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, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 44 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cambridge in 2020, he worked at VOYA Financial Advisors for six years. Outside of his advisory role, he operates as an independent insurance agent for various companies. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad mix of individual and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs. The firm manages a multi-billion dollar asset base and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary management through multiple platforms and proprietary model strategies.

Beth Lewis is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Rockford, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and over 31 years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo Clearing for a total of 13 years, most recently since 2016. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a power of attorney for her spouse, involving significant responsibilities. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm that provides investment advisory services, financial planning, wrap-fee programs, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm employs a large network of financial advisors and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions, utilizing research and analytics to support investment decisions.

Erich Vargaz is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently advising at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and is based in Rockford, IL. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party analytics.

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® professional with six years of experience in the financial services industry. He has been with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2020 and previously worked at U.S. Bank for eight years. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in rental property management. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves both individual and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs through a large network of financial professionals. The firm provides both discretionary and non-discretionary management, access to third-party advisers, and proprietary model strategies under the Founders Gate Capital brand.

Thomas Weightman is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 18 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He previously worked at Stifel from 2008 to 2012 before joining Wells Fargo in 2016. Wells Fargo Advisors serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients by providing investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets with over 14,000 advisors and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Steven Doepke is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial in Loves Park, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. since 1999 and served in roles at FINRA from 2011 to 2023. Outside of his advisory work, he is the owner and president of Argent Capital, Inc. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and corporate clients. The firm utilizes analytical tools and risk profiling to tailor non-discretionary planning and encourages clients to implement recommendations through various advisory programs.

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 in Rockford, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 34 years of industry experience. His career includes 26 years at MetLife Securities Inc. prior to joining Mass Mutual Investors Services in 2017. Mansavage also has experience with MassMutual Life Insurance Co. since 2016. Mass Mutual Investors Services is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides ongoing financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm emphasizes annual, collaborative financial planning using firm-approved analytical tools and offers educational seminars alongside tailored investment strategies.

Kevin Kjellstrom is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Rockford, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2014, including time at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, beginning in 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with STS Associates LLC, a private security business based in Barrington, Illinois. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs and financial planning services. The firm uses structured planning tools and incorporates market modeling techniques while acting primarily in an advisory capacity for clients.

Maren Sanders is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with seven years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2018 and previously worked at the Law Office of Crosby & Associates PC for three years. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Elizabeth Evers is a CFP® professional with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edward Jones since 2015. She has been affiliated with Indiana Wesleyan University since 2013. Outside of her advisory role, she holds the position of Chapter Secretary for AmSpirit Columbus, OH. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Miguel Roman is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2019. Prior to his advisory role, he worked in sales consulting at Best Buy. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and charitable organizations. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and offers a range of investment strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Joseph Steiner is a financial advisor with Robert Baird & Co. in Rockford, Illinois. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Robert Baird & Co., he worked for seven years at Bone & Joint Clinic and three years at OrthoIllinois. Joseph is part of The DDK Group, a team within Robert W. Baird & Co.’s Private Wealth Management department that serves individuals, corporate and business clients, pensions, profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of financial planning, portfolio management, and advisory services supported by internal research, manager selection, and use of artificial intelligence tools.