Rod Russell is a financial advisor at Farther with 13 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at BNY Mellon and J.P. Morgan. Outside of his advisory role, he coordinates property development at Lake Roots Holdings, LLC. Farther provides discretionary investment management and related advisory services primarily to individual investors, trusts, and estates, using a platform that combines proprietary model portfolios with algorithmic rebalancing and AI tools. The firm’s approach emphasizes Modern Portfolio Theory and utilizes a range of investment vehicles including ETFs, mutual funds, equities, and fixed income.

Pranav Singh is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with 16 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank. Fifth Third Securities provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs and features such as direct indexing and a tax-overlay service, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank.

Donald Baran is a financial advisor with TLG Advisors, Inc. holding a Series 66 license and five years of industry experience. His professional background includes roles at The Leaders Group Inc., FSG, Pizza Hut, Edward Jones, Weiman Products, and EMCO Chemical Distributors. He also works as an insurance wholesaler for fixed insurance products directly with financial advisors through FSG. TLG Advisors, Inc. serves a wide range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, pension and retirement plans, and other institutional investors. The firm focuses on manager selection and ongoing portfolio monitoring using fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, offering services through independent representatives, sub-advisors, and a direct-to-consumer digital program called Starlight Portfolios.

Eric Eimen is a financial advisor at William Blair with five years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. Prior to joining William Blair in 2022, he worked at BMO Private Bank from 2011 to 2022. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs an active, research-driven approach across multiple asset classes and provides clients access to proprietary models, third-party sub-managers, and private investment opportunities.

Dominic Defazio is a CFP® with 20 years of industry experience, currently serving at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. since 2011. He is also the owner of Aqua Body Floats, a business focused on designing upholstery for recreational activities. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate and business clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs with features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, distinguishing itself through its municipal-advisor registration and affiliation with Fifth Third Bank.

Todd Bessey is a CFP® with 31 years of industry experience and is currently affiliated with Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC. He previously worked at Wayne Hummer Investments for 17 years before joining Integrated Wealth Concepts in 2021. Integrated Wealth Concepts serves individuals, families, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans through a network of independent financial advisors. The firm offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, family office and retirement plan advisory services, and sponsors wrap-fee programs, focusing on customized portfolios that combine internal management and third-party asset manager oversight.

Jennifer Merida is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 17 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at firms including 818 Capital Group, Money Concepts Capital Corp., ADP, and BMO Harris Financial Advisors. Outside of her advisory role, she is a 2% owner and performs back-office work for Kaidence Chiropractic & Wellness, a business owned by her husband. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management services primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage clients. The firm integrates its services with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, focusing on long-term portfolio returns and participant savings rates.

Frank Schoen is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors in Hoffman Estates, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 27 years of industry experience. He is the owner of The Force Agency, Inc. and S2C Tax & Accounting Services LLC, where he provides tax preparation and accounting services. Schoen has been with Transamerica Financial Advisors since 2012. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base including individual investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers both advisory and broker-dealer services with a range of proprietary and third-party investment models in discretionary and non-discretionary programs.

Tyrone Ball is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network based in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. His prior work includes eight years at Edward D. Jones & Co. L.P. and four years at Best Energy LLC. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients. The firm provides advisory programs, technology, and operational support while offering a variety of investment solutions, including discretionary model portfolios and customized program structures.

James Juengling is a financial advisor at Independent Financial Group, LLC with 49 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Juengling has been with Independent Financial Group since 2010 and has owned Juengling & Associates, an insurance agency, since 1972. He is also a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and has served on the Illinois Legislative Council since 2016. Independent Financial Group, LLC is a dual-registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides brokerage, portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan services to individuals, charities, corporations, and plan sponsors. The firm offers advisory programs through its AccessPoint platform and third-party asset managers, serving a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients.

