Eric Himmel is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and bringing 14 years of industry experience. He has been with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he has served as a past president and board member of a Lions Club, engaging in community service and civic activities. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on holistic, goal-based financial plans without discretionary trading authority. The firm offers integrated planning combined with managed-account options under a consolidated billing program called WealthPlan.

Matt Lewis is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 15 years of industry experience. He has worked with Primerica Advisors since 2013 and previously served with the Chicago Police Department for 18 years. Outside of advising, he is involved in the sale of home security and automation products through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors offers discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-delivery strategies and separately managed account options. The firm curates third-party asset managers and uses a tiered wrap fee structure rather than fixed fees.

Grant Noble is a financial advisor at RBC Capital Markets with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining RBC in 2026, he worked at Guaranteed Rate for six years and held various roles at Capgemini America Inc. and The Ohio State University. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs featuring discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing both in-house and third-party investment managers to tailor strategies to clients' risk profiles.

Jeff Radivan is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2005. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for clients with significant investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored Recommendation Reports. The firm offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of a large institutional provider.

Uriel Gonzalez is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and three years of industry experience. He previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and has served in the Army. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients.

Jack Dehaven is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2021, he worked for AstraZeneca LP for 15 years. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, providing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by model portfolios and research.

Robert Heitz is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2025. He has experience in various capacities within Fidelity, including Investment Consultant and Planning Consultant positions, demonstrating his involvement in multiple aspects of financial advising and client planning. Prior to joining Fidelity, he worked as a Financial Advisor Assistant at Heartland Investment USA from 2021 to 2023. Throughout his career, Robert has focused on guiding clients toward financial clarity and confidence by leveraging his knowledge and Fidelity's resources. He emphasizes building strong client relationships and fostering collaboration to help individuals and families make informed decisions, reduce financial stress, and work toward long-term prosperity. Outside of his professional work, Robert enjoys hiking, movies, museums, outdoor adventures, skiing, and table tennis.

Michael Kordas is a financial advisor with Cetera in Frankfort, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 10 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Cetera and its related entities since 2020 and also owns Nestlehut Financial Services, LLC, which provides financial services. Additionally, he manages Kordas Holdings, LLC, an expense management business. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a variety of portfolio management and financial planning services and operates a multi-manager platform that includes access to affiliated and unaffiliated third-party managers.

Paula Betts is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 28 years of industry experience. She has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and was previously with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2014 to 2016. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary advisory options. The firm’s process is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Thomas Van Dellen is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds a Series 66 designation and has 10 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at The Prudential Insurance Company of America and Waddell & Reed Inc. Outside of his financial career, he serves as president of the Kiwanis Club of Frankfort and vice president of the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, and he has worked as a basketball official since 1993. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving a broad client base that includes individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with a variety of investment programs and portfolio management options, supporting more than 10,000 advisors and overseeing over $256 billion in assets.

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, holding a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial, he worked at firms including Edward Jones and TopBloc. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting with both discretionary and non-discretionary management options.

Ryan Penders is a financial advisor at RBC Capital Markets with six years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 65 credentials. His prior experience includes roles at Midwest Equity Mortgage, Premise Capital, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Epsilon. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs that provide portfolio management, financial planning, brokerage, and custody services tailored to clients' risk profiles and investment preferences.

Jacob Mudde is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 10 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and Series 66 designations and has been with Edward Jones since 2016. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, and operates under a fiduciary standard.

Jeff Miller is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in South Chicago Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. He has 10 years of industry experience, including roles at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2013 and J.P. Morgan Securities since 2015. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through a structured process that includes quantitative asset-allocation modeling, centralized manager due diligence, and an ESG eligibility framework. The firm delivers its services on a non-discretionary basis, with clients retaining final decision-making authority.

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 with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works closely with individuals, families, and businesses to develop personalized financial strategies tailored to their long-term goals. Corey emphasizes a disciplined process that begins with understanding the unique needs and priorities of each client. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Corey earned a Bachelor's Degree from Saint Joseph's College. His client focus areas include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, LGBT wealth planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible investing, tax minimization, and retirement income. In addition to his professional role, Corey is active in his community. He is a board member of South Shore Arts and Hospice of the Calumet area, a committee member for Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, and a member of various organizations including Business Network International, Northwest Indiana Forum, Duneland Chamber of Commerce, and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders program. Corey lives in Chesterton, Indiana, with his wife and three daughters. His personal interests include golfing, singing, and spending time with his family.

Ryan Gibbons is a financial advisor with RBC Capital Markets, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. He has worked at RBC Capital Markets since 2020 following his studies at Northern Illinois University. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutions, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering a range of advisory programs with tailored investment strategies and integrated financial services.

Philip Farese Jr. is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 16 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role since 2016, he worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. In addition to his financial advisory work, he maintains an active law practice and provides general business advice for his spouse’s medical practice. Wells Fargo Clearing offers retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, utilizing an IPS-driven approach grounded in modern portfolio theory. The firm provides both discretionary and non-discretionary services and includes insurance-related products and bank deposit sweep options in its investment offerings.

Alfredo Ruiz is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2018, he spent 20 years with SII Investments, Inc. and has been involved with Oak Partners Inc. since 1993. He is also a regular guest financial columnist for The Times Media Group and serves as a for-profit board member at Horizon Bank Corp. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by model portfolios and research from multiple sources.