Michael Ascencio

Douglas Ruth is the president and owner of Lenox Capital Management, Inc., an independent registered investment adviser based in New Lenox, Illinois. He holds a Series 63 designation and has 40 years of industry experience. Ruth has led Lenox Capital Management since 1997 and has been involved with Lenox Financial Services, Inc. since 1994. He also serves as a board member of TB Clinic and operates an insurance agency offering life, health, and dental products. Lenox Capital Management provides portfolio management and financial planning services primarily to individual clients, as well as businesses and institutions. The firm employs both fundamental and technical analysis, supporting active and passive investment strategies, with ongoing account reviews conducted by Ruth as the sole adviser.

Lyman Howell is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Regal Oak Financial, LLC since 2016. He has also operated as an independent financial consultant under his own name since 2014. Outside of his advisory work, Howell provides consulting to a nonprofit organization developing a business incubator and small loan program for micro-businesses. Regal Oak Financial is an independent advisory firm offering comprehensive financial and investment planning services to individuals, business owners, high-net-worth clients, and nonprofit organizations. The firm emphasizes goal-setting, client-accessible financial plans, and investment strategies focused on low-cost funds, with a particular focus on nonprofit and charitable clients and ongoing client education.

Rudy Keller is a financial advisor at Whole Picture Wealth Management LLC, holding a Series 65 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining the firm, he was a stay-at-home parent for ten years. Whole Picture Wealth Management LLC is a fee-only, state-registered adviser that provides comprehensive wealth management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and trusts. The firm employs a diversified, low-cost passive investment approach informed by Modern Portfolio Theory and offers various fee arrangements, including asset-based, fixed, and hourly options.

Timothy Okeefe is the principal of Okeefe & Associates, P.C., an independent advisory firm based in Orland Park, IL. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 28 years of industry experience, including 25 years leading his current firm. Okeefe is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant and provides accounting, tax advice, and income-tax preparation services, including representation before the IRS. Okeefe & Associates offers non-discretionary investment management and financial consulting to individuals, certain high-net-worth clients, and pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm follows a Modern Portfolio Theory-based approach, utilizing diversified portfolios with equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs, emphasizing low-cost index funds and total-return/risk management.

Karen Dowling is a Series 65 licensed financial advisor with nine years of industry experience, currently serving as the principal at Chancellor Financial Services, Inc. in Orland Park, IL. She has held leadership roles in several related businesses, including Dowling Legacy & Retirement, Inc., where she focuses on insurance sales and legacy planning, and she is also CEO of the Dowling Foundation, a nonprofit organization. Chancellor Financial Services, Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and ongoing financial coaching to individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm oversees approximately $26.4 million across 85 client accounts and offers public seminars and structured coaching programs alongside its investment management services.

Anthony Krcmar is the managing member of Paisley Financial LLC with 16 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has held roles at Grassland Capital, LLC and Bluestem Capital Partners, LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with Kwiktrading, where he dedicates time as an associated person. Paisley Financial serves individual clients, including high-net-worth households, as well as pension and institutional clients, providing financial consulting, retirement and estate planning, and portfolio management. The firm employs an individualized asset-allocation approach using a broad range of securities and strategies, with regular portfolio reviews and third-party custodianship.