Amy Stratford is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Merrill, based in Deer Park, IL. She has 24 years of industry experience and has been with Merrill Lynch since 2001. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Patrick Louise is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and possessing 16 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as the Athletic Director at St. Mary Catholic School in Woodstock, Illinois, where his son attends. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser offering a range of advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides access to financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting customized strategies with a combination of proprietary research and third-party resources.

Amir Rahimi is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 12 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with J.P. Morgan Securities and Jpmorgan Chase Bank since 2016. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm's advisory process integrates quantitative and qualitative research supported by a centralized due diligence team and incorporates ESG considerations within its recommendations.

Neil Sternberg is a financial advisor at Primerica Advisors with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been associated with Primerica Financial Services since 2004. Outside of his advisory role, Sternberg is the president and owner of Leadwell Team, LLC, a non-investment related business. Primerica Advisors offers discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, which serves individual and high-net-worth clients with model-delivery strategies and selectively managed accounts, operating primarily as a wrap-fee solution rather than managing institutional pension or profit-sharing plans.

Maciej Kielbasinski is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and eight years of industry experience. Prior to joining Thrivent in 2018, he was president of VMK Consulting Group, Inc., a business offering photography, marketing, and design services. He also serves as an election judge and assist instructor for a local scuba diving training center. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services through a network of advisors, focusing on holistic, goal-based analyses for individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits. The firm emphasizes planning without discretionary trading authority and offers integrated planning and managed-account options under its WealthPlan program.

Richard Gnivecki is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 31 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliates since 1994. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved in independent insurance brokering with Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service designed for individuals approaching or in retirement who meet certain asset criteria, providing detailed written recommendations on income sources, Social Security options, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and adaptive strategies to deliver tailored, non-discretionary advice through a centralized consulting team.

Brock Allen is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Lake Zurich, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2013. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than 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 wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

James Issel is a financial advisor at Cetera with over 41 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license. Prior to joining Cetera, Mr. Issel worked at Cetera Wealth Services, LLC for 13 years. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an election judge in DuPage County and acts as an executor and trustee in family-related legal and trust matters. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC operates a multi-manager platform serving individual investors, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm provides a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through discretionary and non-discretionary programs, offering advisors access to affiliated and third-party investment managers.

Marvin Somlo is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 25 years of experience in the investment industry. He focuses on helping families navigate financial planning tailored to their unique goals and needs, including college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, retirement planning, and tax minimization. Marvin holds an MBA from Loyola University Chicago and a Bachelor's Degree from Vanderbilt University. He maintains several professional designations and registrations, including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and FINRA Series 6, 7, SIE, 63, and 65 registrations, along with Life and Health licenses. He takes a client-centric approach by getting to know his clients and understanding their priorities to develop personalized strategies. Marvin integrates experience with ongoing advice and guidance as clients' needs evolve. Outside of his professional role, he enjoys pickleball, tennis, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Joel Ridle is a Senior Financial Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill for over 15 years, focusing on retiree wealth management, portfolio management, financial guidance, and working with small to mid-size businesses. Joel is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and a qualified Portfolio Manager who provides traditional advice and guidance, as well as manages personalized or defined strategies on a discretionary basis. These strategies may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, model portfolios, and third-party investment approaches. Joel holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Western Illinois University. He is involved with the Sigma Chi Fraternity and participates in community organizations such as the Golden Eagles Wrestling Club. In his personal time, Joel enjoys baseball, golfing, and traveling. He has been married to his wife, Sandy, since 1994, and together they have four children.

Rita Maliekal is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Lake Zurich, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 18 years of industry experience. She has worked with PFS Investments, Inc. since 2007 and Primerica Financial Services since 2006. In addition to investment advisory activities, she is involved in the sale of loan products and home-related services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-driven and separately managed account strategies. The firm curates third-party asset managers and employs a tiered wrap fee structure for its services.

Kelly Kepka is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where she focuses on helping clients develop personalized financial plans that align with their goals. She emphasizes clear communication and education to support clients in making informed decisions. Her professional experience includes roles as a Relationship Manager at Fidelity Investments, Licensed Investment Professional at JP Morgan Chase, Financial Professional at Equitable Advisors, Financial Representative at Fidelity Investments, and Associate Banker at JP Morgan Chase. This diverse background has provided her with comprehensive knowledge of financial planning and client relationship management. Outside of her professional work, Kelly has interests in cooking and baking, fitness, kayaking, music, pets, and traveling.

Zachary Powell is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, he held positions at Community Unit School District 200 and FedEx Ground. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to a diverse client base, including retail and institutional investors. The firm utilizes a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios, including funds-of-funds and model portfolios.

David Johnson is a CFP® professional with 31 years of experience in the financial services industry. He currently works at LPL Financial and has a background that includes nearly two decades at Wayne Hummer Investments, as well as experience at Chase Investment Services Corp. and Banc One Securities Corporation. 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 range of services including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting over 22,800 advisors and managing more than $819 billion in discretionary assets.

Susan Huizinga is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 credentials and ten years of industry experience. She has worked at various firms including Avantax Investment Services and Rozovics Wealth Management, where she is also a partner. Outside of advisory work, she serves as treasurer of the BTB Foundation, a nonprofit organization raising funds to support individuals fighting cancer. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving individual and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services, utilizing multiple investment program structures and affiliated third-party managers.

Eric Schneider is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 18 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 designations and has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2012. Ameriprise offers retirement-income planning services for individuals nearing or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, providing written Recommendation Reports that address income sources, Social Security options, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax analysis to deliver non-discretionary, algorithm-assisted recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Paul Schifferer is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Cary, Illinois, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2019 and has concurrently been involved with Next Door, Inc. since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, Schifferer serves as Mentorship Chairman and board member for AmSpirit Cary Grove Business Exchange, assisting visitors in joining this small business networking group. Edward Jones is a wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, including a range of households and organizations. The firm offers diversified investment strategies, a large network of advisors and branches, and maintains affiliated financial services such as a trust company and proprietary mutual funds.

Erica Gunther is a CFP® with 22 years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2015. 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, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, with a nationwide network of approximately 23,701 financial advisors.

Charles Stuck is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 30 years of industry experience. He has worked at Ameriprise and its affiliate Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. since 2005. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving both individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides written recommendation reports and ongoing retirement-income planning advice. The firm’s approach integrates investment research, third-party data, and algorithmic tools, with a focus on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Laura Bochenek is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a structured advisory program focused on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The program uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative research to support recommendations and incorporates ESG considerations in eligible strategies.