Michael Applebaum is a financial advisor at Signature Financial Services, Ltd with 26 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Signature Financial Services, Ltd since 1998 and First Heartland Capital, Inc. since 2001. He also operates Applebaum & Associates, P.C., providing accounting and tax services. Signature Financial Services, Ltd provides investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, and business entities. The firm’s investment approach is asset-allocation driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, utilizing model portfolios, institutional strategists, and a mix of mutual funds, ETFs, and other asset classes.

Mark Laspisa is a CFP® with 29 years of industry experience and has been with Vermillion Financial Advisors, Inc. since 1988. He is based in South Barrington, IL, and holds the Series 63 designation. Vermillion Financial Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, business entities, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations by providing financial planning and investment advisory services, including employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm emphasizes structured, written communications and educational services, offering both model and customized portfolio solutions on a non-discretionary basis.

Michael Deering is a financial advisor at Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management, LLC with four years of industry experience. He holds the PFS™ designation and has been associated with Mowery & Schoenfeld since 2011, working in both wealth management and as a tax partner involved in tax preparation and planning. Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management advises individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and retirement plans, providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm customizes portfolios based on client circumstances and risk tolerance, using a combination of mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, and third-party money manager oversight.

Kimberly Velasco is a CFP® with 11 years of experience in financial advising. She has worked at The Dala Group, LLC since 2024 and previously held roles at Corient, Balasa Dinverno Foltz LLC, and WIPFLI Financial Advisors. The Dala Group serves individual and high-net-worth clients with portfolio management and financial consulting, including retirement, estate, tax, and charitable planning. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and qualitative analysis to develop diversified asset-allocation strategies tailored to client objectives and risk tolerance.

Chad Anderson is a financial advisor at James T. Borello & Co. with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has prior work experience in insurance, construction, and entertainment-related roles. Outside of advising, he was involved with One Time Show LLC, indicating entrepreneurial activity. James T. Borello & Co. manages approximately $514 million for about 700 clients across various individual and institutional categories. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning services, utilizing asset-allocation models tailored to client goals and employing quantitative analysis and third-party software in portfolio construction and review.

Bryan Farrissey is a CFP® professional with 24 years of industry experience. He is currently with BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC, where he has worked since 2013, and also has a background at LPL Financial and CUSO Financial Services. Farrissey holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been associated with Baxter Credit Union since 2004. BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations, managing approximately $653.6 million in discretionary assets. The firm employs a core-plus-satellite investment approach utilizing third-party managers and model portfolios, and operates a significant wrap fee program through LPL Financial that covers transaction costs for participating accounts.

James Hendricks is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 designation with 24 years of industry experience. He is currently with Hendricks Wealth and Estate Management and has held prior roles at Hero Investment Planners LLC, J.G. Hendricks Financial Services, Cetera Advisors LLC, Investors Capital Corp., Eastern Point Advisors Inc., and RBC Capital Markets. Hendricks Wealth and Estate Management serves individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business entities, providing comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $536 million in client assets using a primarily discretionary, multi-asset approach that incorporates fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis.

Phillip Coad is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving at Vermillion Financial Advisors, Inc. in South Barrington, IL. He has been with Vermillion Financial Advisors since 2005, working as part of a six-advisor team. Vermillion Financial Advisors provides financial planning, investment advisory, and employer-sponsored retirement plan services to individuals, trusts, business entities, and pension/profit-sharing plans. The firm offers both stand-alone financial planning and ongoing investment advisory programs, utilizing model and customized portfolios along with structured service tiers and educational workshops for plan participants.

Charles Melka is a CFP® with 33 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Sequoia Wealth Management, LLC since 2015. He also maintains a role with LPL Financial, LLC, where he has worked concurrently since 2015. Melka provides financial advisory services including insurance policy servicing for his clients. Sequoia Wealth Management serves individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and employer retirement plans, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm uses a combination of quantitative optimization, third-party research, and manager selection to tailor portfolios and provides both discretionary management and third-party strategist models.

Amanda Link is a financial advisor with BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC in Vernon Hills, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at LPL Financial, Baxter Credit Union, CUSO Financial Services, and Sunamerica. BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC provides portfolio management, financial planning, and investment consultation to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a core-plus-satellite investment approach with third-party managers and model portfolios, managing approximately $653.6 million in discretionary assets for around 870 clients through a team of 15 advisors.

