Gerhard Axen is a financial advisor with Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc., holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license, and has 40 years of industry experience. He has been with Ausdal Financial Partners since 2008 and has also operated as a self-employed advisor since 1996. Outside of advisory services, he is a managing partner at Timberland Financial, an insurance sales business specializing in life, health, disability, and group insurance. Ausdal Financial Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser and FINRA-member broker-dealer managing approximately $2.13 billion in client assets through a network of 152 advisors. The firm provides investment advisory programs, retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, trusts, corporations, pension plans, and charitable organizations, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment solutions.

Brian Callaghan is a financial advisor at First Advisors National, LLC with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at CIH Consulting since 2022, focusing on commodities consulting and client services outside of investment activities. Prior to that, he held roles at MHT Business Development and Datrium. First Advisors National manages discretionary assets for individual and high-net-worth clients, offering investment management, third-party portfolio recommendations, and retirement plan consulting. The firm emphasizes selecting and monitoring third-party money managers and uses fundamental analysis to support supplemental individual security recommendations.

David Taylor III is a financial advisor at Arete Wealth Advisors, LLC with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at firms including Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Practice Management Consultants, LLC. Arete Wealth Advisors provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan advisory, utilizing a combination of advisor-driven and proprietary model allocations while acting as an ERISA fiduciary when applicable.

Valerie Love Parker is a Series 66–licensed financial advisor with Capital Analysts, based in Lombard, IL, and has 22 years of industry experience. She has been associated with Lincoln Investment since 2017 and previously worked at Legend Equities Corporation and Waddell & Reed. Outside of her advisory work, she is involved with Broadway in Chicago as an usher and volunteers with community advocacy through ACT, while also promoting health and wellness as an associate with Youngevity. Capital Analysts serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, trusts, foundations, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm offers portfolio management, model portfolios, third-party manager access, and retirement-plan advice, delivering investment management both through an in-house team and independent advisors nationwide.

Benjamin Weinberger is a financial advisor with Capital Analysts in Lombard, IL, holding the CFP® designation and Series 66 license, with five years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Lincoln Investment, Cetera, and self-employment, as well as earlier positions in trading and business ventures. He is also involved in providing insurance and financial services related to life and long-term care coverage through separate business activities. Capital Analysts serves a range of clients including individual and high-net-worth investors, trusts, foundations, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm offers portfolio management, custom and model portfolios, access to third-party managers, and retirement-plan advice, with investment management delivered through both discretionary in-house teams and non-discretionary advisory channels.

William Karstenson Jr. is a financial advisor with Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has been with Ausdal since 2010 and has operated Karstenson Financial Services since 1997. Outside of his advisory work, Karstenson serves as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Chicago, performing liturgical and ministerial duties. Ausdal Financial Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser and FINRA-member broker-dealer managing approximately $2.13 billion in client assets through a network of 152 advisors. The firm offers investment advisory programs, retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, trusts, corporations, pension plans, and charitable organizations, utilizing a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies across various asset classes.

Amy Marker is a financial advisor with Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and over 30 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Edward Jones and Northern Trust. She has worked at Ausdal Financial Partners in two separate tenures totaling nine years. Ausdal Financial Partners serves individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, managing approximately $3.73 billion for over 16,000 clients. The firm offers a variety of investment services and tailors strategies to client objectives, utilizing multiple custodians and integrating third-party managers in its solutions.

George Clougher is a financial advisor with Virtue Capital Management, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at OneAmerica Securities, Red Oak Risk Management, Praxis Capital Management, Safe Money Concepts, and MPS-LORIA Financial Planners. He is also involved in non-variable insurance sales. Virtue Capital Management, LLC serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, qualified retirement plans, and other advisers, offering portfolio management, financial planning, consulting, and sub-advisory services. The firm employs a multi-team model to tailor portfolios to client goals and risk tolerance through tactical, strategic, and dynamic investment approaches.

Bradley Underwood is a financial advisor with World Equity Group, Inc. in Schaumburg, IL, holding a Series 66 credential and over 23 years of industry experience. He has been with World Equity Group since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, Underwood is involved in several entrepreneurial and consulting activities, including providing payroll, benefits, and HR services through Professional Employer Organizations as an independent contractor and offering prepaid legal and identity protection services. World Equity Group, Inc. provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to a broad client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pensions, trusts, and business entities. The firm employs risk-tolerance questionnaires to guide asset allocation and offers managed portfolios with discretionary authority granted to third-party money managers and investment adviser representatives.

