Eric Payne, CFP®
Managing Director–Wealth Management
Wealth Management Advisor
Portfolio Manager
Eric joined Merrill Lynch in 1999, and is a fifteen-year veteran in the financial services industry. He leads our team, which has more than 200 years of combined experience at Merrill Lynch. He has devoted his efforts to helping affluent families with tax-efficient investment strategies, cash flow management, retirement and estate planning services. Eric holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM (CFP®) certification, awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and he has a bachelor’s degree in business administration (accounting) from Butler University. An active supporter of the arts within his local community and on the national level, he is one of the founding board members of The Center of the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana, and also serves on the board of directors of The Great American Songbook Foundation. He also serves on the board of directors of the Community Health Network Foundation. Eric is honored to have been recognized and received the following accolades:
- Named to the Financial Times Top 400 Advisors list for 2015
- Named in Barron's annual rankings of the Top 1,200 Financial Advisors in 2015 and 2014, and the Top 1,000 Financial Advisors from 2009 through 2013.
- Named to On Wall Street’s "Top 40 Advisors Under 40" listing in 2014 and 2015
- Named to Rep’s "Top 40 Wirehouse Advisors Under 40" for 2013 and 2014
He and his wife, Leah, have four children and reside in Carmel, Indiana.
Ron Mencias, CFP®, CIMA®
Managing Director–Wealth Management
Wealth Management Advisor
Portfolio Manager
Ron is detail-oriented and deeply committed to helping clients pursue their financial goals and objectives. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2002 and, is a qualified Portfolio Manager who, in addition to providing traditional advice and guidance, can help clients pursue their objectives by building and managing his own personalized or defined strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. When servicing clients through the firm’s Investment Advisory Program, a portfolio manager may manage his strategies on a discretionary basis.
Ron holds a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification, awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and a Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation. Barron’s ranked him in its annual listing of the Top 1,000 Financial Advisors in the U.S. for four consecutive years, 2010 through 2013, and in the Top 1,200 Financial Advisors list in 2014 and 2015. He was named to On Wall Street’s "Top 40 Advisors Under 40" listing in 2013 and 2014. Ron was also named to the Financial Times Top 400 Advisors list for 2015. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and has an MBA from Butler University. Ron had a successful collegiate tennis career and was 1992 IHSAA state singles champion. Additionally, he serves on the board of trustees of the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, Entourage for Kids and Women’s Care Center. Ron and his wife, Suzanne, have two children and are residents of Carmel, Indiana.
David L. Morgan, CRPC®
Vice President
Investment Associate
David joined Merrill Lynch in 1984 and focuses on helping individuals, small businesses and not-for-profit clients pursue their financial goals. He concentrates on retirement and estate planning services and tax minimization strategies for client portfolios. David has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (CRPC®) designation.
David earned a bachelor's degree in pharmacy at Purdue University, where he also was a diver and captain of the Purdue Swim Team. David is actively involved in the community, serving as an assistant scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America, and he has been involved with the Indiana Repertory Theatre. He lives with his wife, Leslie, and their two sons in Fishers, Indiana.
Mary Ellen Backer
Senior Vice President-Wealth Management
Financial Advisor
Mary Ellen joined Merrill Lynch in 2014, bringing with her more than 33 years of financial experience to The Payne & Mencias Group.
When Mary Ellen began her wealth management career, there were few women in the field. Mary Ellen has persevered through various market conditions and financial cycles to serve a group of clients who value her insight and experience. She continues to work with families and institutions to create long-term wealth strategies, comprising investment management, tax minimization strategies, and estate planning services.
Mary Ellen earned a master's degree in math education from Indiana State University, and a bachelor's degree in math/chemistry from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. She is also actively involved in the Indiana State Library Foundation and the Dubois County Estate Planning Council. She resides in Jasper, Indiana.
Kenneth L. Sendelweck
Vice President
Financial Advisor
Ken began his career in corporate finance in 1976 with a global manufacturing firm. Before joining The Payne & Mencias Group in 2012, he served as president and CEO of a $2.2 billion financial services holding company. Ken focuses on understanding clients' needs and assisting them with quantifying their objectives. He then uses his decades of wealth management experience to create strategies designed to help them pursue their financial goals.
Ken earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from University of Southern Indiana, although he doesn't offer accounting advice in his role at The Payne & Mencias Group. He and his wife, Janet, reside in Jasper, Indiana.
Barry C. Hamdorf
Assistant Vice President
Investment Associate
Barry joined The Payne & Mencias Group in 2009, bringing with him more than two decades of financial services experience. He focuses on helping retired clients develop strategies designed to preserve wealth accumulated during their working years. Barry is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in finance and economics. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Carmel, Indiana.
Marc W. Pyatt
Financial Advisor
Marc began his career in the financial services industry in 2011, joining Merrill Lynch in 2012 to work with The Payne & Mencias Group. In 2014, Marc became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certificate, awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
Marc focuses his efforts on working with individuals and families to design long-term wealth strategies. He believes strongly in the value of cohesive strategy. He spends significant time with clients, assessing and revisiting their goals and timeframes. This process allows him to help clients design an in-depth framework to pursue the priorities that are most meaningful to them. Client discussions include retirement strategy, education funding, wealth transfer strategy, and social security analysis.
Marc earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He is involved with the Indianapolis Zoo Wine Auction. He resides in Carmel with this wife, Sara, and their child, Quinn.
William Sweitzer
Financial Advisor
Bill joined The Payne & Mencias Group in the fall of 2013 bringing with him over 30 years of financial services and private banking experience. Bill’s role on the team is to assist high-net-worth individuals in articulating their strategy to preserve, grow and transition their wealth to the next generation. He is a graduate of Indiana University and lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Elizabeth, and son.
Debbie Barbour
Registered Senior Client Associate
Debbie is dedicated to helping high-net-worth individuals simplify their busy lives. Debbie concentrates on maintaining long-standing client relationships and strives to provide exceptional service. She joined Merrill Lynch in 1989. Debbie and her husband, Cliff, live in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Julie Renzi
Registered Senior Client Associate
Julie oversees the account-opening and funds-transfer process to help provide a smooth transition for new clients. Before joining Merrill Lynch in 2000, she worked for 10 years with another financial services firm. She has been recognized for her commitment to providing exceptional customer service. She lives in Brownsburg, Indiana, with her husband, Rick, and their two children.
Andy Floyd
Analyst-Investments
Andy joined Merrill Lynch in 2000 and Payne Mencias in 2006. He is responsible for key trading functions for our discretionary investment portfolios and works closely with our advisors to provide clients with excellent service. He focuses on research, analysis, strategies for helping clients manage their assets, and, through Bank of America, offers access to strategies for managing their liabilities. Andy and his wife, Victoria, have four children and live in Carmel, Indiana.
Vanessa Breen
Registered Senior Client Associate
Vanessa began her financial services career with Merrill Lynch in 1993. She is a graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in financial counseling and planning. Vanessa volunteers with Special Olympics Indiana. She lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with her husband, David, and their two children.
Christopher Wright
Client Associate
Chris began his financial services career at another firm prior to joining Merrill Lynch in April of 2014. He is a graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in law and society. Chris spent time in the Army National Guard during his later college years and early professional career. He lives in West Lafayette, Indiana, with his wife, Samantha.