Patrick Mauro is the principal of Patrick Mauro Investment Advisor, Inc. in Oak Brook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 27 years of industry experience. He has led his firm since 1996. Patrick Mauro Investment Advisor, Inc. is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing portfolios for individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and various business and charitable entities. The firm provides discretionary investment management with strategies including laddered bond portfolios and growth-and-income equity approaches, emphasizing dividend-paying companies, MLPs, REITs, and commodity ETFs.

Venkatram Krishnamurthy is a financial advisor at V2 Financial Group, LLC with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with V2 Financial Group since 2006. In addition to his advisory role, he has been involved with the College of Lake County since 2004. V2 Financial Group serves individual and small-business clients, including high-net-worth individuals, offering discretionary asset management and personalized portfolio construction. The firm combines modern portfolio theory with macroeconomic, technical, and behavioral analysis to manage multi-hundred-million dollar client assets through strategic and tactical investment approaches.

James Mihm is a financial advisor at Arta Finance based in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with 10 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase Bank. Arta Finance serves primarily accredited investors, qualified clients, and qualified purchasers through a digital platform offering both discretionary managed products and self-directed investment options, utilizing a proprietary algorithm that integrates machine learning with human oversight for portfolio management.

Scott Rausch is a CFA® charterholder with 11 years of experience in the financial industry. He is currently with Bull & Bear Advisors LLC and has held roles at Bull & Bear LP and Symphony Financial. His work history also includes tenure at Bernardi Securities. Bull & Bear Advisors serves individual and high-net-worth clients with discretionary portfolio management and financial planning, using a combination of charting, fundamental and technical analysis, alongside options strategies and both long- and short-term trading. The firm provides tailored Investment Policy Statements and access to pooled and private investment vehicles.

Langton Garvin is a CFA® charterholder with one year of experience at Apex Quantitative Group, LLC. His prior work includes nine years at Clark School and two years at QS Investors. Apex Quantitative Group provides discretionary portfolio management to individuals, trusts, estates, and business entities, focusing on model-based large-cap equity portfolios built using a machine-learning system that targets S&P 500 tracking within controlled risk parameters. The firm serves a very small client base, allows client-directed trading features, and discloses performance results, which is uncommon among supported firms.

Graham Craig is a financial advisor at Tower Wealth Advisors, Inc. with 16 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Tower Wealth Advisors since 2016 and at Robert Baird & Co. since 2011. Tower Wealth Advisors provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $47 million across about 218 client accounts. The firm focuses on exchange-traded equities, supplemented by registered investment companies and cash, and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management alongside assistance with 401(k) plans.

Sharese Abbadessa is a financial advisor at Horizon Family Wealth, Inc. in Chicago, IL, with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Riverpoint Wealth Management Holdings, Inc. and LPL Financial from 2013 to 2021. Horizon Family Wealth serves individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities, providing comprehensive portfolio management and financial planning. The firm combines fundamental, quantitative, technical, and sector analysis to construct diversified portfolios across various asset classes and employs a fiduciary, client-focused approach.

Ibrahim Galaria is the principal of Galaria Capital Management, LLC in Naperville, IL, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 66 license with 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Galaria Capital Management since 1994. Outside of advisory work, he manages a family-owned medical office property in Virginia. Galaria Capital Management provides asset management and investment planning services to individuals, families, trusts, small businesses, and employer retirement plans. The firm emphasizes customized strategies based on client age, time horizon, and risk tolerance, focusing on asset allocation, diversification, and accommodating faith-based or socially conscious preferences when practicable.

Aaron Dirlam is a CFA® charterholder with 11 years of industry experience. He has worked at SpringTide Partners since 2017 and had prior roles at Foster Bridge Partners and Harmonic Capital. Dirlam is a managing member of SpringTide Partners, where he dedicates the majority of his time. SpringTide Partners serves individual clients, high-net-worth households, and institutional investors by providing asset management, manager due diligence, and strategic asset allocation services. The firm combines fundamental and technical analysis within its tailored portfolios and offers a range of research publications and advisory services to other investment advisers and institutions.

Ryan Hartung is an advisor with MWS Capital Consultants LLC based in Chicago, IL. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with MWS Capital Consultants since 2025. Prior to joining the firm, he spent seven years working in middle and high schools and four years at the University of Wisconsin. MWS Capital Consultants LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $194 million across about 124 client accounts. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and corporate retirement plans, using a Classic Portfolio Management strategy focused on long-term ownership of diversified assets and advisor-directed decision making.

