Brian Huckstep is a CFA® charterholder and principal of Huckstep Asset Management, LLC with five years of industry experience. He previously worked at Morningstar Investment Management from 2016 to 2019. Huckstep Asset Management provides financial planning, investment management, and model portfolio services to a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, charitable organizations, and institutional investors. The firm focuses on low-cost, globally diversified portfolios using asset allocation as the primary driver of returns and offers both strategic and tactical portfolio strategies, including customized institutional mandates and wrap-model portfolios for third-party platforms.

Andrew Baxley is a CFP® professional based in Oak Park, IL, with 10 years of industry experience. He is the principal advisor at Two Trails Financial Planning, an independent firm he has led since 2024. His prior experience includes roles at BuilderFP, The Planning Center, TIAA, Strategic Advisers, Inc., and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC. Two Trails Financial Planning provides comprehensive financial planning and discretionary investment management to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm uses proprietary portfolio models blending passive and active funds tailored to client risk tolerance and preferences, including options for values-based investing, and operates on a fee-only basis without percentage-of-AUM charges.

Kevin Hebson is the principal and sole advisor at Kevin Hebson & Company, an independent firm based in Winnetka, IL. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 46 years of industry experience. Since 1991, he has also owned New Cumnock Consulting Inc., providing tax planning and bookkeeping services. Kevin Hebson & Company offers investment advisory and standalone financial planning services to individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals. The firm employs a combination of fundamental analysis, technical/charting methods, and Modern Portfolio Theory to construct and manage tailored portfolios, while also providing business-oriented planning services not commonly found at similarly sized firms.

Mark Kollar is the principal of Kollar Wealth Advisors, LLC in Northbrook, Illinois, with 33 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked in estate planning and insurance services since 1995. Kollar is the founder and trustee of the Myositis Association Cup Golf Challenge Trust and serves on the board of Loyola Academy Sailing. Kollar Wealth Advisors provides personalized financial planning and discretionary investment management to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm employs a goal- and risk-based investment approach using fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, and manages approximately $12.4 million across about 40 client relationships.

Larry Hightower is a CFP® with 29 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Hightower & Boler, LLC since 2017. His prior experience includes roles at Protective Life Insurance and EverGreen Capital Management. He also serves on the board of the Carole Robertson Center for Learning, a nonprofit organization focused on child and family development. Hightower & Boler, LLC provides fee-only investment advisory services, financial planning, and tax preparation to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and state or municipal government entities. The firm manages approximately $5.9 million in discretionary assets and offers customized investment strategies primarily using individual bonds and exchange-traded funds, with services notable for including institutional and government clients.

Brian Rhoads is a CFA® charterholder and the principal of Checkpoint Financial Planning in Highland Park, IL, with two years of experience in financial advising. He previously worked for 18 years at Quantitative Risk Management. Checkpoint Financial Planning provides fee-only, advice-only financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses through project-based engagements, focusing on areas such as retirement strategies, estate planning, and business planning. The firm emphasizes risk-aware, tax-conscious planning and delivers written reports following video consultations, without managing client assets or charging fees based on assets under management.

Patrick Hager is a CFA® charterholder with 17 years of industry experience. He is the sole advisor at Theta Wealth Partners, an independent firm based in Chicago, IL. Prior to founding Theta Wealth Partners in 2026, he worked at Oppenheimer for 14 years. Theta Wealth Partners provides ongoing portfolio management and investment advisory services to individuals and high-net-worth clients, employing a multi-disciplinary investment approach that includes charting, fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, and quantitative methods. The firm offers a wrap-fee portfolio management program and typically seeks discretionary authority for accounts.

Eddie Patel is a CFP® certificant and financial advisor at Zendamentals with 18 years of industry experience. He has held leadership roles in multiple affiliated businesses, including accounting and tax service firms, and serves as president and CEO of Zen Wealth Management Group, Inc., which provides bookkeeping, payroll, virtual CFO, and tax preparation services. His other activities include managing holding companies involved in real estate investments. Zendamentals provides discretionary asset management to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a range of investment strategies, including the use of derivatives and leverage, and manages approximately $160.7 million in client assets across more than 400 relationships.

Jeffrey Cohen is a financial advisor at US Advanced Computing Infrastructure, Inc. with a Series 65 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to founding his firm in 2018, he worked at International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation for three years. US Advanced Computing Infrastructure provides non-discretionary stock analysis and quantitative research to institutional investors, accredited high-net-worth clients, and individual investors. The firm uses a proprietary quantitative algorithm called the Chicago Quantum Net Score to evaluate stocks and construct portfolios, delivering services primarily through written reports, client-directed research, and subscription-based content.

Michael Vodicka is the principal of Vodicka Group, Inc., an independent advisory firm based in Highland Park, Illinois. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 17 years of experience in the financial industry, including 15 years with his current firm. Vodicka Group, Inc. provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals and small corporations. The firm manages discretionary accounts tailored to clients’ objectives and risk tolerances, employing strategies such as asset allocation, dollar-cost averaging, technical analysis, and both long- and short-term trading.

