Matthew Saltzgaber is a financial advisor at Vision Wealth Management, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation with 12 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at LPL Financial, FSC Securities Corp, and ZF TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. He is involved in investment advisory services through Vision Wealth Management, an independent registered investment advisor. Vision Wealth Management serves individuals, corporations, charities, and retirement plans by providing financial planning, portfolio management, and consulting services. The firm utilizes customized portfolios based on model allocations and integrates third-party manager access alongside LPL Financial’s solutions, managing approximately $81 million for over 400 clients.

Scott Salaske is a financial advisor at FirstMetric, LLC with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and has been with FirstMetric since 2017. Prior to this, he took a planned break from the industry between 2015 and 2017. FirstMetric serves individuals, trusts, foundations, estates, business entities, qualified retirement plans, and charitable organizations by providing discretionary investment advisory and portfolio management alongside financial planning and legacy securities transition guidance. The firm employs a passive, asset-class investment approach using low-cost index mutual funds and ETFs, emphasizing long-term, buy-and-hold strategies with integrated tax-aware practices.

Krisstin Petersmarck is a financial advisor at New Horizon Retirement Advisors with three years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at KMP Financial LLC, Bridgeriver Advisors, and Roots Wealth Partners. In addition to her advisory role, she is an independent licensed insurance agent and founder of New Horizon Retirement Solutions, Inc. New Horizon Retirement Advisors provides retirement-focused portfolio management and advisory services to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm uses a combination of fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, and technical analysis to build long-term portfolios, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary management while maintaining fiduciary standards.

Peter Labrash is a financial advisor at Paragon Retirement Planning, Inc. in Troy, MI, holding a Series 66 designation with two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at MML Investors Services, MassMutual Life Insurance, Prudential Financial Planning Services, and other firms. Paragon Retirement Planning serves individual and high-net-worth clients with comprehensive and single-issue financial planning, generally requiring a $100,000 account minimum. The firm emphasizes suitable asset allocation through model portfolio strategies managed by unaffiliated sub-advisors and third-party investment advisers while retaining responsibility for client relationships and reviews.

Justin Hathaway is a financial advisor with EPI Financial Group in Troy, MI, holding a Series 65 credential and five years of industry experience. Prior to joining EPI Financial Group, he worked at Bill Marsh and AT&T. Outside of his advisory role, he owns and operates Not Another TCG LLC, a business involved in buying and selling antiques and collectibles. EPI Financial Group provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to non-high-net-worth individual households, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm employs a sub-adviser platform for discretionary portfolio management and offers financial planning without a separate planning fee.

Jack Findley is a Series 65-licensed advisor at Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc. He has experience in related fields spanning over a decade, including roles as CEO/CRO of Decision Technologies Corp. and CEO of Sterling Signal, LLC, a commercial signage producer. His work at Decision Technologies involves licensing proprietary software to Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc. Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc. serves retirement plan sponsors, trustees, and individual investors through an internet-based platform that refers clients to a network of registered investment advisers. The firm provides a decision-assistance service using a patented application to evaluate and compare mutual funds and ETFs within defined contribution plans, focusing on non-discretionary, process-driven reviews.

Osman Minkara is a managing principal and investment advisor representative at CIG Asset Management, Inc. with 32 years of industry experience. He is also the managing principal of CIG Capital Advisors and the managing member and majority owner of CIG Venture Management, LLC, which manages various special purpose vehicles and a private equity fund. CIG Asset Management provides wealth management, financial planning, and discretionary portfolio management services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and employee benefit plans. The firm employs an asset allocation framework that integrates strategic and dynamic models across multiple asset classes and offers socially responsible investment options.

Jason Close is a CFP® and CFA® with 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at Motive Wealth Advisors, LLC since 2021 and previously held roles at tru Independence Asset Management, LLC, Wealthcare Advisors, LLC, and Planning Alternatives Ltd. He is involved in administrative and financial management activities through affiliated entities. Motive Wealth Advisors serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as trusts, estates, business entities, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a diversified, risk-based investment approach using both active and passive strategies and provides discretionary and non-discretionary management, financial planning, and pension consulting.

Louis Melone is a CFP® with 30 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Melone Private Wealth, LLC since 2020. His prior experience includes roles at LPL Financial, Budd, Melone & Co. LLC, and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network. Outside of advising, he is an author working on a book. Melone Private Wealth, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm that serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm offers customized investment advisory and financial planning services, employing a blend of active and passive strategies with a long-term investment horizon, and manages most client assets on a discretionary basis.

James Niedzinski is a CFP® with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Motive Wealth Advisors, LLC since 2021. His prior roles include positions at Tru Independence Asset Management, Wealthcare Advisors, and Planning Alternatives. He also acts as a power of attorney and co-trustee for his parents' revocable living trust. Motive Wealth Advisors serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as trusts, estates, business entities, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm offers investment management and financial planning services, employing diversified, risk-based portfolios with both active and passive strategies and conducts due diligence on independent third-party advisers.

