Kathy Merritt is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 21 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked previously at OSAIC, SagePoint Financial, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, and LPL Financial. Merritt is also a co-owner of JPV Financial Inc., an advisory business based in Grayslake, IL. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm combines research and modeling with tax-efficient strategies and offers a wide range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through affiliated entities.

Thomas Jones is a financial advisor with Merrill in Northbrook, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Bank of America N.A. since 2020 and Merrill since 2019, with previous employment at the University of Wisconsin - Parkside and a small business, I94 RV. 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 a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies tailored to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional accounts, integrating internal and third-party management teams.

Robert Sullivan is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses. His prior experience includes roles at PNC Financial Services, Northern Trust Securities, Citigroup Global Markets, and various divisions within Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning and estate strategies, supported by a structured planning process and firm-approved analytical tools.

Michael Kalas is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 41 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Stifel for 11 years before joining Wells Fargo Clearing in 2018. 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 advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options within its investment offerings.

Steven Howard is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 21 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Park Avenue Securities, Guardian Life Insurance, and Northwestern Mutual Investment Management. Outside of his advisory duties, he is also the owner of Howard Farms in Maquon, IL. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and portfolio management services through a large network of advisors, utilizing both proprietary research and third-party strategies.

Brian Jensen is a financial advisor at Edelman Financial Engines with 22 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked previously at The Mutual Fund Store and Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. Outside of advisory work, he is an investor in a legal marijuana farm and distribution business in California. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-enabled investment advisory and financial planning services to individual investors, retirement-plan participants, and institutional clients. The firm uses a committee-driven proprietary modeling process combined with planner delivery and online tools, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment management options.

Paul Donato is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Elgin, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 28 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise since 2011. Outside of advising, he manages a commercial real estate office used to support his financial planning practice. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeted at individuals nearing or in retirement with significant investable assets, delivering written recommendations on income sources, Social Security, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis, with an emphasis on assets held in Ameriprise-managed accounts and uses algorithmic automation overseen by a dedicated Retirement Income Oversight Committee.

Ann Rieder is a CFP® professional with 29 years of experience, currently affiliated with Cetera. She is the founder and president of Regatta Wealth Management, where she has provided financial planning, investment management, and life insurance products since 2015. Rieder also volunteers teaching personal finance to inner-city Chicago students through Junior Achievement and serves as a financial professional for a National Football League Players Association advisor referral program. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser that serves a broad range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable entities, and institutional accounts. The firm offers diversified portfolio management and financial planning services through a large network of independent advisors and provides access to multiple program platforms and third-party money managers.

Colleen Coonce is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2008. Outside of her advisory role, she works as a fitness instructor for Jazzercise. 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 a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Julie Segerson is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 22 years of industry experience. She has been associated with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and related entities since 2004. In addition to her advisory work, Segerson serves as an independent insurance agent with Associate Planning Services, Inc. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is an SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, nonprofit organizations, and trusts. The firm offers a range of financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals, utilizing various portfolio management platforms and proprietary as well as third-party investment strategies.

Stefanie Synal is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 26 years of industry experience. She has been with Primerica Advisors since 1999 and with Primerica Financial Services since 1998. In addition to her advisory role, she is involved in sales of loan products and home security and automation services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, offering model-driven strategies and a limited number of separately managed account options primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm curates third-party asset managers and uses a tiered wrap fee structure, delegating trading responsibilities to BNY Mellon Advisors.

Adam Warkenthien is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Bank of America, Merrill, and J.P. Morgan. He serves on the board of Ravinia Associates, a nonprofit focused on arts and culture. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that provides a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and strategies.

Ronald Schwartz is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 39 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015 and at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients. The firm provides a wide range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery processes and firm-approved planning tools.

Deborah Kraak is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services with 25 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has previously worked at JPMorgan Securities LLC and Tout A L'heure. UBS Financial Services Inc. serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory services, including fee-based financial planning and portfolio management. The firm integrates institutional trading capabilities with wealth management, offering a broad range of capital markets services and proprietary research to tailor client solutions.

Jane Martin is a financial advisor at Stifel with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Edward Jones Investments from 2015 to 2024. Outside of her advisory role, she is a commissioned notary. Stifel serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm uses proprietary investment analysis and allocation methodologies developed by its Investment Strategy Group to support client financial planning and asset management decisions.

Mary O'Brien is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Glenview, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. She has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Lisa Micklevitz is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial since 2012 and was previously with Wells Fargo Clearing from 2008 to 2012. Outside of advisory work, she serves in a township role assisting with field inspections and property measurements. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

S. Randall Pavlatos is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 38 years of industry experience. He has been with Cetera and its affiliated entities since 1988 and is currently the owner of S. Randall Pavlatos Accounting & Financial Services, Inc., a financial and accounting services firm. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser that serves individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a variety of portfolio management and financial planning services across multiple program structures, managing over $256 billion in assets.

Mary Witte Tabbert is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 19 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked previously at LPL Financial and First Midwest Bank. She is currently based in Gurnee, Illinois. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, access to separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Martin Lefty is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Glen Ellyn, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 43 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2015. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service tailored to individuals approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide written, non-discretionary Recommendation Reports, delivered by a centralized consulting team in partnership with client advisors.