Christopher Pavelka is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Peoria Heights, IL. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Thrivent, Pavelka worked at Jeff Burtis-State Farm and held roles at the Village of Bartonville and Allied Lock & Safe Technicians. He also operated a business called Homeaholic Decor from 2023 to 2024. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on holistic, goal-based financial planning without discretionary portfolio management. The firm offers written recommendations across multiple planning areas and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account programs under a consolidated billing option.

Michael Witzig is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 33 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2010 and was previously with Burton Consulting for nearly two decades. Outside of advising, Witzig is a CPA providing tax preparation services and serves on the boards of the Morton Economic Development Council and the Salvation Army estate advisory board. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm that serves a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services, utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies across multiple platform arrangements.

Mollie Rushing is a financial advisor at Robert W. Baird & Co. with 3 years of industry experience. She holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has been with Robert W. Baird & Co. since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she is a 50% owner and limited partner of McIntyre Acres LLC. Robert W. Baird & Co.’s DDK Group serves individuals, corporate clients, pensions, profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations with a range of financial planning and portfolio management services. The firm employs manager-traded and model-traded strategies, tax management, and internal research including artificial intelligence tools, managing approximately $394 billion in regulatory assets under management as of 2025.

Waheeb Ghantous is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise in Peoria, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and possessing 40 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Prudential Insurance Company of America and Pruco Securities, LLC, from 1986 until 2024. LPL Enterprise provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, banks, and charitable entities. The firm’s investment approach is typically model-driven, utilizing portfolios developed by internal research, third-party strategists, or TAMP sponsors, and offers services such as financial planning and access to third-party asset managers.

Michael Greenhalgh is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 32 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Hinduja Global Solutions and longstanding tenures at PFS Investments Inc. and Primerica Financial Services. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in sales of loan products and home security and automation services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors offers discretionary asset management via its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-delivery strategies and separately managed accounts. The firm curates third-party asset managers and employs a tiered wrap-fee structure distinct from fixed-fee billing options.

Nickolas Ward is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Peoria, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 registrations and having 10 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing, Illinois National Bank, and Infinex Investments. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs including tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and a structured discovery process.

Laura Kuehn is a financial advisor with Merrill in Peoria, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2008 and has worked at Bank of America, N.A. since 2014. Outside of her advisory role, she participates in the 85 Broads Global Women's Network, a professional organization that facilitates networking and volunteer opportunities among women. 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.

Joseph Worms is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with four years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. His prior roles include positions at Clifton Larson Allen, Compeer Financial, and several educational institutions. Outside of his advisory work, he operates JW Lawn Services, providing lawn care services. Equitable Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and other institutional clients, offering financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management programs through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives. The firm utilizes a range of third-party advisory models and provides ERISA fiduciary services, focusing on personalized client assessment and matching to appropriate investment solutions.

Alexander Glancy is a financial advisor with MassMutual Investors Services and holds a Series 66 designation. He has 11 years of industry experience, including roles at JP Morgan Chase Bank and JP Morgan Securities LLC. His current tenure at MassMutual began in 2022. MassMutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, focusing on collaborative, annual planning engagements without investment discretion.

Melissa Shacklett is a financial advisor at Merrill with 32 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Merrill since 1993. 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 serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies developed by internal and third-party managers.

Andrew Kiesewetter is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has previously worked at TD Ameritrade before joining Charles Schwab. 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. The firm offers a combination of non-discretionary advisory relationships and access to discretionary separately managed accounts, supported by a large integrated platform.

Ryan Roberts is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Peoria, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he worked in roles at Illinois State University and Heartland Community College, and he has concurrent involvement with PetStop, an installation service, and DoorDash as a contractor. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of advisory programs and financial planning services to both individual and institutional clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Jason Smith is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience. He is currently with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and previously worked at OSAIC and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. He also owns Legacy Private Wealth Advisors, an S-Corporation that provides payroll and employee benefits administration for support staff serving the investment and insurance businesses. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered adviser serving a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through a network of independent Financial Professionals using both proprietary and third-party model strategies.

Nicholas Pitts is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 and Series 63 designations. Prior to his current role, he worked at SEGRETO di Stefania and has held positions at several other companies including Uber and Lennar Mortgage. Raymond James & Associates is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional investors, and municipal entities, offering financial planning, non-discretionary investment consulting, and municipal advisory services.

David Gray is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 38 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Chapin Davis for nine years and Equitable Advisors for six years. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved in selling whole life insurance and fixed annuities. 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 financial planning and investment management services, including access to model portfolios, third-party asset managers, and institutional platforms.

Jesse Jackson Hohmann is a financial advisor at OSAIC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Woodbury Financial Services, Grove Point Advisors, and Grove Point Investments. He also conducts Medicare, long-term care, and life insurance business as an insurance broker through Nest Egg Silver Services and Nest Egg Wealth Management. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including retail and institutional investors, offering integrated brokerage and investment advisory services, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers. The firm employs a variety of asset-allocation tools and manages portfolios across multiple asset classes on discretionary and non-discretionary bases.

Jeremy Kellem is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been in the financial services industry since 2004 and joined Merrill in 2014. Jeremy works closely with families, corporate executives, dental practices, and specialty physician groups to develop financial strategies that address wealth accumulation, retirement planning, and business transitions. His approach includes goals-based wealth management, retirement income strategies, and retirement plan design for businesses. Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from the University of Illinois’ College of Business. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and has earned additional professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Prior to his career in financial services, Jeremy worked as a Certified Public Accountant, gaining experience as an income tax preparer, auditor, and QuickBooks consultant. Outside of his professional work, Jeremy is active in his community in Peoria, Illinois. He has served on the boards of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, and has been a Peoria Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. He enjoys running and has participated in the Chicago Marathon and multiple half marathons. Jeremy lives with his wife, Dawn, and their two sons.

Douglas Shannon is a financial advisor at Mass Mutual Investors Services with 15 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and ChFC® designations and has worked previously at Northwestern Mutual in various roles from 2010 to 2017. Outside of his advisory work, Shannon is a substitute teacher for Peoria Public Schools and a candidate for the Peoria Public School Board of Education. Mass Mutual Investors Services, a subsidiary of MassMutual, provides financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers, offering a range of programs including educational seminars and specialized event-driven planning.

Kari Braggs is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 29 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked previously at Merrill, UBS Financial Services, Sanctuary Securities, and Morgan Stanley Private Bank. Outside of her advisory role, Braggs serves as Vice President of the Board for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in Peoria and is a member of the City of Peoria’s Public Arts Advisory Commission. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by structured planning tools and investment research.

Laura Moore is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 38 years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors from 2013 to 2016. Outside of her advisory work, she owns Elcee Crafting and Gifts, a small business creating handmade greeting cards, quilts, and table runners. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary investment advisory solutions. 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 in its investment offerings.