children.

Victor Hsu
Victor Hsu
Private Wealth Analyst-Investments
713.632.8352 | victor.hsu@ml.com

Victor joined Merrill Lynch as a financial analyst in 2012. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, Victor worked at a major brokerage firm in New York and also at a global investment management firm. In his previous roles, he focused on firm business development, product sales, and research. As an analyst for Tactical Associates, his efforts concentrate on investment research and analysis, manager selection and portfolio performance reviews. Conducting both macroeconomic and investment-oriented research, he assists the team with its proprietary and client-specific investment strategies. Victor received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business. He enjoys cycling with his wife and is an active marathon runner.

Jeremi Zabel
Jeremi Zabel
Private Wealth Analyst-Investments
713.632.8370 | jeremi_zabel@ml.com

Jeremi has over 17 years of experience with Merrill Lynch, having started with the firm in 1997. As the lead trader for Tactical Associates, he works alongside the Merrill Lynch Equity Trading desk to execute trades. He also assists the team’s private wealth advisors with fixed-income trading, cash management and portfolio review. In addition, he offers clients personal investment support, such as research, trading assistance and administrative portfolio oversight.

Mack Kraycirik
Mack Kraycirik
Private Wealth Analyst-Relationship Management
713.632.9008 | mack_kraycirik@ml.com

Mack joined Merrill Lynch in 2006 as a financial advisor and worked in global wealth management, where he focused on investment management and risk mitigation services. Additionally, Mack was a fully licensed commodity broker and aided clients using the commodity market to manage personal and business risk. Joining Tactical & Associates in 2014, Mack now works directly with ultra-high-net-worth clients on portfolio construction, account reviews and relationship management. Mack received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer School of Business. He enjoys fishing and is an active supporter of University of Houston Athletics.

Christian Tycksen
Christian Tycksen
Private Wealth Analyst-Investments
713.632.8327 | christian.tycksen@ml.com

Christian joined Merrill Lynch in 2014 as a financial analyst for Tactical Associates. Prior to joining the firm, Christian worked in private equity and technology startup development. In his previous roles, Christian focused on investment research and analysis, underwriting and valuing commercial real estate and distressed asset opportunities, and developing online and mobile phone applications. Christian received his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University.

Michael Bagot
Michael Bagot
Private Wealth Analyst-Business Management
713.632.8375 | michael.h.bagot@ml.com

Michael joined Merrill Lynch in 2012 to help oversee compliance and risk management in the New Orleans complex. Prior to joining the firm, Michael worked as a financial analyst in the healthcare sector. He supports the maintenance of the team’s Investment Advisory Program relationships across 35 states. Additionally, Michael’s role includes equity trading, fixed-income trading and cash management. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance from the E.J. Ourso College of Business.

Adam Loveless
Adam Loveless
Private Wealth Analyst-Relationship Management
713-632-8359 | adam_loveless@ml.com

Adam joined Merrill Lynch in 2008 as a registered client associate in the North Houston office. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, he worked for the natural gas pipeline company El Paso Corp. Adam is responsible for portfolio management and client management. Adam graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, and a minor in business.

Carolyn Rice
Carolyn Rice
Senior Private Wealth Associate
713.632.8371 | carolyn_l_rice@ml.com

Carolyn has decades of experience in the financial services industry, and has been with Merrill Lynch since she joined the firm in 1977. She serves as the team's lead client relationship manager and provides a wide range of support to clients, including account management, administering restricted stock sales, and providing access to Bank of America's securities-based lending and home financing. Additionally, she provides support to the private wealth advisors of Tactical Associates in the areas of client portfolio reviews, account management investment manager search and the team's manager selection.

Nancy Sparks
Nancy Sparks
Private Wealth Associate
713.632.8368 | nancy_sparks@ml.com

Nancy has 39 years of financial services experience and began with ML in 1987. Prior to joining the firm she spent 10 years as an accounting director at a major energy company. She oversees the administration and maintenance of the team's Investment Advisory Program relationships the team has across the firm. Nancy received her bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Houston.

Dolores Chavira
Dolores Chavira
Senior Private Wealth Associate
713.632.8372 | dolores_chavira@ml.com

Dolores has 35 years of experience with Merrill Lynch, and started with the firm in 1980. She serves as the lead client service associate for Tactical Associates, and focuses on the administration and maintenance of client accounts. Dolores supports the team’s private wealth advisors in wealth transfer events and securities transfers, and serves as the team’s administrative liaison with U.S. Trust, whose services are offered by Bank of America. She also assists clients with access to private banking services.

Van Ngo
Van Ngo
Senior Private Wealth Associate
713.632.8334 | van_ngo@ml.com

As a graduate of Rice University, Van began her career as an investment banking analyst in New York. In 2007, she became part of the private wealth management division of another major investment firm and joined Merrill Lynch in 2009. Van focuses on client service across many areas of investments and account management.