Michael Merriman is a financial advisor with Alera Investment Advisors, LLC, based in Rochester, NY. He holds four years of industry experience and has been affiliated with Alera Investment Advisors since 2022. Prior to this, he was associated with Waterford Group and THE WATERFORD GROUP, LLC / Alera Retirement Advisors from 2011 through 2025. Alera Investment Advisors provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, high net worth clients, families, trusts, businesses, institutions, and retirement plans. The firm uses a combination of internal management, affiliate platforms, and independent managers to construct portfolios focused on mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and fixed income with a long-term orientation, and offers ERISA-related services for retirement plans.

Laura Parker is a financial advisor at Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. in Rochester, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 23 years of industry experience, all of which have been with her current firm since 2003. Outside of her advisory role, she is a silent partner in an auto wholesale and retail business. Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. serves both individual and institutional clients, offering advisory, financial planning, and wrap-fee platforms, with approximately $3.9 billion in assets under management across a multi-advisor team. The firm provides comprehensive planning and portfolio management, utilizing multiple custodial relationships and program structures to meet diverse client needs.

Caroline Hill is a financial advisor at Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. with 12 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 credential and previously worked at Brighton Securities before joining Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. Hill serves on the Investment Committee for the YMCA of Greater Rochester. Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. provides advisory, financial planning, and wrap-fee services to individual and institutional clients, including pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm manages approximately $3.9 billion in assets across 8,685 accounts and employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in portfolio management.

Charles Herendeen is a financial advisor with Novem Group in Rochester, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has worked at Novem Group since 2011 and previously at American Portfolios Financial Services for 18 years. Herendeen serves as a board member of the New York Employee Benefits Conference. Novem Group provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment supervisory services and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, state and municipal government entities, and other investment advisers. The firm manages diversified portfolios using a combination of fundamental, cyclical, and technical analysis tailored to client goals and risk tolerance.

Catherine Gueli is a CFP® with seven years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Novem Group since 2024. Her previous experience includes roles at City National Bank and RBC Capital Markets, LLC. Prior to entering the financial industry, she worked at Xerox Corporation for 20 years. Novem Group provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment supervisory services and financial planning to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and government entities. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, cyclical, and technical analysis to tailor portfolios according to client goals and risk tolerance.

Thomas Le Roy is a financial advisor with Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC in Rochester, NY. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has five years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Northwestern Mutual and Russell K Schwartzbeck. Stratos Wealth Advisors is an SEC-registered, multi-team firm serving individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and institutional accounts with a range of financial planning and portfolio management services. The firm manages approximately $5.57 billion in assets for nearly 5,000 clients across 31 offices.

Joseph McPherson is a CFP® and ChFC® with 41 years of industry experience. He is currently an Investment Advisor Representative at Novem Group and a registered representative at OSAIC Wealth, Inc. He previously worked for American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. and operates McPherson Financial Services, where he also acts as an insurance agent selling fixed life, fixed annuity, and long-term care insurance. Additionally, he provides income tax preparation services through A/C Associates. Novem Group offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment supervisory services and financial planning to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and government entities. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, cyclical, and technical analysis and provides portfolio management tailored to client goals and risk tolerance.

Lynn Bianco is a financial advisor at The Partners Wealth Management with 33 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including American Portfolios Financial Services and OSAIC. The Partners Wealth Management serves individuals, families, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans by providing investment management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm combines internally developed and third-party investment models with discretionary account management and offers ERISA 3(21) plan services and ongoing oversight of outsourced managers.

Keri Vacanti is a financial advisor at Capital Analysts with 22 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 designation and has been with Capital Analysts since 2023, following a long tenure at The Legend Group beginning in 2001. Capital Analysts serves a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, trusts, and institutions, providing portfolio management, custom and model portfolios, and retirement-plan advice through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers both discretionary investment management through an in-house team and non-discretionary services via advisors and third-party managers.

Pablo Gentile is a financial advisor at Alesco Advisors, LLC, An ESL Company, with two years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Ameriprise and Principal Life Insurance Company. Alesco Advisors provides discretionary investment management and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and high net worth individuals. The firm emphasizes asset allocation tailored to client-specific factors and combines fundamental analysis with quantitative modeling, offering services that range from portfolio management to financial planning and consulting.

