Robert Johnson III is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Lake Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2024, he worked in sales roles at automotive companies including Napleton Westmont Porsche and Muller Subaru. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of investment strategies and operates under a fiduciary standard, supported by a large network of financial advisors and offices nationwide.

Matthew Ramos is a Financial Consultant currently based in the Deer Park office. He partners with individuals and families to develop financial plans tailored to their personal definitions of success. With a career spanning over 20 years in the industry, Matthew collaborates with clients to co-create financial roadmaps that leverage a wide range of resources and services. Matthew's professional experience includes roles as a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments since 2022, Financial Advisor at Tranel Financial Services in 2022, Senior Financial Consultant at TD Ameritrade from 2018 to 2021, Producing Branch Manager and Financial Consultant at Scottrade between 2014 and 2018, Financial Consultant at TD Ameritrade from 2006 to 2014, Personal Finance Specialist at Hewitt Associates from 2005 to 2006, and Licensed Sales Assistant at Comerica Securities from 1995 to 1996. Outside of his professional work, Matthew has interests in cars, cooking and baking, family activities, fitness, social events with friends, and motorcycles.

Darell Hughes James is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, and retirement income. With a focus on helping clients identify their priorities, he develops tailored strategies to pursue their financial goals. Darell holds a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Illinois University and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys dancing, music, and soccer.

Kathleen Wresch is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with Series 66 credentials and four years of industry experience. She previously worked at Homeside Financial and Perl Mortgage. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a nationwide network of over 23,700 financial advisors.

Brandon Blazer is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 17 years of industry experience. He has held positions at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and Wells Fargo Clearing since 2009. 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 non-discretionary and discretionary investment advisory services tailored to plan objectives and risk tolerances. The firm’s approach is IPS-driven and includes a broader range of financial products, such as insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Travis Brown is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Grayslake, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having 20 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2013. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors.

Jose Lopez Maldonado is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Wauconda, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. He previously worked at BMO Harris Financial Advisors from 2016 to 2019 before joining LPL Financial in 2021. 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 advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches supported by proprietary and third-party research.

Peter Schallmoser is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over 25 years of experience in the financial industry. He specializes in designing cost-effective corporate retirement plans—including 401(k), defined benefit, and non-qualified platforms—for businesses that prioritize employee economic empowerment. Since 1997, Peter and the Schallmoser Group have worked closely with corporate and high net worth individual clients to develop personalized financial strategies that align with their unique goals. His areas of expertise include corporate benefits, equity compensation services, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. Peter holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Loyola University Chicago and a Master’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University. He holds multiple professional designations, including Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Certified 401(k) Professional (CKP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Beyond his professional work, Peter serves as a Village Trustee for the Village of Lake Barrington, Illinois, and volunteers with the Crushers Club in Englewood, Chicago. His personal interests include adventure sports, baseball, and traveling.

Erick De La Cruz is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 designation. He began his career at Morgan Stanley in 2025. Prior to this role, his work experience includes positions at Coro Enterprises LLC The Red Lion, Exmoor Country Club, and Target Corporation. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered adviser and broker-dealer that provides a range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery processes and firm-approved tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Melanie Sheedy is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 25 years of industry experience, currently with J.P. Morgan Securities. She has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and also has a long tenure at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. from 2001 to the present. Her prior experience includes managing The Sheedy Family Living Trust. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines institutional advisory services with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Svitlana Sheppard is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been active in the financial services industry since 2003, beginning her career with Merrill in 2010. Svitlana works closely with high-net-worth clients as part of The Sheppard Group, contributing to the delivery of a broad range of wealth management services and strategies. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with a minor in Economics from Northeastern Illinois University, graduating summa cum laude. Svitlana also possesses several professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Originally from Ukraine, Svitlana is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, and English. She engages with the community through involvement with Better Money Habits in partnership with Khan Academy and the Chicago Public Library Foundation Associate Council. Outside of work, she resides in Chicago with her husband and enjoys biking, cooking, hiking, running, skiing, traveling, and yoga.

Casey Torrey is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Round Lake, IL, holding the ChFC® and Series 66 designations with 14 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, Torrey is the owner and singer of a local band called Acousticats. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, with a nationwide network of advisors and branch offices, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management.

Brian Schnell is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 10 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Northern Trust Bank, Bank of America, Merrill, and Morgan Stanley Private Bank. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery processes and firm-approved tools. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides planning services alongside broader investment and brokerage capabilities.

Stanley Kottke is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with 38 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2002. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers holistic, goal-based planning and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account programs while keeping the services separate.

Dennis Gorman is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 23 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Cetera Advisor Networks LLC for five years and has operated Gorman & Associates since 1990. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with a CPA Affiliate Program through Gorman & Associates. 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 offers a variety of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and model portfolios.

Morgan Hensel is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Ameriprise with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ameriprise, Hensel held various roles including positions at Bethel University and multiple leadership development centers. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies. The firm’s retirement income service uses a centralized team to deliver customized Recommendation Reports supported by proprietary research and third-party data.

Kelly Karecki is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2016. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a variety of advisory programs including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools and scenario modeling as part of its financial planning process.

Timothy Matta is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Edward Jones with one year of industry experience. He previously worked for SRI Systems Research Inc for 19 years. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Robert Dion is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Crystal Lake, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and with 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, including roles at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process supported by firm-approved tools and analytics.

Sean Borchers is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Cary, IL, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and five years of industry experience. His prior work history includes positions at JP Morgan Chase and its affiliates from 2010 to 2025. Outside of his advisory role, Borchers manages a music band called Wings of Severance, performing in the Chicagoland and Milwaukee areas. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of investment advisory programs and manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large network of advisors and branches.