Veronica Darlington is a CFP® professional with 10 years of experience in financial advising. She is currently with Edelman Financial Engines and has a long tenure at Cahill Wealth Management dating back to 2005. Edelman Financial Engines offers technology-enabled investment advisory and financial planning services to individual investors, retirement-plan participants, and institutional clients. The firm uses a committee-driven modeling process combined with planner delivery and online tools, providing a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment solutions with an emphasis on diversified portfolios and long-term strategies.

Jason Erhardt is a financial advisor at Ameriprise in Portage, Michigan, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Ameriprise in 2023, he held various roles including positions at Lawrence Technological University, Cedar Point, Meijer, and local high schools. He is also involved in managing an advisory business through OKL, LLC. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals nearing or in retirement with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver personalized, non-discretionary recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Mark Sansom is a Series 66-licensed advisor with Raymond James Financial, based in Plainwell, MI, and has one year of industry experience. Prior to his advisory role, he spent 17 years with Discount Tire Company. He is also involved with Majestic Financial, a non-investment-related support company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations, using tailored, non-discretionary advisory approaches and advanced analytical tools.

Marc Vander Beek is a financial advisor with Merrill in Portage, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having 19 years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Merrill since 2017 and Bank of America, N.A. since 2019, along with a position at Gun Lake Casino from 2016 to 2017. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Stephanie Farrance is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with six years of industry experience. She has worked at Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management since 2019. Prior to her current role, Farrance spent eight years at Mattawan Animal Hospital. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers holistic, goal-based financial analyses and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account programs under a consolidated billing system called “WealthPlan.”

William Sanders is a financial advisor at Cetera with 31 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP®, ChFC®, and Series 63 designations. Prior to joining Cetera in 2026, he spent ten years with Commonwealth Financial Network. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers diverse portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform with access to both affiliated and third-party managers.

Keith Platte is a financial advisor with OSAIC based in Kalamazoo, MI. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience, previously working at HFG Financial Group. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of a local condominium association and works as a tax preparer. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a broad range of retail and institutional clients through an extensive network of affiliated advisers, offering integrated brokerage, advisory services, and access to third-party money managers and wrap programs. The firm uses multiple investment tools and platforms to construct diversified portfolios tailored to clients’ risk tolerance and preferences.

Ryan Hekman is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a founding partner of the Hekman & VanderStraaten Group. He has been in the financial services industry since 1994 and joined Merrill Lynch in 1999. Ryan works alongside fellow advisors and client associates to provide comprehensive wealth planning services aimed at helping individuals, families, and businesses meet their financial goals through personalized strategies and portfolio construction. Ryan's expertise spans a range of client focus areas including divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, defined benefit plans, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management, individual and corporate investment strategy, and retirement income. He holds a bachelor's degree in Finance from Western Michigan University and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional endeavors, Ryan serves on the board of the Grandville Walker Foundation. He lives in Grandville with his five children and enjoys spending time with family, playing basketball, biking, boating, cooking, golfing, traveling, and watching sports.

Mark Hiegel is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Kalamazoo, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 20 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 2007, including its predecessor Axa Advisors, LLC. Equitable Advisors serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management programs. The firm’s approach involves assessing clients' risk tolerance and matching them to various program models or discretionary managers, utilizing both proprietary and third-party asset management solutions.

Darlene Hybels is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates in Kalamazoo, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 38 years of industry experience. She has been with Raymond James & Associates since 1999. Outside of her advisory role, she serves on the Finance/Investment Committee of the YWCA of Kalamazoo, where she reviews investment and spending policies for endowed funds. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that oversees approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a wide range of clients including individuals, institutions, and municipalities, offering financial planning and consulting with a variety of portfolio management styles supported by affiliated research and sub-advisers.

David Mabis is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with 11 years of industry experience, currently with Ameriprise since 2020. His prior roles include positions at Ameriprise Financial Services, Tamarron Community Association, and Waddell & Reed Inc. He serves on the Board of Directors and is President of the Gull Lake Area Rotary Club. Ameriprise offers retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals with significant investable assets, providing tailored recommendation reports that address income sources, Social Security options, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and automated tools overseen by a dedicated team to deliver personalized retirement planning within its institutional framework.

Matthew Weaver is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses. His prior experience includes roles at Empower, Mercantile Bank, Kalsee Credit Union, and Huntington National Bank. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, using quantitative asset-allocation modeling combined with centralized due diligence and an ESG eligibility framework.

Frederick Freihofer is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and includes a broad range of investment options, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Tristen Mabin is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She focuses on legacy planning, managing new wealth, and supporting women and wealth clients. Tristen brings a unique perspective to her role, combining her background in teaching and finance to educate and coach clients toward achieving their financial goals. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Kalamazoo College, where she studied Mathematics and Spanish. Tristen is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and is fluent in both English and Spanish. Her career path includes living in Ecuador and New Orleans, experiences that enriched her commitment to serving others through volunteer opportunities. Tristen is involved in community service through AmeriCorps and pursues personal interests such as biking, horseback riding, music, reading, and traveling.

Michael Baer is a Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill for 22 years and currently works with clients and their families to help achieve their financial goals by developing personalized financial strategies. His approach focuses on understanding the full financial picture of each client and creating flexible strategies aligned with their priorities. Michael specializes in retirement planning and analysis, cash management strategies, and Employee Stock Options. His client services include executive compensation, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and ESG investing, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance with a minor in Economics from Western Michigan University. Additionally, he has earned the professional designations Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional work, Michael participates in community volunteering and enjoys biking, boating, hiking, and spending time with his family.

Justin Peterman is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates in Kalamazoo, MI, holding a Series 66 designation and 13 years of industry experience. He previously worked for Edward Jones for 10 years before joining Raymond James in 2022. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing roughly $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering financial planning, non-discretionary investment consulting, and municipal advisory services.

Joshua Etheridge is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Portage, MI, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of experience at the firm. He is the president and majority owner of Two Dot Marketing, LLC, a marketing and web design business based in Battle Creek, MI. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services tailored to plan objectives and risk tolerances.

Timothy Rogowski is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 43 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC for 19 years before joining Equitable Advisors in 2026. Outside of his advisory role, he owns Wings Financial Group, a financial consulting business based in Portage, Michigan. Equitable Advisors serves a broad client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and various asset-management programs through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and emphasizes the use of third-party asset managers and advisory programs rather than proprietary wrap fee solutions.

Sean Budlong is a CFP® with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. He previously worked at Edward Jones for 10 years. Outside of his advisory role, he is CEO of BW Majestic Financial LLC, operating under the Majestic Financial DBA, and is a partner in a real estate investment LLC. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and charitable clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting using analytical tools and supports various advisory programs, including municipal and public finance services and a SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory & Consulting Services program.

Janene Pirbhai is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has worked since 1991. She has been an advisor since 1993 and leads a team of culturally diverse investment professionals under the Pirbhai & Associates team. Their focus is on providing financial solutions designed to accomplish clients' long-term goals and simplify their financial lives. Janene's expertise includes integrating wealth management with portfolio management, focusing on areas such as family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, and retirement income. She holds professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Western Michigan University. Janene is engaged in community involvement through organizations such as the American Heart Association, Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, Inner City Youth for Change, Love & JENGA, and Merze Tate Explorers. She lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with her husband, Erfan, and together they have raised three children. Janene also has personal interests that include hiking, photography, spending time with her family, and traveling.