John Piershale is a CFP® professional with 32 years of industry experience. He is the sole advisor at Piershale Wealth Management, LLC in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and has held prior roles at Origin Financial, Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc., Piershale Financial Group, Inc., and Triad Advisors, Inc. Piershale Wealth Management provides discretionary investment management and a variety of financial planning services to individual clients. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation based on Modern Portfolio Theory and fundamental analysis, offering specialized tax and estate planning within a modest, single-advisor model.

William Utes is the sole advisor at UTES Wealth Strategies in Antioch, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials with 56 years of industry experience. He has been managing his own advisory business since 2019 and has worked with Securities America Advisors, Inc. since 2007. In addition to investment advising, he occasionally offers insurance reviews to clients through approved vendors. UTES Wealth Strategies provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individuals, families, retirement plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and other entities. The firm uses a combination of strategic and tactical asset allocation with selected outside money managers and offers educational newsletters and seminars to clients.

Hi, I'm Larry Pershing, CFP® RMA®, a flat fee financial advisor. I focus on helping people age 55+ with their retirement planning and investment management needs for a FLAT fee. Having worked in various wealth management firms in my career, I was surprised to discover many firms try to service everyone, which leads them to being average for all. Some are more concerned with amassing client assets than providing customized recommendations. I started Optimum Retirement Planning because I saw a need for specialists to help clients navigate the complex and challenging financial aspects of retirement. Our offering is different. We don’t work with everyone. We specialize in helping those who are close to and in retirement. We apply the latest financial research for retirement to help answer your complex financial questions. Optimum Retirement Planning is a flat fee financial advisor. This means we charge differently than most financial advisors. We offer retirement planning and investment management for a flat fee. For too long retirees have been overpaying for financial advice due to large commissions and/or being charged a percentage of their assets. When I’m not in the office, I’m on a tennis court, reading a book (finance or science fiction), or spending time with family and friends. I also volunteer for AARP sponsored events that help seniors receive complimentary financial advice. While I live in Chicago, I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I return often, especially during winter. You can take the guy out of California, but you can’t take the California out of the guy!

Joshua Kortenkamp is a financial advisor at Kortenkamp, Joshua F, holding a Series 65 designation with two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Lawrence E Grandt and Powers & Moon, LLC, as well as experience outside the financial sector at Uline Shipping Supplies and The University of Alabama. Kortenkamp, Joshua F is an independent advisory firm providing discretionary investment management primarily to individual clients, including high-net-worth households, as well as trusts and estates. The firm employs a top-down macroeconomic approach combined with growth, value, and momentum styles, incorporating market-timing and technical analysis, and often uses closed-end funds to address cost and liquidity considerations.

Anton Prokopenko is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license, currently serving as an advisor at HighPoint Planning Partners with one year of industry experience. He is also the president of Sansone & Associates, P.C., an accounting and tax services firm for businesses and individuals. His prior work includes positions at Northern Illinois University, UnitedHealth Group, Concordia University Chicago, and the College of DuPage. HighPoint Advisor Group provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, pension plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm manages approximately $4.0 billion in client assets and employs a fundamental analysis approach to construct individualized investment policies across a range of securities and custodial platforms.

John Choi is a financial advisor with Epiphany Capital in Vernon Hills, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Epiphany Capital since 2006. Outside of advisory services, Choi is an independent insurance agent licensed to sell fixed and indexed annuities as well as health insurance. Epiphany Capital provides financial planning, coaching, and investment management by coordinating with third-party portfolio managers for pooled and institutional accounts. The firm serves individual investors, families, and small business owners, offering services that include retirement, estate, tax, college, and insurance planning.

Jeffrey Kostis is a CFP® and PFS™ with 18 years of experience in financial planning. He is the sole advisor at JK Financial Planning, Inc., where he has worked since 2007. The firm provides fee-only financial planning and investment consultation primarily to individual clients navigating major life transitions. JK Financial Planning emphasizes a long-term, fundamental investment approach with a focus on non-discretionary advice and is notable for its specialization in divorce financial planning, including asset tracing and expert testimony services.

Michael Niemczyk is a financial advisor with Capital Advisor Network holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 25 years of industry experience. He has been associated with multiple firms, including Brookstone Capital Management and his own Michael Niemczyk Associates, Inc. Niemczyk is also involved with the Society of Financial Awareness as a volunteer educator, providing financial education through community classes and workshops. Capital Advisor Network is a six-advisor team offering discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, comprehensive financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm employs data-driven, algorithmic investment strategies and integrates third-party managers with technology tools to support portfolio monitoring and rebalancing.

Robert Stanley is a CFP® and ChFC® with 17 years of experience in financial advisory services at R. W. Stanley Investment Planning. He has operated the Stanley Agency since 1991, providing fire, casualty, and life insurance services. R.W. Stanley Investment Planning offers fee-only, project-based financial planning and investment advisory services primarily to individuals and families, emphasizing broad strategic asset allocation and the use of low-cost passive index funds. The firm does not take custody of client assets and provides advice on a per-project, hourly basis.

Michael Calzolano is a CFP® professional with 21 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Encompass Wealth Management LLC since 2010 and also holds positions with Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and The Life Insurance Pro. Encompass Wealth Management LLC provides discretionary asset management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and their related trusts and estates. The firm employs asset-allocation models based on modern portfolio theory and offers access to mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, third-party managers, and alternative investments, with a focus on personalized oversight and tailored investment strategies.

