Zachary Chernus is a CFA® charterholder with three years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Sequoia Financial Group, L.L.C. He has previously worked at Karpas Strategies, Shenkman Capital, and UBS. Sequoia Financial Advisors, LLC offers wealth planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and consulting services to a diverse client base including individuals, family offices, corporations, charitable organizations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm employs a combination of model portfolios and customized solutions, utilizing various investment vehicles and oversight by an Investment Policy Committee.

Ryan Colleoni is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at TD Ameritrade for 13 years and has been associated with Advised Assets Groups, LLC and GWFS Equities, Inc. since 2021. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage clients. The firm uses an integrated approach linked to Empower’s recordkeeping platforms, offering point-in-time financial plans and optional managed account solutions.

Brian Dowd is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network in Simsbury, CT, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has operated Dowd Financial Group LLC since 2008. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their retail and institutional clients, providing a range of advisory programs and services along with operations, trading, technology, compliance, and practice-management support. The firm offers various discretionary and customized investment solutions, including model portfolios managed by its Investment Management and Research team.

Eric Hutchinson is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with over 41 years of industry experience. He has been with Commonwealth Financial Network since 1987 and also operates Hutchinson Financial Services, LLC, a securities and insurance business he founded. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,900 affiliated advisors and managing roughly $212.7 billion in client assets. The firm provides a comprehensive adviser-support platform, including managed-account programs, access to third-party asset managers, and custody and clearing services.

William Dobbins is a CFP® professional with 28 years of industry experience, currently serving at Independent Financial Group, LLC since 2018. His prior work includes eleven years at LPL Financial and earlier roles at Investors Capital Corp. and Eastern Point Advisors. Dobbins holds a notary public position and is the sole owner of WGD Wealth Management, a DBA used for marketing purposes. He also serves as a volunteer board member for Center Cemetery in Norfolk, CT. Independent Financial Group, LLC provides investment advisory and brokerage services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, corporate and pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of financial planning and portfolio management solutions, utilizing both passive and active investment strategies tailored to client risk profiles.

Hayriye Aslan is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over twenty-one years of experience in the investment and financial services industries. She supports clients by developing personalized financial strategies tailored to their individual goals, drawing upon a holistic approach to wealth management. In her role as a Senior Financial Advisor and Senior Portfolio Advisor, Hayriye assists clients with a range of services including college education planning, family wealth management, retirement planning, tax minimization, and investment strategy, among others. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Hayriye gained experience in the stock, bond, and repo markets, and has expertise in annuities, life insurance, and consumer banking. She holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Hartford and a Bachelor's degree from Bilkent University. Hayriye has earned professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She is committed to putting her clients’ needs first and continues to expand her knowledge through various training and certification programs. Outside her professional pursuits, Hayriye participates in community volunteer activities. Her personal interests include cooking, interior decorating, music, reading, soccer, and spending time with her family.

Randy Herz is a financial advisor with Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and 65 credentials and over 30 years of industry experience. He has worked with Ameritas Advisory Services since 2021 and has been involved with various Ameritas entities, including Ameritas Life Insurance and Ameritas Investment Corp., for over 20 years. Herz is also a partner at Herz Financial, LLC, where he is licensed to sell fixed insurance products. Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers a range of investment management and financial planning services, utilizing model portfolios, mutual funds, ETFs, and individual securities, supported by multiple program platforms and third-party technology.

Ashley Brown Bairos is a CFP® professional with five years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network. She has held multiple roles in financial services since 2021 and serves as a head coach for a youth hockey team during the winter season. Additionally, she manages finance operations within a separate financial platform and works as an insurance agent. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,900 advisors and hundreds of thousands of clients. The firm offers a broad range of managed-account programs, access to third-party managers, and comprehensive back-office support, including trading and reporting services.

Keith Leece is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at TIAA-CREF since 2013, with prior experience at LPL Financial and an earlier tenure at TIAA-CREF. Outside of his advisory work, he has pursued an apprenticeship as a barber. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, and corporate entities, often serving clients connected to TIAA-administered retirement plans. The firm provides both one-time planning services and ongoing portfolio management using model and customized portfolios within a vertically integrated structure.

David Gillard is a financial advisor with Guardian Life and holds a Series 66 designation. He has 22 years of industry experience, including roles at Park Avenue Securities since 2014 and Ameriprise in 2002. He serves as a director of The Life Farm Company, a nonprofit farm offering activities and events for children and the elderly. Park Avenue Securities LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers advisor-led discretionary management alongside model-based strategies and digital advisory solutions, with tailored client relationships spanning financial planning, consulting, and ERISA-related retirement plan services.

