Ruben Gonzalez is a financial advisor at Transamerica Retirement Advisors, LLC with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Transamerica Investors Securities Corporation and TransAmerica Retirement Solutions since 2014. Transamerica Retirement Advisors serves participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans and IRA owners through various managed advice programs and investment education services. The firm’s approach utilizes proprietary software and portfolio oversight from Morningstar Investment Management to provide tailored asset allocation and retirement guidance across a large client base.

Chih Tao Ma is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 26 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Cetera, Cathay Bank, U.S. Bancorp Advisors, Bancwest Investment Services, Citicorp Investment Services, and LPL Financial. He is also a California-licensed insurance agent offering insurance sales and services outside of his advisory role. Independent Financial Group, LLC provides investment advisory and brokerage services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, corporate and pension/profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services using a mix of firm- and third-party models, combining passive and active investment strategies across various risk profiles.

David Salgado is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in West Covina, CA. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 15 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Elevate Legacies Wealth & Insurance Solutions and NYLIFE Securities LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he is appointed as an insurance broker for non-registered insurance products with outside carriers. Eagle Strategies serves a broad client base including individuals, defined contribution and benefit plans, and corporate and charitable clients. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services, with a focus on tailored recommendations and a predominance of non-discretionary asset management.

Connie Jensen is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors in Brea, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. She has been with Transamerica Financial Advisors since 2012 and is also involved with GNEST Corporation, where she serves as vice president. Additionally, Jensen has experience with companies such as Inheritguard, LLC and Elite Exclusive Escrow, Inc. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base including individual investors, trusts, estates, and corporations, offering both advisory and broker-dealer services. The firm utilizes proprietary and third-party model portfolios and provides a range of program options, including discretionary management and commission-based products.

Mingming Guo is a financial advisor at Transamerica Financial Advisors with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. Guo has prior experience working at Korn Ferry U.S. and OpenHill AI LLC. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base that includes individual investors, pension plans, trusts, and corporations, offering both advisory and broker-dealer services through proprietary and third-party model portfolios. The firm operates as both a registered broker-dealer and registered investment adviser, providing fee-based and commission-based products with a range of discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

Hubert Crawford is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 registrations and over 30 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at GWFS Equities, NYLIFE Securities, New York Life Insurance, Merrill, and UBS Financial Services. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a volunteer director for the Southwest Council of Fly Fishers International and on the California State Polytechnic University Pomona Alumni Association Board of Directors. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, delivering services through an integrated model tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing within plan lineups selected by plan sponsors.

Nicholas Hjorth is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (New York Life) who holds a Series 66 designation and has 22 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at BIGGR Wealth Strategies and Insurance Solutions, DH Financial & Insurance Services, and DH Financial Consulting Services. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutional plans, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services through a large network of affiliated advisers. The firm offers multiple program types and emphasizes tailored recommendations, with the majority of its assets managed on a non-discretionary basis.

Collins Jones is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Glendale, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Valic Financial Advisors since 2010 and also works as an Uber driver on weekends and evenings. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-domiciled individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, and supports corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet-developed UMA models for portfolio construction and management.

Dennis Doyel is a financial advisor with D.A. Davidson & Co. in Claremont, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 38 years of industry experience. He has been with D.A. Davidson & Co. since 2013. D.A. Davidson & Co. provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a broad client base, including employer-sponsored retirement plans, individual investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm operates under fiduciary standards and offers specialized services such as ERISA retirement plan advisory, wrap fee programs, equity research, and a Private Wealth program for clients with over $20 million in net worth.

Eric McDermott is a financial advisor with Guardian Life, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 66 licenses. He has 15 years of industry experience, having worked at Guardian Life since 2011 and previously at Pacific Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he is managing partner of APN (doing business as Fiscalyze), a firm that provides financial insights platforms and client experiences for the financial services sector, and is involved in various consulting and content creation activities through his independent consulting LLC, NEXTpectations®. Guardian Life’s Park Avenue® Wealth Management provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers a range of financial planning and consulting services, combining advisor-led discretionary management with model-based strategies and a variety of proprietary and third-party platforms.

