John Palermo is a financial advisor at Hightower Advisors with a Series 65 credential. He has been with Hightower Advisors since 2026 and has prior experience in education, having worked at Vanderbilt University, McQuaid Jesuit High School, and Bay Trail Middle School. Hightower Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse group of individual and institutional clients. The firm’s approach includes manager selection and multi-manager solutions, utilizing both affiliated and third-party managers, and offering a range of portfolio management and planning services.

Thomas Dugan is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment in Amherst, NY, holding a Series 63 designation and 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Lincoln Investment since 2017 and previously held roles at Legend Advisory Corporation and Legend Equities Corporation. Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC is a large enterprise advisory and broker-dealer serving individual and high-net-worth investors, trusts, charities, and retirement plans, with a longstanding focus on educators and 403(b) and 457(b) program participants. The firm offers a range of financial planning and portfolio management services supported by an in-house investment management and research team and a network of third-party managers.

Olivia Lyons is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment in Amherst, NY, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. She has worked at several firms, including Capital Analysts and Equitable Advisors. Lyons also serves as an executive assistant in financial services, supporting advisors with administrative and client communications. Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC is an enterprise advisory and broker-dealer serving a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, and retirement plans. The firm offers a range of financial planning and portfolio management services supported by an in-house investment management and research team.

Douglas Castren is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has worked at Principal Securities Inc. since 2016 and previously operated Nicastro & Castren Financial Services. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in insurance and fixed annuities. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm focuses on financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to third-party money manager programs under various advisory and promoter arrangements.

Emily Certo is a CFP® professional affiliated with Guardian Life and Park Avenue Securities, with four years of industry experience. She currently serves as Chair of the Ambassador Council for the PUNT Pediatric Cancer Collaborative and is a board member for the Porter Cup golf tournament. Park Avenue Securities LLC, a subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm combines advisor-led discretionary management with model-based strategies and offers financial planning, subscription-based consulting, and access to proprietary and third-party advisory solutions.

Scott Zeplowitz is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Williamsville, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and having 12 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Eagle Strategies, ROI Financial Group, NYLife Securities LLC, and New York Life Insurance Co. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a board member of the Lockport Ice Arena & Sports Complex. Eagle Strategies serves a broad clientele including individual and institutional investors, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm offers multiple advisory program types and emphasizes tailored recommendations, with the majority of assets under management held on a non-discretionary basis.

Richard Fineberg is a financial advisor with Private Advisor Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at LPL Financial LLC, CCO Investment Services Corp, and M&T Securities, Inc. Private Advisor Group serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to various managed account solutions, including its proprietary WealthSuite platform and alternative investments through CAIS. The firm employs a fiduciary-based advisory model and utilizes multiple investment strategies, often implementing advice through third-party managers and technology platforms.

Joel Morawski is a CFP® professional with 27 years of experience in the financial industry. He currently works at Private Advisor Group, LLC and LPL Financial, roles he has held since 2014. His previous experience includes positions at Cadaret, Grant & Co., Merrill, Banc of America Investment Services, and Quick & Reilly. Outside of his advisory work, Morawski serves as a proctor for risk analysis exams through the Global Association of Risk Professionals and operates a tax preparation and accounting business. Private Advisor Group serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans by providing portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm offers managed account solutions through proprietary platforms and third-party managers, following a fiduciary-based advisory model.

William Grochala is a financial advisor at Key Investment Services LLC with 12 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 65 and Series 63 designations. His career includes roles at Keybank and Equitable Advisors prior to joining Key Investment Services, where he has worked since 2016. Key Investment Services LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser that provides portfolio management and model-based advisory products to individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and institutional clients. The firm offers multiple wrap fee programs and utilizes a multi-provider model integrating discretionary implementation, strategist portfolios from internal and third-party managers, and oversight through a product due diligence committee.

Jordan Honan is a financial advisor with Key Investment Services LLC holding a Series 66 credential and 18 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and Equitable Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a member of the finance committee at St. John Vianney Church and holds a minority interest in a Thoroughbred racehorse. Key Investment Services LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser providing portfolio management and model-based advisory products to individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and institutional plans. The firm utilizes a multi-provider platform and offers a variety of wrap fee programs with integrations to KeyCorp affiliates for investment services and risk management.

