Steven Pardonner

Bryan Zegar is a CFP® professional with six years of experience in the financial services industry. He is the principal advisor at Hearthstead Financial, LLC, where he has worked since 2025. Prior to this, he spent seven years at Ameriprise and AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES, Inc. Outside of finance, he is involved with Allshapes Bonsai Nursery, where he assists with inventory management, customer support, and technology. Hearthstead Financial is a registered investment adviser that provides investment management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm employs a mixed-methods investment approach combining fundamental and charting analysis with mutual fund and ETF evaluation, focusing on both passive and active strategies implemented on a non-discretionary basis.

John Macmillan is the sole advisor at Macmillan Financial LLC in Annandale, NJ, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations with 20 years of industry experience. He has worked at Macmillan Agencies since 2006. Macmillan Financial provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals and institutional clients, including pension plans, businesses, charities, and trusts. The firm follows a fundamental, research-driven approach that emphasizes long-term investing while allowing short-term trades when appropriate, managing client accounts with limited discretionary authority.

Robert Stickel is a CFP® and CPA with 29 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He is the sole advisor at RLS Financial Services, an independent firm he has operated since 2011. Prior to that, he held positions at Avantax Advisory Services and Avantax Investment Services Inc for over two decades. In addition to his advisory work, Stickel provides tax preparation, accounting, and insurance services including Medicare supplement, life, disability, and long-term care insurance. RLS Financial Services offers financial planning and portfolio management primarily to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm emphasizes fundamental research and manages wrap fee accounts alongside non-wrap accounts, operating mainly on a non-discretionary basis to allow clients to retain decision-making authority.

Donald Ballai is the principal of South Lane Wealth Management LLC in Ringoes, NJ, with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has led South Lane Wealth Management since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he manages South Lane Advisors LLC, a consulting firm assisting medical groups with business planning and financial matters, and is involved with Life's Essential Documents LLC and Apptitude LLC, companies focused on medical legal forms and healthcare applications respectively. South Lane Wealth Management LLC offers fee-based wealth and portfolio management services for individuals and small businesses, including pension consulting and 401(k) plan sponsorship. The firm employs a documented investment policy, discretionary management, and a combination of analytical strategies across various asset classes, while also providing institutional-type services such as monitoring pension plans and recommending plan service providers.

Marjorie Rand is a CFP® with eight years of experience in financial planning and over three decades of experience owning and operating an accounting and tax preparation practice. She founded Rand Financial Planning, LLC in 2018, where she provides comprehensive financial planning services. Rand also owns Marjorie L. Rand, CPA, P.C., which offers accounting and tax preparation services, a role she maintains alongside her advisory work. Rand Financial Planning, LLC is an independent, fee-only advisory firm serving individuals and families with comprehensive financial planning that addresses tax, cash flow, retirement, investment allocation, estate, and insurance considerations. The firm offers annual fixed-fee planning engagements and provides investment recommendations without discretionary management or custody of client assets.

Randolph Fisher Jr. is a financial advisor with Artemis Wealth Advisors in Flemington, NJ, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 19 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Tucker Asset Management, Regal Financial Group, and PRUCO Securities. Outside of advisory work, he provides seasonal tax preparation services without commission. Artemis Wealth Advisors offers investment management and financial planning services to individuals and high-net-worth clients, integrating multiple analytical methods and a variety of investment strategies. The firm also incorporates tax planning and preparation into its comprehensive suite of financial planning services.