Our Leadership Team
Merit Financial Advisors is led by nationally recognized and award-winning industry leaders and advisors who share a deep passion for supporting clients in exceeding their financial goals and helping financial advisors evolve and grow their businesses. As a 2024 Barrons Top RIA Firm, 2023 Barrons Top 100 Private Wealth Management Team, and a 2024 - 2022 Forbes Top 100 RIA Firm, our leadership team includes visionaries focused on growth and best-in-class investing and planning solutions for our clients. Meet our exceptional leaders below.
Rick Kent
CEO, Founder
Rick Kent
CFP®, ChFC, AIF®
CEO, Founder
Rick is an entrepreneur and visionary leader who founded Merit on a servant-leadership philosophy and a commitment to helping individuals reach their financial goals while supporting fellow advisors and entrepreneurs in meeting their professional goals. He has been widely recognized for his contributions to the industry, including being ranked among the Forbes Top 10 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors List in Georgia for 2 consecutive years. Rick has a clear vision for Merit’s growth, designing a program that allows advisors to align with Merit in a number of ways. Rick is well versed in the industry and is striving to change it for the better.
Rick delivers high-energy presentations that challenge audiences to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters most at work and in life. Audiences appreciate his practical strategies they can apply directly to their business model. Rick offers his insight to business owners, advisors, and executives. Having been a key player in multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years, Rick is well versed in the industry and is striving to change it for the better.
Earning many awards for his financial services capabilities, his team, and his vision have further highlighted Rick’s journey towards excellence. This perspective motivated him to coach, develop, inspire, and mentor fellow advisors as they strive to keep up with the everchanging financial services industry. He brings this same dedication to his work with business leaders to empower their teams and achieve greater success. Being a successful entrepreneur, Rick started multiple companies making him a diverse leader willing to share his recipes for success with others.
Kay Lynn Mayhue
President
Kay Lynn Mayhue
CFP®, AEP®, RFC®
President, Partner
Kay Lynn has played many roles in the financial advisory industry: as a successor, partner, seller, and buyer. This unique and diverse background allows her to be able to relate to advisors in all phases of their careers and mergers and acquisitions. With a background in financial planning and leadership, her career expands over several areas, including advising clients, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic growth.
Kay Lynn worked her way up from an entry-level position to earn her seat at the C-Suites table as President of Merit, which manages $11.84 billion in RIA and Brokerage assets under management. She holds her CFP®, AEP®, and RFC® and has been a critical decision-maker for two firms over the past twenty years. Kay Lynn has overseen multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years and has been recognized for her position as a female leader in the financial services industry.
She is passionate about helping people take their careers – and themselves – to exceptional levels. Kay Lynn’s influence in the industry and her drive for success is a driving factor in Merit's ongoing growth and appeal to growth-oriented advisors.
Most recent awards won:
- Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State 2024 and 2023 - Forbes/SHOOK
- Best-in-State Advisors 2024 and 2023 - Forbes/SHOOK
- M&A Leader of the Year 2023 - WealthManagement.com
- Trailblazer of the Year 2023 - InvestmentNews
- Executive Team of the Year 2023 - ThinkAdvisor Luminaries
- Top 100 Advisors to Watch $1B+ 2023 - AdvisorHub
Mike Mitchell
Chief Financial Officer
Mike Mitchell
Chief Financial Officer
Mike's professional background includes over 30 years of experience in corporate finance and operations, mainly within the financial services industry. During his career, he's held progressive leadership positions with Fortune 500 firms, including Toyota, Wachovia Bank, and AT&T, as well as small to medium-sized growth companies. His focus is centered on revenue growth, expense management, margin expansion and boosting bottom-line profitability.
Chrissy Lee
Chief Operating Officer
Chrissy Lee
Chief Operating Officer
Chrissy serves as our Chief Operating Officer at Merit. Chrissy has over 15+ years of experience in the Wealth Management and Broker Dealer channel, having started her career in Operations and eventually rising to the role of COO and President at her previous firm. She previously served as a board member for IPA, served on the Advisory Council of Docupace, a technology provider for wealth management firms, created the Women Advisor Network, and served as a committee member for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion task force.
