Thad Ortez is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 25 years of industry experience, currently serving at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. He has held roles at Rooted Wealth Management and Concurrent Advisors, among others. Outside of his advisory work, Ortez serves as a deacon and finance committee member at Calvary Reformed Church and participates on the finance committee for the Modesto Gospel Mission. He is also the CEO of INSTLO, Inc. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors. The firm employs tailored, non-discretionary strategies using advanced analytical tools and maintains specialized offerings such as municipal advisory services and SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory programs.

Alfred Ruiz is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Tracy, California, holding a Series 63 designation and 39 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, Ruiz serves on the Board of Directors of the Tracy Sunrise Rotary Club and has co-ownership interests in a family vineyard producing wine grapes. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals nearing or in retirement, combining research and modeling with tax-efficient strategies. The firm provides a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through its large institutional platform.

Diamond Sharon Madsen is a financial advisor with Merrill in Manteca, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 13 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill, and JP Morgan, spanning over a decade. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, utilizing model-based and discretionary investment strategies developed by internal and third-party teams.

Kristie Brown is a Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor with the Special Needs Team at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In her role, she functions similarly to a chief operating officer, managing a diverse set of responsibilities that include overseeing daily team operations, marketing, hiring, training, trading operations, business process improvements, and mentoring. Her focus is on enabling her team to deliver a unified client experience dedicated to the long-term financial well-being of individuals with special needs and their caregivers. Kristie collaborates closely with other special-needs professionals and family members to provide tailored financial advice and guidance. Kristie began her career at Merrill Lynch as an intern in 2011, joining the Special Needs Team full-time the following year, and has since taken on increasing responsibilities within the team. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from California State University – Stanislaus and maintains the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Kristie's experience includes legacy planning, liquidity management, new wealth management, portfolio management services, special needs planning strategies, and women and wealth. Outside of her professional life, Kristie lives in Escalon, California, with her husband, Ryan, their two sons, Karson and Nolan, and their maltipoo, Bailey. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as outdoor activities such as camping and beach outings.

B Gill is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. With a career at Merrill starting in 1995, B Gill serves as a Portfolio Manager and holds several professional designations including the Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). B Gill's areas of expertise include retirement planning, college education planning, and retirement income strategies. Through a collaborative approach with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Bank of America specialists, B Gill offers a broad range of services such as retirement planning, life insurance analysis and funding, wealth preservation and transfer services, and lifetime income management. This approach is tailored to clients' risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, investment goals, and cost considerations. B Gill holds a Bachelor's Degree from Michigan State University and communicates fluently in English and Punjabi. Outside of professional commitments, B Gill has personal interests in baseball, golfing, and tennis.

Juan Acosta is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Modesto, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 11 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at JPMorgan Securities LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank from 2015 to 2019 before joining Morgan Stanley in 2019. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning and estate strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process supported by firm-approved tools and market simulations.

Augustine Azevedo is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 license and 17 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and WELLS FARGO Advisors, LLC for a combined 15 years. Outside of advising, he co-owns the Azevedo Marketing Group LLC, which focuses on e-commerce website programming and marketing, and he is the author of a book titled "C Fear and Succeed Anyways." LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, supported by research and technology-driven portfolio management options.

Sherry Azevedo is a financial advisor at Osaic with 32 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked with Securities America Advisors and National Planning Corp. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in life insurance and fixed annuity businesses and serves as owner and CEO of the Azevedo Investment Corporation. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a broad network of affiliated advisers and multiple advisory platforms. The firm combines brokerage and investment advisory services, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers, employing asset-allocation tools and risk-tolerance analysis to build customized portfolios.

Brandon Demers is a financial advisor at Merrill in Modesto, CA, with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill and Bank of America since 2018. His prior work experience includes roles with Associated Students, Inc., Target, and Cold Stone Creamery. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Nicholas Tidwell is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously was with Wells Fargo Advisors and Wells Fargo Bank. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s IPS-driven advisory process incorporates modern portfolio theory and includes a broad range of investment options, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Michael Ravotti is a financial advisor with Stifel in Modesto, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at JP Morgan Securities LLC and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. for a decade before joining Stifel in 2026. Stifel serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, offering brokerage and investment advisory services supported by a proprietary investment methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group.

Martin Ugalde is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 20 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cambridge in 2016, he worked at Bank of America and Merrill Lynch from 2010 to 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in independent insurance sales and collects and trades collectible cards as a hobby. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse range of clients including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, retirement plan advisory, and financial wellness services through a network of independent advisors, utilizing both proprietary and third-party investment strategies tailored to client objectives.

Stephen Blakeley is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Modesto, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the Finance Committee of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations, with over $1 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Jose Guerrero Moreno is a financial advisor at Fidelity with five years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. His prior work includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill, American Life Income, Sprint, and Arch Telecom. Fidelity's Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to a diverse client base, including retail and institutional investors, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, fund advisory, and model portfolio delivery. The firm utilizes proprietary fundamental research combined with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction, incorporating systematic methodologies and long-term asset allocation benchmarks.

Beatriz Buenrostro is a financial advisor at Merrill with eight years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Bank of America, N.A. since 2018 while being with Merrill since 2011. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Todd Barton is a CFP® with 28 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm offering investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and provides both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from the Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

Karen Looper is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 25 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at LPL Financial and BMO Bank NA. Outside of her advisory role, she is a member of J.L. Quality Consulting, LLC, a consulting business based in Oakdale, California. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored financial planning and a broad range of advisory programs, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

David Simpson is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and 26 years of industry experience. He previously worked for Independent Financial Group for 16 years and has operated his own business, David A. Simpson, Inc., since 1989. Outside of advising, he provides tax preparation and bookkeeping services through his firm. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and retirement plan consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and model portfolios.

Vicki Bayley is a financial advisor at Stifel with 28 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc since 2018. Her prior experience includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Stifel serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, offering both brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm’s investment approach incorporates a proprietary methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group, which uses forward-looking capital market assumptions and probabilistic modeling to support asset allocation and financial planning.

Charles Christensen is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 31 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has been with Ameriprise and its affiliates since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Modesto Band of Stanislaus County. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver personalized, non-discretionary recommendation reports through a centralized consulting team.