Samantha Ann Trankler

I specialize in tax, estate, and retirement planning for high-net worth individuals. Rather than leading with products or quick fixes, I starts every relationship by understanding what matters most - your goals, your concerns, and the future you're working toward. I live with my wife and two kids in Aviston, IL and I love playing a round of golf, rooting on the Cardinals, and spending time with my family.

Michael Ludgate is a financial advisor with Ludgate Capital and holds a Series 65 designation. He has no prior experience as a financial advisor but has worked in the cybersecurity industry for several years, including positions at At-Bay, eSentire, and TechGuard Security. His background also includes employment at the St. Clair County Treasurer's Office. Ludgate Capital provides non-discretionary investment advisory services and financial planning to individuals, families, trusts, and other clients. The firm emphasizes diversified, long-term portfolio construction informed by fundamental and quantitative analysis and integrates financial and retirement planning into its advisory relationships.

Douglas Ramey is the sole advisor at Saint Louis Investment Advisors Inc., an independent, SEC-registered firm based in Collinsville, IL. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has 20 years of industry experience, including over two decades at his current firm. Saint Louis Investment Advisors manages approximately $61.5 million for a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, institutional accounts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a strategic asset allocation approach using a core-and-satellite portfolio construction with passive index funds and ETFs as the core and selective active managers as satellites, managing portfolios on a discretionary basis with global diversification.

Donald Despain Sr. is a CFP® professional with 40 years of experience in financial advising. He is the principal of Despain Investment Solutions, Ltd., where he has worked since 1995, and has also held roles at Saxony Securities Inc. since 2020 and Despain Financial Corporation since 1982. Despain Investment Solutions, Ltd. provides financial planning and portfolio management services primarily to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and business entities, with a focus on comprehensive retirement planning. The firm manages client portfolios on a non-discretionary basis using fundamental and technical analysis and offers written and hourly financial plans tailored to client goals and risk tolerance.

Grant Fridley is a Series 65-licensed advisor at Powers Advisory Group, LLC with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Powers Advisory Group, he spent three years at McKendree University and seven years at Wesclin CUSD3. Powers Advisory Group advises individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as corporations and employee benefit plans. The firm employs an ETF-based, asset-allocation investment approach focusing on quality securities and income growth, combining fundamental and technical analysis alongside financial planning and pension consulting.

Dalton Powers is a CFP®-certified financial advisor at Cambridge Capital Management, LLC with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cambridge Capital Management, he worked in education at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville, Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville East High School, and Pontiac Jr. High. Cambridge Capital Management is a four-advisor SEC-registered firm managing over $450 million for individuals, high-net-worth investors, and institutional clients. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting with a focus on individualized investment policies and a combination of actively managed and passive funds.