Alfredo Ruiz is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at SII Investments, Inc. for 20 years. Ruiz is also a regular guest financial columnist for The Times Media Group and serves as a notary within the scope of securities and insurance business. Additionally, he is a for-profit board member at Horizon Bank Corp. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and asset management solutions supported by advisor tools and research, serving over 22,800 advisors and overseeing more than $819 billion in discretionary assets.

Michael Barancyk is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 24 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2018, he worked at SII Investments, Inc. for 16 years. Outside of advising, he is co-owner of a local real estate rental business. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to model portfolios and third-party asset management, supported by advanced operational and research tools.

John Tellers is a financial advisor at Stifel with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Compass Group in various roles from 2015 to 2022. Stifel serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, institutional investors, and charitable organizations, offering both brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm’s investment approach is based on proprietary analysis and allocation guidance developed by its Investment Strategy Group, using forward-looking market assumptions and probabilistic modeling.

Joseph Arroyo is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Valparaiso, Indiana, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he worked for six years at Strack & Van Til, a grocery group in Indiana. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, including separately managed accounts and affiliated mutual funds, and operates under a fiduciary standard.

Jonathan Peller is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Northwest Indiana. He specializes in wealth management for families navigating significant financial transitions and making important family wealth decisions. Jonathan works with clients approaching milestones such as retirement, business ownership transitions, life after the loss of a spouse, receiving significant wealth, or seeking to be more intentional about their financial future. His services include guidance on investments, retirement income, tax-aware planning, estate considerations, charitable giving, family wealth, and long-term financial goals. He aims to help clients make confident decisions, reduce financial complexity, stay organized, and focus on what matters most. Jonathan holds a Bachelor's Degree from Wabash College.

Jonathan Zemaitis is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Oak Partners Inc., Walsh Construction Co., Vincere Wealth Management, and Teachers Credit Union. He has also been involved with the Butler Bulldog Club and Butler University. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Jeffrey Guidarelli is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Lowell, IN, holding a Series 66 designation. He has professional experience with several companies, including BP, Reynolds Consumer Products, and Ryerson. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs and investment options, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Alicia Higgins is a financial advisor with Ameriprise, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2005. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved with Edwin Group LLC, where she manages an advisory business. Ameriprise is a large institutional firm that offers retirement-income planning services aimed at individuals nearing or in retirement with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide tailored, non-discretionary recommendations, primarily delivered through a centralized retirement-income consulting team.

Tom Lozanoski is a CFP® professional with 42 years of experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Ameriprise since 2020. He previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. from 2005 to 2020. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in operating a self-service laundromat business through Loads of Fun, LLC. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm offers a range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions, utilizing a centralized consulting team that combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver personalized retirement recommendations.

Maxwell Van Rite is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 14 years of industry experience. He has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and has worked with JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA since 2011. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary program focused on written asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting. Their advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative due diligence and incorporates an ESG eligibility framework in recommending eligible strategies.

Chris Kurtis is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 35 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Securities America Advisors, Inc., Ameriprise, and Mitre Group LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he is also active as a musician. 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 portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by technology and a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Christopher Janota is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 15 years of industry experience. He has worked with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2019 and is also associated with Envoy Wealth Management LLC. Outside of his advisory role, Janota serves as a board member for the Park Forest Historical Society and Act of Grace, Inc. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad mix of individual and institutional clients, providing financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs. The firm supports both discretionary and non-discretionary management across multiple platforms and offers proprietary model strategies under the Founders Gate Capital brand.

Douglas Buuck is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Crown Point, Indiana, holding a Series 63 designation and 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 1993. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in several business activities including ownership interests in a real estate holding company and an operating company for a group of advisors. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services for individuals approaching or in retirement, focusing on clients with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research and modeling with personalized recommendations, offering a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through its institutional platform.

Ean Johnston Drake is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 credential and five years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Indiana University and Oak Partners, Inc., alongside his current position at LPL Financial since 2021. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage solutions, including financial planning, model portfolios, and institutional platforms.

Paul Kuzemka is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Valparaiso, IN, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Wells Fargo Advisors and Ameriprise Financial Services prior to his current position. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on clients approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets, delivering tailored recommendation reports that address income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis in a centralized consulting approach, emphasizing Ameriprise-managed accounts and utilizing algorithmic tools overseen by a dedicated committee.

Donna Martin is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Thrivent, she spent ten years with Kankakee Valley School Corporation. Outside of her advisory role, Martin provides math tutoring and seasonal swimming instruction for children. 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 planning and managed-account programs through its network of financial advisors.

Ramie Halloway is a financial advisor at Cetera with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked with firms including Avantax Advisory Services and Strategize Wealth Management Group. Outside of his advisory roles, he also operates a tax preparation business and works as a retail sales associate. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services using multiple program structures and investment strategies.

Jacob Oostman is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with one year of industry experience. He previously worked in venture capital at ground game Venture Capital and has a background that includes roles at Wabash College and in education. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service for clients approaching or in retirement, providing written recommendation reports and ongoing planning advice focused on income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Margaret Reister is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services who holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has 41 years of industry experience. She has worked at Mass Mutual Investors Services and MassMutual Life Insurance Co since 2000. In addition to her advisory role, she is also licensed as a life, health, and group health insurance agent. Mass Mutual Investors Services is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm provides financial planning, asset management, and educational services with an emphasis on collaborative, goal-focused client relationships.

Bobi Celeski is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has prior work experience in various organizations including Indiana Elite FC and FK Vardar. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that offers advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm provides a range of financial planning and investment management solutions through a large network of advisors and emphasizes both scale and diverse service offerings.