Edward Connolly is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience and is currently affiliated with Essex LLC. He previously worked for IRON Financial LLC for 15 years. Essex LLC is a registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, retirement plans, pension, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a multi-member investment policy committee to construct and monitor portfolios using a combination of fundamental, technical, and sector analysis across various asset classes.

Megan Micek is a financial advisor at Vertex Partners with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. She has worked at several firms including LPL Financial LLC and Professional Wealth Advisors. In addition to her advisory role, she provides administrative support to Vertex Partners. Vertex Partners offers advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm emphasizes tailored portfolios based on clients' risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs, utilizing a range of investment strategies and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Jeffrey Pearce is a CFP® with 29 years of industry experience and has been with Vermillion Financial Advisors, Inc. since 1990. He is based in South Barrington, IL, and holds the Series 63 designation. Vermillion Financial Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, business entities, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations with financial planning and investment advisory services. The firm emphasizes structured communication and education, offering both model and customized portfolio solutions primarily on a non-discretionary basis.

Andrew Adler is a financial advisor at Global Brokerage Services, Inc. in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 credential with 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Global Brokerage Services since 2000. Outside of advisory work, Adler is an independent insurance agent specializing in non-variable life insurance, annuities, and disability products, and he performs bookkeeping and accounting services on a limited basis. Global Brokerage Services serves individual investors, retirement accounts, employee benefit plans, and trusts through advisor-led wrap-fee programs and separately managed account/UMA offerings. The firm operates with a six-advisor team and provides non-discretionary advice, utilizing a platform that combines third-party sub-managers and model portfolios with annual account reviews.

Nanette Kastner is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Hendricks Wealth and Estate Management, bringing 10 years of industry experience. She has been with JG Hendricks Financial Services LLC since 2017 and previously worked at Cetera Advisors LLC. Outside of finance, she also works as a basketball and volleyball referee. Hendricks Wealth and Estate Management serves individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business entities, managing approximately $536 million in assets across about 913 client relationships. The firm focuses on discretionary multi-asset portfolio management using fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis combined with conservative cash management strategies.

Jaxon Bennett is a financial advisor at Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. with a Series 65 designation and under one year of industry experience. His prior roles include various positions at Wheaton College and local financial institutions. Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. is a fee-only, hourly financial planning firm serving individuals, families, businesses, trusts, charities, and retirement plans. The firm provides project-based advice on a range of financial topics and emphasizes diversified investment exposure through no-load mutual funds and ETFs, asset allocation, and periodic rebalancing.

Anthony Baldassano is a financial advisor with Sequoia Wealth Management, LLC, holding the PFS™ designation and Series 65 license, and has 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at Sequoia Wealth Management since 2019 and previously at Retirement Matters, Inc. and Wynstone Financial Services, Ltd. Additionally, he owns and manages Anthony & Associates, CPAs LLC, a certified public accounting firm providing tax, bookkeeping, and payroll services. Sequoia Wealth Management advises individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and employer retirement plans, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm utilizes a combination of quantitative optimization, third-party research, and manager selection to tailor portfolios, serving both discretionary and non-discretionary clients.

Sharon Adams is a financial advisor at B.B. Graham & Company, Inc. with 43 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and previously worked at Crown Capital Securities, Lp and L.M. Kohn & Company. Outside of her advisory role, she owns and operates Fox Valley Financial Planning Inc. B.B. Graham & Company provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, corporations, and small businesses. The firm manages approximately $322 million and offers a range of services including asset management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party portfolio programs.

David Hogaboom is a financial advisor with Total Clarity Wealth Management, Inc. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 37 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, Capital Point Financial Group, and Guidant Wealth Advisors. Outside of advisory work, he is involved with Insightful Wealth Planning LLC, a non-investment-related business entity. Total Clarity Wealth Management provides wealth management and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and 401(k) plan sponsors. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management using a range of investment vehicles and employs both model portfolios and separately managed accounts, with a focus on tailored asset allocation and regular account monitoring.

Hoan Taussig is a CFP® professional at Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. with 14 years of industry experience. He has been with the firm since 2007. Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. is a fee-only, hourly financial planning firm serving individuals, families, businesses, trusts, charities, and retirement plans. The firm provides project-based advice on income management, retirement planning, tax strategies, and other areas, using a time-based billing model without custodial or discretionary authority, and generally recommends diversified no-load mutual funds and ETFs.

