Aaron Schroeder

Robert Bleeck is the principal of Bleeck Financial Management, Inc. in Carmel, CA, with 25 years of industry experience. He holds the PFS™ designation and is also a Certified Public Accountant, maintaining an active accounting practice alongside his advisory work. Bleeck has been with his firm since 1982. Bleeck Financial Management, Inc. provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and pension plans. The firm combines CPA services with portfolio management, employing multiple analytical approaches and managing discretionary accounts primarily through Charles Schwab.

Joseph Padellaro is a financial advisor at Northmont Wealth Management LLC with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has prior experience at Citibank and J.P. Morgan. He is also involved with Northmont Capital Management Inc., an exempt reporting advisor managing two private 3(c)(1) vehicles. Northmont Wealth Management LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm uses fundamental analysis and predominantly passive investment strategies, offering customized investment policy statements and portfolio oversight as a solo advisory practice.

James Rice is a CFA® charterholder with 19 years of industry experience and is the sole advisor at JQR Capital Management, LLC, an independent advisory firm based in West Hartford, CT. He has led JQR Capital Management since 2014. Outside of his advisory work, he coaches Alpine skiing on weekends during the season at Butternut Basin, Inc. in Great Barrington, MA. JQR Capital Management serves individual investors, employer plan sponsors, and institutional clients by providing discretionary investment management, financial planning, and employee benefit plan consulting. The firm uses a client-specific investment policy with a primarily passive asset-allocation approach supplemented by active fundamental research.

Hugo Soares is a CFA® charterholder affiliated with Navigator Financial LLC, with over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. His prior roles include positions at Talcott Financial Group and The Hartford. Outside of his advisory work, he manages several rental properties as a sole proprietor. Navigator Financial provides fee-only financial planning and investment management to individuals, trusts, and estates. The firm emphasizes individualized asset allocation and comprehensive planning, operating under a fiduciary standard without commissioned products.

James Russell is a financial advisor at Strategic Investment Planning LLC with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and also serves as a shareholder and CPA at Russell & Company CPA, P.C., where he performs management duties and acts as a trustee of client trusts. Strategic Investment Planning LLC provides investment advisory services primarily to pooled investment vehicles and institutional accounts, employing fundamental analysis and a preference for simple, low-cost, diversified strategies. The firm’s affiliation with a certified public accounting practice is notable among investment managers.

Sam Shehu is the sole advisor at Shehu Asset Management, LLC in Southbury, CT, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 24 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors. Outside of financial advising, he manages a self-serve laundry business in Thomaston, CT. Shehu Asset Management provides financial planning and discretionary portfolio management to individuals, small businesses, pensions, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm employs proprietary modeling tools to manage risk and position sizing, offering services tailored to client demographics and risk tolerance, with a focus on both individual and institutional clients.