James Pattie is the sole advisor at Horizon Capital Management, LLC in Lake Forest, Illinois. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 21 years of industry experience, including 22 years with Horizon Capital Management. Horizon Capital Management provides discretionary investment management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and pension or profit-sharing plans, and also offers sub-advisory asset management to other registered investment advisers. The firm’s approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, emphasizing diversified allocations, a buy-and-hold strategy, and regular portfolio reviews.

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 worked with firms including Securities America, Inc. and Brookstreet Securities Corporation. Utes occasionally reviews insurance needs with clients in coordination with approved vendors. UTES Wealth Strategies provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning for individuals, families, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm employs a manager-selection process and combines strategic and tactical asset allocation using various investment vehicles, supplemented by client newsletters and educational seminars.

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, an independent firm. He holds a Series 65 designation and has three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Lawrence E Grandt, Powers & Moon, LLC, and Uline Shipping Supplies. The firm provides discretionary investment management services primarily to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates, using a top-down macroeconomic approach combined with growth, value, and momentum strategies. It emphasizes closed-end funds and employs a broader range of instruments such as options and limited partnership interests, managing about $13.5 million for approximately 15 clients.

Peter Wright is the principal of Wright Benefit Advisors Inc. in Lake Forest, IL, with 26 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at several firms, including Kingsbury Capital, LLC, and Edwin C Blitz Investments, Inc. He is also president of Wright Benefit Strategies, an insurance brokerage and consulting firm licensed for life, health, and property casualty insurance. Wright Benefit Advisors Inc. provides portfolio management, financial planning, pension consulting, and participant education to individuals, high-net-worth clients, businesses, and pension or profit-sharing plans. The firm combines fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis with modern portfolio theory to implement long-term investment approaches, with a focus on pension consulting and corporate plan services.

Nathaniel Gandy is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as the principal at Obar Wealth Management LLC. His background includes roles at Wealthfront Brokerage LLC and USAA Financial Planning Services. He also owns Gandy Fintech Solutions LLC, a consulting business focused on advising firms on fintech applications. Obar Wealth Management is an independent, fee-only advisory firm offering investment management, financial planning, and tax preparation for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm applies Modern Portfolio Theory and provides portfolio management services to both individual and institutional clients.

Michael Mc Clain is a CFA® charterholder with nine years of industry experience. He is currently the sole advisor at PAC Capital, LLC in Lake Forest, IL. Prior to founding PAC Capital, he worked at Hedeker Wealth LLC and Hedeker Capital, LLC from 2016 to 2019. PAC Capital provides discretionary and occasional non-discretionary investment management through separately managed accounts, sub-advisory services, and institutional consulting. The firm serves individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients, employing a multi-strategy approach that includes hedge-style strategies such as convertible arbitrage and active shorting, combining fundamental and systematic analysis tailored to client mandates.

John Choi is the sole advisor at Epiphany Capital in Vernon Hills, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 25 years of industry experience. He has led Epiphany Capital since 2006. Choi is also licensed as an independent insurance agent specializing in fixed, indexed annuities, and health insurance. Epiphany Capital offers financial planning, coaching, and investment management by coordinating with third-party portfolio managers to implement portfolio models. The firm serves individual investors, families, and small business owners, providing services across retirement, estate, tax, college, and insurance planning.

Jeffrey Kostis is a CFP®, PFS™, and Series 65 credentialed advisor with 19 years of industry experience. He has been the principal of JK Financial Planning, Inc. since 2007, providing financial planning and investment consultation from Vernon Hills, Illinois. JK Financial Planning, Inc. offers fee-only financial planning and investment services to individuals, trusts, estates, and small businesses, focusing on major life transitions such as marriage, divorce, career changes, college funding, and retirement. The firm employs a fundamental, long-term planning approach emphasizing asset allocation, passive/index strategies, written investment policy statements, and uses scenario analysis in retirement and settlement planning.

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.

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.

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.

Jaana Virta Gupta is a financial advisor at Winslow Financial LLC with a Series 65 credential and no prior industry experience. Her work history includes roles at Redfin Corporation, Dwell Works, and Productions Plus. Winslow Financial LLC advises individuals, families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans on investment management and financial planning. The firm uses Modern Portfolio Theory and asset allocation, generally favoring diversified mutual funds and ETFs, and manages client accounts on a non-discretionary basis.

Jack Hallier is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving at Patrick M. Sweeney & Associates, Inc. He previously worked at Raymond James & Associates, Kestra Advisory Services, and Kestra Investment Services. Patrick M. Sweeney & Associates provides personalized investment management and financial planning to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm employs a mix of fundamental and active investment strategies and integrates tax preparation as part of its advisory services.

Shawn Block is a financial advisor at Briggs Financial Inc. with six years of industry experience and holds a Series 65 designation. Outside of finance, he has worked as a performer and emcee for Medieval Times since 2007, where his duties include acting, performing, media, marketing, and special events. Briggs Financial serves individual and high-net-worth clients with discretionary investment management, ongoing financial planning, and in-house tax preparation. The firm employs a fundamental, long-term investment approach and does not charge performance-based fees or accept commissions tied to capital gains.

David Jordan is a CFP® and ChFC® with 22 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has been associated with Independent Wealth Management LLC since 2008. In addition to his advisory work, he is a partner in TOJO Enterprises LLC, which manages the property where his practice is located. Jordan Financial Life Planning provides financial life-planning and investment-advisory services primarily to individual clients, with additional services for trusts, estates, small businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a comprehensive planning process aligned with CFP Board standards and delivers active, individualized discretionary investment management.

Dustin Decker is a financial advisor at North Shore Capital Group Investment Advisors, Inc. He holds a Series 65 credential and has five years of experience in the industry. Prior to joining North Shore Capital Group in 2021, he spent 30 years at R.E. Decker PC. North Shore Capital Group Investment Advisors, Inc. provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates, using diversified portfolios that include low-cost mutual funds, ETFs, individual stocks, bonds, REITs, and alternative investments. The firm serves approximately 316 clients with about $38 million in assets under management and follows a primarily long-term investment orientation while employing fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis.

Jonathan Rigoni is a financial advisor with North Shore Capital Group Investment Advisors, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 19 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Cetera Advisor Networks LLC and Summit Financial Group. Outside of advisory work, he is involved as a member and insurance agent with North Shore Capital Group Insurance Solutions, LLC, and operates a golf business, NSCG Golf, LLC. North Shore Capital Group Investment Advisors provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates. The firm constructs diversified portfolios using a range of investment vehicles and employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis with a long-term orientation, also sponsoring affiliated private funds through an affiliated general partner entity.