Jeffry Cook is a financial advisor at MissionSquare Retirement with 34 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at ICMA Retirement Corporation since 2007. MissionSquare Retirement serves state and local government employers, their employees, and certain nonprofit entities by administering deferred compensation and qualified retirement plans. The firm offers plan administration, recordkeeping, education, and Guided Pathways Advisory Services, including discretionary managed accounts and nondiscretionary fund advice supported by Morningstar Investment Management.

Francesco Vitale is a financial advisor with Merit Financial Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Cetera, and VOYA Financial Advisors. He also serves as a trustee on a family trust. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion with 144 advisors serving individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and institutions. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and customizable sleeves, overseen by an Investment Committee and central management team.

James Schmidt is a financial advisor at Cornerstone Wealth Management, LLC with 38 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Cornerstone since 2014, following a long tenure at LPL Financial dating back to 1995. Outside of his advisory work, he sells a baseball card collection on eBay. Cornerstone Wealth Management serves individuals, trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations by providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm employs advisor-led discretionary management and various LPL-sponsored programs, combining fundamental, quantitative, and qualitative analysis to tailor investment advice to client goals.

Andrew Lewis is a financial advisor at LaSalle St. Investment Advisors, L.L.C. with three years of industry experience. He previously worked at Dry Dock for nine years and holds a Series 66 designation. In addition to his advisory role, Lewis is involved in fixed insurance activities. LaSalle St. Investment Advisors offers personalized, fee-based financial planning and investment supervisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, plans, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm provides both non-discretionary and discretionary management programs, with a notable emphasis on non-discretionary assets under management.

Robert Bieniek is a financial advisor with World Equity Group, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 47 years of industry experience. He has been with World Equity Group since 2005 and is also associated with Individual Financial Practitioners, Inc., where he is involved in the sale of individual life and long-term care insurance. World Equity Group provides investment advisory and brokerage services to individual and high-net-worth clients, business entities, non-profit organizations, and other financial institutions. The firm employs a combination of model-based and customized investment approaches, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party managers.

David Robbins is a financial advisor with Archer Investment Corporation in South Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Archer since 2015 and is also an owner of Nieminski Robbins & Associates CPAs, where he has worked since 2005, providing tax, accounting, and wealth management services. Additionally, he is involved with Barrington Advisors Group LLC, a marketing venture connected to Nieminski Robbins & Associates. Archer Investment Corporation offers investment management primarily to individual clients, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth investors, through separately managed accounts and proprietary mutual funds. The firm employs a multi-branch, independent-contractor model and manages roughly $1.01 billion in discretionary assets with a range of advisory services from comprehensive financial planning to limited-scope model portfolios.

Kyle Janas is a financial advisor at CreativeOne Wealth, LLC with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and also operates the Law Offices of Craig A Janas, where he is involved in estate planning and life insurance sales. His work history includes roles at Safe Money Concepts, INC and Family Defined Benefits. CreativeOne Wealth, LLC provides fee-based asset management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and sub-advisory services to individuals, corporations, charitable organizations, and other RIAs. The firm uses a combination of proprietary ETF-based models, third-party managers, and option strategies, supporting tailored suitability assessments and regular portfolio rebalancing.

Sanjay Asija is a financial advisor at Archer Investment Corporation with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Archer since 2017. In addition to his advisory role, he is a certified public accountant managing tax preparation and payroll services through his CPA firms. Archer Investment Corporation provides investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, and investment companies, managing approximately $900 million on a primarily discretionary basis. The firm offers customized portfolio management and model-based strategies, emphasizing diversified allocations across various asset classes and regular account reviews.

Thomas Mc Guire is a financial advisor at Silver Oak Securities, Incorporated with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and previously worked at Sentinus-Halo Securities, LLC and Morningstar Investment Services LLC. Outside of finance, he is a partner in DMC Fitness Solutions, a business that repairs and maintains fitness equipment. Silver Oak Securities serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and other business entities through a network of over 100 financial professionals, managing approximately $2.4 billion in discretionary assets. The firm offers a range of advisory programs tailored to client objectives and uses a combination of individual securities, ETFs, mutual funds, and model portfolios supported by operational features such as ongoing model monitoring and an automatic investment process.

Theodore Buckley is a financial advisor with VestGen Advisors, LLC in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 66 credential and 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Triad Hybrid Solutions, Triad Advisors, Sequoia Wealth Management, and LPL Financial. Outside of his advisory work, he is an author and motivational speaker, conducting seminars and coaching sessions unrelated to investments. VestGen Advisors, LLC is a multi-team registered investment adviser managing approximately $3.47 billion for over 9,400 individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, utilizing a combination of analytical methods and third-party managers to tailor portfolios to client goals.

