Joseph Bernardi is a CFP® with 41 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has been with Nations Financial Group, Inc. since 2019 and previously worked at Wunderlich Securities, Inc. from 2015 to 2019. Bernardi serves as President of Bernardi Group, LLC, where he acts as an investment advisor. Nations Financial Group, Inc. provides investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, and institutional clients. The firm employs a range of proprietary model portfolios and outside managers to tailor investment strategies based on client objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs.

Robert Lee Jr. is a CFP® professional with 33 years of industry experience, currently serving at Nations Financial Group, Inc. since 2019. Prior to this, he worked at Wunderlich Securities, Inc. from 2015 to 2019. Outside of his advisory role, he is president and broker of a real estate brokerage firm and owns an accounting and tax services company, as well as an attorney office specializing in real estate closings, probate, and estate planning. Nations Financial Group, Inc. provides investment advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a range of proprietary and third-party investment strategies tailored to client objectives, supported by dual registration as an SEC-registered adviser and FINRA-registered broker/dealer.

Gavin Doyle is a financial advisor at UMB Financial Services, Inc. with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked for Illinois Bank and Trust and LPL Financial. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with the Northwest Illinois Economic Development Association, contributing to economic development efforts. UMB Financial Services, Inc. primarily provides investment advisory and brokerage services to institutional clients, pooled vehicles, and municipal entities through its UMB Managed Account Solutions (MAS) wrap-fee program, offering a range of program options and access to various fixed income and equity instruments. The firm utilizes both model-based and manager-driven investment approaches and maintains distinctive structural affiliations with UMB Bank and UMB Investment Management.

Eric May is a CFP® professional with three years of industry experience, currently serving at Mariner Independent in Dubuque, IA. His prior work includes roles at Dubuque Bank & Trust and America Trust & Savings. He is also the owner of Intersect Wealth Advisors, LLC, offering investment advisory services through Mariner Platform Solutions. Mariner Independent provides investment advisory, financial planning, and consulting services to a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm supports both model portfolios and advisor-level discretionary management, and integrates institutional and retirement plan resources through affiliated entities and third-party partnerships.

Bradley Lewis is a CFP® professional with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving at Steele Capital Management, Inc. in Dubuque, Iowa, where he has worked since 1997. Steele Capital Management provides fee-only investment advisory services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and company-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach, focusing on low-fee, tax-advantaged, and passive investments with selective active management, and acts as a fiduciary for retirement accounts under ERISA/IRC standards.

Rhonda Thill is a financial advisor with Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. in Dubuque, IA, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 credentials and seven years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at multiple Cetera entities and Honkamp Krueger Financial Services, as well as experience outside finance at IBM and Global Portfolio Strategies. Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. provides portfolio management, financial planning, and managed retirement plan services primarily to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm operates mainly through a network of CPA firms and advisors, managing approximately $7.57 billion in assets as of the end of 2025, and employs tax-intelligent strategies alongside discretionary management and centralized trading.

Kevin Dietzel is a financial advisor at Nations Financial Group, Inc. with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has previously worked at Steele Capital Management, Inc., Global Portfolio Strategies, Inc., and Prudential Investment Management Service, LLC. Outside of advising, he serves as a trustee for an assisted living facility board, overseeing its endowment. Nations Financial Group, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and businesses, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management along with various consulting services. The firm utilizes a range of in-house and third-party managed portfolios across different risk profiles, employing fundamental, technical, quantitative, and tactical investment strategies.

Jennifer Kettering is a financial advisor at Steele Capital Management, Inc. in Dubuque, IA, holding a Series 65 designation with 12 years of industry experience. She has been with Steele Capital Management since 1992. Steele Capital Management provides fee-only investment advisory and retirement plan consulting services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and company-sponsored retirement plans. The firm utilizes a long-term, generally passive investment approach focused on diversified mutual funds and ETFs, with services including portfolio management, participant education, and plan consulting.

Alexander Larson is a Series 66 credentialed advisor with 14 years of industry experience. He currently works with Mariner Independent and its affiliate, Intersect Wealth Advisors, having previously been associated with Dubuque Bank and Trust and LPL Financial. Larson serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Dubuque Golf and Country Club. Mariner Independent serves individuals including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm provides financial planning, portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, and access to alternative investments through a broad range of affiliated businesses and investment platforms.

Frank Bertsch is a financial advisor with Mariner Independent, holding a Series 65 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to his advisory role, he spent five years with the Los Angeles Kings Hockey Club. Bertsch serves on the board of the Saint 4 Life Foundation, a nonprofit organization, and is an independent director on the board of Flexsteel Industries, Inc. Mariner Independent serves individuals—including high-net-worth clients—as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, coordinated tax support, insurance solutions, and access to alternative investments through a network of adviser representatives using a broad range of investment tools and affiliated business resources.

