Brett Efimov is a financial advisor at Cetera with 26 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked with Cetera since 2013. Outside of advising, he owns and operates a CPA firm and serves as president of a company providing credit card processing services. He is also a member of the Illinois CPA Society’s membership committee. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationwide SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform that includes access to affiliated and third-party managers.

Daniel Mc Hugh is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edward Jones with nine years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2017 and previously worked at Vaunt Fitness. 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. The firm is notable for its large national advisor network and affiliated capabilities, including a trust company and proprietary mutual funds.

Cataldo Panici is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and over 33 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Wayne Hummer Investments and Banc of America Investment Services, among other firms. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Wintrust Wealth Management in a non-variable insurance capacity. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides advisory and brokerage services supported by a wide range of financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

George Mannella II is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked for Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. for 17 years. He is also president of Mannella Financial Services LLC and works as a financial consultant selling fixed annuities, fixed life insurance, and health insurance through Dato Pistorio Financial Group. OSAIC serves a broad range of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisers and multiple advisory platforms. The firm offers integrated brokerage and advisory services, utilizing asset-allocation tools and third-party managers to construct diversified portfolios across various investment types.

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.

Nicholas Tyrell is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, with 10 years of experience in the financial industry. He has been with Edward Jones since 2016. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of investment advisory programs and maintains a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Daniel Hawtree is a financial advisor with LPL Financial who holds the CFP® designation and has 38 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2023 and previously spent over two decades with Sigma Planning Corp. and Sigma Financial Corporation. Hawtree also owns and operates a CPA business focused on tax preparation and accounting services. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services through a large network of investment adviser representatives. The firm serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions with a variety of financial planning and investment management solutions.

Gregory Davis is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has 41 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cetera Investment Advisors LLC and affiliated entities since 2019, following a 13-year tenure at Harris Investor Services. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as treasurer and dual signor for the Wessex Homeowners Association. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services, with a multi-manager platform that includes both affiliated and third-party investment options.

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.

Beverly Hunziker is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. She has worked at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. since 2014 and is also associated with Hunziker & Associates, Inc., where she assists with office activities. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and supports municipal and public-finance work through a unique municipal advisor affiliation.

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.

Jeffrey Tromp is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 credential and 19 years of industry experience. He serves as a senior financial analyst at Navistar Inc., where he has worked since 2017, and he is involved with BMA Management, Ltd. since 2008. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC provides services through a nationwide network of independent advisors, catering to individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services with various program structures and access to multiple managers.

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.

Seth Cooper is a CFP® and ChFC® with 11 years of experience in the financial industry, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edward Jones since 2015. He is based in Joliet, IL. Outside of his advisory role, he owns residential rental properties, including one held for his daughter’s college housing. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm that supports over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of investment advisory programs and services, operating under a fiduciary standard with a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Magdalena Lacek is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 10 years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial since 2021 and previously held positions at BMO Bank NA and BMO Harris Bank. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management solutions, including access to model portfolios, third-party asset managers, and institutional platforms.

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.

Elijah Muhammad is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Chicago, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 14 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at PFS Investments, Inc., and multiple healthcare institutions. In addition to advisory services, he is involved in sales of loan products and home-related services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors offers discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-driven strategies and selectively managed accounts. The firm emphasizes a wrap-fee structure and utilizes third-party asset managers with oversight from Primerica.

David Marquez is a Series 63 and Series 65 licensed financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Joliet, IL, bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has been with Primerica Advisors since 1995 and with Primerica Financial Services since 1994. In addition to advisory work, he is involved in sales of loan products and home-related services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors sponsors a wrap-fee asset management program serving individual investors, corporate, and charitable clients. The firm operates at scale with nearly 3,700 advisors and approximately $15.5 billion in assets under management, delivering advisory services primarily via model-driven strategies created by unaffiliated asset managers.

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.

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.