Mark Richard Baran

Bryan Zegar is a CFP® professional with six years of experience in the financial services industry. He is the principal advisor at Hearthstead Financial, LLC, where he has worked since 2025. Prior to this, he spent seven years at Ameriprise and AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES, Inc. Outside of finance, he is involved with Allshapes Bonsai Nursery, where he assists with inventory management, customer support, and technology. Hearthstead Financial is a registered investment adviser that provides investment management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm employs a mixed-methods investment approach combining fundamental and charting analysis with mutual fund and ETF evaluation, focusing on both passive and active strategies implemented on a non-discretionary basis.

William Sands Jr is the principal advisor of DEL VAL Retirement and Investment Services Inc in Doylestown, PA, with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including PNC Investments and Winthrop Partners. Outside of financial advising, he serves as a board member of the Plumstead Historical Society and is involved in construction project management through Edwardson Construction. DEL VAL Retirement and Investment Services provides discretionary asset management and financial planning to individuals, trusts, small businesses, and estates. The firm tailors investment strategies to client objectives using a range of analytical approaches and financial instruments, managing approximately $1.9 million in assets for a small client base.

John Macmillan is the sole advisor at Macmillan Financial LLC in Annandale, NJ, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations with 20 years of industry experience. He has worked at Macmillan Agencies since 2006. Macmillan Financial provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals and institutional clients, including pension plans, businesses, charities, and trusts. The firm follows a fundamental, research-driven approach that emphasizes long-term investing while allowing short-term trades when appropriate, managing client accounts with limited discretionary authority.

Robert Stickel is a CFP® and CPA with 29 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He is the sole advisor at RLS Financial Services, an independent firm he has operated since 2011. Prior to that, he held positions at Avantax Advisory Services and Avantax Investment Services Inc for over two decades. In addition to his advisory work, Stickel provides tax preparation, accounting, and insurance services including Medicare supplement, life, disability, and long-term care insurance. RLS Financial Services offers financial planning and portfolio management primarily to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm emphasizes fundamental research and manages wrap fee accounts alongside non-wrap accounts, operating mainly on a non-discretionary basis to allow clients to retain decision-making authority.

Kristopher Wallick is the principal advisor at Wallick Wealth Management in Perkasie, PA. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 17 years of industry experience, including roles at Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors and Fidelity Investments. Wallick Wealth Management is an independent registered investment adviser serving primarily individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, as well as small businesses and corporations. The firm offers discretionary wealth management and integrated financial planning, employing a range of investment strategies tailored to clients’ objectives and risk tolerance.

Donald Ballai is the principal of South Lane Wealth Management LLC in Ringoes, NJ, with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has led South Lane Wealth Management since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he manages South Lane Advisors LLC, a consulting firm assisting medical groups with business planning and financial matters, and is involved with Life's Essential Documents LLC and Apptitude LLC, companies focused on medical legal forms and healthcare applications respectively. South Lane Wealth Management LLC offers fee-based wealth and portfolio management services for individuals and small businesses, including pension consulting and 401(k) plan sponsorship. The firm employs a documented investment policy, discretionary management, and a combination of analytical strategies across various asset classes, while also providing institutional-type services such as monitoring pension plans and recommending plan service providers.