Jason Giambarberee is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with Series 66 and Series 63 designations. He has experience in real estate sales and advisory roles dating back to 2012 and joined the financial services industry in 2024. Outside of financial advising, he has maintained a real estate career with @properties since 2020. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to IRA and retail brokerage clients. The firm integrates its services closely with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, focusing on long-term portfolio strategies and participant engagement through managed account options.

Ernesto Aranda is a CFP® and Series 66 credentialed advisor with nine years of industry experience. He is currently with The Huntington Investment Company and has prior experience at Ameriprise Financial Services, Bank of America, and Merrill. He has also been affiliated with DePaul University for ten years. The Huntington Investment Company serves individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business entities with advisory and brokerage services. Its programs use an open-architecture model combining third-party sub-managers and proprietary Private Bank models, offering various wrap-fee programs on the Envestnet MAS platform.

Robert Basile is a CFP® with 8 years of industry experience, currently serving at Mariner Wealth Advisors since 2021. He previously worked at Fifth Third Private Bank for nine years and The AYCO Company, L.P./Mercer Allied for seventeen years. Mariner Wealth Advisors serves individuals, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and private funds with investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to pooled vehicles and third-party managers. The firm combines customized portfolio management with integrated tax, accounting, and financial wellness services.

Wesley Barnes is a CFP® with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Mariner since 2025. He previously worked at Hightower Advisors and Hightower Securities, LLC from 2008 to 2022 and served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves from 2011 to 2017. Outside of his advisory role, Barnes is involved in managing a group of doughnut franchise locations and serves on the board of United Way Northwest Indiana. Mariner serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations through comprehensive investment management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm emphasizes discretionary, customized portfolios overseen by an Investment Committee, integrating in-house research with third-party managers, and offers distinctive tax, accounting, and administrative CFO services.

Joseph Holakovsky is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management in Elgin, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 13 years of industry experience. He has been with PNC Investments since 2016. PNC Wealth Management provides retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an invitation-only digital offering that uses algorithmic risk assessment and manages investments via approved model strategies with mutual funds and ETFs.

Eric Jones is a CFA® charterholder with one year of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Cerity Partners LLC. His prior roles include positions at Edge Financial Advisors, Capstone Financial Advisors, Mizuho Securities LLC, and Legal & General Investment Management America. Cerity Partners provides customized wealth management and related services to a broad national client base, including individuals, families, trusts, business entities, and institutional investors. The firm employs tailored asset allocation, manager selection, and periodic rebalancing, using proprietary quantitative screens alongside third-party managers and individual securities as appropriate.

Thomas Herzing is a CFP® professional with 26 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. He has been with Mercer since 2015. Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth families, small business owners, corporate plan sponsors, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory and emphasizes globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios using low-cost index vehicles and multi-factor tilts, supported by various implementation options and a range of affiliated service lines.

Kyle Martin is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network based in Wheaton, IL. He holds the CFP® designation and has 11 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Commonwealth and founding Murphy Financial Group, he worked at firms including MML Investors Services, Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company, Lenox Advisors, Inc., and Invesco Advisers, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, Martin is involved in Medicare product referrals through a separate business activity. Commonwealth Financial Network is a national registered investment adviser supporting approximately 2,950 advisors with a range of advisory programs and services. The firm provides operational, trading, technology, compliance, and practice-management support, enabling advisors to offer diverse investment solutions including discretionary model portfolios and personalized indexing options.

Victor Champney is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 17 years of industry experience. He has worked with Transamerica Financial Advisors since 2012 and is also involved with The UTC Tax Busters and Inheritguard, LLC. Outside of finance, he operates a music studio, provides music lessons, and performs as a member of a musical band. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a wide range of clients including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm delivers advisory services primarily through model portfolios and third-party managers, supported by a large advisor network and multiple program platforms.

Nicholas Costa is a CFP® professional with two years of industry experience. He is currently affiliated with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC and previously worked at Vermillion Financial Advisors. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services provides financial planning, asset management, retirement-plan consulting, and referrals to managed account investment managers for individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm manages over $122 billion in assets and utilizes a diversified investment process combining passive and active managers with quantitative, momentum, and fundamental analysis.

