The Townsend-Warren Group 

Professional Profile

The Townsend-Warren Group adheres to a disciplined process that delivers a consistent yet customized wealth management experience. Before any financial decisions are made, they consider your whole life, taking the time to fully understand who you are and what matters most to you as an individual and as a business professional.

With this intimate knowledge about what you value most, The Townsend-Warren Group are able to help you establish objectives, develop an appropriate strategy and recommend advice that draws upon the Total Merrill platform which includes assessing your goals, education funding, retirement, plans for businesses, and working with client advisers in developing their estate plan.

They conduct regular reviews with you to help you monitor your progress toward reaching your goals and keep your strategies consistent with any changes that may take place in your life and/or business.

Sherman L Townsend
First Vice President-Wealth Management
Senior Financial Advisor

Sherman began his career in the financial services industry in 1971. He was one of the founding Members of the Delaware Community Foundation. He has been a University of Delaware Trustee since 1988, and Chairs the Delaware Institute of Medical Education and Research (DIMER). Sherman recently received an honorary Dr. of Laws degree from The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.


Peni G Warren, CFM, CRPC®
Senior Vice President-Wealth Management
Senior Financial Advisor

Peni Warren is a Senior Vice President-Wealth Management. Peni has 31 years of experience joining Merrill Lynch in 1982. Peni assists clients, both individuals and business owners, with portfolio construction and wealth management while integrating strategic partnerships with tax specialists and attorneys. Peni is on The Board of the Delaware State Fair, Inc., the Child HELP Foundation for children with disabilities and a member of the Delaware Community Foundation Advisory Committee. Peni resides in Dover with her husband and 2 sons.

Wells N Scheller
Financial Advisor

Before joining Merrill Lynch in August 2011, Wells began his professional career with the Social Security Administration as a Social Insurance Specialist. During his employment he received the Commissioner's Award for Excellence in Service. He studied Economics at Washington College, where he recieved a Bachelors Degree in 2007. He currently resides in Dover, where he participates in the Big Brother/Big Sister program and is on the Development Committee for Cadbury at Lewes.

Chris S MacCarroll
Registered Senior Client Associate

Chris began her career at Merrill Lynch in 1996. Prior to joining Merrill Chris was a legal assistant at a Law Firm in Dover for 9 years. Chris is assisting clients daily with both administrative and market related issues. She resides in Dover with her husband of 39 years, has two sons and 2 grandsons.

Catherine Huffman
Client Associate

Cathy joined Merrill Lynch with over 15 years of banking and customer service experience. She serves the Townsend - Warren Group by providing excellent client service and special project support. Cathy resides in Dover with her husband of 23 years and has two daughters.

Crystal W. Starling
Client Associate

Crystal joined the Merrill Lynch team in 2012. After receiving a Bachelors Degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Crystal worked as a special projects coordinator in the insurance industry. She provides a consistent client experience and exceptional administrative service to our team. Crystal resides in Maryland with her husband and two children.