Merrill Lynch advisors Mary Ellen Garrett, Jay Jowers, Douglas C. Justice, Joshua Krentzman, Robert J. Leverte III, Damon M. Limberis, Mark T. Linenberg, Mike Rensink, Jennifer Q. Scott, Tom Singh, and Benny Varzi, were named to the 2023 Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list.

Garrett is a managing partner, senior vice president at the Garrett Group and this is the sixth time she has been named to this list. She has also been named to the 2023 Forbes “Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list two consecutive years. Her financial and civic life has been a profile of influence and devotion since she joined Merrill in 1985.

Jowers has been with Merrill for over 36 years, and this is a trademark of his effectiveness, leveraging an extensive network of contacts inside of the enterprise to advance client’s needs and goals. He is a Managing Director Private Wealth Advisor with the firm Ponder Jowers & Associates and this is the 5th consecutive year he has been named to the list.

Justice joined Merrill Lynch in 1979 and is a Senior Vice President with Justice & Associates. After his grandson was born with Down Syndrome in 2014, Doug started researching the world of disability and was surprised to find that nearly one in five Americans is living with a disability. His work as an advisor with an aging population and discovering this list of vast disabilities, led Justice to get his designation as a Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®) - one of only 405 nationwide who have this designation.

Krentzman joined Merrill Lynch in 2000 after graduating from the University of Rhode Island. He lives in Midtown, with his wife, Melissa, and their three children. Josh serves as a board member with the Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club.

Leverte joined Merrill Lynch in 2006 and is a Senior Vice President with The Leverte Group. He resides in Atlanta and holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Villanova University and an MBA in finance from Pepperdine University.

Limberis joined Merrill in 1987, Damon has served corporate executives, retirees, business owners, successful professionals, athletes, as well as individuals who have unexpectedly acquired sudden wealth. He holds the Series 6, 7, 31, 63, 65 FINRA registrations.

Linenberg is a Senior Vice President Senior Financial Advisor with over 20 years’ experience with Merrill Lynch. This is the sixth time he has been named to this list. He takes a holistic approach to clients' financial needs and works diligently with them to find appropriate strategies and solutions.

Rensink joined Merrill Lynch in 2002 and has worked closely with clients to develop tailored wealth management strategies designed for steady growth, preserving principal and minimizing risk.

Scott began her career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1995 and is currently a Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor in Alpharetta. Jennifer is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, a designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. This is her second consecutive year on the list.

Singh first joined Merrill as an intern while attending the University of Florida, and then joined the firm full-time upon graduation in 1999. He is Managing Director, Senior Resident Director at Singh & Associates and this is the fourth time he has been named to this list.

Varzi joined Merrill Lynch in 2009 and is a Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager with The Varzi Group. Varzi resides in Marietta and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Kennesaw State University. Varzi also holds Certifications of Portfolio Management from The Babson School of Executive Education in Boston, DePaul University in Chicago and The University of Chicago Booths School of Business. This is the fifth time he has been named to this list.

Merrill holds the No. 1 position for all firms, with 1,820 total advisors recognized on the published list. Additionally, Merrill has 23 advisors recognized as No. 1 in their state. This was the sixth consecutive year Merrill has ranked No. 1.