“I understand that wealth management is more than just the wide range of financial services and strategies you can access at Stifel. It is how those services are developed and delivered to help you pursue your goals. That’s why I offer a customized approach to wealth management, built on personal relationships and shaped by an understanding of your needs and aspirations. To help manage your wealth, I call upon the robust investment capabilities of Stifel – one of the nation’s leading wealth management firms.”

Ed has more than 35 years of investment industry experience and joined Stifel in 2016. Ed and his team, Hecker Wealth Management Group, provide personalized guidance to individuals and businesses. Through decades of experience and professional development, the group has created a process that is designed to help clients identify financial priorities, grow their assets, and establish an effective retirement income stream, all with the goal of preserving the ability to leave a legacy. They do this through specializing in all facets of wealth management, including retirement and investment planning strategies, risk mitigation strategies, investment allocations, insurance needs analysis, and liability management. By walking clients through their customized process that has been refined throughout the years, the focus remains keenly centered on helping clients define and pursue their goals.

Ed believes strongly in giving back to the community. He is actively involved in local charity work through his church and served on the board of directors for New Life Mission, previously Brevard Rescue Mission. He is currently serving on the Calvary Chapel Finance Committee, CCM Viera Men’s Leadership Team, and Marriage Ministry Team. He has been the featured speaker at The Federal Employed Women symposium on numerous occasions, has been seen on local television, and he was featured in Space Coast Living, Space Coast Business, Florida Today, Brevard Business, and the Hometown News throughout his career. The Hecker Wealth Management Group reveres veterans and active duty military of our great nation and seeks to honor them through events and the support of veteran-focused organizations.

As a strong believer in lifelong education, Ed has earned professional licenses and regularly participates in industry forums and conferences. In particular, he has attained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® certification in 2007 and the Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor^® designation in 2001 from the College for Financial Planning.  
 
Ed was born in Cocoa Beach and is a lifelong resident of Brevard County; to put it simply, this is home. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Prior to joining Stifel, he started his career with E.F Hutton in 1985 and has had multiple roles working with clients and other advisors throughout the Southeast and across the nation.

Ed has been happily married to his wife, Janet, for more than 35 years. They have two daughters, a son-in-law, and two beautiful grandchildren who all still live locally. He loves listening to music, singing, public speaking, and golfing as a member of Suntree Country Club.

"People spend their entire lives building a legacy, whether they know it or not."

David began his investment industry career at Stifel after fulfilling 12 years of service to our nation in the United States Army. He began his military career as an Infantry Paratrooper with the famed 82nd Airborne Division. After six years, David continued to advance in his career by being selected to be a member of a Special Operations Civil Affairs Team. It was in this field that he developed a robust background in strategic planning and diplomacy. David’s unique perspective complements the distinguished and well-seasoned financial advising team of Hecker Wealth Management Group.

David holds Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses along with life, health, and variable insurance licenses (including annuities). He was drawn to a career in wealth planning from the experience he gained overseas in the Army of watching a well-formed plan in execution.

Outside the office, David serves as a deacon at his church and as a volunteer at a local non-profit called Tied Together, which empowers middle school and high school students to cultivate a positive sense of self-image and self-worth. He has also been the featured speaker at a symposium hosted by a conglomerate of organizations at the University of Florida discussing applied Christian living.

David has been happily married to his wife, Caighla, for over a decade. Together are raising two wonderful children, a son and a daughter, and the couple hopes to be blessed with more children in the future. When David has some down time, he indulges in an array of hobbies that he’s passionate about, including martial arts, literature, cooking, and writing.

Lisa Mercado holds Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses. Her primary focus is to lead endeavors to continually build our business by maintaining quality measures to keep our clients engaged with us. She also oversees all communications, social media, and events.

Lisa’s career of more than 25 years includes a spectrum of experiences in sales, marketing, relationship management, business development, communications, and event planning. As a result of her unique skill set, the firms and organizations that Lisa represented experienced consistent business growth during her tenure.

Lisa truly enjoys people and strives to understand what they value and what brings them joy.  She understands how to nurture relationships while creating an excellent service experience, and Lisa strives to maintain satisfied clients who feel comfortable passing along a referral.

Raised in a proud military family. Her parents established roots in Palm Bay, Florida, where she spent her formative years. She continued her education by earning a bachelor’s degree at Florida State University.

Between her career, being a wife and mother, Lisa makes room for her passion of dance fitness. Her entrepreneur spirit developed and co-founded the two programs “Trekdancing with StrutSauce” and “Live2Dance”.  When she’s not creating choreography, you’ll find her working in her yard, playing catch with her 2 large fur babies, watching college football or spending time with family & friends.

Tashia is a bright, talented and enthusiastic team member who is deeply invested in every task under her care. Tashia holds Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses as well as being life, health and variable insurance licensed (including annuities). 

Tashia began her career in the Financial Services field in 2005 when she moved to Brevard County from Seattle, Washington. Over the last 20 years, Tashia has managed block trading programs, coordinated marketing initiatives, conducted corporate and public health insurance enrollments, facilitated numerous complex insurance policy solutions, implemented many integral software systems upgrades, supervised personnel, and built streamlined administrative processes. 

With her bright, genuine disposition, attitude of positivity and her focus upon integrity, Tashia deeply enjoys building relationships with our clients. Tashia focuses on enhancing the client’s experience by seeking to anticipate their needs and potential future challenges, while providing proactive operational support. Tashia is a consummate professional with exceptional analytical abilities. With her extensive experience comes the ability to manage highly confidential information with discretion. Most of all, she relishes opportunities to help others.

Tashia is an artist who works in various media, such as wood burning, silk painting and glass etching. She and her husband Yvens enjoy studying the bible, camping, traveling, and watching classic western and kung fu movies.

Christel has worked in the financial services industry for the last 20+ years. She started her career with Edward Jones in 2002 and has held various leadership roles including Culture of Compliance, Client Service Advocate, and Mentor. She joined Stifel in August of 2025. Christel currently holds Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses.

Christel truly enjoys getting to know the clients she serves on a deeper, more personal level and feels very fortunate to be able to assist individuals and families throughout their financial journey. Her warm and genuine personality has allowed her to form many lasting bonds with clients over the years.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Christel came to Brevard County in 1991, where she met and married her husband of 30 years, Paul. They are the proud parents of a wonderful son, Joel, who works as a Florida State Park Ranger.

Christel enjoys spending time outdoors, yoga, music, and art. She and her husband are members of the Southsiders VW Club and enjoy taking their ‘67’ Bug, Wendy, out on weekend cruises.