At Merit, Chrissy is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm, working within the executive leadership team and each department within the organization to create efficiencies and streamline the client service experience. She is also responsible for operational strategy, driving strategic growth through mergers and acquisitions, and overseeing the onboarding process, business development, and technology implementations to create a best-in-class experience for the Merit community.
As a member of Merit’s Executive Leadership Team and Senior Leadership Team, Chrissy’s goal is to create a bridge between firm initiatives and working with the entire Merit team to bring open communication, forum to gather new ideas to make the client experience evergreen, to empower every team member to make decisions and help to execute goals together. This aligns with Merit’s belief that servant leadership comes above all else.
Chrissy enjoys spending time with her husband of 25+ years and their grown children. She loves reading classic literature, going to Disney, and watching classic movies. She has a heart for helping underprivileged families and considers this a life- long stewardship.
John Cote
Chief Growth Officer
John Cote
Chief Growth Officer
John Cote, Chief Growth Officer at Merit Financial Advisors, brings over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, he began his career at Morgan Stanley as an advisor before advancing into leadership roles across Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Atlanta. His extensive background includes serving as Senior Vice President, National Director of Partner Programs, and National Director of Recruiting at Wealth Enhancement Group, as well as holding key leadership positions at E*TRADE Securities, SunTrust (now Truist) Investments, and Wells Fargo Investments and Private Bank. Now leading growth initiatives at Merit Financial, John is passionate about driving strategic expansion and fostering strong advisor partnerships. He and his wife, Ann, have been married for 31 years and have three adult children—Anna, Julia, and John Jr.—along with a lively household of dogs and cats. They reside on Amelia Island, FL.
Brian Andrew
Chief Investment Officer
Brian Andrew
CFA®
Chief Investment Officer | Executive Vice President
Brian Andrew, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer, focuses on managing Merit’s investment strategy and team to provide investment solutions for advisors and their clients. Brian enjoys understanding the economy and markets and helping advisors build investment strategies for their clients. Brian received his B.S. in Finance from the University of Minnesota and completed the CFA®/Harvard Investment Management Program. Brian likes to travel with family, ski, and enjoy motorcycle travel.
Tait Lane
Managing Principal, Partner
Tait Lane
Managing Principal, Partner
Tait believes that with financial planning comes clarity. By taking a holistic approach to his client’s finances, he’s able to better advise and serve them. Tait’s desire to be a fiduciary advisor continues to be his primary focus so that he and the team can serve our clients in the manner that they desire and need.
Tait is a graduate of Seattle Pacific University and serves on multiple boards locally for non-profits and within his local church. He’s passionate about his community and contributing to the area where he lives and works. Married to Sunday and a father of five, Tait enjoys skiing, hiking, spending time with his family in their RV, and experiencing the outstanding opportunities the PNW has to offer.
Zach Mersberger
Managing Principal, Partner
Zach Mersberger
CFA®, AIF, CRPC
Managing Principal, Partner
Zach Mersberger is a Managing Principal who advises high-net-worth clients as their chosen advisor to help them design and pursue their personal and retirement goals. Zach works diligently with clients on estate and tax planning, as this area of planning is often overlooked and is critical to the overall success of individuals' personalized financial plans. Zach also specializes in helping business owners plan for their financial futures.
As a CFA® charterholder, Zach has a high degree of expertise in portfolio management and in helping design portfolio strategies to help clients pursue a broad array of financial goals.
Zach is a member of the firm’s executive committee in the Wisconsin branch location. Zach plays an integral role in setting the firm’s strategic direction and overseeing the daily operations.
Zach and his wife Casie reside in Sheboygan with their puppy Howie. In his free time, Zach enjoys time with family and friends and is an active outdoor enthusiast. Zach’s hobbies and interests include traveling, hunting, fishing, running/exercising, skiing, snowshoeing, waterskiing, snowmobiling, golfing, swimming, hiking, and attending live music events.