Kevin Sanders is a financial advisor with AE Wealth Management, LLC, holding a Series 65 credential and 11 years of industry experience. He is also the owner and sole proprietor of The Sanders Law Firm, where he provides legal services including real estate closing advice and estate planning. His work history includes roles at Guardian Wealth Advisory Group and Sanders Financial Services Inc. AE Wealth Management is a registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, trusts, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers a platform-centered investment approach that combines model portfolios from multiple sources with discretionary management and financial planning services.

Robert Richardson is a financial advisor with Integrity Alliance, LLC, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 32 years of industry experience and has worked with firms including IZALE Financial Group and Lion Street Advisors. Outside of advisory work, he owns an online retail business, Cultivated Community LLC. Integrity Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans through a network of independent advisers. The firm offers continuous asset management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party manager programs, employing a range of portfolio construction approaches across multiple custodial platforms.

Sandra Nies is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at several firms, including Huntington National Bank, Park Avenue Investment Advisory, and BMO Harris Financial Advisors. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to a diverse client base, including individuals, charitable organizations, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs and features such as direct indexing and a tax-overlay service, supported by its affiliation with Fifth Third Bank and multiple platform partnerships.

John Rousos is a financial advisor at TLG Advisors, Inc. with 41 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Highland Capital Brokerage and Investacorp Advisory Services. He is also involved in wholesaling and insurance-related activities through FSG. TLG Advisors, Inc. manages approximately $2.0 billion in discretionary client assets and serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and institutional investors. The firm offers investment supervisory and portfolio management, comprehensive financial and estate planning, ERISA fiduciary services, and a direct-to-consumer program called Starlight Portfolios.

Annette Hammortree is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 39 years of industry experience. She has been associated with Guardian Life Insurance Company and Park Avenue Securities since 2005. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a board member for PACT, Inc. and Lifes Plan Inc., organizations focused on support and trustee services for people with disabilities. Park Avenue Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients, offering brokerage, advisory, and financial planning services. The firm employs a range of investment strategies through proprietary and third-party portfolios and provides various account-level services such as lending solutions and donor-advised fund options.

Jessica Park is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and seven years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at JWFS Equities, JPMorgan Chase Bank, J.P. Morgan Securities, and PNC Bank. She has been with Empower Advisory Group since 2025. Empower Advisory Group primarily serves employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, offering financial planning and investment management through an integrated platform connected to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative systems. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and client savings rates, delivering both point-in-time financial plans and managed account solutions.

Satya Rangaraju is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Ample Wealth Strategies LLC and Northwestern Mutual. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in insurance brokering through International Insurance Agency Inc. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base, including individuals and institutions, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and manages the majority of its assets on a non-discretionary basis within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.

Scott Svoboda is a financial advisor at Farther with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked previously at Royal Fund Management, LLC DBA Tru Financial Strategies. Svoboda is also president of Svoboda Financial Group, Inc., where he operates an independent insurance agency focused on fixed annuities, Medicare supplements, life insurance, and long-term care. Farther provides discretionary investment management and advisory services primarily to individual investors, trusts, and estates through a web and mobile platform as well as in-person meetings. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based approach using proprietary model portfolios or bespoke allocations, algorithmic rebalancing, and a selection of exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, individual equities, and fixed income.

Jason Giambarberee is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with Series 66 and Series 63 designations. He has experience in real estate sales and advisory roles dating back to 2012 and joined the financial services industry in 2024. Outside of financial advising, he has maintained a real estate career with @properties since 2020. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to IRA and retail brokerage clients. The firm integrates its services closely with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, focusing on long-term portfolio strategies and participant engagement through managed account options.

Ernesto Aranda is a CFP® and Series 66 credentialed advisor with nine years of industry experience. He is currently with The Huntington Investment Company and has prior experience at Ameriprise Financial Services, Bank of America, and Merrill. He has also been affiliated with DePaul University for ten years. The Huntington Investment Company serves individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business entities with advisory and brokerage services. Its programs use an open-architecture model combining third-party sub-managers and proprietary Private Bank models, offering various wrap-fee programs on the Envestnet MAS platform.