Victor Storck is a financial advisor with D.A. Davidson & Co., holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has been with D.A. Davidson since 2016. D.A. Davidson & Co. offers investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including employer-sponsored retirement plans, high-net-worth individuals, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm provides ERISA retirement plan advisory, comprehensive financial planning, and a private wealth program for clients with over $20 million in net worth, operating under fiduciary standards and employing both qualitative and quantitative investment analysis.

Michael Sears is a financial advisor with AE Wealth Management, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has worked with firms including Global Financial Private Capital and currently leads Sears Wealth Management & Insurance Solutions. Sears is also the author of the book *Retire With Simplicity & Clarity: 10 Mindset Shifts Nurses Should Understand to Feel Confident About Their Financial Future*, which targets nurses approaching retirement. Additionally, he serves as a member and CEO of Clarity Tax Partners, LLC, providing tax strategies and planning services. AE Wealth Management delivers fee-based portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, trusts, and ERISA plan sponsors. The firm utilizes discretionary model portfolios and a range of investment strategies while supporting third-party RIAs through sub-advisory and model-licensing programs.

Juan Garcia is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 16 years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at firms including GWFS Equities, PNC, BBVA Compass Insurance Agency, and Compass Bank. He is also registered as a public notary, although he is not currently active in that role. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as Empower Premier IRA and retail brokerage clients. The firm delivers services through an integrated model linked to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, offering point-in-time financial plans and optional managed account solutions.

Guannan Li is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Group, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. He also has an ongoing role as a broker associate at RG Realty since 2015 and works as an insurance agent outside of his advisory duties. Independent Financial Group, LLC provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services through various platforms and third-party programs. The firm combines strategic asset allocation with active and passive investment exposures and operates as a dually registered broker-dealer and investment adviser.

Jim Bootsma is a financial advisor at NewEdge Advisors with 36 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked previously at Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation, Mid Atlantic Financial Management, and FDx Advisors. Outside of advisory services, he owns and operates a tax and accounting practice and is involved in fixed insurance sales as well as managing a cattle operation through Breezy Boots, Inc. NewEdge Advisors is an enterprise-scale registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm provides a broad range of portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services through a network of independent advisers and emphasizes centralized due diligence, ongoing manager monitoring, and technology-supported investment strategies.

Kirsten Baron is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. She has two years of industry experience and is involved with the Black Excellence Leadership Council as a council member. Baron also participates in estate planning services through Inheritguard, LLC, and holds a CFO position at Barons Enterprises International, Inc. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base including individual investors, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm offers both advisory and broker-dealer services, utilizing proprietary and third-party model portfolios with discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

Paul Apodaca is a Series 66-credentialed advisor with 11 years of industry experience, currently with Money Concepts Capital Corp. He has worked with the firm since 2015 and also serves as a tax advisor and preparer at NorthPoint Tax, Wealth & Business Advisory, LLP. Money Concepts Advisory Service provides investment advisory, financial planning, and consulting services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm utilizes model-driven and asset-allocation approaches, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary programs supported by third-party managers and technology platforms.

Lester Baron is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has held roles with multiple organizations, including WealthWave, Baron's Enterprises International, and the Heartland Institute of Financial Education, where he serves as a Certified Financial Educator. Baron is also involved in leadership and community roles such as mentoring with the Black Excellence Leadership Council and serving as Public Relations Officer for the Dominica Livestock Cooperative. Transamerica Financial Advisors provides investment advisory, brokerage, and retirement-plan services to a diverse client base including individual investors, employer-sponsored plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes model portfolios and third-party managers, offering multiple program platforms and integrated retirement plan solutions.

Elisabeth Braun Ward is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in San Dimas, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 36 years of industry experience. She has been with Benefitscorp Equities, Inc. since 1990. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as certain retail clients, delivering services through an integrated model aligned with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and client savings rates in its financial planning approach.

Benjamin Sturkie is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors holding Series 66 and Series 63 credentials. He has been with the firm since 2025 and has experience in various other business activities including roles at Ojai Pizza and Performance Concrete Services Inc. Valic Financial Advisors, Inc. primarily serves U.S. individuals including high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients, as well as employer-sponsored retirement participants. The firm offers wrap programs, portfolio management, and financial planning using a large network of advisors and centralized technology solutions.