Steven Lewit is a financial advisor with SGL Financial, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and over 20 years of industry experience. He has been associated with multiple firms, including KCD Financial, Tarkenton Financial, and Wealth Financial Group, with career history dating back more than three decades. Lewit is also CEO of Wealth-N, Inc. and serves as an agent for Tarkenton Financial LLC and J.G. Wentworth’s annuity purchase program. SGL Financial, LLC provides fee-based investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to financially established individuals, high-net-worth clients, small businesses, and certain retirement plans. The firm operates under a fiduciary standard, emphasizing diversified asset allocation and long-term investment horizons, often implementing strategies through third-party managers.

Laura Chamness is a financial advisor with Leelyn Smith, LLC in Geneva, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial and Highpoint Planning Partners before joining Leelyn Smith, LLC, where she has been since 2017. Chamness is also a Notary Public. Leelyn Smith, LLC provides discretionary and non‑discretionary investment advisory services to individuals, pension and profit‑sharing plans, business entities, and trusts. The firm employs model‑based and individualized allocations across various asset classes and utilizes multiple third-party platforms and tools to support client portfolios.

Qin Zhang is a financial advisor at Sun Global LLC with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and also serves as owner and president of FISO Group LLC, an insurance agency, where he manages and markets the business. Sun Global LLC provides discretionary portfolio management primarily for high-net-worth individuals, using a combination of fundamental, technical, cyclical, and quantitative analysis to drive investment decisions. The firm employs a mix of long-term investing, short-term trading, and options strategies while typically holding discretionary trading authority.

Frank Kautzky is a financial advisor at Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group with 27 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation as well as Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. His prior experience includes roles at Commonwealth Financial Network and Hornor, Townsend & Kent, LLC. He is also the owner and president of KPW Holdings, Inc., a private entity related to tax and RIA ownership. Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses with customized wealth management, discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages tailored portfolios using a broad range of securities and investment strategies, supported by an institutional relationship with Raymond James and a team of over ten advisors.

Thomas Shankland is a financial advisor with Harvest Investment Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 38 years of industry experience. His career includes long tenures at ProEquities, Inc. and extensive involvement with multiple insurance companies dating back over four decades. He is also the owner of Shankland Financial Services, an estate and financial planning firm where he serves as a Certified Estate Planner and Chartered Financial Consultant. Harvest Investment Services, LLC offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and other entities. The firm employs an actively managed tactical strategy and serves clients through a multi-advisor team structure across several offices.

Matthew De Stefano is a financial advisor with Capstone Financial Advisors Inc in Downers Grove, IL. He holds a Series 65 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Capstone, he worked at Chicago Partners Investment Group and Grant Thornton, LLP. Capstone Financial Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm’s approach focuses on asset-class allocation, cost control, and tax efficiency, managing portfolios with a generally multi-year outlook and offering private fund investments to qualifying investors.

Edward Connolly is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience and is currently affiliated with Essex LLC. He previously worked for IRON Financial LLC for 15 years. Essex LLC is a registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, retirement plans, pension, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a multi-member investment policy committee to construct and monitor portfolios using a combination of fundamental, technical, and sector analysis across various asset classes.

Megan Micek is a financial advisor at Vertex Partners with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. She has worked at several firms including LPL Financial LLC and Professional Wealth Advisors. In addition to her advisory role, she provides administrative support to Vertex Partners. Vertex Partners offers advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm emphasizes tailored portfolios based on clients' risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs, utilizing a range of investment strategies and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Randall Hughes is a financial advisor at Hunter Capital Management with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Ballast Equity Management since 2016. Hunter Capital Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $1.09 billion in assets with a seven-advisor team, serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and investment companies. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management through pooled vehicles and private funds, including a registered mutual fund, and provides limited non-discretionary advice on client accounts maintained at Schwab.

Jeffrey Pearce is a CFP® with 29 years of industry experience and has been with Vermillion Financial Advisors, Inc. since 1990. 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 with financial planning and investment advisory services. The firm emphasizes structured communication and education, offering both model and customized portfolio solutions primarily on a non-discretionary basis.

Jeffrey Hansen is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently serving at Capstone Financial Advisors Inc. in Downers Grove, IL. His career includes roles at Wells Fargo Advisors, RubinBrown Advisors, and Bank of America, among others. Capstone Financial Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a multi-year investment approach focused on asset-class allocation, cost control, and tax efficiency, managing approximately $2.87 billion for over 1,000 clients.