Justin Lesch is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with 16 years of industry experience. He has been with JMG Financial Group Ltd in Downers Grove, IL since 2013. JMG Financial Group advises individuals, trusts, retirement plans, business entities, and charitable organizations with comprehensive wealth and portfolio management services, including tax consulting and private investment fund advice. The firm employs a planning-based, long-term investment approach focused on strategic asset allocation and utilizes a range of investment vehicles and tax-aware strategies.

John Bollweg is a CFP® professional with 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at JMG Financial Group Ltd since 2020 and previously spent ten years at MPS LORIA Financial Planners, LLC. JMG Financial Group Ltd provides comprehensive wealth management, portfolio management, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, business entities, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a planning-based, long-term investment approach emphasizing strategic asset allocation and uses a variety of investment vehicles, including ETFs, mutual funds, individual equities, fixed income, and private investments.

Brett Ludwig is a CFP® professional at JMG Financial Group Ltd with eight years of industry experience. He has been with JMG Financial Group since 2014 in various roles. JMG Financial Group advises individuals, trusts, retirement plans, business entities, and charitable organizations, offering comprehensive wealth management, portfolio management, and financial consulting services. The firm utilizes a planning-based, long-term investment approach with an emphasis on strategic asset allocation and employs a range of investment vehicles, including ETFs, mutual funds, equities, fixed income, and private investments.

Khai Le is a financial advisor with Capital Analysts who holds a Series 66 designation and has 27 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Lincoln Investment, Agia, Valic Financial Advisors, and Ameriprise. Outside of his advisory work, he is a silent partner in two boba tea shops operated by his spouse. Capital Analysts serves retail and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals, trusts, foundations, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm provides portfolio management and retirement-plan advice through a nationwide network of independent advisors and its in-house investment team, employing proprietary fund-screening processes and offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment solutions.

Garland Kizer is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 26 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Merit Financial Advisors. His prior roles include positions at VOYA Financial Advisors, Cetera, and leadership of his own firms, Kizer & Associates and Kizer Financial Services. He serves as a trustee for both the THSD 214 Foundation and MacMurray College and chairs the Bartlett 4th of July Festival committee, coordinating its fireworks presentation. Merit Financial Group is a multi-team SEC-registered advisory firm serving individual investors, employer-sponsored retirement plans, ESOPs, and institutional clients. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting through a network of advisers, employing a long-term, diversified investment approach overseen by internal committees and utilizing both internal and third-party managers.

William Alexander is a CFP® with eight years of experience at JMG Financial Group Ltd in Downers Grove, IL. He has worked at JMG continuously since 2014 in various roles. JMG Financial Group advises individuals, trusts, retirement plans, business entities, and charitable organizations with comprehensive wealth management, portfolio management, and consulting services. The firm uses a planning-based, long-term investment approach focused on strategic asset allocation and offers a range of investment options including ETFs, mutual funds, individual equities, fixed income, and private investments.

Jonathan Jamieson is a financial advisor at JMG Financial Group Ltd with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 65 designation and previously worked at Spotlight Asset Management and RJ O'Brien & Associates. JMG Financial Group advises individuals, trusts, retirement plans, business entities, and charitable organizations, providing comprehensive wealth management, portfolio management, and consulting services. The firm employs a planning-based, long-term investment approach with strategic asset allocation and offers multiple operational features, including held-away account management and tax-aware strategies.

Mark Lishchynsky Jr. is a financial advisor with World Equity Group, Inc. in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has been with World Equity Group since 2013. World Equity Group provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension plans, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers managed portfolios through its wrap-fee programs, combining discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and third-party money managers.

Brendan Donlevy is a financial advisor with VestGen Advisors, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His prior work history includes roles at Triad Advisors, Northwestern Mutual, and Capital Forensics Inc. VestGen Advisors, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, small businesses, and institutional entities. The firm combines advisor-level client relationship management with centralized portfolio construction and utilizes third-party managers and affiliated funds as part of its investment approach.

Deborah Hinten is a CFP® professional with 39 years of experience in the financial industry, currently affiliated with Capital Analysts. She has worked at Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc. since 2011 and has been involved with Consolidated Financial Resources, Inc. since 1982. Outside of her advisory role, she manages direct marketing activities for a skin wellness line and handles administrative responsibilities in specialized flooring and construction businesses. Capital Analysts serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, trusts, foundations, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm provides portfolio management and retirement-plan advice through a network of independent advisors, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary investment approaches supported by an in-house Investment Management & Research team.

Matthew Krueger is a financial advisor at Simplicity Wealth with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Simplicity Wealth since 2022. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved in farming through Krueger Farms LLC and provides tax and business advisory services at Krueger & Associates Tax & Business Advisory, Inc. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm employs a fund-of-funds approach using ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, and offers model portfolios along with advisory technology and operational support for other advisers.