PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Mark Nickel, Vice President is a Financial Advisor who joined Merrill Lynch in March of 2006. Mark came to Merrill Lynch after a successful five year career at Banc of America Investments and two years prior at Morgan Stanley. Mark feels he has found a permanent home at Merrill Lynch and greatly values Merrill's reputation as a "best of breed" financial services firm.

Mark manages client portfolios within the Personal Investment Advisory Program, and helps clients determine their long-term financial goals and implement their financial planning strategies. Mark specializes in retirement planning strategies and can also help clients focus on estate planning issues and will work their other advisers in developing their estate plan.

Mark takes a consultative approach, tailoring his investment advice to his client's specific and personal financial goals needs. In addressing each client's concern over investment risk, Mark believes that his clients should take on only as much risk as they need to achieve their particular financial goals. Assessing a client's individual goals and expectations is a vital step in determining the correct course of action. Mark believes it is important to view each client relationship as unique, personal and lasting.

Mark strives to constantly add value to his client relationships. He does this in part by providing leadership, educating his clients in the areas of their financial needs that are most important to them and their families, and by stimulating them intellectually to want to keep improving their financial future.

Mark also takes time to coach new Merrill Lynch financial advisors in the local area and helps guide them in the early stages of their business development to insure they begin their careers with the integrity and character that has always been at the core of Mark's professional practice.

Mark makes his home in Petaluma, California with his wife Ricki, daughter Izabella and a feisty Springer spaniel named Ariel. He welcomed his first granddaughter named "Tuesday", in June of 2009.

Mark was named Resident Director of the Napa, California office in early 2009. In addition to his ongoing responsibilities of managing his clients investment portfolios, Mark has the added responsibility of overseeing an office of 12 financial advisors and 3 assistants. Mark is dedicated to increasing the level of professional integrity and community involvement of the Napa Merrill Lynch office, and is working on adding additional financial advisors to his team who share Mark's high standards of excellence.
In September of 2010, Mark was promoted to the level of Resident Director of the 101 California Street, San Francisco office. He has his offices on the 25th floor. Now, as Director of one of the largest associate offices in the country, Mark is reponsible for overseeing 40 Financial Advisors and 15 Client Associates. Still, Mark's priority remains with the financial health and well being of his clients and remains a financial advisor in addition to his branch management responsibilities.