PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Jim Maher, Resident Director of the St. Louis Metro-East Merrill Lynch Office, is a graduate of the School of Law at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Jim was also a practicing CPA with a large accounting firm until his move to the financial services industry. Prior to his decision to join Merrill Lynch, Jim helped establish a large trust company in St. Louis and also maintained a successful law practice concentrating in estate planning. Jim helps clients determine long-term financial goals and wealth management strategies.

Bob Schlueter joined Merrill Lynch in 2001. Bob graduated from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville with a degree in accounting. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, he worked at a large St. Louis trust company as a tax specialist and prior to that as a CPA for a large accounting firm. With the MLP Group, Bob is responsible for the operational and administrative asset maintenance for all our valued clients.

John Russo joined Merrill Lynch in 2004. He graduated with honors from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in accounting and was a Senior Financial Services Auditor with a big four accounting firm until his move to the financial services industry in 1999. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, John was a Senior Portfolio Manager with a large trust company in St. Louis. He has over seven years experience and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. John is a member of the CFA Society of St. Louis, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Jerry West, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), joined Merrill Lynch in 2005. He has over ten years experience in the financial services industry including several years as a research anaylyst at a large financial services firm. He most recently served as a Portfolio Manager at a large trust company in St. Louis. Jerry graduated from Central Missouri State University with a degree in Finance and obtained the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.