Nirmal Kartari is a financial advisor at Financial Solutions, Inc. in Skokie, IL, with eight years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and Series 66 designations and has previously worked at Avantax Advisory Services and HD Vest Investment Services. Kartari is also the owner and sole proprietor of a tax preparation and accounting business. Financial Solutions, Inc. is a state-registered investment adviser providing investment management and comprehensive financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and charting analyses to build portfolios and emphasizes accounting and tax expertise in its advisory work.

Louis Orloff is a financial advisor with Reserve Fund Advisers, holding a Series 65 credential and four years of industry experience. He has been involved with several business ventures since 1988, including founding Orloff Advisers LLC and operating multiple companies over the past decades. His various companies require minimal time commitment. Reserve Fund Advisers specializes in financial planning, investment monitoring, and consulting for condominium and homeowner association reserve funds, offering educational seminars at no charge. The firm serves individuals, associations, trusts, estates, and business entities using an academic-based investment approach that incorporates fundamental and technical analysis across diverse strategies.

Matthew Ward is a financial advisor with K.W. Andersen Investment Group, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has worked with K.W. Andersen Investment Group since 2017 and previously with MW Financial LLC and Advocate Financial Solutions LLC. Outside of financial advising, he works as a bookkeeper for an interior design business in Chicago. K.W. Andersen Investment Group provides financial planning, investment consultation, portfolio management, and business consultation to individuals, including high net worth clients, and small businesses. The firm employs a combination of fundamental analysis and diversified strategies to construct tax-efficient, customized portfolios managed predominantly on a discretionary basis.

Gary Harris is the principal of GH Private Wealth Management, Inc. in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 20 years of industry experience. He has worked at Ciel Bleu Private Wealth Management Inc. since 2014 and Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company since 2012. Outside of advisory services, Harris is involved in insurance brokerage and is a silent partner in a funeral home management business. GH Private Wealth Management provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm employs a tactical asset-allocation approach using fundamental and technical analysis and offers discretionary portfolio management, third-party money manager recommendations, and educational seminars.

Theodore Barnhart is the sole advisor at Barnhart Investment Advisory in Elmhurst, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials with 20 years of industry experience. He has led Barnhart Investment Advisory since 2009. Barnhart Investment Advisory serves individuals, families, trusts, and estates with discretionary portfolio management and investment consulting, focusing on active, tactical asset allocation and inflation-sensitive strategies. The firm manages a concentrated client base with customized solutions and requires clients to use a designated custodian platform for managed-account services.

Mary Deshong Kinkelaar is the sole advisor at Kinkelaar & Associates in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 65 designation with 21 years of industry experience. She has led Kinkelaar & Associates since 2004. Kinkelaar & Associates is an independent, fee-only firm providing tailored financial planning and investment advice to individuals, trusts, estates, and small businesses. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, offers educational workshops, and serves small-business and corporate plan clients without accepting commissions or managing client assets directly.

Zachary Fietsch is the sole advisor at Jackalope Capital and holds a Series 65 designation with six years of industry experience. He has operated Jackalope Capital since 2020 and concurrently serves as a Tax Principal and CPA at ZFP, CPA since 2016. Jackalope Capital offers discretionary investment management and financial planning to individuals, families, trusts, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a multi-disciplinary investment process and proprietary asset-allocation methodology, integrating tax and accounting considerations through its affiliation with an accounting practice.

Timothy Bodnar is a financial advisor at Huron Investment Management, Inc. in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Huron Investments since 2010. Huron Investment Management is an independent registered investment adviser serving individuals, families, high-net-worth clients, and trusts. The firm employs a value-oriented, multi-method investment process and offers a range of strategy profiles, including conservative fixed income and long-term growth, while incorporating derivatives, hedging, and preauthorized leverage in portfolio management.

Mark Johnson is a financial advisor with Dogwood Investment Advisors in Northbrook, IL. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 12 years of industry experience, including a prior role at TransUnion, LLC. He has operated Dogwood Investment Advisors since 2014. Dogwood Investment Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities, providing fee-based discretionary portfolio management and standalone financial planning. The firm employs a tactical allocation approach using fundamental, cyclical, and technical analysis, with portfolio decisions made on a discretionary basis and tailored to client goals. Its single-advisor structure and provision of written communications such as periodicals and newsletters distinguish it from similar independent firms.

Henry Gorecki is a CFP® with 23 years of industry experience and principal of HG Wealth Management, LLC, an independent firm he has led since 2012. Based in Chicago, IL, he holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. HG Wealth Management serves individual investors as well as trusts, estates, foundations, charities, and businesses, providing financial planning, investment consultation, and investment supervisory services. The firm employs a Core + Satellite investment approach and offers tailored services including modular reviews and comprehensive plans, managing assets on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis while coordinating with clients’ other professionals.