Meredeth Bertacco

John Cruse is the principal of Cruse Investments in Petaluma, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 24 years of industry experience. He has led Cruse Investments since 2013. Cruse Investments provides investment management and written financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, and corporations. The firm customizes portfolios using stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds, operates primarily on a non-discretionary basis, and offers advice on retirement rollovers and employer plan distributions.

Hardik Patel is the principal of Trusted Path Wealth Management, LLC in Santa Rosa, CA. He holds a Series 65 designation and began his advisory career in 2025. Prior to founding his firm, he worked as a lead software engineer at Williams-Sonoma Inc., where he continues to hold that role. He also serves as a board member of Catholic Charities of Northwest California. Trusted Path Wealth Management provides discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial planning primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a blend of passive and active investment vehicles guided by modern portfolio theory and offers financial planning services on both a project and ongoing basis.

Daniel Peterson is a CFP® with 32 years of industry experience and has been with Northbay Financial Group, Inc. since 2003. He is the president and CEO of North Bay Financial Group, which provides income tax preparation services through its subsidiary Express Income Tax Services. Northbay Advisors is an independent firm serving individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses with personalized financial planning and investment management. The firm combines advisory services with an affiliated tax-preparation practice, offering clients integrated tax and planning coordination.

John Jones is the principal of John Schooler Jones LLC, an independent advisory firm based in Petaluma, CA. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 24 years of industry experience. Jones has led his firm since its founding in 2003. John Schooler Jones LLC provides financial advisory and planning services to a client base primarily consisting of higher-net-worth individuals, closely held corporations, trusts, and pension plans. The firm operates on a non-discretionary model, coordinating third-party asset managers and dedicating significant focus to business succession planning.

Harry Licursi is the principal advisor at Harry Licursi Tax & Retirement Planning in Santa Rosa, CA, with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has led his independent firm since 2004. The firm offers personalized investment advisory and portfolio management services to individuals, trusts, foundations, corporations, and retirement plans, emphasizing tax-efficient strategies, diversified asset allocation, and risk management. It combines fee-based advisory services with insurance product sales, including fixed annuities, and provides pension consulting and IRS representation as part of its comprehensive financial planning approach.

Brian Corr is the principal of The Wheeler Corr Group, LLC in Santa Rosa, CA, holding a Series 65 credential and having entered the financial advisory industry in 2025. Prior to founding his firm, he worked in aerospace engineering roles at SpaceX and Blue Origin. He also partners in a tax preparation business, Wheeler/Corr Tax Solutions. The Wheeler Corr Group provides asset management, project-based financial planning, and in-house tax preparation services for individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs fundamental and technical analysis along with modern portfolio theory in managing accounts separately, with periodic reviews at least annually.