Merrill Advisors Named on Barron’s 2021 Top 1,200 Advisors List

Seven Oakland County wealth management advisors have been recognized as among the best in their profession with their inclusion on the Barron’s 2021 ‘Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” list.

Nicole Christians has been with Merrill since 2002, after graduating from the University of Michigan with degrees in history and philosophy. She works with high net worth clients on estate, wealth, and tax planning strategies. Nicole holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor professional designation.

Dana Locniskar has built an investment group in wealth management for high net-worth individuals, families and institutions. He focuses on wealth management, concentrated stock strategies, philanthropic planning, trust and estate planning services. Dana, a Private Wealth Advisor, joined Merrill in 1970. He serves on the boards of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, City Year and the Futures Foundation.

Frank Migliazzo has been with Merrill since 1979. He crafts investment portfolios that anticipate and respond to varied market environments. Frank, a Private Wealth Advisor, is one the select advisors nationally who are designated as Global Institutional Consultants at Merrill. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. Frank has a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s of business administration degree from the University of Detroit. He serves on the boards of the Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, the Catholic Foundation of Michigan, and the Pope Francis Center.

Abraham Post offers strategies to help individuals and families pursue their financial goals. In addition, he provides guidance to businesses on their company-sponsored retirement plans and holds a Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (CRPC®) designation. Abe began his financial services career at Merrill in 1992. He graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor's degree in finance.

Aaron Romain has been a Merrill financial advisor since 1998. He works with high net worth Individuals and their families and offers them a personalized approach for portfolio management and retirement planning. Aaron holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM professional designation.

He is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Melissa Spickler is the founder of the Spickler Wealth Management Group in Bloomfield Hills, Mi. She joined Merrill in 1980. She holds the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (CRPC®) designation. She is also a qualified 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. Melissa earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal law from Michigan State University.

Marie Vanerian has provided comprehensive, long-term investment strategies across all financial stages including wealth accumulation, preservation, and growth since joining Merrill in 1977. Marie also offers institutional investment consulting and advisory services to a broad range of discriminating global clients including foundations, endowments, religious organizations, pension plans, and multi-generation private family offices. Marie has earned numerous designations, including the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), the Certified 401(k) Professional, C(k)P®, and the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). She has a bachelor's degree in economics from Michigan State University.