Peter Godios is a financial advisor with Guardian Life in Buffalo, NY, holding a Series 63 designation and 33 years of industry experience. He has been with Guardian Life and its related entities since 2011. Guardian Life, through its subsidiary Park Avenue Securities LLC, serves individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses, offering a blend of brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm combines advisor-led discretionary management with model-based strategies and provides access to various proprietary and third-party platforms, alongside integrated lending and alternative investment options.

James Fashano is a Series 63 licensed financial advisor with Guardian Life, where he has worked for 15 years. He has 31 years of experience in the industry. Fashano is a majority owner of Alliance Advisory Group Inc., a non-investment related business. Guardian Life’s Park Avenue® Wealth Management provides brokerage and advisory services to individuals, businesses, and organizations, combining advisor-led discretionary management with model-based strategies and offering access to both proprietary and third-party investment solutions.

Elizabeth House is a financial advisor at Valic Financial Advisors with four years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at Protective Industries and Agia. Outside of her advisory role, she is also an agent for non-securities insurance products. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-domiciled individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet-developed UMA models for portfolio construction.

Brian Geary is a CFP® and Series 65-licensed financial advisor with five years of industry experience. He has worked at Hightower Advisors since 2022 and previously spent ten years at Linwood Investment Advisors. Based in Buffalo, NY, he is currently affiliated with Hightower Advisors. Hightower provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse range of individual and institutional clients, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm emphasizes manager selection and multi-manager solutions, combining proprietary research and a variety of investment vehicles to serve its clients.

Lisa Petronio is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 17 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. She has previously worked at firms including Global Retirement Partners, LPL Financial, Strategic Retirement Partners, Kestra Advisory, and Walsh Duffield Companies. Petronio serves on the boards of Goodwill of WNY, a social enterprise supporting workforce development, and Child & Family Services, a human services nonprofit. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with ties to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, and small retirement plans. The firm separates one-time planning services from ongoing portfolio management and acts as adviser to the TIAA Donor Advised Fund.

Thomas Anderson is a financial advisor at Key Investment Services LLC with seven years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at firms including Raymond James Financial, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance, and Morgan Stanley. Outside of his advisory role, Anderson serves as an alumni board member for St. Francis High School and is a young professional board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara/Southern Tier. Key Investment Services LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser providing portfolio management and model-based advisory products to individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and institutional clients. The firm uses a multi-provider platform with Envestnet and third-party managers, offering predominantly non-discretionary model portfolios alongside custodial and trade execution services.

Paul Di Nicolantonio is a CFP® with three years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Hightower Advisors. His prior roles include positions at Dopkins Wealth Management, Snowden Lane Partners, and M&T Bank. He has also been involved with organizations such as Canisius College and the Lockport Family YMCA. Hightower Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, institutions, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a manager selection and multi-manager approach, offering access to affiliated and third-party managers, discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, and a range of investment vehicles and strategies.

Emily Willis is a financial advisor at Park Avenue Securities, a subsidiary of Guardian Life, with five years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Guardian Life Insurance Company since 2020 and Park Avenue Securities since 2021. Prior to her financial services career, she was involved in the restaurant business at Giuseppe's Pizzeria and Restaurant for seven years. Park Avenue Securities provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers a combination of advisor-led discretionary management and model-based strategies through proprietary and third-party platforms, serving client needs with tailored financial planning and consulting solutions.

Thomas Digiacomo is a financial advisor with Equity Services, Inc. in Amherst, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 35 years of industry experience. He has been with Equity Services, Inc. and National Life of Vermont since 1993. Outside of his advisory work, he is active in youth sports as a youth ice hockey head coach and manager and performs professionally as a guitarist. Equity Services, Inc., doing business as ESI Financial Advisors, provides financial planning, consulting, and asset management to individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers multiple advisory platforms that combine predominantly long-term strategies with options for shorter-term trading and works with a network of investment adviser representatives and third-party asset managers.

Stacie Diesfeld is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors and holds a Series 66 designation. She has one year of industry experience and has worked at firms including Cetera and Crane Capital Group. Outside of her advisory role, she works as a cardiovascular sonographer at Trinity Medical Cardiology, performing ultrasounds of the heart and other vasculature. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-based individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet UMA models for portfolio construction.