Thomas Clark is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Commonwealth Financial Network, Blueprint Wealth Advisors, Charles Schwab Investment Management, and Jackson National Asset Management. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with 264 advisors serving around 20,040 clients across 66 offices and managing approximately $23.9 billion in client assets. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using centrally managed sleeves and standard model allocations overseen by an internal Investment Management team.

Thomas Campbell is a financial advisor with Forum Financial Management, LP, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Forum Financial Management since 2014 and concurrently serves as Vice President of John E. Campbell & Assoc., Ltd., a CPA firm providing accounting and tax services. Forum Financial Management, LP offers fee-based wealth management, financial planning, and qualified plan services to individual and institutional clients, while also serving as a sub-advisor and turnkey asset management platform for other independent RIAs. The firm employs model asset-allocation portfolios managed primarily with DFA institutional mutual funds and ETFs, focusing on a Modern Portfolio Theory approach.

Edilberto Ortiz is a financial advisor with IHT Wealth Management LLC in Chicago, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 39 years of industry experience. He previously worked at LPL Financial for 15 years and was a partner at E.C. Ortiz & Co. LLP, where he provided accounting and auditing services. Ortiz continues to maintain a role at E.C. Ortiz & Co. LLP as a CPA and tax preparer. IHT Wealth Management serves individuals, corporations, and institutional clients, offering discretionary asset management, financial planning, ERISA plan consulting, outsourced CIO services, and access to third-party managers. The firm’s approach combines fundamental value screening with quantitative optimization and employs strategies such as tax-lot harvesting and covered-call options.

David Perry is a financial advisor at Forum Financial Management, LP with 24 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at PURSHE KAPLAN STERLING INVESTMENTS, Inc., PR Wealth Management Group, Inc., and Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. Outside of his advisory duties, he serves as treasurer and director of the Sunrise Professional Condominiums association in East Moline, IL. Forum Financial Management, LP provides investment advisory services to individuals, retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The firm offers portfolio management and financial planning through a model-driven approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, incorporating institutional funds, individual bonds, and outside managers, while also supporting independent advisors with back-office and sub-advisory services.

Anthony Ryan is a CFP® and CFA® with 20 years of industry experience. He has worked at JMG Financial Group Ltd since 2021 and spent 15 years at McLaughlin Capital prior to that. Ryan is based in Downers Grove, IL. JMG Financial Group advises individuals, trusts, retirement plans, business entities, and charitable organizations with comprehensive wealth and portfolio management services. The firm employs a planning-based, long-term investment approach focused on strategic asset allocation, utilizing a range of investment vehicles and tax-aware techniques.

Byron Mandell is a financial advisor at Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and Series 65 designations and has been with Chicago Partners since 2018. In addition to his advisory work, Mandell is affiliated with Loyola University Chicago. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC provides advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, trusts, not-for-profit plans, endowments, corporations, and family offices. The firm employs a long-term, diversified, asset-allocation investment approach, utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, direct indexing, fixed income, options, structured notes, and select alternative strategies.

Thomas Mccabe is a CFP® with seven years of industry experience, currently associated with Highpoint Planning Partners. He has worked at multiple firms including LPL Financial and Evans Senior Investments. Outside of advising, he is a business owner of Alpar Laboratories, a non-investment-related enterprise. Highpoint Planning Partners serves a broad client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporate entities. The firm offers discretionary asset management and financial planning, employing fundamental analysis to construct portfolios across various asset classes while utilizing multiple advisory platforms.

Terry Mccaffrey is a financial advisor at VestGen Advisors, LLC with 18 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Optimum Investment Advisors for 16 years and Banc Of America Investment Services, Inc. for one year. He is a co-founder and member of VestGen Wealth Partners Holdings, LLC, a financial services holding company based in Chicago. VestGen Advisors, LLC manages approximately $6.66 billion for a diverse client base that includes individuals, small businesses, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of investment management and retirement plan services, employing strategies based on fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis as well as modern portfolio theory.

Manish Jain is a financial advisor at Zacks Investment Management, Inc. in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 20 years of industry experience. He has been with Zacks Investment Management since 2007. Zacks Investment Management provides discretionary portfolio management to a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and institutional investors. The firm employs a proprietary stock-ranking approach centered on earnings-estimate revisions and offers a wide range of strategies and investment vehicles, operating across retail, institutional, and third-party distribution channels.

Patrick Wade is a CFA® charterholder with seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC since 2019 and previously was employed at Wintrust Financial Corp. from 2017 to 2019. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC provides investment advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, trusts, not-for-profit plans, endowments, corporations, and other business entities. The firm employs a long-term, diversified, asset-allocation approach incorporating fundamental analysis and quantitative optimization across a range of investment vehicles.

Gary Costarella is a financial advisor with Nations Financial Group, Inc. in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 40 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Nations Financial Group in 2025, he worked for Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network LLC for 16 years. He is also the owner of C & R Capital Management, through which he provides investment and advisory services. Nations Financial Group, Inc. offers investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm’s investment approach combines proprietary model portfolios with the option to select outside managers, tailoring strategies to client objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs.

