Keith Smith is a financial advisor at HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with HSBC Securities since 2013. Based in Buffalo, NY, his work focuses on managing client accounts within the firm’s various managed account programs. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. offers managed account solutions to individuals, retirement accounts, charitable organizations, and corporations through several program types, including client-directed and fully discretionary options. The firm uses a structured investment process with multiple risk profiles and collaborates with affiliated and third-party providers for fund selection and portfolio management.

Melissa Bertrand is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in Amherst, NY, holding a Series 63 designation and nine years of industry experience. She has worked with Principal Life Insurance and its affiliated entities since 2015 and also spent several years with Wealth Management Services LLC. Outside of her advisory work, she serves on the board of the Richard Knights-Sue Kaderli Memorial Fund, where she participates in event planning, fundraising, community outreach, and media relations. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to third-party money manager asset allocation and separately managed account solutions.

Paul Podsiadlo is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services and holds the CFP® and Series 63 designations. He has 43 years of industry experience, including roles at Principal Life Insurance since 2017 and Principal Securities Inc. since 2016. Outside of his advisory work, Paul serves as chairman of the board at Fourteen Holy Helpers RC Church and is co-owner of PKM Employee Services LLC. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager asset allocation and separately managed account solutions.

Thomas Fino is a financial advisor with Key Investment Services LLC in Williamsville, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Key Investment Services and affiliated entities since 2016, including time at KeyBank. Key Investment Services LLC serves individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and corporate clients through various advisory programs and investment products. The firm emphasizes client-directed model selection and ongoing product due diligence, operating within the KeyCorp group and maintaining relationships with affiliated financial entities.

Tyler Searles is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at JPMorgan Securities LLC and Bank of America. Outside of his advisory role, he has worked as an Uber delivery contractor since 2016. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as certain IRA and retail brokerage clients. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and integrates its services with its recordkeeping and administrative platforms.

Nate Waldmiller is a financial advisor with HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. based in Buffalo, NY, holding a Series 66 designation and 13 years of industry experience. He has worked with HSBC Bank USA, N.A. since 2015 and with HSBC Securities Inc. since 2012. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. offers managed account programs to individuals, retirement accounts, charitable organizations, and corporations through a variety of client-directed and discretionary program types. The firm’s investment approach involves strategic and tactical asset allocation supported by global asset management teams and employs multiple risk profiles to tailor portfolios.

Ryan Koenig is a financial advisor at Farther with 13 years of industry experience. He has held positions at Farther Finance Advisors, Apex Clearing, and Personal Capital Advisors. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Farther serves individual investors, trusts, and estates through a technology-driven advisory platform combined with direct meetings. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach using bespoke allocations and proprietary algorithmic model portfolios, offering discretionary investment management, retirement plan consulting, and non-discretionary recommendations for private investment funds.

Andrew Cheatham is a financial advisor with Key Investment Services LLC in Buffalo, NY, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, M&T Securities, Edward Jones, Bank of America NA, and Merrill Lynch. Key Investment Services LLC serves individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and corporate clients through a variety of advisory programs and managed account solutions. The firm emphasizes client-directed model selection combined with ongoing monitoring and due diligence, operating within the KeyCorp group and working closely with affiliated entities such as KeyBank.

Cody Bauer is a financial advisor with Guardian Life and holds a Series 66 designation. He has one year of industry experience and has worked at Park Avenue Securities and Alliance Financial Network. Bauer’s background includes multiple roles connected to St. Bonaventure and various other companies prior to his current position. Park Avenue Securities LLC, operating as Park Avenue® Wealth Management and a subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, serves individuals—including high-net-worth clients—pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers brokerage services, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and investment advisory programs that include discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios managed in-house and by third parties.

John Paolini is a financial advisor at Farther with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Farther Finance Advisors since 2022 and was self-employed in the financial sector from 2013 to 2022. In his individual capacity, Mr. Paolini serves as a trustee of a trust. Farther provides discretionary investment management and advisory services to individual investors, trusts, and estates through a web and mobile platform as well as in-person meetings. The firm employs an investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, using proprietary model portfolios, algorithmic rebalancing, and a mix of ETFs, mutual funds, equities, and fixed income.

