Maryjo Marie Shepler

William Walsh is a financial advisor with Bridgeport Asset Management, LLC in Madison, WI, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cabot Lodge Securities since 2013 and CL Wealth Management LLC since 2011. Walsh is also a licensed insurance agent, occasionally placing fixed insurance products. Bridgeport Asset Management provides investment management and advisory services to individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm manages model portfolios using a variety of securities and employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to guide investment decisions.

Long before I knew what CFP® meant, I was very interested in money and personal finance. Although I was unsure what my career would ultimately look like, I wanted to be confident and secure in my family's finances and future. In my final year of college, I was fortunate to study under the head of the finance department, who was also a practicing financial planner. From that point forward, the idea of being an independent financial advisor— a trusted partner serving people just like my parents— was my dream job. The first decade-plus of my career was dedicated to building the experience, knowledge, and credentials required to best serve my clients. In 2021, I founded Kardinal Financial to continue this pursuit and to deliver the ideal financial planning experience, unshackled by the status quo and constraints of "this is how it's always been done." Everything at Kardinal Financial—the relationship structure, the investment philosophy, the technology, the fees, everything—is designed to best serve my clients. I have over a decade of experience in financial services. My experience includes serving as the Director of Investment Research at a $2.5 billion wealth management firm and an investment portfolio manager to individuals and families. I have obtained the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations. When I'm not working, you'll likely find me spending time with my wife (Maggie) and kids (Rose & Calvin), playing soccer, watching Manchester United, or on a walk with a good podcast.

James Byrd is the sole advisor at Midwest Asset Management, Inc. in Middleton, WI, holding a Series 63 designation with 38 years of industry experience. He has worked at Midwest Asset Management since 1987. Outside of his advisory work, he has been employed part-time in the stocking department at a hardware store since 2018. Midwest Asset Management serves institutional clients, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, and other financial institutions as a sub-advisor. The firm uses a quantitative, systematic approach across equity and fixed-income strategies and offers both discretionary portfolio management and project-based consulting services.

Having spent the first decade of my career with a large wealth management firm in Seattle, I launched Kindness Financial Planning in 2021 to work with fewer clients and focus on widows, widowers, caregivers, and families affected by major health events. Their stories resonate with me because my dad was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer on July 18, 2016. He has had brain radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. We have navigated oncologists, surgeons, palliative care doctors, neurologists, endocrinologists, pain clinics, psychiatrists, social workers, pain clinics, nutritionists, and more. Since then, I’ve been drawn to people going through similar situations. I enjoy our conversations, hearing what is important, and helping them navigate the uncertainty life throws at them. Through these conversations, I have learned that when faced with loss and grief, brain fog usually takes over. What was once easy becomes challenging. Sometimes, only one person was involved in the financial decisions and the survivor needs another layer of support. I meet people where they are, listen, and organize what needs to be done to build financial security. I help people make sense of what is urgent and what can wait. Together, we’ll do tax planning, review estate plans, build customized investment portfolios to create the income they need, and more. Then, I am with them every step of the way. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Seattle University. I hold the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, Chartered Life Underwriter® designation, and I am a Registered Life Planner®. Outside of work, you can find me playing tennis, running with my wife, biking, hiking, attempting to play the guitar, or cooking.

Konrad Zagzebski is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, currently serving as the sole advisor at ShellCrest Financial LLC with seven years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Capital Point Financial Group, LPL Financial, and VS Networks LLC. He is also a director of the D. Zagzebski Family Foundation. ShellCrest Financial LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management alongside recommendations of outside managers and third-party professionals, with a focus on client-specific policies that combine passive and active investment vehicles.

Eric Adler is the principal of Adler Financial in Madison, WI, holding a Series 66 designation with 12 years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Ameriprise Financial Services, Coordinated Capital Securities, and his current position as Director of Finance at AFLatex Technologies, a company focused on technology for processing and stabilizing natural rubber and latex. At AFLatex, he manages the finance department overseeing contract details, accounting, taxes, and financing. Adler Financial provides investment management and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, trusts, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm employs a combined fundamental and quantitative analysis approach to tailor portfolios and offers services such as pension consulting and tax preparation.