Timothy Stearns is a financial advisor at Cornerstone Securities LLC with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Cornerstone Securities since 2014. He also has prior experience with Crown Capital Securities, LP and LaSalle St. Securities, LLC. Outside of his advisory work, Stearns sells term, fixed, and indexed universal life insurance as an independent contractor. Cornerstone Securities LLC provides investment advisory and planning services to individuals, private corporations, trusts, estates, and pension plans. The firm operates through a team of representatives who develop portfolio strategies, offer discretionary trading where authorized, and refer clients to third-party managers and REITs.

Kyle Bertsche is a financial advisor at Monere Wealth Management, Inc. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been in the industry since 2024. His prior experience includes roles at Carecraft Inc, Nexa Mortgage, and various academic positions. Monere Wealth Management, Inc. is a team-based advisory firm managing approximately $312 million in client assets. The firm serves individual and high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charities, and business accounts, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and pension consulting primarily through non-discretionary advisory accounts.

Keaton Messerschmidt is a financial advisor with BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC in Vernon Hills, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial LLC, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, and Wells Fargo Bank, NA. He is also involved with Baxter Credit Union as Senior Manager of Private Client Services. Additionally, Messerschmidt participates in a customer experience certificate program at Valparaiso University. BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC provides portfolio management, financial planning, and investment consultation to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a core-plus-satellite investment approach using third-party managers and model portfolios, and it operates a significant wrap fee program with approximately $653.6 million in discretionary assets under management.

Mantas Tautkus is a CFP® professional with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving at Origin Investment Advisory LLC since 2021. He previously worked at Edward Jones from 2014 to 2020 and owns MT Financial Planning, Inc., an investment advisory firm. Origin Investment Advisory primarily serves individual retail clients through a subscription model and employer-sponsored workplace programs, offering budgeting tools, access to CFP® professionals, thematic Stock Bundles, and an Automated Index Investing robo-style service. The firm’s investment approach uses Modern Portfolio Theory and behavioral finance principles, employing rules-based model portfolios and tax-aware implementation, and operates on a subscription fee structure rather than traditional AUM fees.

Steven Lewit is a financial advisor with SGL Financial, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and over 20 years of industry experience. He has been associated with multiple firms, including KCD Financial, Tarkenton Financial, and Wealth Financial Group, with career history dating back more than three decades. Lewit is also CEO of Wealth-N, Inc. and serves as an agent for Tarkenton Financial LLC and J.G. Wentworth’s annuity purchase program. SGL Financial, LLC provides fee-based investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to financially established individuals, high-net-worth clients, small businesses, and certain retirement plans. The firm operates under a fiduciary standard, emphasizing diversified asset allocation and long-term investment horizons, often implementing strategies through third-party managers.

Chad Codak is a financial advisor at BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC with three years of industry experience and holds a Series 65 designation. His prior work includes positions at Northwestern Mutual and Bass Pro Shops. Outside of advising, he maintains a role at Bass Pro Shops. BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC provides portfolio management, financial planning, and investment consultation to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a core-plus-satellite investment approach, utilizing third-party managers and model portfolios, and manages approximately $653.6 million in discretionary assets through a team of 15 advisors.

Matthew Pitzulo is a financial advisor at Greenline Wealth Management in Vernon Hills, IL, holding a Series 65 designation with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Greenline Wealth Management in 2023, he worked at Converge Medical Technology, Best Dedicated Solutions, and Slammers LLC. Greenline Wealth Management is a six-advisor SEC-registered firm that provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and retirement plans. The firm has a notable retirement plan practice alongside its retail asset management and utilizes a third-party manager network on the Envestnet platform.

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.

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.

Kristi Mertens is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 22 years of industry experience. She is affiliated with BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC and has worked with LPL Financial and Baxter Credit Union during her career. BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC provides portfolio management, financial planning, and investment consultation to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $653.6 million in discretionary assets using a core-plus-satellite approach with third-party managers and model portfolios, including ESG options, serving around 870 clients with a team of 15 advisors.

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.

Jeffrey Feinendegen is a financial advisor at 15 Wealth Advisors LLC in Mundelein, IL, with 26 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at TSFG, LLC and LPL Financial, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he is an author of a general book on good rules of living and is involved in a lead generation business connecting homeowners with contractors. 15 Wealth Advisors is a registered investment adviser that provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and employer-focused retirement plan consulting. The firm constructs customized portfolios based on clients’ goals and uses a combination of fundamental, quantitative, technical, and modern portfolio theory analyses, typically recommending ETFs with occasional use of options strategies and third-party managers.

Thomas Bono is a financial advisor with Monere Wealth Management, Inc. in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 48 years of industry experience. He has been with Monere Investments, Inc. since 2015. Monere Wealth Management is a team-based advisory firm managing approximately $312 million in client assets. The firm serves individual and high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charities, and business accounts, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and pension consulting with a focus on both discretionary and non-discretionary management.

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.

Cary Kornick is a financial advisor at Journey Advisory Group, LLC with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at Herr Investment Group LLC and Monere Investments, Inc. Journey Advisory Group serves a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, estates, charities, corporations, and retirement plans, providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a long-term investment strategy with strategic asset allocation and uses a variety of analysis methods and instruments, managing approximately $1.47 billion in assets.

Gabriel Lewit is a financial advisor at SGL Financial, LLC with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and co-founded Wealth Financial Group, an insurance wholesaler and brokerage organization that supports and trains insurance agents. Lewit is also a licensed insurance agent. SGL Financial, LLC provides fee-based investment management, financial planning, and consulting to financially established individuals, high-net-worth clients, small businesses, and certain retirement plans. The firm operates under a fiduciary standard, emphasizes diversified asset allocation with long-term horizons, and commonly implements portfolios through third-party managers.

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.

Alec Riss is a financial advisor at SB Advisory, LLC with eight years of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones for seven years and at Marco Technologies for two years. Alec holds the Series 66 designation. SB Advisory, LLC is an SEC-registered multi-team advisory firm with 34 advisors managing approximately $1.1 billion for over 2,600 clients. The firm serves individuals, businesses, and retirement plans, offering portfolio management, various financial planning services, and access to third-party managers and model portfolios, primarily providing advice on a non-discretionary basis.

Kaleb Gandy is a financial advisor at SGL Financial, LLC with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Hantz Financial Services, Midland Brewing Company, Northwestern Mutual, and in roles at Genji Japanese Steakhouse and Northwood University. SGL Financial, LLC is a fee-based adviser serving financially established individuals, high-net-worth clients, small businesses, and certain retirement and profit-sharing plans. The firm focuses on diversified, long-term asset allocation and typically implements portfolios through third-party money managers and a contractually exclusive sub-advisory relationship with Savant Capital.