Steven Franzen is a financial advisor at Vertex Partners with 25 years of industry experience. He holds the PFS™ designation and Series 66 license. Franzen has held roles at LPL Financial since 2009 and operates his own CPA firm, Steven P. Franzen, CPA, PC, providing tax preparation and accounting services. He also acts as a trustee for family trusts. Vertex Partners serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement consulting. The firm customizes portfolios based on clients’ risk tolerance and goals, utilizing a range of investment vehicles and third-party platforms, and maintains an affiliation with an accounting firm that provides additional tax and consulting services.

Luke Baumgarten is a financial advisor with Harvest Investment Services, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Harvest Investment Services since 2014. Harvest Investment Services provides advisory services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and institutions through discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting. The firm uses a combination of active tactical strategies and fundamental, technical, and quantitative analyses to deliver customized or model-based investment solutions.

Ma Navarro is a CFP® professional with Capstone Financial Advisors Inc in Downers Grove, IL. Navarro joined the firm in 2023 and has prior experience in education and instructional computing services. Capstone Financial Advisors serves individuals, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporate clients, offering portfolio management and financial planning with an emphasis on asset allocation, cost control, and tax positioning. The firm manages approximately $2.44 billion in client assets and provides access to private fund investments and in-house tax services.

Michael Russo is a financial advisor with Chicago Investment Advisory Group, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 32 years of industry experience. He has been with the firm since 2006 and serves as president of its independent insurance sales division. Chicago Investment Advisory Group offers discretionary portfolio management and pension consulting to individuals, high-net-worth investors, trusts, estates, corporations, and employer retirement plans. The firm utilizes diversified, asset-allocation driven portfolios informed by fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, employing both long-term and active trading strategies tailored to client suitability.

Thomas Fogelsong III is a financial advisor at Harvest Investment Services, LLC with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has prior work experience in education and the gig economy, including roles at Illinois State University and DoorDash. Harvest Investment Services, LLC manages approximately $534 million in client assets and offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, pension consulting, and other advisory services to a diverse client base that includes individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm employs an actively managed tactical strategy utilizing a range of analytical approaches and offers specialized services such as held-away 401(k) management and ERISA 3(38) investment management.

Jeffrey Gritis is a CFP® with 22 years of industry experience, currently serving at Bentley Financial Group since 2014. He has also worked with LPL Financial and Waterstone Financial Group, and operates Gritis & Associates, where he provides tax preparation services. Bentley Financial Group offers investment advisory and financial planning services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs fundamental analysis and third-party independent managers, providing both asset management and retirement-plan advisory services while managing approximately $393 million in discretionary client assets.

Robert Borchardt is a financial advisor at SAGE Private Wealth Group, LLC with 36 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. His previous roles include positions at Raymond James Financial and RLB Financial Services, Inc. SAGE Private Wealth Group is an SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers wealth management and discretionary portfolio management with a client-specific process that incorporates tailored asset allocation, rebalancing, and a range of investment strategies.

Kristopher Kessler is a financial advisor at Asset Strategies, Inc. with 23 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked previously at WestPark Capital Inc and American Trust Investment Services, Inc. Mr. Kessler is a managing member and 50% owner of AmTru Fund Management LLC, where he manages an SPV related to AI inference ventures. Asset Strategies, Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individual and charitable clients. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, charting, and cyclical analysis, implementing both long- and short-term strategies across various asset classes.

Kevin Hawley is a CFP® professional with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving at Navalign, LLC since 2018. His prior roles include positions at Carter Jacobs, LLC, Avondale Asset Management, Waddell & Reed, and Equitable Advisors. Navalign provides investment advisory and planning services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and business entities. The firm follows a client-focused, fiduciary approach and offers a range of services including asset management, written financial planning, and pension consulting, with portfolio implementation that may involve options strategies, margin use, and third-party managers.

Carlo Airdo Jr. is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving at Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group since 2024. He previously worked for Commonwealth Financial Network from 2014 to 2024. Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group is a registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers customized wealth management, discretionary portfolio management, and comprehensive financial planning, constructing tailored portfolios using a wide range of securities and strategies to match client objectives.

Robert Byrns is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 36 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with Strategic Investment Solutions, Inc., where he has worked since 2005. His prior experience includes roles at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, LPL Financial, and Cetera. Outside of advisory work, he engages in tax preparation and accounting services through his related business activities. Strategic Investment Solutions is an SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension plans, and trustees. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management with an investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory and the Efficient Markets hypothesis, employing diversified, primarily passive, long-term strategies combined with proprietary model portfolios.

