Tyler Wardell is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL. He has one year of experience in the industry, joining Equitable Advisors in 2026. Prior to his advisory role, he held positions at Crumbl, The Red Lion, and other companies across various industries. Equitable Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients by providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management services. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and offers both firm-sponsored and third-party advisory programs.

Robert Johnson III is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with 22 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Equitable Advisors since 2004, previously affiliated with Axa Advisors, LLC. He is the owner and founder of Optimal Planning Partners, Inc., a separate business unrelated to his advisory role. Equitable Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management programs. The firm offers a variety of advisory models implemented through third-party managers and focuses on matching clients to appropriate program models based on risk tolerance and personal information.

Jason Grady is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 2008 and previously worked at AXA Advisors, LLC. In addition to his advisory role, he is a partner member of Life Loyal Advisors, LLC. Equitable Advisors serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and various asset-management programs. The firm utilizes both proprietary and third-party investment models and provides ERISA fiduciary services to qualified plans through credentialed representatives.

Carlos Castello is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to his advisory role, he worked in the research and health science sectors, including positions at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and the Van Andel Research Institute. Equitable Advisors serves individuals across a range of wealth levels, as well as pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management programs. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives to deliver advice through various proprietary and third-party models and programs.

Stephen Erutti is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Wells, Roselieb & Raia Wealth Management, The Boeing Company, Resource One Advisors LPL, and Olivet Nazarene University. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management programs, utilizing both proprietary and third-party advisory models.

Robert Armstrong is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 29 years of industry experience. He has worked with Equitable Advisors since 2006 and previously advised at Ameriprise Advisor Services from 2003 to 2006. Outside of advising, Armstrong is involved in agricultural activities through ownership and management of the Armstrong Family Farm, which breeds and raises cattle, and he serves on the finance committee of a local church. Equitable Advisors serves a broad client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives. The firm relies on a range of third-party asset management programs and does not sponsor its own wrap fee program, offering diversified investment solutions including mutual funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts, and select alternative investments.

Slavek Laskowski is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 21 years of industry experience. He has worked at Equitable Advisors since 2005, including time under its former name Axa Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he operates an outside insurance brokerage under the DBA BLU-STAR STRATEGIC ADVISORS. Equitable Advisors serves individual clients—including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth—as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and various asset-management programs delivered through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and leverages third-party asset managers and advisory programs in its investment approach.

John Passananti is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 45 years of industry experience. He has worked at Equitable Advisors since 2002, including its prior iteration as Axa Advisors. Passananti serves on the board of JDRF Illinois, supporting the organization’s mission and research agenda. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management services to individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and uses both proprietary and third-party asset management solutions tailored to client risk profiles.

Samuel Varzino is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding a Series 66 designation. He has been with the firm since 2025 and has prior experience at Saint Andrews Capital. Equitable Advisors serves individual and institutional clients, offering financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management programs through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives. The firm utilizes a combination of proprietary and third-party advisory models, providing a range of investment options including mutual funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts, and select alternative investments.

Elliot Hann is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors based in Oak Brook, IL. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has one year of industry experience, including an internship at Morgan Stanley. Hann has held various roles outside finance, including work in landscaping and retail. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and other institutional clients. The firm utilizes a range of advisory programs and third-party asset managers, focusing on matching clients with investment models or discretionary managers based on their risk tolerance and financial information.

Anthony Brown is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 2002, including time under its former name Axa Advisors. Equitable Advisors serves a broad client base, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management programs. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and incorporates third-party asset managers and advisory programs in its advice and implementation.

John Karakourtis is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. Prior to joining Equitable Advisors in 2019, he worked at AXA Advisors, Wells Fargo, and PNC Bank. Outside of advising, he serves as secretary of a women’s retail clothing store and manages an LLC involved in horse racing. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management services to individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and offers various investment programs, including those implemented by third-party managers.

Kyle Zake is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 2002, including its predecessor Axa Advisors. Outside of advisory work, he owns Life Loyal Advisors, LLC, and is involved in various nonprofit organizations related to Illinois education administration. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management services to individuals, pension plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The firm uses a range of advisory programs and third-party asset managers to implement customized investment solutions.

James Phelan is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with 34 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Equitable Advisors since 2005, including time at its predecessor firms AXA Advisors and Mony Securities Corporation. Outside of his advisory work, Phelan is involved in health insurance sales and serves as a co-trustee for his mother's trust. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and third-party program sponsors.

Levant Bishop is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 27 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at American Trust Investment Advisory, Inc. and Chicago Capital Management Advisors, LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in chauffeur services and sales and client service through Optimal Planning Partners, Inc. Equitable Advisors serves individuals across wealth levels, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management through a broad network of Investment Adviser Representatives and third-party program sponsors.

William Spies is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 2004, following prior work at Axa Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of the Saint Christopher School Board and coaches volleyball and basketball for Saint Christopher Athletics. He is also a past president and member of the Knights of Columbus. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a range of advisory models, often implemented by third-party managers, and offers ERISA fiduciary services through credentialed representatives.

Stephen Binkowski is a CFP® professional with eight years of industry experience, currently advising clients at Equitable Advisors since 2018. His prior roles include positions at Axa Advisors, JMC Financial, and Foresters Financial. He also operates a DBA called LIFE LOYAL ADVISORS. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management services to individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a range of advisory models, including third-party program sponsors and discretionary managers, to deliver customized investment solutions.

David Kallman is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 50 years of industry experience, including roles at Mony Securities Corporation and Axa Advisors, LLC. Outside of advisory work, he serves as a director of the Western Golf Association, where he helps run golf tournaments and the Evans Scholars charity. Equitable Advisors serves individual clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations by providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and various asset-management programs. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and combines firm-offered and third-party programs to deliver tailored investment solutions.

Warren Suess is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors and its predecessor, Axa Advisors, LLC, since 2008. Outside of his work at the firm, he operates a business under the name LIFE LOYAL ADVISORS. Equitable Advisors serves individuals ranging from non-high-net-worth to high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management through a network of representatives, utilizing both proprietary and third-party investment programs.

Ryan Wells is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors, holding a Series 66 designation and beginning his industry experience in 2025. Prior to entering the financial advisory field, his background includes roles in education and community soccer clubs. Equitable Advisors provides services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives, offering financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management programs with a focus on third-party advisory models and fiduciary services for qualified plans.