Michelle Rachford is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She focuses on developing personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients' individual financial goals and adapting to changing market conditions. Michelle leverages investment insights from Merrill and banking services from Bank of America to provide comprehensive financial solutions. She holds professional designations as a CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Michelle earned a High School Diploma from Merrillville High School. In addition to her professional work, Michelle is engaged in community service and dedicates time to volunteering with local organizations, reflecting the Merrill tradition of community involvement.

Michael Barenie is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Crown Point, Indiana, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones, Wilson, TopBloc, and Brooksource. His other business activity includes work with Oak Partners, Inc., an entity related to his LPL business. 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.

Cory Lazart is a financial advisor at Stifel with 12 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has been with Stifel Nicolaus since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he is an owner of MFOC, LLC, a rental property business. Stifel serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm’s investment approach utilizes proprietary methodologies developed by its Investment Strategy Group to inform asset allocation and planning analyses.

Randall Minas is a CFP® with 50 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Stifel since 2017. Prior to joining Stifel, he worked at City Securities Corporation from 2009 to 2017. He serves as president of the Minas Foundation, a nonprofit organization, and holds multiple board roles at Indiana State University, including membership on the Board of Trustees and its finance and investment committees. Stifel serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, institutional investors, and charitable organizations, offering brokerage and investment advisory services supported by a proprietary investment methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group.

Jeff Miller is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2015 and at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2013. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on written asset allocation advice, investment manager selection, and customized performance reporting. Their advisory process integrates centralized due diligence with both quantitative and qualitative research and incorporates ESG criteria in their investment recommendations.

Kevin Ribordy is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, having joined the firm as a Financial Advisor in 2014. Based in Northwest Indiana, he works with clients in the Chicagoland area to help them achieve their financial goals. Kevin provides objective advice to high-net-worth individuals and families, focusing on risk management and risk mitigation through portfolio construction as part of their financial planning. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) certificant awarded by the Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. His expertise includes family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and ESG investing, tax minimization, and retirement income planning. In addition to his professional work, Kevin is actively involved in his community. He serves as President of Union Township Dollars for Scholars, Vice President of Family House of Valparaiso, and coaches for Union Township Robotics. His personal interests include camping, running, and woodworking.

Corey Hecht is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Corey works with clients including retirees, business owners, and non-profits, focusing on areas such as college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, LGBT wealth planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and ESG investing, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. Corey earned his bachelor's degree from Saint Joseph's College. His approach involves developing personalized financial strategies that reflect each client's unique goals, which he categorizes as essential, important, or aspirational. He operates with the resources of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management to assist clients in meeting retirement cash flow needs, purchasing or refinancing homes, college funding, estate planning, and managing concentrated stock positions. Outside of his professional role, Corey is a member of several organizations including the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders, Duneland Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Indiana Forum, and supports groups such as the Duneland Family YMCA, Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. He resides in Chesterton, Indiana with his wife and four daughters.

Philip Farese Jr. is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and also maintains a law practice dating back to 1993. Outside of his advisory role, he provides legal document preparation and business advice for a family medical practice. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services. The firm combines in-house research and third-party analytics to support diversified investment strategies and offers a broad range of financial products and services.

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.

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.

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.

Robert Rockwell is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2022, he worked in healthcare roles including at Majestic Care Saint Anthony's and Community Healthcare. He has served in the Indiana Army National Guard since 2009. Outside of advising, Rockwell is involved in a self-employed house rental business. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than 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.

Jason Stahl is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 20 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Cetera Advisors LLC, Investors Capital Corp., Raymond James Financial, and Fifth Third Securities. Outside of advising, he is involved in mortgage and real estate services as a real estate agent and through a home mortgage business. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm provides a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Stephanie De La Cruz is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 18 years of industry experience. She has worked within various branches of Raymond James since 2008. Outside of her advisory role, she is an associate and secretary at O'Neill Family Wealth Management Inc., where she assists clients with documentation, requests, and branch operations. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutions. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning using analytical tools and supports advisory programs and institutional consulting across a large advisor network.

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.