Charles Yannich Jr. is a financial advisor with United Planners Financial Services of America, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and has co-founded a marketing entity called Retirement and Money Strategies. Yannich also serves as a notary in Stonington, CT. United Planners Financial Services serves a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients, offering financial planning, portfolio management, retirement plan services, and brokerage solutions through a network of 477 independent advisors. The firm operates an open-architecture platform and features a limited partnership ownership structure in which financial professionals hold a majority interest.

Michael D. Apice is a financial advisor with Guardian Life and Park Avenue Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 41 years of industry experience. He has been with Guardian Life and Park Avenue Securities since 2015 and has operated his own financial practice since 1992. He serves on the advisory board of a local bank, providing community input on accessibility and engagement. Park Avenue Securities, a subsidiary of Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, offers brokerage and advisory services to individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm provides customized advisor-led management combined with model-based strategies, alongside a range of financial planning, education, and consulting solutions.

Marcia Bernstein is a financial advisor with Foundations Investment Advisors LLC in Avon, CT, holding a Series 65 designation and 11 years of industry experience. She has worked at Foundations Investment Advisors since 2017 and previously at The Patriot Financial Group from 2015 to 2017. Bernstein is also self-employed as an insurance sales agent, a role she has maintained since 2000. Foundations Investment Advisors, LLC provides financial planning and portfolio management to individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and registered investment companies through a large network of affiliated offices. The firm uses a mix of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis alongside model portfolios and an asymmetric rebalancing approach.

Matthew Sweet is a financial advisor at OSAIC Institutions, Inc. with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. His prior roles include positions at Torrington Savings Bank, NBT Bank, Infinex Investments, Inc., and Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. OSAIC Institutions, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, ERISA retirement plans, trusts, estates, and corporate clients through a network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers customized advisory services, financial planning, ERISA plan services, and access to alternative investments, operating with a hybrid adviser/broker-dealer structure that supports both discretionary and non-discretionary accounts.

Michael Blackwell is a financial advisor at Guardian Life with 22 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at firms including Park Avenue Securities, Guardian Life Insurance, Equitable Advisors, and Banc of America Investment Services. Park Avenue Securities LLC, a subsidiary of Guardian Life, provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers customized client solutions through a combination of advisor-led discretionary management, model-based strategies, proprietary programs, and third-party platforms.

William Rabbitt is a financial advisor with Private Advisor Group, LLC, holding the CFP® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 33 years of industry experience, including prior roles at Private Capital Group, LLC and Osaic FA, Inc. In addition to his advisory work, he operates an independent insurance agency separate from his investment services. Private Advisor Group serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans by providing portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm offers a fiduciary-based advisory model that combines proprietary and third-party managed account solutions across various strategies and investment platforms.

Frederick Schulitz is a CFA® charterholder with 21 years of industry experience. He is currently with Empower Advisory Group and previously worked at MML Distributors, LLC and MassMutual. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders. The firm uses an integrated service model with a focus on long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing within plan lineups selected by plan sponsors.

Jonathan Yolles is a financial advisor at Focus Partners Wealth, LLC with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at The Colony Group, GYL Financial Synergies, Wells Fargo Advisors, Wells Fargo Clearing, and Prudential Equity Group. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as head coach for the Avon High School Boys Basketball team. Focus Partners serves individuals, high-net-worth families, family offices, and institutional clients with wealth management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services. The firm employs a long-term, tax- and fee-sensitive investment approach that combines active and passive strategies within an enhanced open architecture framework.

Matthew Karpas is a financial advisor at Sequoia Financial Group, L.L.C. with 19 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously operated Karpas Strategies, LLC for 30 years before joining Sequoia Financial Group. Sequoia Financial Advisors, LLC provides wealth planning, investment management, and retirement-plan and business-consulting services to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, trusts, and family offices. The firm employs a combination of in-house models, custom accounts, and third-party manager selection, supported by a dedicated Investment Policy Committee and extensive research resources.

Laura Sundquist is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience. She is currently with Private Advisor Group, LLC and has held prior roles at Sage Financial Design, Inc. and Connecticut Wealth Management, LLC. In addition to her advisory work, Ms. Sundquist is a Certified Public Accountant who provides tax advice and tax preparation services independently from her investment practice. Private Advisor Group, LLC serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a fiduciary-based advisory model, utilizing a range of investment strategies and technology platforms while offering access to proprietary and third-party managed account solutions.