Lawrence Orsini is a financial advisor with HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. in Buffalo, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. His career includes multiple roles at HSBC entities since 2007, as well as positions at LPL Financial, Citigroup Global Markets, Banc of America Investment Services, and Quick & Reilly. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. provides managed account programs to individuals, retirement accounts, charitable organizations, and corporations through a variety of client-directed and discretionary offerings. The firm employs a multi-profile investment process supported by HSBC Global Asset Management and affiliated providers, emphasizing client-directed portfolios within its broader managed-account business.

John Russo is a financial advisor with United Planners Financial Services of America, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 35 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at LPL Financial, Invest Financial Corporation, and SCF Securities, among others. In addition to his advisory work, he is involved in tax preparation and accounting services through Financial Planning Advisors. United Planners Financial Services serves a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, charitable organizations, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm operates an open-architecture platform with multiple custodians and third-party money managers, offering both fee-based and commission-based solutions through a network of 477 independent advisors.

Stephen Constantine is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Buffalo, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 17 years of industry experience. He has worked with Primerica Advisors since 2011 and has been involved with Guardian Life Insurance Co of America and Alliance Advisory Group for over a decade. Outside of his advisory work, he has owned and operated the Bada Bing Bar & Grill for 20 years. Primerica Advisors serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers both brokerage and advisory services, utilizing proprietary and third-party investment strategies across various account types and supports lending solutions and donor-advised funds.

Nicholas Chiera is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors based in Buffalo, NY, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. He has worked at Park Avenue Securities, LLC and Guardian Life Insurance Co of America since 2021. Outside of his advisory role, he provides financial education and wellness presentations as an independent contractor. Park Avenue Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers a range of brokerage and advisory services, utilizing proprietary and third-party investment strategies across various account types and supports lending solutions and donor-advised funds.

Jackson Tarr is a financial advisor at Citizens Securities, Inc. with four years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has worked at Citizens Securities since 2023 and previously held positions at MML Investors Services, LLC, MassMutual Life Insurance Company, and several independent school districts. Citizens Securities serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors and individual retirement plans. The firm offers investment advisory programs alongside brokerage and insurance services, including a digital advisory program that uses algorithm-driven ETF portfolio recommendations.

Jacob Van Housen is a financial advisor with Key Investment Services LLC holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Principal Financial Services and KeyBank. Key Investment Services LLC serves individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and corporate clients through various advisory programs and investment products, emphasizing client-directed investment selection supported by firm monitoring and due diligence.

Emily Repka is a financial advisor at Citizens Securities, Inc. in Amherst, NY, holding a Series 66 designation and beginning her advisory career in 2026. She has prior experience at Citizens Bank, where she worked from 2015 to the present. Citizens Securities serves a diverse retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors and retirement plans, offering investment advisory programs alongside brokerage and insurance services. Its advisory options include a digital advisory program managed with SigFig and a Managed Account program, operating under the ownership of Citizens Bank, N.A.

Douglas Littlewood is a financial advisor with Hightower Advisors in Williamsville, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and possessing 51 years of industry experience. He has been with Hightower Advisors since 2017 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network. Hightower Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a wide range of individual and institutional clients, utilizing a multi-manager approach that includes affiliated and third-party managers, proprietary research, and diverse investment vehicles. The firm also manages complex mandates with an emphasis on operational support and international exposure.

Brett Whitty is a financial advisor at HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 and Series 63 securities licenses. His prior roles include positions at Pruco Securities, LLC, Prudential Insurance Company of America, and BNY Mellon. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. offers managed account programs serving individuals, retirement accounts, charitable organizations, and corporations through both client-directed and discretionary investment platforms. The firm utilizes a range of model risk profiles and combines strategic and tactical asset allocation with fund due diligence and ongoing monitoring, providing services that include discretionary portfolio management and client-directed account oversight.

Jonathan Berube is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 36 years of industry experience. He previously worked at UBS Financial Services from 2001 to 2019 and has been with Park Avenue Securities, LLC and Guardian Life Insurance Co of America since 2020. Outside of his advisory role, he manages Derbyshire LLC, a family succession entity. Park Avenue Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers both brokerage and fee-based advisory services, employing a mix of proprietary and third-party investment strategies across various account types.