PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Our Mission Statement:

The DesFosses Group, works with a finite number of individuals, businesses, and institutions.

Our emphasis is on Family Wealth Management and intelligent financial decision making using the wide array of financial resources and research services at Merrill Lynch. We put effective investment and credit management at your finger tips. Recognizing the dynamic nature of long-term financial goals, we customize investment, retirement, and estate solutions.

The DesFosses Group
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Robert A. DesFosses, CFM
Vice President & Investment Associate

Robert is a Certified Financial Manager (CFM) and has been a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch since 1984. His previous background includes the role of Deputy Controller at a major money center bank, and he acted as a main consultant during the upstart of New York’s Off Track Betting (OTB).

Prior to his career in business, Robert worked as an engineer for Grumman Aircraft on navigation systems for the Apollo Space Program. He has an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a certificate of advanced study in International Finance from the University of Wisconsin, an MS in Electrical Engineering from The Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. Robert has conducted numerous seminars around the theme of Investing and Planning for Retirement, for several large corporations. In addition to his focus on investment and retirement planning, Robert has a special interest in the debt structuring and lending needs of our clients - both personal and business.


Todd R DesFosses, CIMA®, CRPC®
Wealth Management Advisor
Assistant Vice President

Todd joined Merrill Lynch in 1997. He is a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designee with a certificate of advanced study from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Todd also has a certificate of advanced study in Financial Planning from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) and a Certified Financial Manager (CFM). Todd focuses his advisory practice on Estate & Insurance Planning, Investment Management Analysis, and Alternative Investment Strategies.

Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, Todd worked for 13 years in Human Services and Nursing, primarily serving persons with special needs and their families. He holds a B.A. from Siena College and a B.S.N from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Todd, his wife, daughter, and their dogs live in Mahwah, NJ. He is an avid marathoner and triathlete.


Chris DesFosses, CRPC®, CFM
Wealth Management Advisor
Assistant Vice President

Chris, a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) and Certified Financial Manager (CFM), has been with Merrill Lynch since 1996. He started as a 401(k) Specialist with the Merrill Lynch Retirement Group, and became a Wealth Management Advisor in 2000. He has been in the financial industry since 1989, including work as a Futures Floor Broker on the NY Mercantile Exchange. Chris has an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a BA from Fairfield University. He has a special interest in employer retirement plans, fixed income investing, and alternative strategies involving commodities and other real assets.


Renee Purita
Senior Client Associate

Renee has been working as a Client Associate in Global Wealth Management and Private Client Banking since 1995. She joined the DesFosses Group and Merrill Lynch in 2000. Previously, Renee ran her own childcare business. She coordinates client service operations for the group and is a Notary Public.