The Briggs Group 

Professional Profile

Richard is a Senior Vice President-Wealth Management, Wealth Management Advisor with more than thirty years of experience managing fixed-income portfolios. Specializing in municipal bonds, Richard's investment philosophy focuses on buying high-rated, high-quality issues. Richard’s focus is credit quality, with the goal of preserving principal. Portfolios are positioned to help protect against inflation while implementing strategies to participate in rising interest rates. Richard is also a Portfolio Manager in the Merrill Lynch Personal Investment Advisory Program. Richard began his career as a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch in 1983 and has a B.S. in Economics from the University at Buffalo.

Matthew joined Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor in 2008. Matthew focuses on growth and income based equity and multi-sector mutual fund strategies. Matthew works with clients to build the framework of their individual financial plans to address goals and anticipate future needs. Matthew analyzes client’s investment holdings and offers solutions to align assets with their objectives based upon the clients risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs and overall investment goals. Matthew then integrates these strategies as a part of their long term plan. Matthew is a Canisius High School Alumni and has a B.A. in English from the University at Buffalo.

Peter is a Financial Advisor who began his career in financial services in 2006. Peter transitioned to his role as Financial Advisor in 2010 and joined the Briggs Group in 2012. Peter works with our client base of attorneys, doctors, CPAs and business owners to address the strategies for retirement planning including 401(k), profit sharing and pension plan implementation. Peter evaluates client’s needs and presents solutions that maximize the available benefits. Peter has a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from Fairfield University.

Sheila is a Client Associate who handles the administrative and day-to-day operations with personal care and strives to provide first-class service. Sheila assists clients with banking, credit and lending services. In 2008 Sheila was recognized as the Merrill Lynch Regional Client Associate of the Year. Sheila joined Merrill Lynch in 2002, has a B.A. from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and M.F.A. from Yale School of Drama.



Our most deeply held principle at Merrill Lynch is the interest of the client comes first. Our investment philosophy focuses on buying high-rated, high-quality securities. We strive to deliver superior service to our clients by pairing decades of experience with consistent communication and a proactive approach to our ongoing planning and investment process.

Our investment strategies focus on the needs of business owners, physicians, executives and professionals. Our team is experienced in assisting clients with estate issues, long-term planning needs, high tax-liabilities as well as trust and succession plans common to affluent clientele. We advise clients on how to manage concentrated positions and business holdings while managing risk appropriately.

We believe education is the key to a successful working relationship. Our clients understand their investments and the role they play in achieving specific investment goals. Communication and an ongoing education process allow our clients to affirm the actions we take and the reasons for taking them.