David Zoellner Jr is a financial advisor at Z Advisory Innovations with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at NewBridge Securities Corporation, Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Rockwells, and The Dock on Montrose Beach. Z Advisory Innovations provides portfolio management and tailored investment services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and business entities. The firm manages model portfolios using tactical asset allocation and fundamental analysis, offering a range of investment options including mutual funds, ETFs (such as Bitcoin ETFs), stocks, bonds, options, closed-end funds, and alternative investments, operating mainly on a non-discretionary basis.

ABOUT THRIVE RETIREMENT SPECIALISTS Standing out in our industry's “sea of sameness” and b#llsh!t, we introduce a new business model that applies the latest retirement research to deliver “reality-based” retirement planning, representing an evolutionary step forward in how people prepare for and thrive during retirement. We arm you with a framework to make better decisions based on your unique circumstances, enabling you to avoid unnecessary sacrifices symptomatic of following conventional “rules of thumb” intended for the masses. The result is living a more rewarding life optimized for contentment. ThriveRetire is an all-in-one, flat-fee service that includes: • Retirement Planning • Tax Planning • Investment Management • And more! ABOUT ANTHONY WATSON, CFA, CFP®, RICP® Prior to founding Thrive Retirement Specialists, Tony served as a Chief Investment Officer, providing advice and investment management services to over 600 individuals representing over $1.5 billion of investments. Before this, Tony served as Vice President at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, where he advised high- and ultra-high net worth individuals on all matters of wealth, including investments, portfolio construction, portfolio management, and retirement planning. EDUCATION: • BBA of Finance, Walsh College • MBA, University of Michigan, Ross School of Business CREDENTIALS: • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) • CERTIFIED FINANICAL PLANNERTM (CFP®) • Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)

Kiernan Easton is a financial advisor at Dynamic Wealth Solutions LLC with 11 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 designations and has been with the firm since 2015. Dynamic Wealth Solutions LLC serves a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, estates, foundations, corporations, and retirement plans, managing approximately $102 million in assets. The firm employs a disciplined investment process based on fundamental analysis and asset allocation, supported by a structured framework and technology tools, and offers services ranging from discretionary asset management to retirement plan advisory.

Kelly L'esperance is a financial advisor at Barking Sands Capital with 21 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has led The L'esperance Group, LLC since 2011. L'esperance is also licensed as an insurance agent in Michigan and Minnesota, dedicating part of her time to this activity. Barking Sands Capital provides personalized, fee-based investment management and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm manages primarily discretionary assets using a core-equity strategy supplemented by dividend-paying equities, bonds, ETFs, and third-party managers when appropriate.

Michael Recchia is a financial advisor at Oikonomos Asset Management, LLC with nine years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Q3 Asset Management Corporation and Hantz Financial Services prior to joining Oikonomos in 2022. Oikonomos Asset Management offers portfolio management and financial planning services primarily to individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals. The firm employs a range of analytical approaches and securities, providing tailored Investment Policy Statements and typically managing accounts on a discretionary basis with a fiduciary standard for retirement assets.

James L'esperance is a financial advisor at Barking Sands Capital in Troy, MI, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license, with 19 years of industry experience. He has operated The L'esperance Group, LLC since 2004. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in a licensed insurance agency selling and servicing fixed insurance products such as life insurance and annuities. Barking Sands Capital provides personalized, fee-based investment management and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm employs a core-equity strategy combined with diversified options and uses third-party managers when appropriate, managing approximately $45 million in primarily discretionary assets for about 85 clients.

Kenneth Wittenberg is a financial advisor at Wittenberg Investments Inc. with 11 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Wittenberg Investments since 2018, previously working at Secure Asset Management. Wittenberg Investments Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm uses fundamental analysis to construct portfolios and offers services such as Investment Policy Statement creation, ongoing monitoring, and pension consulting, managing approximately $89 million in discretionary assets with a small advisory team.

Paige Weymouth is a CFP® professional at Palatine Hill Wealth Management with three years of industry experience. She has worked at several firms including Northwestern Mutual, Ascent Wealth Partners, and Ross Hoezee. Prior to her financial advisory career, she was employed at the Law Offices of Barton C Rachwal. Palatine Hill Wealth Management is a registered investment adviser serving individuals, employee-sponsored retirement plans, trusts, foundations, charities, and corporate clients. The firm manages approximately $296 million for nearly 279 clients, offering discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, integrated financial planning, and retirement plan consulting.

Kyle Whipple is a financial advisor at Custom Wealth Management with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at AE Wealth Management, Kalos Capital, and C. Curtis Financial Group. In addition to his advisory role, he is a partner and financial advisor at Custom Wealth Solutions, where he is involved in insurance sales and services. Custom Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, and trusts with discretionary investment management, financial planning, and limited consulting services. The firm utilizes an active, asset-allocation approach and has a specialization in bank-issued structured notes, supported by an affiliated insurance agency.

Scott Carty is a CFP® professional with 18 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Custom Wealth Management in Plymouth, MI. His prior roles include positions at Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group, AE Wealth Management, and Sigma Planning Corporation. Outside of his advisory work, he volunteers as a soccer coach at Plymouth Christian Academy. Custom Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser that provides discretionary investment management, integrated financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, families, and trusts. The firm focuses on an active, asset-allocation approach and has specialization in bank-issued structured notes, supported by an affiliated insurance agency offering life, long-term care, and annuity products.