Michelle Lafuente is a financial advisor with Merit Financial Advisors, holding Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and 14 years of industry experience. She has previously worked at Commonwealth Financial Network, LPL Financial, Advantage Investment Management, and TL Financial Group. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser serving over 20,000 clients through 66 offices, managing approximately $23.9 billion in assets. The firm offers wealth-management services including asset management, financial planning, and employee financial-wellness programs, and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach with customizable portfolio models overseen by an internal investment team.

Christopher Loutsis is a financial advisor with Merit Financial Advisors, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at PKS Investments, LPL Financial, and Wells Fargo Advisors. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as president of two nonprofit organizations focused on public benefits, Civil Liberty Training and Affordable Housing Services. Merit Financial Group, LLC manages approximately $10.6 billion and serves a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment strategy with customizable model portfolios overseen by a central investment team, offering a range of services from asset management to employee financial wellness programs.

Luke Stortzum is a CFP® and Series 66-licensed financial advisor with seven years of industry experience. He is currently with Merit Financial Advisors in Chicago, IL, having joined in 2025. His prior roles include positions at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Commonwealth Financial Networks, Blueprint Wealth Advisors, Cetera, and Edward Jones. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion across 144 advisors and serves a diverse client base including individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment strategy using model portfolios and modular sleeves, with oversight by a central Investment Management team and Investment Committee, while allowing advisors to customize portfolios on various platforms.

Mitchell Parker is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with seven years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Safeguard Wealth Management and Morgan Stanley. Outside of his advisory work, he has experience in painting through his involvement with Parker's Painting from 2015 to 2018. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 260 advisors serving more than 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach utilizing centrally managed portfolios overseen by an internal Investment Management team and Committee.

Margarite Lynch is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with eight years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial, LLC and Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments prior to her current role. Outside of advisory work, she serves as a suite attendant at the Bank of America Stadium for the Carolina Panthers. Merit Financial Group, LLC manages approximately $10.6 billion and serves a diverse client base including individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and modular sleeves, overseen by an Investment Committee, while offering customized portfolio management options.

Matthew Reinhardt is a CFA® charterholder affiliated with Merit Financial Advisors in Mount Prospect, IL. He has prior experience at Biggs Mansion, CIBC Private Wealth, CIBC Bank USA, and DePaul University Athletics. Reinhardt joined Merit Financial Advisors in 2026. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with 264 advisors serving approximately 20,040 clients across 66 offices and managing about $23.9 billion in client assets. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services focused on long-term, diversified portfolios supported by an internal Investment Management team and customizable investment models.

Randall Yeomans is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 42 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Sagepoint Financial, Inc. and previously operated Yeomans Consulting Group, Inc., where he offered financial and estate planning services and taught adult education classes on taxes, estate planning, and retirement planning. Yeomans is also involved in developing personal development coaching focused on lifestyle, health, and wellness. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser serving over 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services with a focus on long-term, diversified portfolios managed through centrally overseen models and customized advisor strategies.

Diane Taylor is a CFP® with 19 years of industry experience currently working at Merit Financial Advisors. She has held roles at Summit Financial, LLC, Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, and various Summit Financial entities. Outside of her advisory work, she operates a tax preparation service as a sole proprietor. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with 264 advisors serving over 20,000 clients across 66 offices, managing approximately $23.9 billion in client assets. The firm emphasizes long-term, diversified portfolios managed through centrally developed models and offers a range of wealth management services including asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting.

Emily Boothroyd is a Certified Financial Planner® with 14 years of industry experience. She is currently associated with Merit Financial Advisors and previously worked at LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, and PKS Investments. She also provides insurance advice as a licensed fixed insurance agent. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 260 advisors serving more than 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach supported by both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies.

Cameron Foster is a CFP® with 25 years of industry experience, currently serving at Merit Financial Advisors since 2025. He previously worked at Emerson Equity LLC, DFPG Investments, Inc., Orchard Securities, and spent 20 years at Riggs Capital Management, LLC. Outside of advisory work, he is president of Fosteca, Inc. LLC, a holding company for his ownership interests related to his former firm. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 260 advisors serving more than 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach with both discretionary and non-discretionary authority, supported by internal and third-party management resources.

Alexander Paltzer is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and McCoy Construction and Builders LLC. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 260 advisors serving more than 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach managed by an internal team, allowing for customized portfolio solutions.

Joshua Preiss is a CFA® charterholder with nine years of industry experience. He is currently with Merit Financial Advisors and has previously worked at firms including Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, LPL Financial LLC, Cambridge Investment Research, and Voya Financial Advisors. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 260 advisors serving more than 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach managed by an internal team, allowing for customized portfolio solutions.

Riley Dauzat is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with Series 66 credentials and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merit, he held roles at PKS Investments and LPL Financial. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion with 144 advisors serving individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and other institutions. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and customizable modular sleeves, supported by a central Investment Management team and an Investment Committee.

Matthew Ligman is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Cetera Investment Advisers and PNC Bank. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with 264 advisors serving over 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers wealth-management services such as asset management and financial planning, employing a long-term, diversified investment approach supported by an internal Investment Management team and Investment Committee.

Lauren Dalton is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with nine years of industry experience. She has worked at Merit Financial Advisors since 2025 and previously held roles at H&R Block, Kalos Capital, and Sanctuary Wealth Management. 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 utilizes a long-term, diversified investment approach with customizable model portfolios and offers specialized services such as independent fiduciary and ESOP trustee work.

Joy Kirsch is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 40 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 63 designation and has worked previously at LPL Financial and Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments. Outside of advisory roles, she is a limited partner in a partnership that owns a cell phone tower. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion for a diverse client base that includes individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach with customizable model portfolios overseen by a central Investment Management team and Investment Committee.

Adam Rauscher is a financial advisor at Stone Creek Capital Management LLC with 20 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including THRIVENT FINANCIAL for Lutherans, Biltmore Capital Advisors LLC, and Merit Financial Advisors. Rauscher is also a licensed insurance agent, dedicating part of his professional activity to life, long-term care, and disability insurance sales. Stone Creek Capital Management provides consultative services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and corporations, focusing on facilitating margin lending arrangements with broker-dealer custodians and delivering related market research and performance reporting. The firm does not offer discretionary asset management and operates on a negotiable fixed-fee basis rather than charging a percentage of assets under management.

Kirk Wilkerson is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 23 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Merit since 2015. Outside of advisory work, he is involved as a partner and general partner in real estate development and management ventures. Merit Financial Group, LLC manages approximately $10.6 billion and serves a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment strategy using model portfolios and customizable sleeves, supported by an investment committee and centralized management.

Robert Birgen is a CFP® and PFS™ with 39 years of experience in financial advising. He currently works at Merit Financial Advisors and previously held roles at LPL Financial, Stanislawski & Harrison Wealth Management, Abridge Partners, and operated Birgen Asset Management. Outside of his financial career, he owns and produces a Christian Catholic podcast called BobtheLector. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with 264 advisors serving over 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services, including asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan advice, using a long-term, diversified investment approach supported by an internal Investment Management team and customizable portfolio models.

Nicole Smith is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with five years of industry experience. She is currently with Merit Financial Advisors and has previously worked at firms including Commonwealth Financial Network and OneAmerica Securities. Outside of financial advising, she serves as a board member for United Against Human Trafficking, where she advises on strategic planning and participates in organizational oversight. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion and serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach through customizable model portfolios and offers specialized services such as independent fiduciary and ESOP trustee work.