Tyler Vernon
Managing Principal, Partner
Tyler Vernon
CBEC®
Managing Principal, Partner
Tyler Vernon was the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Biltmore Capital Advisors and now the Managing Principal of the Florida Region for Merit Financial Advisors. He began Biltmore Capital Advisors in 2007 after a distinguished career on Wall Street. He is a member of the investment committee of the firm which holds responsibility for global investment strategy and portfolio allocations. While at Biltmore, Vernon had eyes toward the future was responsible for the longer-term vision of the firm and the strategy as it relates to the client experience.
Key Accomplishments
Vernon’s market and investment commentary have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CNN Money, Seeking Alpha, Palm Beach Post, and Dow Jones Newswire. In addition to these publications, Vernon and his firm have the distinction of being showcased in the cover story of SFBW (South Florida Business and Wealth) Magazine in late 2017. He is also a multi-year winner of the top Five Star Wealth Advisors in New Jersey* and has been interviewed by FOX Business News, Bloomberg, and CNBC, as well as local broadcasts.
Education and Beginnings
A graduate of Lafayette College with a BA in Economics and Business and an emphasis in financial markets, Vernon has attended advanced professional courses at The Wharton School of Business. Previously, he worked for Merrill Lynch at its world headquarters in New York City. In his twenties, he had the distinction of being named one of the Vice Presidents at Merrill Lynch.
Non-Profit Community Support
Vernon has dedicated a portion of the firm's profits to support the non-profit community. He started a non-profit, The Rum Cay Foundation, with a mission to help enhance the quality of education, health, and overall welfare of the local residents of Rum Cay, an impoverished island in the southeast Bahamas where he vacationed as a child and continues to support.
*Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers.
Josh Mersberger
Managing Principal, Partner
Josh Mersberger
CFP®, CRPC
Managing Principal, Partner
Josh Mersberger is a Managing Principal who advises high-net-worth clients as their chosen advisor to help them design and pursue their personal and retirement goals. Josh works diligently with clients on estate and tax planning, as this area of planning is often overlooked and is critical to the overall success of individuals' personalized financial plans.
As a member of the firms’ regional executive committee in the Wisconsin and Montana branch locations, Josh plays an integral role in setting the firm's strategic direction and overseeing the firm's daily operations.
In Montana, Josh lives with his wife Michelle, daughters Camilla and Audrina, and their three dogs. In his spare time, Josh enjoys spending time with his family and watching his daughters experience new things. He is also an avid hunter, fisherman, downhill skier, and golfer.
David Wahlen
VP of Strategic Partnerships
David Wahlen
CM&AA®
VP of Strategic Partnerships
As a Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Merit, David is responsible for finding potential new acquisition deals, building relationships with M&A consultants and investment bankers, and working with Merit’s Executive Leadership Team to smooth the onboarding process for joining firms. David’s deep industry knowledge and collaborative approach will be essential as the firm continues to grow.
In his previous role as Director, Strategic Growth at CAPTRUST, David was heavily involved with advisor recruiting, partnering with industry bankers and consultants, and leading the sourcing and integration of over 50 acquired firms since 2018. Before that, David was a senior regional associate at Hatteras Funds responsible for business development and investor relations of alternative investment strategies. He has worked in the financial services industry since 2014. He is an active member in various industry study groups focused on next-generation leadership and M&A, and is frequently tapped to speak on M&A-related conference panels and podcasts.
For the first ten years of his career, David worked at global sports and entertainment agencies Octagon and IMG Worldwide, focusing on corporate and athlete partnerships with international blue-chip brands. David has double-majors in Finance and Sports Marketing from the John F. Welch School of Business at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, where he was a four-year varsity football player.
When not at work, David enjoys running, golf, the occasional Seinfeld or Office re-run, and spending time with his two children, Pace and Mack, and his wife, Joanna. He is also an Eagle Scout.
Resources
We’re here to guide you in enhancing and protecting your wealth. Through innovation, we leverage the right tools, resources, and solutions to best serve you. With a wide range of resources focused on financial education and tips, powered by leading-edge technology and cybersecurity, and a robust website with calculators and market updates, we can help you gain further insight into your financial plan.
