Rob Gerdes is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors in Cincinnati, OH, holding a Series 63 designation and 12 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Transamerica Financial Advisors since 2014, WealthWave since 2016, Net Law Group Inc. since 2022, and Turo since 2023. Outside of advising, he is involved as a host for Turo and provides estate planning services through Net Law Group Inc. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a broad client base including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm delivers investment advisory and brokerage services primarily through model portfolios and third-party managers, operating an integrated retirement plan ecosystem with approximately $1.7 billion in regulatory assets under management.

Benjamin Lipp is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and three years of industry experience. His prior work history includes roles at KeyBank and Key Investment Services, and he has also worked as a contractor for Uber since 2019. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, offering integrated services tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and client savings rates through point-in-time financial plans and managed account solutions.

James Riley is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc. in West Chester, Ohio, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Fifth Third Securities since 2008. Outside of his advisory role, Riley owns a residential remodeling business, Riley Home Improvements LLC. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors through its Passageway Managed Account Program. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account options and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, operating as a subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank with integrated relationships across its platform.

John Payton is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc. in Franklin, OH, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 20 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Fidelity Brokerage Services, and Cleararc Capital. Fifth Third Securities serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions, offering investment advisory and brokerage services through multiple program types on the Passageway Managed Account platform. The firm operates as a broker-dealer, SEC-registered investment adviser, and municipal advisor, managing approximately $10.9 billion in assets.

Susan Weber is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with 14 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at Fifth Third Securities since 2011 and at Fifth Third Bank since 2009. Outside of her advisory role, she participates in consumer research as a product reviewer and is involved in construction consulting. Fifth Third Securities provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to a diverse client base, including individuals, charitable organizations, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank.

Todd Kowalski is a CFP® with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Creative Planning. His prior roles include positions at LCNB National Bank, LPL Financial, TD Ameritrade, and Scottrade. Creative Planning is an enterprise firm that provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse range of clients, including high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and corporations. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach emphasizing low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, complemented by various specialized portfolio management and advisory services.

William Grizinski is a financial advisor at PlanMember Securities Corporation with 41 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has operated Grizinski Financial Services since 1977. He is also involved with Stryde/GMG, a business focused on expense reduction and tax savings solutions for organizations. PlanMember provides retirement-plan advisory services to employers and participants, acting as an ERISA Section 3(38) fiduciary for many plans. The firm uses a top-down strategic asset allocation approach and manages risk-based mutual fund portfolios, offering education and support services including seminars and personalized retirement planning.

Lora Hampton is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with nine years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Fifth Third Securities since 2016, also working with Fifth Third Bank since 2012. Fifth Third Securities provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account options, including advisor-directed models and direct indexing, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank.

Marc Wambaugh is a CFP® professional with 20 years of experience in financial advisory roles. He currently works at Carson Wealth and CWM, LLC and previously held positions at Total Wealth Planning, LLC, Cassady Schiller Wealth Management, and Fidelity. CWM, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $50.6 billion through a network of over 650 advisors. The firm offers discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, utilizing an Investment Committee that oversees model portfolios and provides tailored investment solutions.

Chris Poppa is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with six years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has held roles at Fifth Third Securities since 2020, as well as at Fifth Third Bank since 2018. Prior to that, he worked at Burcheyes, Evolution Foods, and Real Fitness Sarasota. Fifth Third Securities serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions through both advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers various investment programs through its Passageway Managed Account platform, employing multiple third-party portfolio managers and strategies such as direct indexing and tax-loss harvesting.

Jeffrey Sims is a financial advisor at Mariner with 33 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Pinnacle Financial Advisors and MSEC, LLC. He serves on the board of directors for the Christian Benevolent Association. Mariner serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations, offering investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and tax services. The firm employs discretionary, customized portfolios supported by an internal team and third-party managers, and provides integrated tax and administrative family office services.

Adam Maucher is a financial advisor with AE Wealth Management, LLC and holds a Series 65 designation. He has three years of industry experience and previously worked at First Financial Bank for seven years. Maucher is also involved with Conservative Financial Solutions, LLC, where he engages in insurance sales and related services. AE Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base that includes individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, trusts, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers a range of services including model portfolio solutions, discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA plan services, utilizing a platform-centered approach that incorporates both internal and third-party investment models.

Christopher Dexter is a financial advisor at Carson Wealth with a Series 65 license and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Hills Properties, LLC and Dexter Home Improvement, LLC, as well as nearly a decade at Trinity Wealth Management, LLC. Carson Wealth is an SEC-registered investment adviser operating an enterprise platform with over 650 advisors managing approximately $50.6 billion. The firm offers discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, supported by an Investment Committee that constructs and monitors model portfolios and provides tailored investment solutions.

Jason Dennis is a financial advisor with Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC in Cincinnati, OH, holding a Series 66 designation and having 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameritas Investment Corp since 2014 and Ameritas Advisory Services since 2021. Dennis is also associated with Dell Financial Network, where he has maintained a role since 2010. Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm utilizes a range of investment vehicles and program platforms, combining firm-developed and third-party model portfolios with mutual funds, ETFs, interval funds, and individual securities to customize portfolios.

Alexander Nourse is a financial advisor at PNC Wealth Management with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at PNC Bank, Hamilton Lauren LLC, RiverHills Bank, and JPMorgan Chase Bank. Outside of finance, he serves as a guest services attendant at Great Parks of Hamilton County and Little Miami Golf Club. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including a digital discretionary model account available by invitation to employees. The firm utilizes algorithm-driven risk assessment and delegates portfolio implementation to approved strategists and third-party service providers.

Kevin Webb is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as an investment advisor representative at Kestra Advisory since 2016. He has been associated with Kestra Investment Services, LLC since 2003. Outside of his advisory role, Webb holds board positions in multiple homeowner associations and is involved in managing a real estate investment business. Kestra Advisory Services offers investment advisory and retirement-plan consulting to a diverse range of institutional and individual clients, including large plan sponsors and sovereign wealth funds. The firm provides fiduciary consulting, plan design, and investment services supported by due diligence across multiple management platforms.

Timothy Francis is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors in Cincinnati, OH, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has worked with multiple major healthcare-related firms including Silver Scripts, Envisionrxplus, Med Mutual, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Health Care. His current role at Transamerica Financial Advisors has spanned over 12 years. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a broad client base including individual investors, employer-sponsored retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm employs a model portfolio and third-party management approach across multiple advisory platforms, managing approximately $1.7 billion in regulatory assets under management.

Steven Weinstein is a CFP® with over 42 years of industry experience. He is currently with Independent Financial Partners and has previously worked at firms including Securities America and LPL Financial. Weinstein also engages in insurance sales. Independent Financial Partners is a nationwide firm offering investment advisory, financial planning, trust, and retirement-plan services through a network of independent advisors. The firm supports a decentralized advisory model and is notable for its retirement-plan advisory and pension consulting capabilities.

Mark Roberts is a financial advisor at MAI Capital Management, LLC with 33 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and previously spent 28 years at WaterStone Investment Counsel, LLC before joining MAI Capital Management in 2024. MAI Capital Management provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, integrated wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and family-office services to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, families, sports professionals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio strategies and integrates financial planning, tax, and bill-pay services into many client relationships.

Elliott Singer is a financial advisor with Guardian Life and holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses. He has nine years of industry experience and previously worked with firms including Fidelity Investments, JPMorgan Chase Bank, and Pruco Securities. Guardian Life’s subsidiary Park Avenue® Wealth Management offers brokerage and advisory services to individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines advisor-led discretionary management with model-based strategies and provides access to proprietary and third-party advisory platforms.