Shawn Kennedy is a financial advisor with Pendulum Wealth Partners in Itasca, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 25 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Pendulum Wealth Partners in 2025, he spent 22 years with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. He is also a licensed insurance agent involved in insurance sales and implementation. Pendulum Wealth Partners is a team of nine advisors managing approximately $254 million across 227 client relationships, providing discretionary investment management, financial planning, and family office services. The firm employs a fundamental, primarily long-term investment approach through diversified portfolios and operates under common control with an affiliated tax and accounting firm offering integrated services.

Andrew Adler is a financial advisor at Global Brokerage Services, Inc. in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 credential with 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Global Brokerage Services since 2000. Outside of advisory work, Adler is an independent insurance agent specializing in non-variable life insurance, annuities, and disability products, and he performs bookkeeping and accounting services on a limited basis. Global Brokerage Services serves individual investors, retirement accounts, employee benefit plans, and trusts through advisor-led wrap-fee programs and separately managed account/UMA offerings. The firm operates with a six-advisor team and provides non-discretionary advice, utilizing a platform that combines third-party sub-managers and model portfolios with annual account reviews.

Cole Schmitter is a financial advisor at Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at State Farm and COFG Advisors, LLC, as well as his education at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group is a registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers customized wealth management, discretionary portfolio management, and comprehensive financial planning, employing a wide range of securities and strategies tailored to client objectives.

Nanette Kastner is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Hendricks Wealth and Estate Management, bringing 10 years of industry experience. She has been with JG Hendricks Financial Services LLC since 2017 and previously worked at Cetera Advisors LLC. Outside of finance, she also works as a basketball and volleyball referee. Hendricks Wealth and Estate Management serves individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business entities, managing approximately $536 million in assets across about 913 client relationships. The firm focuses on discretionary multi-asset portfolio management using fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis combined with conservative cash management strategies.

Jaxon Bennett is a financial advisor at Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. with a Series 65 designation and under one year of industry experience. His prior roles include various positions at Wheaton College and local financial institutions. Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc. is a fee-only, hourly financial planning firm serving individuals, families, businesses, trusts, charities, and retirement plans. The firm provides project-based advice on a range of financial topics and emphasizes diversified investment exposure through no-load mutual funds and ETFs, asset allocation, and periodic rebalancing.

Ryan Vance is a CFA® charterholder with over 20 years of industry experience. He joined Pendulum Wealth Partners in 2025 after two decades at Northern Trust Investments, Inc. He is based in Itasca, IL. Pendulum Wealth Partners is a team of nine advisors managing approximately $254 million for individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs a fundamental, primarily long-term investment approach across diversified portfolios and offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, and family office services.

Thomas Bono is a financial advisor with Monere Wealth Management, Inc. in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 48 years of industry experience. He has been with Monere Investments, Inc. since 2015. Monere Wealth Management is a team-based advisory firm managing approximately $312 million in client assets. The firm serves individual and high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charities, and business accounts, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and pension consulting with a focus on both discretionary and non-discretionary management.

Anthony Baldassano is a financial advisor with Sequoia Wealth Management, LLC, holding the PFS™ designation and Series 65 license, and has 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at Sequoia Wealth Management since 2019 and previously at Retirement Matters, Inc. and Wynstone Financial Services, Ltd. Additionally, he owns and manages Anthony & Associates, CPAs LLC, a certified public accounting firm providing tax, bookkeeping, and payroll services. Sequoia Wealth Management advises individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and employer retirement plans, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm utilizes a combination of quantitative optimization, third-party research, and manager selection to tailor portfolios, serving both discretionary and non-discretionary clients.

Michael Corbett is a financial advisor with Rothschild Wealth LLC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Rothschild Wealth in 2025, he spent 16 years at Perritt Capital Management, Inc. He is also president of the Perritt Funds, Inc., overseeing several specialized microcap and low-priced stock funds. Rothschild Wealth LLC advises individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporate executives, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, and other institutional and tax-exempt entities. The firm uses asset-allocation models, quantitative methods, and third-party software to construct and monitor diversified portfolios, offering services including financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan consulting.