David Garcia is a financial advisor at Regal Advisory Services, Inc. with 26 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been associated with Regal Discount Securities, Inc. since 1998. Regal Advisory Services, Inc. serves individuals, corporations, retirement plans, trusts, foundations, and other institutional clients through a team of 15 advisors managing approximately $113.5 million in assets. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory, using a blend of fundamental and quantitative research tailored to client goals and risk tolerance.

Skaiste Aksomitaite is a financial advisor at Regal Advisory Services, Inc. with 20 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Regal Advisory Services and its affiliated broker-dealer, Regal Securities, since 2005. Regal Advisory Services serves individuals, corporations, retirement plans, trusts, foundations, and institutional clients through a team of 15 advisors managing approximately $113.5 million in assets. The firm’s investment process combines fundamental and quantitative research tailored to client goals and risk tolerance, offering a range of strategies including equities, ETFs, options, alternative investments, and non-traded REITs.

Kevin Stemberger is a financial advisor with Regal Advisory Services, Inc. in Farmington Hills, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 40 years of industry experience. He has been with Noble Capital Partners since 2007 and serves as managing member of KJ Stemberger LLC, an accounting firm. Additionally, he is a committee member of the National Cancer Institute Council of Research Advocates. Regal Advisory Services, Inc. serves individuals, corporations, retirement plans, trusts, foundations, and institutional clients through a team of 15 advisors managing approximately $113.5 million in assets. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services, employing a blend of fundamental and quantitative research tailored to client goals and risk tolerance.

Jeffrey Dehaan is a CFP® with 16 years of experience in the financial advisory industry, currently serving at Clearwater Capital Partners. He has been with Clearwater Capital Partners and its affiliates since 2013. In addition to his advisory role, he places insurance products for clients as part of their overall wealth management plans. Clearwater Capital Partners advises high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients, offering services such as private wealth management, family office support, and retirement plan advisory. The firm emphasizes portfolio management guided by written Investment Policy Statements and employs a mix of fundamental, technical, quantitative, and thematic analysis.

Timothy O'Donnell is a financial advisor with Sequoia Wealth Management, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Sequoia Wealth Management since 2015 and also maintains an affiliation with LPL Financial since 2013. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as Vice President and Chair of the Election Operations Committee for the Barrington Township Republican Organization. Sequoia Wealth Management advises individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and employer retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm utilizes a combination of quantitative optimization, third-party research, and manager selection, offering discretionary management and third-party strategist models tailored to clients’ goals.

Nancy Effert is a financial advisor at Essex LLC with 20 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at ChangePath, LLC and Partnervest Advisory Services, LLC. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in life insurance and annuity sales through Effert Financial Solutions. Essex LLC is a team-based registered investment adviser managing approximately $563 million for around 600 clients, including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consultation services, employing model portfolios and a range of analytical approaches to asset selection and monitoring.

Daniel Borello is a financial advisor with James T. Borello & Co. in East Dundee, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 10 years of industry experience. He has been with James T. Borello & Co. since 2016. James T. Borello & Co. serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, family offices, small businesses, trusts, and other legal entities, managing approximately $514 million across about 700 client relationships. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning, utilizing asset-allocation models tailored to client goals and risk tolerance, with portfolios typically including mutual funds, ETFs, and individual securities.

Colleen Nesslar is a financial advisor at Pendulum Wealth Partners with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 66 and Series 63 designations. Her prior roles include positions at Ameriprise, Wealth Enhancement, Raymond James Financial, LPL Financial, Charles Schwab, and FORM Wealth Advisors. Pendulum Wealth Partners is a nine-advisor team managing approximately $283 million for individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and a family office suite, employing a fundamental, long-term investment approach with a variety of investment vehicles tailored to client goals and risk tolerance.

Hannah Carter is a financial advisor at Carter Financial Group, Inc. with four years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at several firms, including LILA and Saint Julivert. In addition to her advisory role, she is licensed as an insurance agent specializing in life, accident, and health insurance. Carter Financial Group, Inc. is a team of five advisors managing approximately $382 million for individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm utilizes proprietary model portfolios and a range of investment strategies, combining quantitative and technical analysis with third-party research.

Colin Hartwell is a financial advisor at Essex LLC with a Series 65 credential and is early in his career. His work history includes multiple roles at Essex LLC since 2023 and prior experience in education at various schools and Miami University. Essex LLC is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $649 million across individual and institutional clients. The firm uses a multi-member investment policy committee to develop model portfolios with a mix of fundamental, technical, and sector analysis, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services.