George Fludas is a financial advisor at Zacks Investment Management, Inc. in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 65 credential with three years of industry experience. He co-founded Esygma Inc., a digital marketing and web development firm supporting small businesses, though he is no longer actively involved in its operations. Prior to joining Zacks in 2022, his work history includes roles outside the financial industry. Zacks Investment Management provides discretionary investment management to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, pooled investment vehicles, and institutional clients. The firm employs proprietary quantitative models combined with qualitative portfolio management across diverse strategies and manages affiliated mutual funds and ETFs, distributing strategies through various wrap-fee and unified managed account programs.

Benjamin Wozniak is a financial advisor at The Mather Group, LLC in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 65 credential. He has one year of experience in the industry, including time spent at The Mather Group and prior roles outside finance such as Benoot Pressure Washing and Poplar Creek Country Club. The Mather Group serves high-net-worth individuals, family offices, trusts, corporations, and other entities with combined financial planning, investment management, tax and estate planning guidance, and family office services. The firm employs an evidence-based investment approach with risk-based allocation models and offers customized strategies including direct indexing and ESG portfolios.

Charles Kiker is a CFP® professional with 33 years of industry experience, currently serving at VestGen Advisors, LLC. His prior roles include positions at Commonwealth Financial Network, Ek&A, and Mass Mutual Investors Services. He is also a partner in Esposito Kiker & Associates, which supports his team's compensation and benefits management. Additionally, he owns a fixed insurance and annuity sales business and serves as a trustee for an irrevocable life insurance trust. VestGen Advisors, LLC manages approximately $6.66 billion for over 22,000 clients through a team of 58 advisors. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and ERISA 3(21) retirement plan services, employing a client-specific strategy based on fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis alongside modern portfolio theory.

Grant Luebe is a financial advisor at LaSalle St. Investment Advisors, L.L.C. in Elmhurst, IL, with eight years of industry experience. He previously worked at Heartland Investment Associates and Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust. Luebe serves as a board member of the Birkey Investment Fund, teaching investment topics to students, and participates in finance committees for Wellington Heights Community Church and Heritage Area Agency. He is also involved with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa. LaSalle St. Investment Advisors provides personalized, fee-based financial planning and investment supervisory services to individuals, trusts, pension plans, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm offers both non-discretionary and discretionary investment approaches, managing a substantial majority of assets on a non-discretionary basis.

Liza Blundell is a financial advisor with Jefferies Investment Advisers LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. She has worked at Jefferies LLC since 2013. Jefferies Investment Advisers LLC provides fee-based financial planning services to a broad range of clients including individuals, trusts, estates, and corporations. The firm employs a customized, collaborative planning process supported by financial planning software and scenario analysis, focusing on comprehensive planning topics without offering security-specific investment recommendations.

Dov Robinson is a financial advisor with M Holdings Securities, Inc., holding a Series 66 credential and 21 years of industry experience. He has been with M Holdings since 2017 and previously worked at Kestra Financial Services and his own firm, The Robinson Financial Group, where he serves as vice president. Outside of his advisory work, Robinson is involved in community and charitable activities, including membership at YU Kollel Torah MiZion and serving on the board of Camp Moshava Wildrose. M Holdings Securities, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and corporations through a national network of independent financial professionals. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, retirement plan consulting, and insurance advisory, supported by third-party sub-advisors and platform providers.

Liam Duffy is a financial advisor at FourStar Wealth Advisors, LLC with a Series 65 designation and three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at John B. Sanfilippo And Son, Lifetime Fitness, and Joe's Brewery. FourStar Wealth Advisors serves individuals, retirement and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities, offering financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm combines fundamental and technical analysis and manages portfolios mainly on a discretionary basis, tailoring investments to clients’ risk tolerance and time horizon.

Jeffrey Kochan is a Certified Financial Planner® with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Highpoint Planning Partners. He has held roles with Highpoint Advisor Group, LPL Financial, Parkland Securities, Sequoia Premier Partners, and Strategic Tax Partners. Kochan is involved in tax preparation and accounting through his work with Strategic Tax Partners in Naperville, IL. HighPoint Advisor Group serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers discretionary asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and sponsors a wrap-fee program, utilizing fundamental analysis and a variety of investment vehicles to construct personalized portfolios.

Charles Garrido is a financial advisor with A.G.P. / Alliance Global Partners in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and with 43 years of industry experience. He previously worked at McDonald Partners LLC, Sanctuary Securities, Inc., and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. He serves as president of the FAF Foundation, a charitable 501(c)(3) organization, and holds board roles at RAICES, a nonprofit focused on asylum and migrant advocacy. Garrido is also working on authoring two books, one on his Cuban upbringing and another on financial strategies. A.G.P. / Alliance Global Partners is a multi-team SEC-registered investment adviser and FINRA-member broker-dealer with approximately 131 advisors managing about $2.95 billion for over 7,000 clients. The firm employs an open-architecture investment approach combining internally managed and sub-advised strategies, with offerings that include portfolio management, financial planning, retirement-plan advisory, and brokerage services.