Eric Talbott is a financial advisor at Apollon Wealth Management, LLC with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Piershale Financial Group, Envestnet Asset Management, BMO Harris Financial Advisors, and Portfolio Brokerage Services. Apollon Wealth Management serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, trusts, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm offers comprehensive advisory services and employs a combination of fundamental and tactical investment approaches, with a platform structure supporting multiple investment adviser representatives and private fund sponsorship.

Chad Tuneberg is a financial advisor at World Equity Group, Inc. with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has been with World Equity Group since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, Tuneberg serves as an alderman for the City of Rockford’s 3rd Ward and acts as a liaison to the Rockford Area Venues & Entertainment Authority. World Equity Group, Inc. provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers managed portfolio solutions through its wrap-fee programs, utilizing third-party money managers with discretionary authority to invest, allocate, and rebalance client accounts based on risk tolerance.

Daniel Peltier is a financial advisor at CL Wealth Management LLC with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Cabot Lodge Securities, SB Advisory, and Raymond James & Associates. CL Wealth Management LLC serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers portfolio advisory services, financial planning, and access to the Envestnet platform, tailoring investment strategies through fundamental and technical analysis combined with custom model portfolios and ongoing monitoring.

Ralph Backe Jr. is a financial advisor with Prospera Financial Services, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network LLC before joining Prospera in 2019. Outside of his advisory role, he co-owns vacation condos in St. Petersburg, Florida. Prospera Financial Services, Inc. is an enterprise-scale firm serving individuals, corporate and charitable entities, and retirement plans, managing approximately $12.4 billion through about 207 advisors across 140 offices. The firm offers diversified investment advisory and financial planning services using a combination of firm models, third-party sub-advisers, and customizable allocations across multiple platforms.

Joseph Orsolini is a financial advisor at World Equity Group, Inc. with 34 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with World Equity Group since 2002. In addition to his advisory role, he is president and owner of College Aid Planners, Inc., where he consults on college financial aid strategies and prepares tax returns. He also serves as a board member and treasurer for Rising Tide Wrestling, a nonprofit supporting economically challenged youth, and coaches wrestling at Glenbard South High School. World Equity Group provides investment advisory and brokerage services to individual, high-net-worth, business, nonprofit, and institutional clients. The firm employs a mix of model-based and customized investment approaches and offers portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party managers.

Keith Mooney is a CFP® and ChFC® with 31 years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at VestGen Advisors, LLC and has previously worked at firms including LPL Financial and Sequoia Wealth Management. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president and educator for a nonprofit that conducts financial education seminars. VestGen Advisors, LLC is a multi-team registered investment adviser managing approximately $3.47 billion for over 9,400 clients. The firm serves individual and high-net-worth clients with discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, employing a mix of analytical methods and third-party managers to implement client portfolios.

Alan Flota is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Elgin, IL. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has two years of industry experience. Before entering the financial industry, he worked for over three decades at School District U-46. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse range of individual and institutional clients by providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm offers multiple program types and primarily manages assets on a non-discretionary basis, working closely with both retail and institutional sponsors within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.

Brandi Ruffalo is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 24 years of industry experience. She has been with Independent Financial Group since 2009 and is the owner of The Business Development Company, which provides administrative and bookkeeping services. Ruffalo is also involved in business valuation and forensic consulting through Valuation & Forensic Partners, LLC. Independent Financial Group, LLC is a dual-registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, charities, corporations, and plan sponsors. The firm offers brokerage, portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan services through a national network of Investment Adviser Representatives and utilizes multiple advisory platforms and third-party asset managers.

John Pestikas is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. He has been with PNC investments since 2009. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an invitation-only digital discretionary model account accessible to employees with existing PNC Bank online credentials. Their approach uses approved strategies executed via mutual funds and ETFs, relying on algorithmic risk assessments and delegating portfolio management and proxy voting to third parties.

Jerome O’Reilly is a financial advisor with PlanMember Securities Corporation in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 38 years of industry experience. He worked for Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. for 20 years before joining PlanMember and Vista Financial Group Ltd., both since 2016. He operates Vista Financial Group Ltd. and provides insurance sales and services as a licensed Insurance Producer. PlanMember Securities Corporation provides retirement-plan advisory services to employers and participants, acting as an ERISA 3(38) fiduciary for many plans and offering participant-level investment options. The firm uses a top-down strategic asset allocation framework and risk-based mutual fund portfolios, supported by education, seminars, and personalized retirement planning.