Steven Scott Schmittle

Jonathan Hurm is a financial advisor at NextGen Wealth Defense LLC in Lorain, Ohio, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Equitable Advisors LLC for nine years before founding NextGen Wealth Defense in 2024. In addition to his advisory role, he is a licensed insurance agent involved in insurance sales. NextGen Wealth Defense LLC provides discretionary investment management, wealth management, and financial planning services for individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and businesses. The firm employs a primarily long-term investment approach that combines fundamental and technical analysis with Modern Portfolio Theory and utilizes unaffiliated Independent Managers for portfolio implementation and oversight.

Benjamin Zagorski is the sole advisor at Right Investment Team LLC in Avon, Ohio, holding a Series 66 designation with 13 years of industry experience. He has managed his independent advisory firm since 2015 and concurrently owns and operates Accounting Team Ltd, a tax preparation and accounting business. Right Investment Team LLC provides portfolio management and financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $8 million across 24 accounts. The firm employs a variety of analytical methods and modern portfolio theory to construct portfolios, utilizing multiple trading strategies and asset classes while conducting quarterly reviews.

David Raney is a financial advisor at Legacy Finance Group LLC based in Columbia Station, OH. He holds a Series 65 designation and has prior work experience at Sealed Air Corporation and as the owner of Hometown Direct LLC, an apparel and decal business. Legacy Finance Group LLC provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to small businesses, individuals, and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in its investment approach, offering discretionary portfolio management and specialized financial planning services.

Michael George is a PFS™-designated financial advisor with 13 years of industry experience. He has served at Athletes Financial Advisers, LLC since 2016 and holds concurrent roles at ProMoney, LLC and Probooks CPA, LLC. Outside of advising, he has involvement in a real estate rental business in Hilton Head Island, SC. Athletes Financial Advisers provides investment management and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm uses a passive, asset-allocation approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, emphasizing passively managed mutual funds and ETFs, and incorporates Monte Carlo analysis and third-party management for fixed income and trade processing.

Joshua Melda is a CFP® professional with 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is the principal advisor at Cleveland Retirement Planning LLC and has previously worked at Trustpoint, LLC and Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation. Outside of advising, he teaches sales, leadership, and management classes through Sandler Training. Cleveland Retirement Planning LLC offers investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pensions and profit-sharing plans. The firm constructs diversified portfolios using a variety of securities and provides pension consulting and 401(k) plan advisory services, utilizing both fundamental and technical analysis tailored to client risk profiles.

Robert Pearce is a Certified Financial Planner® with eight years of industry experience. He is the sole advisor at Pennant Wealth Management LLC, where he has worked since 2024. Prior to this, he spent seven years at Mercuri Asset Management and twelve years at IMG Action Sports. Pennant Wealth Management LLC is a fee-only registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm employs a goals-based, asset-allocation strategy using a mix of passive and active investments and offers services including investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and educational seminars.