Kurtis Hagemann is a financial advisor with Gateway Wealth Partners, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and over 20 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Advisors' Pride, LPL Financial, Wells Fargo Clearing, and A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. He is based in Batavia, IL. Gateway Wealth Partners is a registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers financial planning, wealth management, and retirement plan consulting, typically allocating assets among low-cost, diversified mutual funds and ETFs, supplemented by individual securities and independent managers, using both fundamental and technical analysis.

Bret Mooney is a financial advisor at VestGen Advisors, LLC with seven years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and Series 66 license. His career includes roles at Triad Hybrid Solutions, Triad Advisors, LPL Financial LLC, and Sequoia Wealth Management. VestGen Advisors, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, small businesses, trusts, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm combines advisor-level client relationships with centralized portfolio construction and offers wrap-fee programs, discretionary and non-discretionary management, and the use of third-party managers.

Francesco Vitale is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at firms including VOYA Financial Advisors, Cetera, and Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments. He also serves as a trustee on a family trust. Merit Financial Group is a multi-team SEC-registered advisory firm that serves individual investors, retirement plans, ESOPs, and institutional clients. The firm employs a long-term, diversified asset allocation strategy managed through in-house and third-party resources, and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary accounts.

David Robbins is a financial advisor with Archer Investment Corporation in South Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Archer since 2015 and is also an owner of Nieminski Robbins & Associates CPAs, where he has worked since 2005, providing tax, accounting, and wealth management services. Additionally, he is involved with Barrington Advisors Group LLC, a marketing venture connected to Nieminski Robbins & Associates. Archer Investment Corporation offers investment management primarily to individual clients, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth investors, through separately managed accounts and proprietary mutual funds. The firm employs a multi-branch, independent-contractor model and manages roughly $1.01 billion in discretionary assets with a range of advisory services from comprehensive financial planning to limited-scope model portfolios.

Sanjay Asija is a financial advisor at Archer Investment Corporation with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Archer since 2017. In addition to his advisory role, he is a certified public accountant managing tax preparation and payroll services through his CPA firms. Archer Investment Corporation provides investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, and investment companies, managing approximately $900 million on a primarily discretionary basis. The firm offers customized portfolio management and model-based strategies, emphasizing diversified allocations across various asset classes and regular account reviews.

Theodore Buckley is a financial advisor with VestGen Advisors, LLC, holding a Series 66 credential and 11 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Triad Hybrid Solutions, Triad Advisors, Sequoia Wealth Management, and LPL Financial. Outside of his advisory work, Buckley is an author and motivational speaker, presenting seminars related to his book on retirement planning, and serves on the board of advisors for a social club in Lake in the Hills, IL. VestGen Advisors, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, small businesses, trusts, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm combines advisor-level client relationships with centralized portfolio construction, utilizing third-party managers and home office strategies to serve a diverse client base including institutions and sovereign entities.

Eric Talbott is a financial advisor at Apollon Wealth Management, LLC with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at several firms including Piershale Financial Group and Envestnet Asset Management. Apollon Wealth Management is a multi-team SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $11.56 billion in client assets through a network of 145 advisors across 67 offices. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth families, family offices, trusts, estates, businesses, retirement plans, and insurance company clients with services that include financial planning and portfolio management, utilizing a combination of centrally managed mandates and locally managed portfolios supported by advanced technology and risk models.

Lawrence Kimmel Jr. is a financial advisor at Harbour Investments, Inc. with 28 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Harbour since 2018, following nine years at Ausdal Financial Partners and over three decades running his own CPA and tax preparation firm. He also maintains an active role as president of Lawrence J. Kimmel, P.C., providing accounting and tax services. Harbour Investments offers investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, charitable and corporate clients, and retirement plans. The firm uses a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to develop customized investment strategies and provides various portfolio management and model-based solutions.

Keith Mooney is a CFP® and ChFC® with 31 years of experience in the financial industry. He is currently with VestGen Advisors, LLC and has held positions at firms including Triad Advisors, Sequoia Wealth Management, and LPL Financial. Outside of advising, he serves as president and organizer of Capital Financial Education Group, a nonprofit that provides educational seminars. VestGen Advisors, LLC offers investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, small businesses, and institutional entities. The firm combines advisor-level client relationships with centralized portfolio construction, employing third-party managers and proprietary strategies to serve a broad range of clients.

