Michelle Mitchell is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with 14 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and previously worked at Citigroup Global Markets for 13 years before joining Thrivent in 2022. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of Financial Advisors. The firm offers goal-based financial analyses and planning on topics such as retirement, tax, estate, and special needs, with the option to combine planning with managed account services under a consolidated billing arrangement.

James Tromp is a financial advisor with Cetera in Manhattan, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has worked with Cetera and its affiliated entities since 1992 and also owns an accounting and tax practice, James E Tromp PC CPAs, which he has operated since 1981. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual and institutional clients nationwide through a large network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services with multiple program and custodial options, managing over $256 billion in assets across more than 10,000 advisors.

Logan Simios is a financial advisor at Cetera with 12 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services and Megent Financial. Outside of his advisory role, he owns and manages J. Krug & Associates, a risk assurance and insurance sales business, and serves as treasurer for the Greater Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services, utilizing a multi-manager platform that includes affiliated and third-party model portfolios with various program structures and custodial arrangements.

James Ferguson is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Morgan Stanley since 2009, including time at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association. Prior to that, he was with Citigroup Global Markets from 1998 to 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, providing tailored financial planning and advisory programs supported by structured planning tools and broad investment offerings.

Vanessa Aldape is a financial advisor at Cetera with 14 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at several firms, including LPL Financial and Waddell & Reed. Aldape is also involved as a licensed assistant with Megent Financial, supporting advisors with paperwork and trade processing. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with a variety of portfolio management options and access to third-party money managers.

Bryce Martin is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he has been serving since 2015. He has over 12 years of experience in the financial services industry, having previously worked as a Financial Advisor at The Heartland Group from 2013 to 2015, Edward Jones from 2011 to 2013, and as a Financial Representative at TD Waterhouse from 2000 to 2001. Bryce specializes in wealth planning and assisting clients in developing, implementing, and maintaining customized financial plans. He is dedicated to helping his clients and their families pursue their financial goals and maintain confidence regardless of market conditions. Bryce values Fidelity's brand of dedication and integrity, which align with his own professional principles. Outside of his professional work, Bryce enjoys art, family activities, golf, movies, music, and skiing.

Christina Sievers is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 14 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a Township Trustee for Homer Township. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on written asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative research with forward-looking market assumptions and includes capabilities in derivatives and commodities.

Belinda Castellanos is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 18 years of industry experience. She has held positions at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2021 and previously worked at Fifth Third Securities from 2002 to 2021. Castellanos holds the Series 66 designation and is based in Orland Park, IL. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning utilizing firm-approved tools and methodologies.

Brett Efimov is a financial advisor at Cetera with 26 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked with Cetera since 2013. Outside of advising, he owns and operates a CPA firm and serves as president of a company providing credit card processing services. He is also a member of the Illinois CPA Society’s membership committee. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationwide SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform that includes access to affiliated and third-party managers.

Daniel Mc Hugh is a CFP® and Series 66 holder with nine years of experience in the financial services industry, all of which have been with Edward Jones since 2017. He is based in Tinley Park, Illinois. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, including pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory services under a fiduciary standard, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Cataldo Panici is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and over 33 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Wayne Hummer Investments and Banc of America Investment Services, among other firms. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Wintrust Wealth Management in a non-variable insurance capacity. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides advisory and brokerage services supported by a wide range of financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

George Mannella II is a financial advisor at Osaic Wealth with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services, Citizens Securities, and Charter One Securities. Mannella is also president of Mannella Financial Services LLC and works as a financial consultant selling fixed annuities, fixed life insurance, and health insurance through Dato Pistorio Financial Group. Osaic Wealth serves a diverse client base including retail investors, retirement plans, charities, and corporate clients, offering a range of brokerage and advisory services with a model-based investment approach that incorporates asset allocation, portfolio optimization, and third-party manager selection.

Erik Johnson is a financial advisor at Edelman Financial Engines in Mokena, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with 21 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C., The Mutual Fund Store, Chase Investment Services Corp., Natcity Investments, and Ameriprise. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-enabled investment advisory and financial planning services to individual investors, retirement-plan participants, and institutional clients. The firm employs a committee-driven, proprietary modeling process combined with planner delivery and online tools, offering both discretionary management and non-discretionary online advice across a range of accounts and investment strategies.

Daniel Hawtree is a financial advisor with LPL Financial who holds the CFP® designation and has 38 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2023 and previously spent over two decades with Sigma Planning Corp. and Sigma Financial Corporation. Hawtree also owns and operates a CPA business focused on tax preparation and accounting services. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services through a large network of investment adviser representatives. The firm serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions with a variety of financial planning and investment management solutions.

Sandra Hellstedt is a CFP® with 38 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Ameriprise since 2020. She previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. from 2006 to 2020. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services aimed at individuals with significant investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver written recommendation reports. The firm offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through affiliated entities.

Kevin Koney is a financial advisor with Ameriprise, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2008. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in business ownership activities including managing payroll and general business expenses through Ninth Avenue LLC and owns a real estate-related entity, Koney Ranch LLC. Ameriprise offers retirement-income planning services targeting individuals nearing or in retirement with substantial investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficient strategies delivered through a centralized consulting team in partnership with financial advisors. The firm provides a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of a large institutional provider.

Jeffrey Tromp is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 credential and 19 years of industry experience. He serves as a senior financial analyst at Navistar Inc., where he has worked since 2017, and he is involved with BMA Management, Ltd. since 2008. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC provides services through a nationwide network of independent advisors, catering to individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services with various program structures and access to multiple managers.

Ben King is a Wealth Management Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he collaborates with a team of investment professionals within Fidelity Private Wealth Management. In this role, he provides high net worth clients with account administration and maintenance services and focuses on building lifelong relationships. Ben has a long tenure with Fidelity Investments, having served in various capacities since 1999. His experience includes roles such as Investment Consultant (2011-2022), Financial Representative (2009-2011), Retirement Brokerage Representative (2004-2008), and Participant Service Representative (1999-2004). This extensive experience underpins his expertise in wealth management and investment consulting. Outside of his professional career, Ben's personal interests include comedy, family activities, football, military service, and movies.

Magdalena Lacek is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and bringing 10 years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial since 2018 and previously held roles at BMO Bank NA and BMO Harris Bank. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers financial planning and investment management services through a broad network of advisors, providing access to model portfolios, third-party asset managers, and customized strategies.

Robert Meyers is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LaSalle St Investment Advisors LLC and Edward Jones. Outside of advising, he serves as treasurer on the board of directors for the Center of Hope and is involved in several business ventures including co-ownership of a retail business and an affiliate marketing company. Ameriprise is a large institutional firm offering a retirement-income planning service targeted at individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide tailored, written recommendation reports, primarily focusing on assets held in Ameriprise Managed Accounts.