Nicholas Smelser is a Series 65-credentialed advisor with eight years of experience at Madrona Financial Services, LLC. Prior to his current role, he held various positions including roles at Papa Murphy's Pizza and Washington State University. Madrona Financial & CPAs serves individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and businesses by providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting. The firm utilizes model-based investment strategies with a focus on ETFs and alternative investments such as Delaware Statutory Trusts and structured notes, and offers related accounting and insurance services through affiliated entities.

Brian Evans is a financial advisor at Madrona Financial & CPAs with 26 years of industry experience. He holds the PFS™ and Series 66 designations and has been involved with multiple related entities, including Madrona Advisory Group, Madrona Insurance Services, and Bauer Evans Inc. In addition to his advisory work, Evans serves as a coach and speaker for the Financial Independence Group (FIG), an unaffiliated financial organization. Madrona Financial & CPAs serves individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and businesses through discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting. The firm employs model-based investment strategies and offers diversified portfolios primarily composed of ETFs, while also advising on alternative investments such as Delaware Statutory Trusts and structured notes.

Elijah Fowler is a financial advisor at Sound Financial, LLC with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at CUSO Financial Services/Verity Credit Union. Sound Financial, LLC is a team-based registered investment adviser managing approximately $170 million for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and business entities. The firm uses a Modern Portfolio Theory approach with model allocations and third-party managers, providing tailored financial planning and utilizing platforms such as Betterment and AssetMark for portfolio implementation.

Wendiguiata Ouedraogo is a ChFC® with eight years at McIlrath & Eck, LLC and a total of five years in the financial industry. Prior to joining McIlrath & Eck, they worked at Speedi Shuttle and Albert Lee. McIlrath & Eck provides financial and estate planning, investment management, and portfolio research services primarily to individuals, trusts, and pension plans. The firm manages portfolios using a combination of active and passive strategies guided by Modern Portfolio Theory and emphasizes client education through regular reviews and workshops.

Troy Crutcher is a CFP® with 17 years of industry experience and has been with McIlrath & Eck, LLC since 2012. He holds a Series 66 license and works as part of a six-advisor team in Arlington, WA. McIlrath & Eck provides financial and estate planning, investment management, and portfolio research services to individuals, trusts, and pension plans. The firm manages approximately $1.15 billion on a discretionary basis and employs a combination of active and passive management guided by Modern Portfolio Theory.

Matthew Beyer is a CFP® professional with 29 years of experience in the financial services industry. He currently serves as an advisor at Madrona Financial & CPAs, where he has worked since 2020. His prior experience includes roles at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Cetera, and HomeStreet Bank. Beyer is also an agent for fixed insurance products alongside his advisory duties. Madrona Financial & CPAs serves individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and businesses through discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting. The firm employs model-based investment strategies using ETFs and alternative investments while providing related accounting and insurance services through affiliated entities.

Michael Seely is a financial advisor with Madrona Financial & CPAs in Everett, WA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Cetera, and Homestreet Bank. He is also licensed to sell fixed insurance products. Madrona Financial & CPAs serves individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and businesses through discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting. The firm employs model-based investment strategies primarily using ETFs and also advises on alternative investments such as Delaware Statutory Trusts and structured notes.

Tom Puentes is a financial advisor with PeachCap Tax & Advisory, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 38 years of industry experience. He has worked with PeachCap since 2018 and previously spent four years with Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC. Puentes serves on the boards of the Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera, both nonprofit organizations. PeachCap Tax & Advisory, LLC is an SEC-registered firm with a team of six advisors managing approximately $147 million for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management, third-party adviser recommendations, and financial planning, utilizing diversified, model-based portfolios and a range of investment strategies tailored to client needs.

Robert Bauer is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with 17 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with Madrona Financial & CPAs in Everett, WA, and has been involved with Bauer Evans Inc, PS since 1989. Outside of his advisory role, Bauer serves as a director for H.O Seiffert, Inc, a family help corporation, since 2003. Madrona Financial & CPAs serves individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and businesses through discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting. The firm employs model-based investment strategies and offers services including asset allocation with ETFs, alternative investments, and real-estate-related advisory.

Jacob Blukis is a CFP® with nine years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at McIlrath & Eck, LLC since 2017. Prior to this, he worked at Hewlett Packard Enterprise from 2015 to 2017. McIlrath & Eck, LLC provides financial and estate planning, investment management, and portfolio research services to individuals, trusts, and pension plans. The firm uses a combination of active and passive strategies guided by Modern Portfolio Theory and conducts regular portfolio monitoring and rebalancing, offering client education through periodic reviews and seminars.