Trevor Johnson is a financial advisor at Dream Weaver Financial Planning LLC in Richmond, IL. He holds a Series 65 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to founding his firm in 2024, he worked at Discover Financial Services from 2013 to 2018 and was involved with the organization I Am! I Can! for five years. Dream Weaver Financial Planning LLC serves individual and high-net-worth clients, offering discretionary asset management, comprehensive financial planning, and consulting. The firm uses fundamental analysis combined with Modern Portfolio Theory to create customized portfolios and manages accounts on a discretionary basis with quarterly reviews.

Michael Knight is a CFP®-credentialed financial advisor with 22 years of experience, currently serving as the principal of Knight Investment Planning, LLC. He has led his independent firm since 2004 in Libertyville, IL. Michael also serves as a FINRA arbitrator in Chicago, a role he has held since 2011. Knight Investment Planning, LLC provides fee-only financial planning and investment consultation services to individuals, trusts, estates, and businesses. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation using low-cost, passive investment vehicles and operates on an hourly billing basis without accepting commissions or performance-based fees.

James Malinowski is a CFP® professional with 30 years of industry experience. He is the principal of The JM Financial Planning Group, Ltd. in Mundelein, IL, where he has worked since 1991. His background includes roles at United Planners' Financial Services and ownership of his own advisory and insurance businesses. The JM Financial Planning Group, Ltd. provides portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning primarily for individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, written financial plans, and advice on employer-sponsored retirement accounts, using documented goals and risk-tolerance assessments to guide client strategies.

Nicholas Daleiden is the sole advisor at Daleiden Wealth Advisors in McHenry, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 38 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Nations Financial Group, Inc. for 11 years before establishing his own practice. In addition to advisory services, he is involved in fixed insurance sales as an insurance agent. Daleiden Wealth Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary asset management and financial planning to individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals. The firm employs a range of investment strategies tailored to client goals and risk tolerances, and routinely uses third-party sub-advisors while maintaining client relationship oversight.

Vj Arjan is a financial advisor at ConCap LLC with 10 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and ChFC® designations, as well as a Series 66 license. His prior experience includes roles at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. and Torchmark Corporation. Outside of his advisory work, Arjan maintains a personal blog unrelated to finance. ConCap LLC serves individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, by providing asset management alongside financial and estate-planning services. The firm applies fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory to build tailored portfolios, focusing on active management through ongoing monitoring and client communication.

Ryan Zentz is a financial advisor at PMG Wealth Management with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 credential and has worked at both PMG Wealth Management and LPL Financial, LLC. Prior to his advisory career, he was employed at DoorDash and Lake Point, and he has a background that includes time at the University of Kentucky and involvement with the Mundelein Baseball and Softball Association. PMG Wealth Management serves individuals, trusts, estates, and business owners with discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm manages customized portfolios in-house using a combination of fundamental, technical, and charting analysis, offering strategies such as the “Advance & Protect” approach and integrating both internal and external managers to address various client needs.

As Director of Physician Services at Prism Planning Partners, a fee-only RIA led by CFP® professionals, I lead a dedicated division serving physicians and healthcare professionals nationwide. My team and I specialize in helping medical professionals navigate every stage of their financial journey—from residency and fellowship through practice, career transitions, and retirement. I oversee a team that includes interns, paraplanners, and operations professionals, and collaborate closely with Prism’s Director of Financial Planning and Director of Operations to deliver high-impact, client-centered planning. Focus Areas: • Comprehensive financial planning tailored to physicians and healthcare professionals • Student loan strategies, including PSLF, refinancing, and REPAYE/SAVE optimization • Contract review and benefit analysis • Investment, tax, and estate planning strategies • Risk management (disability, life, long-term care) with no product sales • Burnout prevention and work/life balance strategies • Retirement and career transition planning • Speaking engagements and financial education for medical professionals Select Speaking Engagements: Regular speaker for medical residency and fellowship programs at: Northwestern, Loyola, University of Chicago, Rush, UIC, Cook County, Barnes-Jewish/Wash U, Medical College of Wisconsin, Advocate Aurora, University of Colorado, and more. Also presented for the Illinois Society of Pediatric Dentists, Illinois Pharmacists Association, and multiple private practices and hospital systems.

Shawn Block is a financial advisor at Briggs Financial Inc. with five years of industry experience and holds a Series 65 designation. He has worked as a performer and emcee for Medieval Times since 2007, where his responsibilities include acting, media, marketing, and special events. Briggs Financial serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing discretionary investment management, ongoing financial planning, and in-house tax preparation, managing approximately $52 million in assets. The firm’s investment approach is based on fundamental analysis with a long-term orientation and does not charge performance-based fees or accept commissions tied to capital gains.

Gregory Anderson is a CFA® charterholder affiliated with SCV Capital LLC, where he has worked since 2021. He previously held positions at PPM America and UBS Global Asset Management, accumulating over a decade of industry experience. SCV Capital LLC provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management primarily to pooled investment vehicles and institutional clients, including banks, pension and municipal entities, and nonprofit organizations. The firm emphasizes fundamental analysis for public equities and thorough evaluation of private securities, focusing on long-term strategies with flexibility for shorter-term tactics when appropriate.

Thomas Quinn is a Certified Financial Planner® with 22 years of industry experience. He is a financial advisor at American Community Wealth Management, LLC, where he has worked since 2003, and previously was with Triad Advisors, Inc. and Osaic Wealth, Inc. Quinn serves as a successor trustee for a family trust, managing its investments and cash flow. American Community Wealth Management provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, business owners, and institutional clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing both in-house and third-party platforms tailored to client objectives and risk tolerance.