John Ross

Nicholas Thiede is a financial advisor at Sovereign Financial Group, Inc. with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at CG Financial and Sandler and Travis Trade Advisory Services. Sovereign Financial Group serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, retirement plans, and a registered investment company, offering portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and cash-management solutions. The firm typically constructs portfolios with low-cost, diversified mutual funds and ETFs, incorporating individual securities and independent managers as appropriate, emphasizing long-term strategies with tactical adjustments.

James Newman is a financial advisor at Simplicity Wealth with a Series 65 designation and over 18 years of experience in the industry. His prior work includes roles at Meadowbrook Inc. DBA AFGROUP and Exacta Financial Services LLC. Simplicity Wealth manages over $4 billion and provides investment advisory and planning services to individuals, retirement plan sponsors, participants, and third-party advisers, utilizing a fund-of-funds approach with a range of portfolio management and financial planning options.

Jamie Wing is a financial advisor with Gradient Securities, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and offering 32 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Synergy Life Annuity, LLC since 2023 and has been affiliated with Synergy Financial Group, LLC and JW Wealth Management Group, LLC since 2009 and 2007, respectively. Gradient Securities, doing business as Gradient Wealth Management, provides financial planning, consulting, third-party manager referrals, non-discretionary asset management, and ERISA plan services to a broad range of clients including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and corporations. The firm operates as both an SEC-registered investment adviser and a FINRA-registered broker-dealer, with a notable business model involving third-party manager referrals and a mix of advisory and commissionable securities services.

Lindsay Tran is a financial advisor at Gradient Securities, LLC with five years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Gradient Securities since 2020. Tran also serves as an insurance agent at Synergy Financial Group, LLC, and is the office manager for JW Wealth Management, LLC. Gradient Securities, doing business as Gradient Wealth Management, provides financial planning, consulting, and non-discretionary asset management services to individuals, businesses, and institutional clients. The firm operates as both an SEC-registered investment adviser and a FINRA-registered broker-dealer, offering a range of advisory and commissionable products.

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.

Jasmine Garn is a financial advisor at Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC with three years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Ameritas Life Insurance Company and Castle Financial Partners, where she is involved in life and disability insurance sales alongside financial advising. Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, charitable and corporate entities, and retirement plans. The firm offers fee-based asset management, retirement-plan advisory, and fiduciary advice through a combination of model portfolios, third-party sub-advisers, and custom strategies.