Paul Adams is a financial advisor with Sound Financial, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Sound Financial, he worked at Guardian Life and Park Avenue Securities. He is an author and co-hosts a podcast focused on organizational leadership, and he serves on the board of Gold Creek Community Church while also teaching financial stewardship there. Sound Financial serves individual and high-net-worth clients as well as business entities, providing financial planning and portfolio management primarily through third-party advisers. The firm emphasizes model portfolios and modern portfolio theory, generally recommending mutual funds and insurance products while overseeing third-party managers and wrap programs.

Joel Maher is a financial advisor at Madrona Financial & CPAs with 10 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been associated with Madrona Financial & CPAs since 2015. In addition to his advisory role, Maher is a part-owner of a real estate sales company where he contributes to administrative tasks, bookkeeping, marketing, and property research. Madrona Financial & CPAs serves individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and businesses through discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting. The firm utilizes model-based investment strategies primarily constructed with ETFs and advises on alternative investments including Delaware Statutory Trusts and structured notes.

Thor McIlrath is a CFP® professional with 23 years of industry experience, currently serving at McIlrath & Eck, LLC since 2007. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and practices in Arlington, WA. McIlrath & Eck provides financial and estate planning, investment management, and portfolio research services to individuals, trusts, and pension plans. The firm manages approximately $1.15 billion on a discretionary basis and uses a combination of active and passive management guided by Modern Portfolio Theory, incorporating both fundamental and technical analysis in its customized portfolio strategies.

Maranda Blackwell is a Series 65 licensed financial advisor with six years of industry experience. She has been with Sound Financial, LLC since 2016. Sound Financial, LLC is a team-based registered investment adviser with seven advisors managing approximately $170 million for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and business entities. The firm uses a Modern Portfolio Theory approach, relying on model allocations and third-party money managers, and provides tailored financial planning alongside portfolio management primarily through mutual funds and insurance products.

Sean Bolen is a financial advisor at Simplicity Wealth with seven years of industry experience. He holds the Series 65 designation and has previously worked at Leverage Planners Wealth Management and Edelman Financial Engines. Bolen is also an owner and insurance agent at Harbourview Advisors, where he sells primary principal protected insurance products. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base that includes individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, corporate and institutional investors, and other financial firms. The firm utilizes a fund-of-funds investment approach with ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, offering model portfolios and various overlays such as tax optimization and customized screening, alongside technology and operational services for advisers.

Joshua Mason is a financial advisor at The Mather Group, LLC with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank prior to joining The Mather Group in 2020. Outside of his advisory role, he is a partner and owner of BugClub LLC, a retail business focused on strategy and technology development. The Mather Group serves high-net-worth individuals, family offices, trusts, corporations, and other entities by providing integrated financial planning, investment management, tax and estate planning guidance, and family office services. The firm employs an evidence-based investment approach with risk-based allocation models and offers customization options such as direct indexing and ESG portfolios.

Lauren Michael is a financial advisor at Sequent Planning, LLC with a Series 65 designation. She has been in the industry since 2026 and has prior experience at UAG LLC and United Life and Casualty. Lauren also worked at the University of Washington and held positions outside finance earlier in her career. Sequent Planning, LLC (doing business as Futurity First Wealth Management) serves individuals, retirement plan sponsors, small and medium-sized businesses, endowments, and nonprofit organizations. The firm provides asset management, financial planning, access to third-party model managers, and a full range of retirement-plan services using a structured risk framework and diversified manager exposures.

Kevin Smith is a financial advisor with Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 39 years of industry experience. He has been with Mutual of Omaha Investor Services since 1985. Outside of his advisory role, he works as an insurance agent licensed in multiple lines including health, life, annuities, and long-term care, and operates a business called Smith Insurance Services. Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. offers advisory and retirement-plan services to a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm provides financial planning, access to third-party money manager programs, and managed account platforms, with advisors recommending model portfolios or managers approved by the firm.

Calvin Heck is a financial advisor at Wedbush Securities Inc. with 44 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has worked at Wedbush Morgan Securities since 2003. Wedbush Securities serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, foundations, and institutional clients, offering brokerage and SEC-registered investment advisory services across wealth management, fixed income, commodities, securities lending, capital markets, and prime services. The firm manages approximately $5.68 billion in regulatory assets and provides a range of managed account solutions alongside commission-based brokerage arrangements.

Ron Kirkpatrick is a financial advisor with Accelerate Retirement, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Kestra Advisory and Kestra Investment Services, along with ownership of Liberty Benefits Group, where he oversees operations and assists in sales and service. Outside of finance, he serves as a head varsity basketball coach for a high school team. Accelerate Retirement provides retirement plan consulting, investment management, financial planning, and fiduciary services to individual and institutional clients. The firm employs a long-term investment approach using customized portfolios and manages significant retirement plan assets while offering insurance services through licensed professionals.