Ria Bongiovanni is a Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch, where she leads the Bloomington, MN office and contributes to the local Diversity & Inclusion Committee. She works with clients across various industries and stages of life, including intergenerational families, corporate executives, business owners, attorneys, athletes, and entertainers. Her focus includes financial wellness, investing, college education planning, executive compensation, personal retirement planning, and socially responsible investing. Ria holds a Bachelor's Degree from Iowa State University and maintains several professional designations, including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). She is fluent in English and Spanish. Beyond her advisory role, Ria engages in community initiatives such as Better Money Habits and Studiiyo Scholars. Her personal interests include music and the arts—writing and performing jazz piano and singing, as well as bhangra dance—as well as staying active through triathlons, yoga, and pickleball. She also values spending time with her husband, family, and friends, and serving on boards and volunteering.

James Wright is a financial advisor at Merrill with 28 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Merrill since 1997 and Bank of America, NA since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he coaches youth hockey for the Los Angeles Junior Kings. Merrill serves a broad range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional investors by offering managed account programs, discretionary portfolio management, and brokerage execution services. The firm emphasizes manager selection and tax-efficient investment strategies, leveraging its integration with Bank of America affiliates and capital-markets platform.

Jennifer Akins is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Prior Lake, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 11 years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2017 and previously worked at Rivertown Dental for one year. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard. The firm is notable for its extensive retail advisor and branch network as well as affiliated capabilities beyond traditional advisory services.

Ian Mc Cready Flora is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he spent ten years at the University of Virginia. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Adam Phillipich is a Series 66-licensed advisor with 17 years of industry experience. He is currently with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, where he has worked since 2020, following an 11-year tenure at Axa Advisors, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, Phillipich serves as Chairperson of the Bloomington Future Leaders Steering Committee through the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs to a diverse client base that includes individuals, institutions, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm supports both discretionary and non-discretionary management across multiple platforms and offers proprietary model strategies under the Founders Gate Capital brand.

Collin Duffy is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab, holding a Series 66 license and three years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Charles Schwab Bank, SSB, and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Prior to his financial services work, he held various positions across hospitality and marina operations. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm offers a combination of non-discretionary and discretionary investment solutions supported by centralized custody and operational infrastructure.

Nicholas Sodahl is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His prior work experience includes roles at Bank of America, Sysco Foodservice, and Apple American Group. He has also worked briefly in the restaurant industry. 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.

Jason Eide is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors with 24 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Ameriprise and Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. from 2005 to 2024. He holds the Series 63 designation. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network serves individuals, trusts, and institutional clients by providing investment and fee-based financial planning services. The firm offers a broad range of planning options, including retirement, education, risk management, and specialized services that require specific credentials.

Jessica Hess is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with three years of industry experience. She previously worked at the Leclair Group and has a background as an athletic trainer at Ridgeview, a regional hospital where she provided emergency care and sports medicine services. Hess holds a Series 66 designation. Thrivent Investment Management offers Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on goal-based financial planning without discretionary trading authority. The firm provides holistic analyses across various planning topics and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account programs under a consolidated billing option.

Lester Bolstad III is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Wayzata, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS since 2000. He also conducts annuity sales continuing education training as a monthly speaker. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory services, combining proprietary research with fiduciary financial planning and portfolio management. The firm offers institutional trading capabilities alongside wealth management solutions.

Karl Pawlowski is a CFP® professional with 32 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Ameriprise since 2020. He was previously with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. for 15 years. Outside of advising, he has involvement in commercial real estate business ownership in Shakopee, MN. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals nearing or in retirement with significant investable assets, combining research-based modeling and tax-efficient strategies to generate personalized recommendations. The firm also offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through its affiliated entities.

Thomas Tollefson is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding a Series 66 designation and having 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2011, following a prior role at Equitable Advisors. Outside of his work at Cambridge, he serves as president of CPHASE Financial. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors provides financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base that includes individuals, institutions, pension funds, and charitable organizations. The firm manages a multi-billion dollar asset base and offers a range of account platforms and proprietary model strategies.

Jason Hombach is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Jordan, MN, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2006. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a nationwide network of more than 23,700 advisors and offers a variety of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Stephen Soderstrom is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Chaska, MN, holding a Series 66 designation and over 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. since 2004. Outside of his advisory role, he manages Soderstrom & Associates, LLC, a business related to his advisory work. Ameriprise provides a retirement-income planning service aimed at individuals approaching or in retirement, generally with significant investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver written recommendations, with a centralized team supporting advisors in preparing personalized retirement income strategies.

Graham Kuehner is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Ameriprise in New Prague, MN, where he has worked since 2017. He has seven years of industry experience, including six years at Coca-Cola Bottling Company United prior to joining Ameriprise. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the board of the New Prague Golf Course and participates in the Girls Hockey Development Committee, which focuses on player and coach development. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored, non-discretionary recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Ross Thorfinnson Jr. is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 39 years of industry experience. He has been with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2009 and has prior experience with Everbank, Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., and Spectrum Financial Group, Inc. He is active in community service as a board member and treasurer in several Lions Club chapters and serves on the board of Can Do Canines, a volunteer organization. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves both individual and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations, by providing financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs through a large network of financial professionals. The firm offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary management platforms, access to third-party advisers, and proprietary model strategies under the Founders Gate Capital brand.

Joseph La Rue is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at Baird, RBC Capital Markets, and Cambria. In addition to his advisory role, he is a registered team member managing an advisory business at BDLR Group, Inc. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides ongoing retirement-income planning advice focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

John Bird is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Eden Prairie, MN. He holds a Series 66 credential and has four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Integrated, Inc. Wealth Advisors, CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, and Pentair plc. 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 advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, supported by a network of over 22,800 advisors.

Adrian Huang is a Series 66-registered financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management, based in Waconia, MN. He has held various roles at Thrivent Financial since 2025 and has experience working in athletic and educational departments at Macalester College and local schools. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of Financial Advisors. The firm offers goal-based, holistic planning across multiple financial topics, typically delivered as either one-time or ongoing engagements without discretionary trading authority.

Wendy Kuntz is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Waconia, MN, holding a Series 63 designation and over 33 years of industry experience. She has worked at Old National Bank (formerly Klein Bank) and LPL Financial since 2010. In addition to her advisory role, she serves as an election judge in Waconia and Minneapolis, MN. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser providing advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management programs, utilizing strategic and tactical allocations, model portfolios, and third-party subadvisors.