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 in Crown Point, Indiana, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones, Wilson, TopBloc, and Brooksource. His other business activity includes work with Oak Partners, Inc., an entity related to his LPL business. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Cory Lazart is a financial advisor at Stifel with 12 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has been with Stifel Nicolaus since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he is an owner of MFOC, LLC, a rental property business. Stifel serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm’s investment approach utilizes proprietary methodologies developed by its Investment Strategy Group to inform asset allocation and planning analyses.

Randall Minas is a CFP® with 50 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Stifel since 2017. Prior to joining Stifel, he worked at City Securities Corporation from 2009 to 2017. He serves as president of the Minas Foundation, a nonprofit organization, and holds multiple board roles at Indiana State University, including membership on the Board of Trustees and its finance and investment committees. Stifel serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, institutional investors, and charitable organizations, offering brokerage and investment advisory services supported by a proprietary investment methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group.

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 at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in providing financial guidance tailored to the unique needs of his clients, which include retirees, business owners, and non-profit organizations. His approach focuses on comprehensive financial strategies encompassing areas such as retirement planning, legacy planning, college education funding, tax minimization, and socially responsible investing. Hecht holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) designation and a Bachelor's Degree from Saint Joseph's College. His investment process prioritizes client goals categorized as Essential, Important, or Aspirational, aiming to develop personalized strategies that help clients pursue their long-term objectives. Corey operates with the resources and support of Merrill Lynch to serve his clients effectively. Outside of his professional role, Corey is active in his community. He serves on the boards of South Shore Arts and Hospice of the Calumet Area, participates in committees like Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, and is involved with organizations including the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders, Duneland Chamber of Commerce, and Northwest Indiana Forum. He lives in Chesterton, IN with his wife and three daughters. His personal interests include golfing, singing, and spending time with family.

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 at LPL Financial with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at SII Investments, Inc. for 20 years. Ruiz is also a regular guest financial columnist for The Times Media Group and serves as a notary within the scope of securities and insurance business. Additionally, he is a for-profit board member at Horizon Bank Corp. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and asset management solutions supported by advisor tools and research, serving over 22,800 advisors and overseeing more than $819 billion in discretionary assets.

Michael Barancyk is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 24 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2018, he worked at SII Investments, Inc. for 16 years. Outside of advising, he is co-owner of a local real estate rental business. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to model portfolios and third-party asset management, supported by advanced operational and research tools.

Paul Sterk is a financial advisor with LPL Financial who holds a Series 66 designation and has 20 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Old National Bank, First Midwest Bank, BMO Harris Financial Advisors, and Merrill. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves 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, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

John Tellers is a financial advisor at Stifel with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Compass Group in various roles from 2015 to 2022. Stifel serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, institutional investors, and charitable organizations, offering both brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm’s investment approach is based on proprietary analysis and allocation guidance developed by its Investment Strategy Group, using forward-looking market assumptions and probabilistic modeling.

Jonathan Peller is a financial advisor at Merrill with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Cetera Advisor Networks, Carson Group Partners, and Bank of America. Outside of his advisory role, he self-published a motivational and personal development book titled *Attract Your Potential* in 2021, which is available on Amazon. 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, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Jonathan Zemaitis is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Oak Partners Inc., Walsh Construction Co., Vincere Wealth Management, and Teachers Credit Union. He has also been involved with the Butler Bulldog Club and Butler University. 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 portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Alicia Higgins is a financial advisor with Ameriprise, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2005. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved with Edwin Group LLC, where she manages an advisory business. Ameriprise is a large institutional firm that offers retirement-income planning services aimed at individuals nearing or in retirement with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide tailored, non-discretionary recommendations, primarily delivered through a centralized retirement-income consulting team.

Tom Lozanoski is a CFP® professional with 42 years of experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Ameriprise since 2020. He previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. from 2005 to 2020. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in operating a self-service laundromat business through Loads of Fun, LLC. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm offers a range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions, utilizing a centralized consulting team that combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver personalized retirement recommendations.

Robert Rockwell is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2022, he worked in healthcare roles including at Majestic Care Saint Anthony's and Community Healthcare. He has served in the Indiana Army National Guard since 2009. Outside of advising, Rockwell is involved in a self-employed house rental business. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Jason Stahl is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 20 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Cetera Advisors LLC, Investors Capital Corp., Raymond James Financial, and Fifth Third Securities. Outside of advising, he is involved in mortgage and real estate services as a real estate agent and through a home mortgage business. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm provides a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Stephanie De La Cruz is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 18 years of industry experience. She has worked within various branches of Raymond James since 2008. Outside of her advisory role, she is an associate and secretary at O'Neill Family Wealth Management Inc., where she assists clients with documentation, requests, and branch operations. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutions. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning using analytical tools and supports advisory programs and institutional consulting across a large advisor network.

Chris Kurtis is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 35 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Securities America Advisors, Inc., Ameriprise, and Mitre Group LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he is also active as a musician. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by technology and a large network of investment adviser representatives.