Eric Talbott is a financial advisor at Apollon Wealth Management, LLC with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 registrations and has previously worked at Piershale Financial Group, Envestnet Asset Management, BMO Harris Financial Advisors, and Portfolio Brokerage Services. Apollon Wealth Management serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, businesses, and various institutional investors, providing financial planning, portfolio management, retirement plan advisory, and sub-advisory services. The firm uses a combination of centrally managed model strategies and locally managed portfolios, investing across multiple asset classes and offering specialized services including ESG models and tax-managed Direct Indexing.

Ralph Backe Jr. is a financial advisor at Prospera Financial Services, Inc. with 33 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network LLC, Wells Fargo Clearing, and Prudential Equity Group, LLC. Outside of advisory work, he co-owns a vacation home in St. Petersburg, Florida. Prospera Financial Services, Inc. is a multi-team advisory firm with 271 advisors managing approximately $14.4 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and other business entities, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and access to multiple advisory programs and third-party platforms.

Keith Mooney is a CFP® and ChFC® with 31 years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at VestGen Advisors, LLC and has previously worked at firms including LPL Financial and Sequoia Wealth Management. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president and educator for a nonprofit that conducts financial education seminars. VestGen Advisors, LLC is a multi-team registered investment adviser managing approximately $3.47 billion for over 9,400 clients. The firm serves individual and high-net-worth clients with discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, employing a mix of analytical methods and third-party managers to implement client portfolios.

Michael McKevitt is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Private Advisor Group, LLC since 2015 and previously spent eight years with LPL Financial. Private Advisor Group serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a fiduciary advisory model and offers a range of managed account solutions, including its proprietary WealthSuite platform and third-party strategies.

Alexander Mueller is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing and ownership of fitness-related businesses. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services primarily through model-based programs, including an invitation-only digital portfolio strategist for select employees, utilizing algorithm-driven investment selection and third-party portfolio management.

Donald Cafero Sr. is a ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with 42 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with TLG Advisors, Inc. He has worked at several firms including The Leaders Group Inc and Highland Capital Brokerage. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in insurance brokerage through The Cafero Group and works as a point of sale and wholesale specialist with FSG. TLG Advisors, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $2.0 billion in discretionary client assets. The firm serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and institutional investors, offering services such as portfolio management, comprehensive financial and estate planning, and ERISA fiduciary services. Their investment approach combines fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, with a direct-to-consumer program called Starlight Portfolios that tailors portfolios based on client risk profiles.

Stephanie Goins is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience. She is currently with Creative Planning and previously held roles at Principal Advised Services, Principal Securities, Principal Life Insurance Company, Edward Jones, and HSBC. Creative Planning is an enterprise firm managing approximately $217 billion in client assets, serving individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning-led investment process focused on low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supplemented by additional equity and tax-efficient trading options, and offers integrated retirement plan services alongside affiliated legal, trust, and recordkeeping businesses.

Eric Freckman is a CFP® professional with 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at Private Advisor Group, LLC since 2015 and previously spent over two decades at LPL Financial, LLC. In addition to his advisory role, Mr. Freckman serves as a notary public. Private Advisor Group serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans by offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and managed account solutions. The firm employs a fiduciary-based model, utilizing a variety of strategies and technology platforms while often implementing advice through third-party managers and tactical asset management programs.

Dennis Anderson is a CFP® professional with 34 years of experience in the financial industry. He has worked at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. since 2013, following prior roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. In addition to his financial advisory work, he owns and operates a grain and livestock farm in Viola, Illinois. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a wide range of clients, offering services including financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan consulting through a team of more than 500 advisors.

Rod Russell is a financial advisor at Farther with 13 years of industry experience. He has held positions at BNY Mellon and J.P. Morgan prior to joining Farther. Outside of his advisory role, he coordinates property development activities for Lake Roots Holdings, LLC. Farther provides discretionary investment management and related advisory services primarily to individual investors, trusts, and estates through a web and mobile platform as well as in-person meetings. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing proprietary model portfolios, algorithmic rebalancing, and a mix of ETFs, mutual funds, equities, and fixed income, supplemented by AI tools under internal review.

