Mackenzey Smith

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.

Richard Minh Tran is a financial advisor at Gradient Securities, LLC with Series 65 credentials. He has one year of experience in the financial industry and a background that includes roles at Tecomet, Inc., Eaton Aerospace, General Motors, and the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. Gradient Securities, doing business as Gradient Wealth Management, offers financial planning, consulting, non-discretionary asset management, and ERISA 3(21) retirement-plan advisory services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm focuses on a non-discretionary model, combining fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis while often utilizing third-party managers.

Douglas Vaughn is a CFP® professional with 15 years of industry experience. He is currently with AssuredPartners Investment Advisors and has been involved with Chesme Capital Management since 2005. Vaughn holds the Series 63 designation and operates out of DeWitt, MI. 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 through a team of advisors across multiple offices and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, including the use of third-party managers and educational services.

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.

Stephen Erb is a financial advisor at AssuredPartners Investment Advisors with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at Chesme Capital Management since 2005, serving there through its affiliated firm Chesme Capital Management LLC before joining AssuredPartners in 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 of advisors across multiple offices.

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.