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Shawn Christena Quam Schulz

Advisor at Merit Financial Advisors — Rockford, IL

Updated today

Credentials

Series 63, Series 65

Experience

21 years

Location

Rockford, IL 61107

Merit Financial Advisors logo

Merit Financial Advisors

Multi-team

Total advisors

284

Across 91 offices

Clients per advisor

71 High

Avg AUM per client

$897,421 High

HNW client ratio

22% Typical

About

Shawn Quam Schulz is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 21 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Commonwealth Financial Network and Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. He is a co-owner of The Wood Shop, a non-investment-related business. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion and serving a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and customizable strategies overseen by a central Investment Management team and Investment Committee.

Client services

Based on Merit Financial Advisors

Financial planning Portfolio management Pension consulting Selection of other advisers Educational seminars or workshops

Expertise

Based on Merit Financial Advisors

Options & derivatives strategies Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business ownership considerations

Occupation focus

Based on Merit Financial Advisors

Founder/Business Owner Retired Executive

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Fee options

Fixed

Financial planning fees can be flat fees, typically not exceeding $100,000, often prorated and payable monthly or quarterly

Percentage

$0 - $100,000: 1.50% $100,000 - $250,000: 1.25% $250,000+: 1.00%

Project-based

Up to $100,000 total for financial planning services; specific hourly rate not stated

Subscriptions

Ongoing financial planning fees payable annually, quarterly, or monthly; specific amounts not stated

Location

See office

Rockford, IL

6885 Vistagreen Way, Suite A

Rockford IL 61107

Advisors at this office

4

Most active in

Illinois

Work history

21 years of industry experience

Merit Financial Advisors

2025 - Present • 1 year

Alpharetta, GA

Purshe Kaplan Sterling

2025 - Present • 1 year

Albany, NY

Commonwealth Financial Network

2021 - 2025 • 4 years

San Diego, CA

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

1988 - 2021 • 33 years

Rockton, IL

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

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Donna Q

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Loves Park, IL

Quam Wealth Advisory Group LLC

Donna Quam is a CFP® professional with 28 years of industry experience, currently serving as the principal of Quam Wealth Advisory Group LLC since 2010. She is also a licensed insurance agent representing multiple companies, offering clients a range of insurance products including life, disability, long-term care, homeowners, auto, and Medicare supplements. Quam Wealth Advisory Group provides asset management and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, tax-exempt organizations, and other entities. The firm employs a portfolio approach utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, and individual securities, with a focus on non-discretionary accounts and offers both asset-based advisory services and standalone financial planning engagements.

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Wealth management
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Barbara L

Series 63, Series 65

Rockford, IL

Pathfinder Advisory, Inc.

Barbara Lane is a financial advisor at Pathfinder Advisory, Inc. in Rockford, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 16 years of industry experience. She has been with Pathfinder Advisory since 2011 and also has experience at Sr. Capital Management dating back to 2005. Pathfinder Advisory, Inc. provides financial planning and asset management to individuals, business entities, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm uses strategic asset allocation and diversified portfolios tailored to client objectives, incorporating investor education and financial coaching as part of its services.

General retirement planning Social Security optimization General tax planning Wealth management
user avatar

Jeffrey D

Series 63, Series 65

Loves Park, IL

DiBenedetto & Associates Ltd

Jeffrey Dibenedetto is a financial advisor at DiBenedetto & Associates Ltd with 9 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with the firm since 2004. DiBenedetto & Associates Ltd provides discretionary investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, family trusts, charitable foundations, business entities, and retirement plans. The firm employs a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach with customized, diversified asset allocations, combining actively managed mutual funds with individual stocks, bonds, CDs, and REITs.

Long-term care insurance Life insurance needs analysis Annuities
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Timothy K

ChFC®, Series 63, Series 65

Rockford, IL

Midwest Financial Associates, Inc.

Timothy Knauf is a ChFC®-designated financial advisor with Midwest Financial Associates, Inc., bringing 36 years of industry experience. He has held positions at AO Risk Consultants, LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., and Williams-Manny, Inc. Outside of his advisory role, he is a shareholder in The Pension Specialists, Ltd., which provides 401(k) plan administration services. Midwest Financial Associates manages approximately $124 million for around 286 clients, offering discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm employs customized portfolios using a mix of mutual funds, equities, fixed income, annuities, and structured products, making portfolio decisions on a discretionary basis aligned with clients’ risk tolerances and financial goals.

General retirement planning Income planning Annuities Wealth management
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Alex D

Series 63, Series 65

Rockford, IL

DiBenedetto & Associates Ltd

Alex Dibenedetto is a financial advisor at DiBenedetto & Associates Ltd with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Fox & Henry, Inc. since 1998. DiBenedetto & Associates Ltd provides discretionary investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, family trusts, charitable foundations, business entities, and retirement plans, managing over $312 million in assets across approximately 318 client relationships. The firm employs a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach with customized diversified asset allocations and integrates independent insurance brokerage services excluding commission-based insurance products from assets under management.

Long-term care insurance Life insurance needs analysis Annuities
user avatar

Philip G

CFP®, Series 65

Rockford, IL

Pathfinder Advisory, Inc.

Philip Guske is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience and has been with Pathfinder Advisory, Inc. since 2003. He holds a Series 65 license and is based in Rockford, IL. Pathfinder Advisory, Inc. provides financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business entities, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes strategic asset allocation and diversified portfolios, incorporating investor education and financial coaching as part of its planning process.

General retirement planning Social Security optimization General tax planning Wealth management
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