Stephen Knutson is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, offering over 20 years of experience in the financial industry. He provides expertise in areas including investing, retirement planning, family wealth management, institutional consulting, small business strategies, philanthropic planning, and tax mitigation strategies. Additionally, Stephen supports clients with specialized services encompassing banking, credit, financing, retirement options, and trust services. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from DePaul University and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designation. Stephen emphasizes building lasting client relationships based on trust, transparency, and tailored financial advice that aligns with individual priorities and goals. His professional philosophy centers on helping clients identify what is most important and offering guidance on efficiently supporting those values. Outside of his professional role, Stephen is involved with organizations such as the Aurora Sportsmen's Club and contributes to community groups including 21st Century Game Film at Harlem High School, Carlson Ice Arena, and First Covenant Church. His personal interests include boating, hunting, ice hockey, music, running, scuba diving, swimming, tennis, woodworking, and spending time with his family.

Julie Tesluk is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with two years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Prairie Hill Elementary School District #133 for nine years. Tesluk has an interest in financial investments through her involvement with Jones Financial Companies, L.L.L.P. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Mark Heffel is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 32 years of industry experience. His career includes over a decade at Cetera Investment Services LLC and First National Bank, as well as a recent role at Marquette Bank. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationwide SEC-registered firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a multi-manager platform featuring discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers.

Trevor Kornfeld is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and one year of industry experience. His work history includes multiple roles at Charles Schwab as well as periods of full-time education and employment at the YMCA. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services, offering a combination of non-discretionary guidance and access to discretionary separate managed accounts.

Kevin Heideman is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Rockford, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 27 years of industry experience. He has worked at Ameriprise and its affiliate Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. since 2005. Outside of advising, he is involved in managing real estate holding companies and co-owns an advisory business. Ameriprise Financial Services is a diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning through its Ameriprise Premier Retirement Income service, which focuses on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Timothy Von Obstfelder is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Beloit, WI, where he has worked since 2026. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he spent 14 years with Toppers Pizza LLC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Matthew Montalbano is a CFP® with 27 years of experience currently affiliated with RBC Capital Markets in Rockford, IL. He has worked at RBC Capital Markets since 2008 and City National Bank since 2018. He serves on the Board of Directors for The Workforce Connection, an organization focused on workforce development. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs with portfolio management and financial planning services tailored to clients’ risk profiles, utilizing both in-house and third-party investment managers.

Adam Ludwig is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Rockford, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 20 years of industry experience. He has been with Cambridge since 2016 and serves as a board director at Exchange State Bank. Ludwig is also an independent insurance agent and founder of Anchor Wealth Management LLC. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm provides financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory through a network of independent professionals, offering both proprietary and third-party model strategies across various custody platforms.

Brenda Brugger is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Rockton, IL, holding the ChFC® designation as well as Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. She has 20 years of industry experience and has been with Edward Jones since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a trustee for the Betty Bruton Family Trust. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including households of varying net worth, pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a wide range of advisory services, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, affiliated mutual funds, and tax-efficient solutions.

Steve Danekas is a financial advisor with Osaic Wealth, Inc. in Rockton, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. for 28 years before joining Osaic Wealth. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including retail and institutional investors such as high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charities. The firm offers integrated brokerage and advisory services with a range of investment options and utilizes various asset-allocation tools and third-party platforms to manage portfolios.

Alec Gober is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving as a Merrill Financial Solutions Advisor. In this role, he works closely with clients to understand their priorities and develop strategies aimed at achieving their short-, mid-, and long-term financial goals. Alec provides guidance on a range of financial topics, including general investing, retirement planning, and preparing for unexpected expenses. He also offers access to Bank of America specialists for services related to banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Alec holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. His educational background includes a High School Diploma from Polo Community High School, an Associate's Degree from Sauk Valley Community College, and a Bachelor's Degree from Western Illinois University, where he also attended prior without degree conferment. Alec emphasizes building ongoing relationships with clients to provide continuous advice and guidance as their financial needs evolve.

David Jones is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with two years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Walter Wayne Development Company. Outside of advisory work, he owns a business that formalizes his investment approach and shelters his assets. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and investment adviser serving a broad client base, including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities. The firm offers financial planning, investment consulting, and institutional fiduciary services, with a range of portfolio management styles supplemented by in-house research and model manager options.

Carrie Loven is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 12 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. She has previously worked at Blackhawk Wealth Advisors and has been associated with First Mid Wealth Management since 1991. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting using risk profiling and analytical modeling to guide client decisions.

Thomas Custer is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Rockford, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 28 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015 and has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning that uses structured discovery tools and firm-approved methodologies to model outcomes. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers services both directly and through corporate financial planning agreements.

Nicole Morig is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with three years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked previously at Ameriprise, Wells Fargo Clearing, and Illinois Bank & Trust. Prior to her financial services career, she spent six years with the Rockford Park District. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including non‑high‑net‑worth and high‑net‑worth households, pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management through a nationwide network of thousands of advisors and offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions operating under a fiduciary standard.

David Koch is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Rockford, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 26 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Sigma Planning Corporation, Sigma Financial Corporation, Robert Baird & Co., and Ameriprise Advisor Services. 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 portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Justin Seivert is a financial advisor with OSAIC based in Rockford, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 12 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Woodbury Financial Services and Questar Capital Corporation. He also serves on the agent advisory board for the National Catholic Society of Foresters Insurance company, advising on product offerings and industry trends. OSAIC serves a broad mix of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisers and multiple advisory platforms. The firm offers a range of integrated brokerage and advisory services, utilizing various asset-allocation tools and third-party solutions to construct diversified portfolios.

Kristine White is a CFP® professional with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2020. Her prior experience includes roles at VOYA Financial Advisors and operating Waterside Financial Advisors, where she provides tax preparation and accounting services. She is also an independent insurance agent in Rockford, IL. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered adviser serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through a network of independent Financial Professionals, utilizing both proprietary and third-party investment strategies tailored to client objectives.

Erica Hoffman is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 30 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with Raymond James since 2007. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional clients, and municipal entities, offering customized financial planning and consulting services with a variety of portfolio management strategies.

Peter Junor is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined the CSMJ group of Merrill in 2016, where he collaborates with a team to assist clients in identifying their primary financial goals and developing tailored wealth management strategies. His services include asset allocation, education funding, retirement planning, tax minimization strategies, estate planning, and ongoing implementation and maintenance of these plans. Peter holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., as well as Series 7 and 66 FINRA registrations. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Economics and Finance from Illinois State University in Normal, IL. His areas of focus encompass college education planning, divorce transition planning, employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. Outside of his professional work, Peter's personal interests include camping, golfing, and traveling.