Brian Forneris

Jonathan Hurm is a financial advisor at NextGen Wealth Defense LLC in Lorain, Ohio, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Equitable Advisors LLC for nine years before founding NextGen Wealth Defense in 2024. In addition to his advisory role, he is a licensed insurance agent involved in insurance sales. NextGen Wealth Defense LLC provides discretionary investment management, wealth management, and financial planning services for individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and businesses. The firm employs a primarily long-term investment approach that combines fundamental and technical analysis with Modern Portfolio Theory and utilizes unaffiliated Independent Managers for portfolio implementation and oversight.

Luke Washburn is a financial advisor at Washburn Asset Management LLC with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. from 2015 to 2019. Washburn also served in the United States Army Reserve for over 20 years. Outside of advising, he performs intermittent freelance work as a trumpet player. Washburn Asset Management LLC is an independent, single-adviser firm that provides comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs an active management approach focusing on selected individual equities complemented by mutual funds, ETFs, and option strategies to manage risk, and offers periodic educational workshops on personal finance and investing.

Brian Jaros is a CFP® professional with two years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Ville Wealth Management in Avon Lake, OH. His prior experience includes roles at Huntington Private Bank and Key Private Bank, spanning from 2015 to 2024. Ville Wealth Management provides wealth management, financial planning, and estate-planning coordination to individuals and high-net-worth clients on a fee-only basis. The firm’s investment approach combines strategic asset allocation with a mix of passive and active funds, incorporates ESG criteria, and emphasizes selecting and monitoring outside managers and third-party model portfolios.

Benjamin Zagorski is the sole advisor at Right Investment Team LLC in Avon, Ohio, holding a Series 66 designation with 13 years of industry experience. He has managed his independent advisory firm since 2015 and concurrently owns and operates Accounting Team Ltd, a tax preparation and accounting business. Right Investment Team LLC provides portfolio management and financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $8 million across 24 accounts. The firm employs a variety of analytical methods and modern portfolio theory to construct portfolios, utilizing multiple trading strategies and asset classes while conducting quarterly reviews.

Michael George is a PFS™ credentialed financial advisor at Athletes Financial Advisers, LLC with 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Athletes Financial Advisers since 2016 and also works with Probooks CPA, LLC. Outside of advising, he is involved in real estate rental activities in Hilton Head Island, SC. Athletes Financial Advisers, LLC is an independent registered investment adviser managing approximately $47.1 million for about 50 clients, including individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, businesses, and participant-directed retirement plans. The firm uses a long-term, asset-allocation approach primarily focused on passively managed mutual funds and ETFs, integrating internal portfolio management with third-party solutions and digital wealth-management tools.

Joshua Melda is a CFP® professional with 25 years of experience in financial advising. He is the sole advisor at Cleveland Retirement Planning LLC and has previously worked at Trustpoint, LLC, Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation, and Securities America. Outside of advising, Melda teaches classes on sales, leadership, and management through Sandler Training. Cleveland Retirement Planning LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and employer-sponsored plans. The firm offers tailored portfolio management and retirement-plan consulting, managing discretionary assets of approximately $39 million as of the end of 2024.