Pranav Singh is a financial advisor with FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc. in Crystal Lake, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 17 years of industry experience. He previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and Jpmorgan Chase Bank NA for over a decade before joining Fifth Third in 2022. FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions through investment advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers multiple program types and third-party portfolio management via its Passageway Managed Account Platform and operates as a broker-dealer, SEC-registered investment adviser, and municipal advisor.

Donald Baran is a financial advisor with TLG Advisors, Inc. holding a Series 66 license and five years of industry experience. His professional background includes roles at The Leaders Group Inc., FSG, Pizza Hut, Edward Jones, Weiman Products, and EMCO Chemical Distributors. He also works as an insurance wholesaler for fixed insurance products directly with financial advisors through FSG. TLG Advisors, Inc. serves a wide range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, pension and retirement plans, and other institutional investors. The firm focuses on manager selection and ongoing portfolio monitoring using fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, offering services through independent representatives, sub-advisors, and a direct-to-consumer digital program called Starlight Portfolios.

Robert Fenby is a financial advisor with Hornor, Townsend & Kent, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Hornor, Townsend & Kent since 2012 and has a concurrent role at Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company dating back to 2011. Fenby is also involved in life insurance brokerage through multiple roles, including Regional Marketing Director at Penn Mutual, Senior Vice President at Insurance Wholesale Solutions, and proprietor of Fenby Life Insurance Planning. Hornor, Townsend & Kent serves a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm offers advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, combining SEC-registered advisory services with broker-dealer capabilities and managing over $8 billion in discretionary assets.

Eric Eimen is a financial advisor at William Blair with five years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. Prior to joining William Blair in 2022, he worked at BMO Private Bank from 2011 to 2022. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs an active, research-driven approach across multiple asset classes and provides clients access to proprietary models, third-party sub-managers, and private investment opportunities.

Dominic Defazio is a CFP® with 20 years of industry experience, currently serving at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. since 2011. He is also the owner of Aqua Body Floats, a business focused on designing upholstery for recreational activities. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate and business clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs with features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, distinguishing itself through its municipal-advisor registration and affiliation with Fifth Third Bank.

Todd Bessey is a CFP® with 31 years of industry experience and is currently affiliated with Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC. He previously worked at Wayne Hummer Investments for 17 years before joining Integrated Wealth Concepts in 2021. Integrated Wealth Concepts serves individuals, families, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans through a network of independent financial advisors. The firm offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, family office and retirement plan advisory services, and sponsors wrap-fee programs, focusing on customized portfolios that combine internal management and third-party asset manager oversight.

David Reilly is a Series 66-credentialed advisor with 22 years of experience, currently with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. since 2013. His prior experience includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional entities. The firm offers a range of services such as wrap-fee advisory programs, financial planning, and investment management consulting, utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies.

Jennifer Merida is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 17 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at firms including 818 Capital Group, Money Concepts Capital Corp., ADP, and BMO Harris Financial Advisors. Outside of her advisory role, she is a 2% owner and performs back-office work for Kaidence Chiropractic & Wellness, a business owned by her husband. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management services primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage clients. The firm integrates its services with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, focusing on long-term portfolio returns and participant savings rates.

Joanna Geier is a CFP® with two years of industry experience, currently working at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. She previously spent nine years at Jackson Financial Management. Outside of her advisory role, she consults on physical therapy data entry for Tomson Rehab. Mercer Global Advisors serves individuals, families, small business owners, foundations, and non-profits, offering a range of advisory services including investment management, financial, tax, retirement, and estate planning. The firm uses a globally diversified, risk-appropriate investment approach grounded in Modern Portfolio Theory and implements portfolios through a mix of low-cost ETFs, index funds, separate account managers, and private funds.

James Brandt is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 40 years of industry experience. His career includes long-term roles at Fortis Investors, Inc. and his own firm, Brandt Financial Concepts. Outside of his advisory work, Brandt volunteers as a FEMA-certified trainer for disaster preparedness and serves as president of a homeowners association and a trustee on the Palatine Fire Pension Board. Independent Financial Group, LLC provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional plans. The firm offers financial planning and portfolio management through multiple platforms, utilizing both firm- and third-party models that combine strategic asset allocation with ongoing manager due diligence.