Valerie Hogan is a financial advisor at Clearwater Capital Partners with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. She previously worked at National Christian Foundation and Orchard Ministry Development and spent a decade at Gibbs & Associates. Outside of advising, she manages several non-investment related LLCs involved in real estate oversight. Clearwater Capital Partners serves high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients, offering family office and private wealth management, institutional advisory, and retirement plan services. The firm employs a disciplined investment approach based on written Investment Policy Statements and offers access to alternative investments and private placements.

Jason Dhooghe is a CFP® with four years of industry experience, currently serving at Vermillion Financial Advisors, Inc. He previously worked at Wealth Enhancement Group and Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services from 2021 to 2025. Vermillion Financial Advisors provides financial planning, investment advisory, and employer-sponsored retirement plan services to individuals, trusts, business entities, and pension/profit-sharing plans. The firm offers both model and customized portfolios, non-discretionary trade approvals, and educational workshops for plan participants.

Kevin Carani is a financial advisor with Clearwater Capital Partners, holding a Series 65 credential and 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Clearwater Capital Partners since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a facility manager for Westminster Presbyterian Church in Elgin, Illinois. Clearwater Capital Partners advises high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients, offering services that include private wealth management, institutional advisory, and retirement plan strategies. The firm manages portfolios based on written Investment Policy Statements and employs a variety of analytical approaches, with a focus on discretionary management and access to alternative investments.

Christopher Dieckow is a CFA® charterholder with 17 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently a financial advisor at Leelyn Smith, LLC, where he has worked since 2021. Prior to this, he held positions at Schwab Private Client Investment Advisory, Inc. and Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. Leelyn Smith, LLC provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, business entities, and trusts. The firm employs model-based and individualized allocations, utilizes multiple third-party technology platforms, and offers access to structured notes and held-away account management as part of its comprehensive advisory services.

Ethan Hulgaard is a financial advisor with Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. He holds a Series 65 designation and has prior work experience at RSM US LLP and Wheaton College. Hulgaard has been with Timothy Financial Counsel since 2025. Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. is a fee-only, hourly financial planning firm that serves individuals, families, businesses, trusts, charities, and retirement plans. The firm emphasizes advisory and implementation coaching without managing client assets, focusing on diversified investment strategies and offering educational seminars and structured planning services.

Dana Arvanites is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with five years of industry experience. She has worked at The Dala Group, LLC since 2026 and previously spent six years at Bank of America and Merrill. Before entering financial services, she worked at Aramark and was involved with Misericordia, Heart of Mercy for six years. The Dala Group, LLC is a team of nine advisors that provides portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and limited financial consulting to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and business entities. The firm employs multi-disciplinary analysis and asset-allocation strategies to manage client portfolios composed of stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, and other securities, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services.

Brett Dimas is a CFP® professional at Activ8 Family Office LLC with 18 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Raymond James & Associates and Octagon Financial Services, Inc. Dimas operates a separate accounting services business from his home. Activ8 Family Office serves primarily professional athletes and their related families and entities, providing a comprehensive client management program that includes financial planning, investment management, and tax services tailored to individual objectives.

John Sleeting is a financial advisor at Clearwater Capital Partners with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Clearwater Capital Partners since 2009 in various roles. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a board member of Cox Family Holdings, LLC and manages 1435 Partners, LLC, a consulting company. Clearwater Capital Partners advises high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients, offering services including family office management, private wealth management, and retirement plan advisory. The firm employs a disciplined investment approach based on written Investment Policy Statements and utilizes fundamental, technical, quantitative, and thematic analysis to manage discretionary accounts.

William Fan is a CFP® professional at Paulson Wealth Management Inc. in Wheaton, IL, with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Paulson Wealth Management in 2022, he worked at Calvin University and Wheaton Academy. Paulson Wealth Management provides advisory services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, corporations, and other registered advisers. The firm employs a diversified, index-based investment approach with active option strategies and offers comprehensive portfolio management including integrated financial planning.

Tannen Reed is a financial advisor at Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. with a Series 65 credential and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Timothy Financial Counsel, he held roles at All Capital Bank and Firstitle, LLC. His background also includes four years at Wheaton College and seven years at Metro Christian Academy. Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. is a fee-only, hourly financial planning firm serving individuals, families, businesses, trusts, charities, and retirement plans. The firm provides consultation and project-based advice across a range of financial topics and emphasizes diversified exposure through no-load mutual funds and ETFs, asset allocation, and periodic rebalancing.