Eric Morris is a financial advisor at Alesco Advisors, LLC, An ESL Company, holding a Series 65 credential with four years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at ESL Newco I, LLC, Nazareth College of Rochester, Syracuse University, and Brighton Central School District. Alesco Advisors provides discretionary investment management and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and high net worth individuals. The firm employs a mixed approach of index-based, systematic funds, and selected private investments, combining fundamental analysis with quantitative modeling to manage client portfolios.

Nicolas Spinelli is a financial advisor at Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Morgan Stanley and Lazard Asset Management. Outside of his advisory role, he is a co-owner and partner of Solstice Growth. Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. serves both individual and institutional clients, including pension and profit-sharing plans, through advisory, financial planning, and wrap-fee platforms. The firm manages approximately $3.9 billion in regulatory assets and offers a range of program structures, custodial relationships, and both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management.

John Cairns is a financial advisor with Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. in Rochester, NY, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Sage, Rutty, he worked with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and the Society for the Protection and Care of Children. Outside of finance, he operated a food truck business for six years. Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. serves individual and institutional clients, including pension and profit-sharing plans, offering advisory, financial planning, and wrap-fee platforms. The firm manages approximately $3.9 billion in assets across various accounts and employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to support both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios.

Megan Konieczny is a financial advisor at Alesco Advisors, LLC, an ESL company, holding a Series 65 designation with two years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at BNY Mellon and Duquesne University. Megan is currently associated with ESL Newco I, LLC. Alesco Advisors provides discretionary investment management and advisory services primarily to institutional clients such as foundations, endowments, and retirement plans, as well as high net worth individuals. The firm’s investment approach combines fundamental analysis with quantitative modeling, utilizing a diversified mix of index-based funds, ETFs, and private investments tailored to clients’ goals and risk profiles.

Paula Rogala is a financial advisor with Osaic Wealth, Inc. based in Rochester, NY, holding a CFP® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses, with 33 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. and the Novem Group. In addition to her financial advisory work, she has maintained an ongoing career as an artist since 2013. Osaic Wealth, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a diverse client base including individual investors, pension plans, corporations, and nonprofits. The firm employs a technology-driven investment process combining risk tolerance assessments with portfolio optimization and offers access to multiple custodial platforms and third-party managers.

Jennifer Fox is a financial advisor at Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. in Rochester, NY, with 14 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. since 2011. Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. serves both individual and institutional clients, including pension and profit-sharing plans, offering advisory, financial planning, and wrap-fee platform services. The firm manages approximately $3.9 billion in regulatory assets and provides various program structures, comprehensive planning, and portfolio management through a team of 45 advisors.

Joshua Slish is a financial advisor with Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. in Rochester, NY, holding a Series 66 credential and six years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Brighton Securities and Equitable Advisors. Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc. serves individual and institutional clients through advisory, financial planning, and wrap-fee platforms, managing approximately $3.9 billion in assets across 8,685 accounts. The firm offers comprehensive planning and portfolio management services, operating multiple custodial relationships and supporting both discretionary and non-discretionary account management.

Ellyn Schaefer is a financial advisor at Capital Analysts with 11 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. She has previously worked at Lincoln Investment for nine years and at Legend Advisory Corporation and Legend Equities Corporation. In addition to her advisory role, she is a CPA and serves as an accountant for the nonprofit Baden Street Settlement of Rochester. Capital Analysts serves a variety of clients including individuals, high-net-worth investors, trusts, foundations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers portfolio management, custom and model portfolios, and retirement-plan advice through a nationwide network of independent advisors and in-house investment teams.

Kim Nugent is a CFP® with 22 years of industry experience, currently serving at Sage Rutty & Co., Inc. since 2010. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and is based in Rochester, NY. Outside of her advisory role, she serves on the Board of Directors and Development Committee for Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity. Sage Rutty & Co., Inc. serves both individual and institutional clients, offering financial planning and portfolio management through multiple program structures and custodial relationships. The firm manages approximately $3.9 billion in assets across 45 advisors and provides services ranging from comprehensive planning to qualified retirement plan support.

Roland Salmi is a financial advisor at Modern Wealth Management, LLC with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Lawley Retirement Advisors, LLC, Georgetown Lawley Group, LLC, and Digital Insurance d/b/a OneDigital. Modern Wealth Management provides investment advisory and integrated planning services to a diverse client base, including high net worth individuals, trusts, pension plans, and corporations. The firm employs a centralized portfolio management model supported by an Investment Committee and offers a range of services such as discretionary investment management, tax and estate planning, and ERISA plan consulting.