Thomas Broderick is a financial advisor at Signature Financial Services, Ltd with 26 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and has worked at Signature Financial Services and First Heartland Capital since 2000 and 2001, respectively. Outside of finance, he is a minority investor and silent partner in a bar and event space. Signature Financial Services, Ltd provides portfolio management and financial planning to individual clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm employs a modern portfolio theory-based investment approach using mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party asset allocation strategies, offering services on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases.

Robyn O'Halloran is a financial advisor with Chicago Capital Management Advisors, LLC, holding a Series 65 credential and over 21 years of industry experience. She has worked at firms including American Trust Investment Services Advisory Inc. and Client First, LLC. Outside of advising, she is a sales consultant in technology solutions and engineering services. Chicago Capital Management Advisors provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individuals, corporations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm follows a fundamentals-driven investment process, offering tailored model strategies and using derivatives for hedging and income.

Lucas Mroz is a financial advisor at Vantage Point Financial, LLC with 12 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Morgan Stanley for 12 years. Vantage Point Financial serves individuals, families, high-net-worth clients, and business owners with investment management, financial planning, and wealth consulting services. The firm employs a fiduciary, customized approach focused on long-term portfolio construction using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, while incorporating flexible investment options and integrated planning advice.

Michal Gicala is a CFP® professional at Capstone Financial Advisors Inc with six years of experience, including prior work at Ikenberry Dining Services and a background in full-time education. Based in Downers Grove, IL, Michal has been with Capstone since 2020. Capstone Financial Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers portfolio management and financial planning with an investment approach focused on asset-class allocation, cost control, and tax positioning, managing approximately $2.44 billion in client assets across a multi-advisor team.

James Longo Jr. is a CFP® and PFS™ credentialed financial advisor with 23 years of industry experience. He is currently with Cora Capital Advisors, where he has worked since 2025, following a long tenure at Osaic FA, Inc. In addition to his advisory role, Longo is involved in insurance sales and is the president of Paramount Wealth Advisors, a consulting company. Cora Capital Advisors is an SEC-registered fiduciary managing approximately $587 million for individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and businesses. The firm offers wealth management, discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services, employing a long-term, fundamental investment approach tailored to client goals and risk tolerance.

Richard Chew is a financial advisor with Polaris Wealth Management, LLC, holding a Series 65 license and five years of industry experience. He has worked at Polaris Wealth Management since 2021 and also runs 1st Capital Insurance Group, where he sells life insurance and annuities. Outside of his advisory role, Chew hosts a public-access radio talk show on WCPT AM-820. Polaris Wealth Management provides advisory services to individual investors and retirement plan clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and pension consulting. The firm applies modern portfolio theory to tailor investment strategies and conducts educational seminars for retirement-plan clients at no charge.

Patrick May is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 19 years of industry experience. He is currently with Vantage Point Financial, LLC and has previously worked at Prosperity Capital Advisors, The Chamberlin Group Tax & Wealth Advisors, and Scottrade, Inc. Outside of his advisory role, Mr. May is a licensed insurance agent offering various fixed insurance products. Vantage Point Financial serves individuals, families, high-net-worth clients, and business owners with investment management, financial planning, and wealth consulting services. The firm employs a fiduciary, customized approach focused on long-term portfolio construction using a range of investment vehicles and offers supplementary services such as tax planning, business-owner insights, and retirement education.

Joshua Youel is a financial advisor at SAGE Private Wealth Group, LLC, with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has previously worked at Brighthouse Financial, Motorola Solutions, and LaSalle Investment Management Inc. He has been with SAGE Private Wealth Group since 2023. SAGE Private Wealth Group is an SEC-registered advisory firm that serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers wealth management and discretionary portfolio management using a client-specific process and a variety of investment strategies, including equities, fixed income, ETFs, and alternative investments.

Michael Grady is a financial advisor at Asset Strategies, Inc with over 41 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at E.F. Hutton & Co. LLC and Chicago Capital Management Advisors, where he serves as president of the affiliated registered investment advisory. He is also a director of the Upward Foundation, a charitable organization providing support and scholarships to disadvantaged individuals. Asset Strategies, Inc. offers discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individual and charitable clients, managing approximately $59.7 million in discretionary assets. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, charting, and cyclical analysis to implement long- and short-term investment strategies across various asset classes.