Mackenzey Smith

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.

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 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.

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 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.