Christopher Allen Briggs

Nicholas Thiede is a financial advisor at Sovereign Financial Group, Inc. in Laingsburg, MI, holding a Series 65 designation with nine years of industry experience. Before joining Sovereign Financial Group in 2025, he worked for nine years at CG Financial. Sovereign Financial Group provides investment management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and cash-management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, retirement plans, businesses, and other registered investment advisers. The firm employs a long-term, portfolio-focused investment approach utilizing low-cost mutual funds and ETFs alongside individual securities and option contracts, supported by fundamental and technical analysis and AI tools.

Douglas Vaughn is a CFP® professional with 16 years of experience in financial advisory roles. He is currently with AssuredPartners Investment Advisors, having joined in 2024, and previously worked at Chesme Capital Management for 19 years. AssuredPartners Investment Advisors provides portfolio management, financial planning, pension consulting, and employee benefit plan advisory services to individuals, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm manages several billion in discretionary assets and serves clients through a multi-office team, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management along with fiduciary and educational services.

Stephen Erb is a financial advisor with AssuredPartners Investment Advisors in DeWitt, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 15 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Chesme Capital Management LLC and its predecessor firm from 2005 to 2024. AssuredPartners Investment Advisors provides portfolio management, financial planning, pension consulting, and employee benefit plan advisory services to individuals, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm manages several billion in discretionary assets and serves clients through a team across multiple offices, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management as well as ERISA plan services and participant education.

Andrew Semrau is a financial advisor with Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 20 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ausdal in 2024, he worked at OSAIC and Signator Investors, Inc., and he is also the owner and advisor of Semrau Wealth Strategies, where he has been active since 2010. Ausdal Financial Partners manages over $2 billion in client assets and offers investment advisory programs, retirement plan services, and financial planning to a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, corporations, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm provides both discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies and integrates brokerage and insurance services alongside advisory offerings.

Michael Voorheis is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at AssuredPartners Investment Advisors since 2024, following roles at Chesme Capital Management, Investment Professionals Inc., Citizens Securities, Inc., and Wells Fargo Clearing. AssuredPartners Investment Advisors provides portfolio management, financial planning, and pension consulting services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and other entities. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management using model and custom portfolios, and supports plan fiduciary and participant education services.

Rachell Blanchard is a financial advisor with FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc. in St. Johns, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. She has been with Fifth Third Securities since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in general agriculture as a farm owner and landlord. Fifth Third Securities provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate and business clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account options, including advisor-directed models and direct indexing, and is distinguished by its municipal-advisor registration and affiliation with Fifth Third Bank.