Tammy Billadeau is a CFP® professional with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving at Vertex Partners. Her prior experience includes roles at LPL Financial, LLC and Churchill Management Group. She also provides administrative support to Vertex Partners. Vertex Partners offers advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm emphasizes tailored portfolios based on risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs, utilizing a variety of investment strategies and platforms.

John Dorn is a financial advisor with Leelyn Smith, LLC in Geneva, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 21 years of industry experience. He previously worked at LPL Financial and National Planning Corporation before joining Leelyn Smith in 2012. Dorn is also involved with The Retirement Network, an independent investment advisory firm through which he provides additional advisory services. Leelyn Smith, LLC offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, business entities, and trusts. The firm employs model-based and individualized allocations across a range of investments and utilizes various third-party technology platforms, with a notable affiliation to an accounting practice that may present conflicts when recommending tax or accounting services.

Hunter Sims is a financial advisor at Clearwater Capital Partners with a Series 65 designation and five years of industry experience. He has held roles at the University of Cambridge Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance since 2019, serving as Associate Director of Business & Operations, and previously worked at Urwego Bank and PNC Bank. Outside of advising, he is involved with several entities focused on financial innovation and regulatory technology based in Cambridge. Clearwater Capital Partners provides family office services, private wealth management, institutional advisory, and retirement plan advising. The firm serves individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients, employing a range of investment approaches including discretionary management, thematic strategies, and options, while offering integrated solutions through affiliated entities.

Steven Franzen is a financial advisor at Vertex Partners with 25 years of industry experience. He holds the PFS™ designation and Series 66 license. Franzen has held roles at LPL Financial since 2009 and operates his own CPA firm, Steven P. Franzen, CPA, PC, providing tax preparation and accounting services. He also acts as a trustee for family trusts. Vertex Partners serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement consulting. The firm customizes portfolios based on clients’ risk tolerance and goals, utilizing a range of investment vehicles and third-party platforms, and maintains an affiliation with an accounting firm that provides additional tax and consulting services.

Ryan Kahlenberg is a financial advisor with Leelyn Smith, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 14 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2022 and was previously with Kahlenberg Wealth Partners/Berthel Fisher & Co. and Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel, Inc. Since 2022, he provides investment advisory services through Leelyn Smith, LLC. Leelyn Smith, LLC serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and trusts. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing multiple technology platforms and investment strategies that include equities, fixed income, mutual funds, ETFs, and private investment funds for qualified clients.

Linda Foltos Mahler is a financial advisor with Signature Financial Services, Ltd, holding a Series 66 designation and 26 years of industry experience. She has been associated with Signature Financial Services since 1999 and First Heartland Capital, Inc. since 2001. In addition to her advisory roles, Mahler operates Mahler Financial Services and provides tax and accounting services through Linda F. Mahler, CPA. Signature Financial Services offers investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, and business entities. The firm employs an asset-allocation driven investment approach based on modern portfolio theory, utilizing model portfolios and institutional strategists across various asset classes while emphasizing periodic rebalancing and risk-based guidelines.

Randolph Yu is a financial advisor at Clearwater Capital Partners with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Clearwater Capital Partners, he worked for nine years at MISUMI USA. Clearwater Capital Partners serves individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients, offering family office services, wealth management, and retirement plan advising. The firm employs a variety of investment strategies and manages most accounts on a discretionary basis, providing a range of solutions including alternative investments and participant education.

Charles Ieuter is a financial advisor at Sequoia Wealth Management, LLC with over 41 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license. His career includes work at LPL Financial since 2014 and founding Secure Futures, Ltd. in 1983, where he currently serves as president. Sequoia Wealth Management serves individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and employer retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm uses a combination of quantitative optimization, third-party research, and manager selection to tailor portfolios, offering both discretionary management and third-party strategist models.

Thomas Castronovo is a financial advisor at Total Clarity Wealth Management, Inc with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at LPL Financial and Cetera Advisor Networks. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in tennis coaching and instruction at Benet Academy High School and Naperville Tennis Club. Total Clarity Wealth Management provides wealth management and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and employer 401(k) plan sponsors. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and specialized advisory services, utilizing a range of investment vehicles and third-party model portfolios, with a focus on customized asset allocations and regular account monitoring.

Mark Laspisa is a CFP® with 29 years of industry experience and has been with Vermillion Financial Advisors, Inc. since 1988. 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 by providing financial planning and investment advisory services, including employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm emphasizes structured, written communications and educational services, offering both model and customized portfolio solutions on a non-discretionary basis.

