Erik Johnson is a financial advisor with Edelman Financial Engines in Mokena, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 20 years of industry experience. He has worked at Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. since 2016 and previously at Tmfs Advisors, LLC. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-enabled investment advisory services for workplace retirement accounts, IRAs, taxable accounts, and institutional clients, managing both model-based and customized portfolios while supporting a large client base through advisor-led and online platforms. The firm is notable for its scale, offering discretionary and non-discretionary programs, employer-facing retirement plan consulting, and a Wrap Fee Program alongside affiliate services.

Chris Kurtis is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 35 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Securities America Advisors and Securities America, Inc. for 16 years. Outside of advising, he is also active as a musician. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and corporations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by model portfolios and research.

Daniel Hawtree is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 38 years of industry experience. He is currently with LPL Financial and has previously worked at Sigma Planning Corp. and Sigma Financial Corporation. In addition to his advisory role, he owns and operates a CPA business focusing on tax preparation and accounting. LPL Financial is a national SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by in-house research and third-party subadvisors.

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.

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.

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.

Ramie Halloway is a financial advisor at Cetera with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked with Avantax Advisory Services and Strategize Wealth Management Group. Outside of advisory roles, he is involved in tax preparation through Strategize Tax LLC and has experience in insurance sales. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a wide range of clients, including individual investors, retirement plans, corporate and charitable organizations, and institutional accounts. The firm offers various portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform with access to both affiliated and third-party managers.

Michael Scanlan is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has nine years of industry experience, including seven years at Edward Jones. Outside of his primary role, he serves as CEO and independent contractor for msm wealth management. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning using analytical tools and supports institutional consulting and portfolio management across a large advisor network.

Giulio Liotine is a Senior Financial Advisor and Portfolio Manager at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings extensive experience in financial services, having begun his career in 2002 and joined Merrill in 2009. Giulio specializes in managing personalized and defined investment strategies on a discretionary basis, incorporating individual stocks and bonds, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. His client focus areas include executive compensation, equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, and tax minimization. Giulio served honorably in the U.S. Army and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Illinois University. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and communicates fluently in English and Italian. Giulio’s approach centers on understanding his clients’ needs through close collaboration to craft customized financial strategies aimed at helping them pursue their goals. Outside of his professional commitments, Giulio spends time with his wife and children and enjoys activities such as biking, chess, golfing, hiking, reading, and running.

Kimberly Clark is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds a Series 66 designation and has 12 years of industry experience. She has worked at Cetera and First Merchants Investment Services since 2019 and previously held roles at Waddell & Reed and Deborah Chinnappillai. Clark serves as a committee co-chair for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is a board member of South Chicago Parents & Friends, Inc. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationwide SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services, utilizing a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

Michael Young is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Orland Park, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 28 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2015 and at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an executor for an estate. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients, focusing on tailored financial planning and utilizing firm-approved planning tools and models. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers services through both individual and corporate financial planning agreements.

Clint Verhagen is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Cetera and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC since 2008. Outside of his advisory role, Verhagen serves as a member of the Lions Club, vice president of a local preschool board, and treasurer of a service organization. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutions through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services with a multi-manager platform that includes model portfolios, third-party managers, and customized strategies.

Alan Moravec is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with 22 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans since 2004. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering comprehensive written recommendations on financial planning topics without implementation. The firm emphasizes holistic, goal-based analyses and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan.”

Bobi Celeski is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial, Celeski had various roles including positions at Indiana Elite FC and multiple soccer clubs. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm provides financial planning, advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services with both discretionary and non-discretionary management options.

Brandon Kanagy is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 28 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at various Fidelity entities since 1997, including Fidelity Brokerage Services, Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors, and Fidelity Investments. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies and charitable funds. The firm employs a process that combines fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction, and it utilizes systematic methodologies for model portfolio development.

Kurt Lindemann is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2015 and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2012. Outside of his advisory work, he owns a personal website dedicated to the Dave Matthews Band where he posts photos and blogs. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, including tailored financial planning and estate planning strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers planning tools that incorporate market assumptions and scenario modeling.

Larry Handley is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 39 years of industry experience. He has been with Primerica Advisors since 1986 and Primerica Financial Services since 1991. Outside of his advisory role, he has been involved with Little Peoples Institute Day Care since 1980. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, offering model-delivery strategies and a limited number of separately managed account options to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm curates third-party asset managers and uses a tiered, percentage-based wrap fee structure.

Melissa Eul is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Frankfort, IL, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and 14 years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial since 2021 and has been with BMO Bank NA since 2013. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary management, model portfolios, and retirement plan consulting.

Jocelin Paredes is a financial advisor at Fidelity with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked in various roles at Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC and Bank of America. Fidelity's Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to a broad client base, including retail and institutional investors, using a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and systematic portfolio construction. The firm is noted for its use of algorithmic methods and AI in research and its advisory role to multiple registered investment companies.