Gregory Merkle is a financial advisor with Osaic, holding a Series 63 designation and bringing 37 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Osaic in 2023, he spent 14 years at FSC Securities Corporation. Outside of his advisory role, Merkle serves on multiple nonprofit boards, including the Boys and Girls Club of Elma, Marilla, and Wales, and holds leadership positions such as president of the Iroquois Foundation and the Greater Buffalo United States Bowling Congress Association; he is also a licensed ordained minister and works as an umpire for local softball games. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a large network of advisers and multi-platform services. The firm utilizes various asset-allocation tools and third-party solutions to manage portfolios comprising stocks, bonds, options, mutual funds, ETFs, and alternative investments.

Aaron Rybak is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has 11 years of industry experience. He has worked with Cetera and its affiliated entities since 2019 and previously was with Foresters Financial Services. Outside of his advisory role, he coaches junior varsity football. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a large nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services and operates a multi-manager platform that includes model portfolios, third-party managers, and bespoke strategies.

Matthew Escobar is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Williamsville, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Axa Advisors, LLC from 2016 to 2020 before continuing his career at Equitable Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, Escobar is co-founder and President of the Board of Directors for West Side International Soccer, a nonprofit organization where he also coaches and supervises youth soccer coaches. Equitable Advisors serves individual clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, retirement consulting, and various asset-management programs. The firm delivers services through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives using both in-house and third-party investment models.

James Willson is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 40 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has worked previously at FSC Securities, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, and Scheff Thompson Cress Investment Group. Willson is also licensed to sell life insurance and annuities. OSAIC serves a diverse client base that includes individual and high-net-worth investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of integrated brokerage and advisory services, employing various asset-allocation tools and third-party platforms to construct and manage customized portfolios.

Louis Benton II is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Principal Securities, Citizens Securities Inc., Key Investment Services LLC, and the Department of Labor. Outside of his advisory work, he owns Starin Morris LLC, an LLC registered for holding real estate. LPL Enterprise provides investment advisory and brokerage services to individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, banks, and corporate and charitable entities. The firm’s investment approach is model-driven, utilizing portfolios developed by LPL’s Research Department and third-party strategists, and it offers a range of services including financial planning, access to third-party asset managers, and insurance product sales through affiliated entities.

Ryan Donaldson is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and 65 licenses and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cambridge, he worked at Paychex Inc. and has been involved in small business operations including ownership of a landscaping company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is an SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base ranging from individual investors to retirement-plan sponsors. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through independent Financial Professionals, utilizing various portfolio management strategies and multiple platform arrangements.

John Jesonowski is a financial advisor with OSAIC who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 30 years of industry experience. He has worked with several firms including Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. and Royal Financial Group, where he is a partner. Jesonowski also offers life insurance and fixed annuities through multiple fixed carriers. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including individual investors, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm provides integrated brokerage and advisory services, utilizing various investment approaches and third-party platforms to manage portfolios that may include stocks, bonds, options, mutual funds, ETFs, and alternative investments.

Joseph Piegay is a financial advisor at OSAIC with five years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Equitable Advisors and Strategic Financial Solutions. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Northeastern Financial Partners LLC and GenX Financial LLC in registered representative and assistant capacities. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers integrated brokerage and advisory services, utilizing asset-allocation tools and third-party platforms to manage portfolios across a wide range of investment types.

Thad Borowiak is a CFP® professional with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving at Edelman Financial Engines. His prior roles include positions at United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC and Girard Securities, Inc. He is a board member of the East Aurora Rotary Club, a nonprofit organization. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-enabled investment advisory and financial planning services to individual investors, retirement-plan participants, and institutional clients. The firm combines committee-driven proprietary modeling with planner delivery and online tools, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment solutions with an emphasis on diversified portfolios and long-term orientation.

Timothy Clouden is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Orchard Park, NY. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 18 years of industry experience, including 14 years at M&T Securities prior to joining LPL Financial. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a variety of advisory and brokerage services supported by both proprietary and third-party investment strategies, and maintains a broad platform that includes financial planning and institutional programs.

Guy Porter is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Lancaster, NY, holding a Series 66 designation with 14 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2011. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Matthew Kapanek is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 20 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Next Financial Group Inc for 18 years before joining LPL Financial in 2025. In addition to his advisory work, he is involved in a non-variable insurance business and operates a DBA related to his LPL activities. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, delivering advice through a network of investment adviser representatives who use a range of strategies and advisor-facing tools.

Michael Radecke is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Williamsville, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 39 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015 and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the Finance Committee of the Country Club of Buffalo. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides advisory and brokerage services to individual and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning and a range of investment programs supported by firm-approved planning tools and strategies.

Devin Filippi is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Equitable Advisors, bringing two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Equitable Advisors, he worked at Alliance Advisory Group, Inc./Park Avenue Securities for one year and has a background that includes roles in education and part-time employment at Imperial Concrete Company. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management programs through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives, utilizing both proprietary and third-party investment solutions.

Thomas Suchocki is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Cheektowaga, NY, holding a Series 63 designation and 38 years of industry experience. He has been with Primerica Advisors and Primerica Financial Services since 1987. Outside of his advisory role, he is co-owner with his sister of a beach house in Canada. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-delivery strategies and discretionary separately managed accounts. The firm curates third-party asset managers and offers a tiered wrap-fee structure, delegating trading responsibilities to BNY Mellon Advisors.

Thomas Giambra is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 25 years of industry experience. His career includes over two decades at M&T Securities and brief tenures at Wilmington Advisors and LPL Financial prior to joining Wells Fargo Clearing. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary options. The firm’s IPS-driven advisory process incorporates modern portfolio theory and includes a diverse range of investment vehicles such as insurance-related products and bank deposit sweep options.

Carol Ward is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding a Series 63 designation and over 33 years of industry experience. She has been with Primerica Advisors since 1992 and with Primerica Financial Services since 2000. Outside of advising, she is involved in sales of home security and automation products through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-delivery strategies and separately managed account options. The firm curates third-party asset managers and uses a tiered wrap-fee structure for its services.

Michael Di Duro is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Williamsville, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley and its affiliated Private Bank since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the finance committee of St. Mary’s Church in Swormville, NY, where he reviews financial reports and budget activities. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutions. The firm provides tailored financial planning services supported by structured discovery processes and firm-approved planning tools.

David Will is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 credential and 18 years of industry experience. He previously worked at AXA Advisors, LLC for 11 years before joining LPL Financial in 2020. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, supported by extensive advisor tools and a diverse range of non-advisory financial products.

James Kranz is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been serving clients since 2010. He specializes in providing personalized financial strategies tailored to clients' individual goals, managing custom investment strategies on a discretionary basis, and selecting from a broad range of Merrill model portfolios and third-party investment options. His expertise spans managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. James holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations from the University at Buffalo. He is a specially qualified Senior Portfolio Advisor within the Merrill Investment Advisory Program and maintains Series 7 and Series 66 FINRA registrations. Additionally, James holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designation. Based in Williamsville, New York, James has lived in the Buffalo area his entire life. He is actively involved in his community, serving as a mentor and supporter of the Kenya Project. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he enjoys football, golfing, hiking, and spending time with his family.