Kimberly Velasco is a CFP® with 11 years of experience in financial advising. She has worked at The Dala Group, LLC since 2024 and previously held roles at Corient, Balasa Dinverno Foltz LLC, and WIPFLI Financial Advisors. The Dala Group serves individual and high-net-worth clients with portfolio management and financial consulting, including retirement, estate, tax, and charitable planning. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and qualitative analysis to develop diversified asset-allocation strategies tailored to client objectives and risk tolerance.

Chad Anderson is a financial advisor at James T. Borello & Co. with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Prior to his current role, Chad has worked at State Farm, Walsh Construction, and has experience with sports and entertainment organizations including the Florida Panthers and Miami Dolphins. James T. Borello & Co. provides discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, small businesses, trusts, and other legal entities. The firm employs quantitative risk/return models and diversified portfolios constructed from mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and fixed income, and also uses third-party managers for direct indexing and tax-loss harvesting for certain clients.

James Hendricks is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 designation with 24 years of industry experience. He is currently with Hendricks Wealth and Estate Management and has held prior roles at Hero Investment Planners LLC, J.G. Hendricks Financial Services, Cetera Advisors LLC, Investors Capital Corp., Eastern Point Advisors Inc., and RBC Capital Markets. Hendricks Wealth and Estate Management serves individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business entities, providing comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $536 million in client assets using a primarily discretionary, multi-asset approach that incorporates fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis.

Jacob Frerichs is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with eight years of industry experience. He has worked at Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. since 2018 and previously held positions at Thrivent Financial, Stone Creek Golf Club, and the University of Illinois. Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. is a fee-only, hourly financial planning firm serving individuals, families, businesses, trusts, charities, and retirement plans. The firm emphasizes time-based billing and offers advice on income management, retirement planning, tax strategies, and risk management, favoring diversified exposure through no-load mutual funds and ETFs rather than individual securities.

Phillip Coad is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving at Vermillion Financial Advisors, Inc. in South Barrington, IL. He has been with Vermillion Financial Advisors since 2005, working as part of a six-advisor team. Vermillion Financial Advisors provides financial planning, investment advisory, and employer-sponsored retirement plan services to individuals, trusts, business entities, and pension/profit-sharing plans. The firm offers both stand-alone financial planning and ongoing investment advisory programs, utilizing model and customized portfolios along with structured service tiers and educational workshops for plan participants.

Charles Melka is a CFP® with 33 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Sequoia Wealth Management, LLC since 2015. He also maintains a role with LPL Financial, LLC, where he has worked concurrently since 2015. Melka provides financial advisory services including insurance policy servicing for his clients. Sequoia Wealth Management serves individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and employer retirement plans, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm uses a combination of quantitative optimization, third-party research, and manager selection to tailor portfolios and provides both discretionary management and third-party strategist models.

Jeffrey Dehaan is a CFP® with 16 years of experience in the financial advisory industry, currently serving at Clearwater Capital Partners. He has been with Clearwater Capital Partners and its affiliates since 2013. In addition to his advisory role, he places insurance products for clients as part of their overall wealth management plans. Clearwater Capital Partners advises high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients, offering services such as private wealth management, family office support, and retirement plan advisory. The firm emphasizes portfolio management guided by written Investment Policy Statements and employs a mix of fundamental, technical, quantitative, and thematic analysis.

Seth Woodward is a financial advisor with Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. in Wheaton, IL. He holds a Series 65 credential and joined the firm in 2026. Prior to his advisory role, he worked at Microsoft Corp for four years and EY-Parthenon for three years. Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. is a fee-only, hourly financial planning firm serving individuals, families, businesses, trusts, charities, and retirement plans. The firm emphasizes advisory and implementation coaching without discretionary portfolio management, favoring diversified exposure through no-load mutual funds and ETFs and a time-based billing model.

Timothy O'Donnell is a financial advisor with Sequoia Wealth Management, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Sequoia Wealth Management since 2015 and also maintains an affiliation with LPL Financial since 2013. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as Vice President and Chair of the Election Operations Committee for the Barrington Township Republican Organization. Sequoia Wealth Management advises individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and employer retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm utilizes a combination of quantitative optimization, third-party research, and manager selection, offering discretionary management and third-party strategist models tailored to clients’ goals.

Nancy Effert is a financial advisor at Essex LLC with 20 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at ChangePath, LLC and Partnervest Advisory Services, LLC. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in life insurance and annuity sales through Effert Financial Solutions. Essex LLC is a team-based registered investment adviser managing approximately $563 million for around 600 clients, including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consultation services, employing model portfolios and a range of analytical approaches to asset selection and monitoring.