Regan Takes is a CFP® and Series 65-licensed advisor with two years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Mariner Independent in Dubuque, IA. Prior to joining Mariner Platform Solutions and Intersect Wealth Advisors in 2026, Regan worked at UMB Bank and Dubuque Bank & Trust, and earlier spent six years with Heacock & Jones Financial Services, Inc. Mariner Independent serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, insurance solutions, and alternative investments through a network of over 100 investment adviser representatives, utilizing both firm-built models and customized discretionary portfolios.

Nicholas Hoffmann is a financial advisor at Steele Capital Management, Inc. in Dubuque, IA, holding a Series 65 designation with five years of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at Honkamp Krueger and St. Ambrose College. Steele Capital Management provides fee-only investment advisory and retirement plan consulting to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and company-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a long-term, generally passive investment approach using diversified mutual funds and ETFs, with services tailored to client risk profiles and objectives.

Trent Steines is a financial advisor at Steele Capital Management, Inc. with eight years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has previously worked at First Community Trust, N.A. and Prudential Investment Management Services, LLC. Steele Capital Management provides fee-only investment advisory services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and company-sponsored retirement plans. The firm emphasizes long-term, buy-and-hold investment strategies using low-fee, tax-advantaged, and passive vehicles, supplemented by selective active management.

Dilan Simon is a financial advisor at Van Clemens Wealth Management, LLC with a Series 65 credential and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Van Clemens Wealth Management, he held roles at Contego Capital Group, Cottingham & Butler, and Cartegraph. Van Clemens Wealth Management provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, and institutional clients, serving both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. The firm customizes portfolios using discretionary and non-discretionary arrangements based on clients’ objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon, employing methods such as modern portfolio theory, fundamental and technical analysis, and routinely incorporates third-party managers and its in-house Growth Opportunities model.

Michael Steele is a financial advisor with Steele Capital Management, Inc. in Dubuque, IA, holding a Series 63 designation and over 43 years of industry experience. He has been with Steele Capital Management since 1994. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in managing and selling commercial and residential real estate properties. Steele Capital Management provides fee-only investment advisory services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and company-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach focused on low-fee, tax-advantaged, and passive investments, with selective active management, and serves as a fiduciary for retirement accounts under ERISA/IRC standards.

Kathryn Moran is a financial advisor at Steele Capital Management, Inc. in Dubuque, IA, with 12 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Steele Capital Management since 2002. Steele Capital Management provides fee-only investment advisory services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and company-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach focused on low-fee, tax-advantaged, and passive investment vehicles, complemented by selective active management.

Sawyer Marquardt is a financial advisor with Nations Financial Group, Inc. in Dubuque, IA, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. Prior to joining Nations Financial Group, he was employed at Core Investments Group and has worked in several other roles including positions at Sherwin-Williams and Loras College. Nations Financial Group, Inc. serves a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporate clients, offering a range of portfolio management and consulting services. The firm’s approach includes a variety of in-house model portfolios and third-party manager programs, utilizing multiple investment strategies tailored to different risk profiles.

William Neal is a financial advisor at Nicolet Wealth Management with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and has worked at several firms, including MidWestOne Bank and First Community Trust. Nicolet Advisory Services provides retirement plan consulting and investment management primarily for 401(k) and 403(b) plan sponsors and fiduciaries. The firm employs both fundamental and technical analysis in its investment research and serves a client base that includes banking institutions and municipal plan sponsors.

Kurt Wedewer is a financial advisor with Van Clemens Wealth Management, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Contego Capital Group, Mount Yale Investment Advisors, Accel Wealth Management, Mid Atlantic Financial Management, and American Trust. Van Clemens Wealth Management provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, and institutional clients, serving both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. The firm customizes portfolios using discretionary and non-discretionary arrangements based on clients’ objectives and risk tolerance, employing methods such as modern portfolio theory and third-party managers alongside an in-house Growth Opportunities model focused on micro- and small-cap equities.

Thomas Halatek is a financial advisor at Steele Capital Management, Inc. in Dubuque, IA, holding a Series 65 credential with one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Kohl's, Loras College, Blain's Farm & Fleet, Amazon, Dunkin Donuts, and Lockport Township High School. Steele Capital Management provides fee-only investment advisory services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and company-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach emphasizing low-fee, tax-advantaged, and passive investments, complemented by selective active management and strategic asset allocation.