Daniel Hedge is a CFP® professional with ten years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. He previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and WELLS FARGO Advisors, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, Hedge is active in local business communities as chair of committees for the St. Charles and Elgin Chambers of Commerce and serves as a guest speaker at Village Bible Church. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and institutions. The firm offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary wrap programs utilizing mutual fund and ETF model strategies, separate accounts, and custom portfolios, supported by an internal trading desk and an Investment Strategy Committee.

Franklin Montes is a financial advisor at Corient with a Series 65 credential. He has been with Corient since 2025 and has prior experience that includes four years at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, and corporations. The firm uses a goals-based, team-oriented investment approach that integrates in-house and third-party strategies, continuous portfolio monitoring, and risk management tools.

Dane Sauer is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. in Schaumburg, IL. He has been with Mercer since 2016 in various roles. Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, small business owners, plan sponsors, and non-profits. The firm employs a globally diversified, risk-appropriate investment approach using low-cost ETFs, index funds, and other strategies, and offers a broad range of specialized services including retirement plan consulting and family office solutions.

Julie Bucaro is a CFP®-credentialed financial advisor with 14 years of industry experience. She is currently with Corient, where she has worked since 2022, following a 13-year tenure at Balasa Dinverno Foltz LLC. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, and corporate entities. The firm employs a goals-based, team investment approach that integrates in-house strategies with third-party managers and utilizes risk management tools and alternative investments as appropriate.

Frank Nemeth is a financial advisor at NewEdge Advisors with 34 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations. His prior experience includes roles at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, Wells Fargo Clearing, and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. NewEdge Advisors is an enterprise-scale registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations through a network of independent investment adviser representatives. The firm provides a range of portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services, utilizing both in-house and third-party strategies along with technology tools to support advisor and client needs.

Nathan Freeman is a financial advisor at Wealthspire Advisors with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Independent Financial Partners, Rudwall Wealth Management, LPL Financial, and American Century Investment Services. In addition to his advisory work, Freeman owns and operates PKJ LLC, a health care services referral business. Wealthspire Advisors is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $34.3 billion in assets for nearly 9,700 clients, including individuals, corporate plans, and nonprofits. The firm uses an institutional-style asset allocation approach with a range of investment vehicles and offers services such as wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting.

Charles Williams is a CFP® professional with 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked with Independent Financial Partners since 2010 and previously served at LPL Financial and IFP Securities, LLC. Williams is also an adjunct professor at Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies, where he teaches a retirement planning and employee benefits course. Independent Financial Partners provides investment advisory, financial planning, trust, and retirement-plan services through a nationwide network of independent Investment Adviser Representatives. The firm supports a multi-advisor platform serving individual, charitable, corporate, and high-net-worth clients, with a focus on retirement-plan advisory and pension consulting services.

David Kohlmeyer is a CFP® professional with 34 years of industry experience. He has worked at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. since 2018 and previously spent nine years at Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as the treasurer for the Wheaton Academy Foundation, a role involving quarterly evening meetings. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and institutions. The firm offers a range of fee-based wrap programs, financial planning, and investment management services, using strategies managed internally and by third parties, with oversight from an Investment Strategy Committee.

Jeffrey Perkins is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Transamerica Financial Advisors since 2012 and also serves on the board of Marengo Area Outreach Enterprises. Outside of finance, he manages Perkins Farm, which sells hay and beef. Transamerica Financial Advisors provides investment advisory, brokerage, and retirement-plan services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, employer-sponsored plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a model portfolio approach using third-party managers and proprietary solutions delivered through multiple platforms.

Kahina Kherbouche is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and one year of industry experience. She has worked in various roles within Fifth Third Bank since 2019, with prior experience at MB Financial Bank, Liberty Tax, and Joson's Deli. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to a range of clients, including individuals, charitable organizations, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank.