Diane Cassens is a financial advisor at Merrill with 28 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at Merrill since 2006 and Bank of America, NA since 2009. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies and serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Matthew Young is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Rockford, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2004. Outside of his advisory role, he officiates high school and middle school football games and serves as a football statistician for his son's high school team. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, providing both discretionary and non-discretionary management with access to model portfolios, research, and various specialized investment strategies.

Samantha Guthrie is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 16 years of industry experience and holds the Series 66 designation. She has worked at LPL Financial since 2018 and has been with Johnson Bank since 2010. Guthrie also performs notary services for clients through Johnson Financial Group. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a broad range of advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing model portfolios, research, and various investment strategies.

Richard Taden is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Rockford, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2023 and has concurrently worked at Sigma Planning Corporation and Sigma Financial Corporation since 2012. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations. The firm provides financial planning, various advisory programs, and retirement plan consulting through a national network of investment adviser representatives.

Katie Schlarb is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with eight years of experience in the industry. She previously worked at Midland States Bank and Alpine Bank and Trust Co. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a board member for Second Chance Equine Sanctuary in Illinois. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides advisory programs and tailored financial planning services to individuals and institutional clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm’s financial planning approach includes structured discovery conversations and use of firm-approved planning tools.

Bertha Fernandez is a financial advisor based in Rockford, IL, affiliated with Morgan Stanley. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has 16 years of industry experience, all with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2010. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers various advisory programs, including tailored financial planning and utilizes structured planning tools alongside its Global Investment Committee’s analyses to support client outcomes.

Mark Forberg is a financial advisor at Cetera with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked previously at Associated Investment Services, Inc. He is also a partner at Mutually Focused Financial Advisors, LLC. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts through a large network of independent advisors. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with various portfolio management options, including discretionary and non-discretionary services, and oversees more than $256 billion in assets across over 10,000 advisors.

Stacy Brady is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Rockford, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 14 years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2011. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory strategies and affiliated investment products, supported by a nationwide network of approximately 23,701 financial advisors.

Mark Lotzer is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Rockford, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 44 years of industry experience. He previously worked at VOYA Financial Advisors from 2014 to 2020. Outside of his advisory role, he has operated as an independent insurance agent for various companies since 1982. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and trusts, offering financial planning, investment management, retirement plan advisory, and financial-wellness services. The firm delivers customized solutions through independent Financial Professionals, utilizing multiple custody platforms and proprietary as well as third-party strategies.

Beth Lewis is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. She has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as power of attorney for her spouse. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering investment policy preparation, performance reporting, participant education, and discretionary management options. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates a broad range of financial products, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Erich Vargaz is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Prior to that, he worked at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC from 2014 to 2016. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and is based in Rockford, IL. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with an investment menu that includes insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Aaron Davis is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he works closely with clients to develop personalized wealth management strategies that address their short-, mid-, and long-term financial goals. Aaron provides guidance on a range of financial matters, including investing, retirement planning, and saving for unexpected events. He also facilitates access to Bank of America specialists for banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Aaron holds several professional designations, including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin System. Aaron emphasizes building and maintaining strong client relationships to ensure a comprehensive understanding of each client's financial situation. Beyond his professional work, Aaron participates in community activities through his involvement in the Lions Club and the Friends Forever Humane Society. His personal interests include baseball, cooking, football, golfing, woodworking, and spending time with his family.

Olivia Gonzalez is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and beginning her advisory career in 2026. Prior to joining Raymond James, she worked at First Mid Wealth Management, 1st Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, SunPower by Legacy Solar Power, and Blackhawk Bank. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a wide range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and uses analytical tools to support client goals across a large advisor network.

Nicole Winterz is a financial advisor at RBC Capital Markets with one year of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 credential and has prior work experience at American Litho, Orbis Machinery, and Master Graphics. Outside of her advisory role, she owns Paw Printz 3D, an online retail business specializing in 3D printing. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves individual and institutional clients offering a range of advisory programs with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and brokerage services tailored to clients’ Advisory Risk Profiles.

Marc Gasparini is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings extensive experience in wealth management and retirement planning, having been with Merrill Lynch since 2008. Prior to this, Marc worked as an investment banker at First Trust Portfolios in the public and capital markets division. He also served as the Clerk of the Court of Winnebago County for 12 years and is a veteran of the United States Army Reserve. Marc dedicates his practice to assisting businesses with their retirement, benefits, executive, and equity compensation programs, as well as developing retirement solutions tailored to clients’ plan design needs. His client focus areas include divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, and tax minimization. Marc holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science from Rockford College, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He has earned multiple professional designations, including Certified 401(k) Professional (CKP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Outside of work, Marc enjoys adventure sports, biking, fishing, golfing, hiking, hunting, music, and spending time with his family. He is married to Cathy and has five children and three grandchildren.

Christopher Perry is a CFP® with six years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors. He previously worked at U.S. Bank for eight years. Perry is also involved with an advisory role for another registered investment adviser. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm provides financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through a network of independent Financial Professionals, utilizing multiple custody platforms and a range of portfolio management strategies.

Thomas Weightman is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously at WELLS FARGO Advisors from 2012 to 2016. He holds a Series 66 designation. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory solutions. The firm’s approach is IPS-driven and incorporates a broad range of financial products, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Steven Doepke is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 33 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. since 1999 and served at FINRA from 2011 to 2023. Outside of his advisory work, he is the owner and president of Argent Capital, Inc., a support company based in Loves Park, Illinois. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning using various analytical tools and supports municipal and public-finance work, with specialized programs such as SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory & Consulting Services.

Alice Gibson is a financial advisor with Robert Baird & Co. and holds a Series 66 designation. She has seven years of experience in the industry, including prior roles at Fifth Third Bank and Mosaic Sales Solutions. She is part of The DDK Group within Robert W. Baird & Co.’s Private Wealth Management practice, which serves individuals, families, pensions, corporations, and institutional clients. The team offers a range of consulting and portfolio services, tailoring advice to client goals and risk tolerances through a combination of in-house and third-party managers.

Dean Mansavage is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services and holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. He has 33 years of industry experience, including over 25 years at MetLife Securities Inc. prior to joining Mass Mutual Investors Services in 2017. Mansavage is also affiliated with MassMutual Life Insurance Company. Mass Mutual Investors Services is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, using firm-approved software and collaborative annual planning processes.