Michael Seidler is a financial advisor with Gradient Advisors, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and eight years of industry experience. He has worked previously at Bankers Life and Bankers Life Securities, and currently also serves as an associate and investment advisor representative at Burling Wealth Advisors Inc. in addition to his role at Gradient Advisors. Gradient Advisors, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business entities. The firm operates primarily through a network of investment advisor representatives and third-party money managers, employing a largely non-discretionary model that incorporates fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in portfolio construction.

Alan Flota is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Elgin, IL, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Eagle Strategies and affiliated entities in 2025, he spent 32 years working for School District U-46. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutional clients, and retirement plans. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services, emphasizing tailored recommendations and primarily managing assets on a non-discretionary basis.

David Hanson is a CFP® with 46 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. since 2010. His prior experience includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Outside of finance, he is a minority partner in a Wheaton-based partnership focused on land ownership, farming, and wetland creation. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients through more than 500 advisors. The firm offers a range of services including advisory programs, financial planning, investment management, brokerage, and M&A advisory with both discretionary and non-discretionary managed solutions.

Justin Wilson is a CFP® with 21 years of industry experience, currently serving at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. since 2006. He also has concurrent experience with Fifth Third Bank over the same period. 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 combines its municipal-advisor registration with a corporate affiliation to a large bank, offering multiple discretionary managed-account options, including direct indexing and tax-overlay services.

Scott Farwell is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Fifth Third Securities and Fifth Third Bank since 2022. Prior to that, he was with TD Ameritrade for five years and Edge Financial Advisors for one year. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors through its Passageway Managed Account Program. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs combining third-party portfolio managers, strategist portfolios, and advisor-managed sleeves, and is notable for its municipal-advisor registration and affiliation with Fifth Third Bank.

Stacy O’Brien is a financial advisor with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Benjamin F. Edwards in 2022, she worked at Morgan Stanley for 11 years. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved as a sales representative in a wholesale and distribution business in Draper, UT. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients through over 500 advisors. The firm offers a range of services including advisory programs, investment management, financial planning, and brokerage, employing both proprietary and third-party strategies across equity and fixed income portfolios.

Thomas Love is a financial advisor at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Prior to joining Benjamin F. Edwards, he worked at Invesco and has professional experience with nonprofit organizations including YoungLife and Samaritan's Purse. He also has a background in collegiate athletics and education through roles at Wheaton College and Wheaton Academy. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients through over 500 advisors. The firm provides a range of advisory and brokerage services, including wrap-fee programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing both proprietary strategies and third-party models across equities and fixed income.

Justin Ancona is a CFP®-credentialed financial advisor with eight years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC. He previously worked at Raymond James Financial Services and LPL Financial. Outside of advisory services, he owns a business called Pickleball Journey. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm utilizes discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management strategies and integrates technology platforms to support estate planning and asset aggregation.

Richard Kuzniar is a CFP® with 34 years of industry experience, currently serving at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. since 2017. Prior to that, he worked at BMO Harris Financial Advisors for over a decade. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. offers 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 combines its municipal-advisor registration with its affiliation to Fifth Third Bank, providing a range of discretionary managed-account options and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services.

Amanda Czosek is a financial advisor with AE Wealth Management, LLC, holding a Series 65 credential and bringing 10 years of industry experience. She also holds ownership roles in Guardian Wealth Advisory Group and Jager Financial Services. Amanda serves as a board member of the National Alliance on Student Loan Debt. AE Wealth Management provides fee-based portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting to a diverse client base, including individual households, corporations, and trusts. The firm utilizes discretionary model portfolios and combines fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to implement investment strategies.

Brian Sutherland is a financial advisor with AE Wealth Management, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Oxbow Financial, TSFG, LPL Financial, and Perdoceo Education Corporation. AE Wealth Management is an SEC-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 approach with model portfolios, discretionary asset management, financial planning, and plan services, supported by an internal Investment Consulting Group and various licensing and sub-advisory programs.