Jeffery Laske is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with 24 years of industry experience, currently practicing at The Nestegg Group, Inc. in Lincolnwood, IL. He has been with The Nestegg Group since 1994, totaling 32 years at the firm. The Nestegg Group, Inc. provides discretionary, fee-only investment advisory services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, business entities, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $331 million across about 187 client relationships, primarily using mutual funds and exchange-traded funds guided by asset allocation and qualitative analysis, and also offers access to alternative investments through third-party platforms.

Rajan Shah is a financial advisor at SC Wealth Advisors with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Secure Capital Wealth Advisors LLC since 2019 and Secure Capital Management USA LLC since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he assists clients with life insurance and annuity purchases through various insurance carriers. SC Wealth Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm employs a tactical allocation investment approach and offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and pension plan consulting.

Arminas Rajuncas is a financial advisor at Parkview Asset Management, Inc. with 17 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at LPL Financial and Unique Wealth Strategies, LLC. Rajuncas holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Parkview Asset Management, Inc. is a two-advisor SEC-registered firm managing approximately $206 million for around 140 clients, including individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, and retirement plans. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning with a primarily long-term, client-specific investment approach using low-cost diversified mutual funds, ETFs, and individual securities when appropriate.

Samuel Hardy is a financial advisor with Cambier Capital, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at 2642 Capital, Stenger Family Office, PT Asset Management, and Performance Trust Capital Partners. Cambier Capital provides wealth management and investment services for individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other entities. The firm offers customized portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and fixed-income securities, employing a long-term investment approach complemented by fundamental and technical analysis and third-party manager reviews.

John Wimbiscus is a CFP® with 24 years of industry experience, currently serving with Bates Financial Advisors, Inc. He previously worked at The Mather Group, LLC and Trinity Financial Advisors. The firm is an SEC-registered advisory team managing approximately $395 million for around 426 clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. Bates Financial Advisors customizes investment policies based on client objectives and risk tolerance, utilizing a range of instruments including mutual funds, ETFs, and government securities.

Gary Prestopino is a CFA® charterholder with 35 years of industry experience. He has been with Barrington Research Associates, Inc. since 2001 and has worked with Tucker Anthony Incorporated since 1999. He is based in Chicago, IL. Barrington Asset Management, Inc. provides portfolio management services primarily to high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and other pooled investment vehicles. The firm uses a combination of bottom-up fundamental research and top-down macroeconomic analysis to manage discretionary client accounts across a range of asset classes.

Khloe Karova is a CFP® professional with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Modern Capital Concepts in Chicago, IL. She has been with Modern Capital Concepts and LPL Financial since 2013. Outside of her advisory work, Karova is an author and a notary public. Modern Capital Concepts provides financial planning and consulting primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as employers through workplace wellness programs. The firm emphasizes tailored, advisory-only planning across multiple financial topics and offers educational seminars, workshops, and recurring programs focused on financial literacy and planning.

Matthew Heckler is a financial advisor at K2 Wealth Management LLC in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with 17 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Kovitz Investment Group Partners, Telemus Capital, and HPM Partners. He holds life and health insurance licenses. K2 Wealth Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients and related trusts and estates, providing discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial counseling. The firm uses a goals- and risk-based approach to build customized portfolios, combining quantitative methods with diverse investment vehicles while coordinating with third-party professionals as part of ongoing client service.

Cameron Dickerson is a financial advisor at Aurelien Capital Partners with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at A&O Advisors, Bank of America, Merrill, and Morgan Stanley. In addition to his advisory role, he is a licensed independent insurance agent. Aurelien Capital Partners serves individuals, families, and high-net-worth clients, including professional athletes and exonerees, offering wealth management, financial planning, and family office services. The firm employs an open-architecture investment approach that combines active and passive strategies across public and private markets with a focus on diversified portfolios and long-term allocation.

Robert Bice is a CFA® charterholder with 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Oak Mountain Advisors since 2012, where he is one of two advisors at the firm based in Chicago, IL. Oak Mountain Advisors manages a private pooled vehicle for accredited investors and separately managed accounts for high-net-worth and individual clients. The firm employs a value-conscious, research-driven investment approach focused on economic fundamentals and company analysis, managing portfolios on a discretionary basis while incorporating tax considerations and maintaining governance features uncommon for a firm of its size.