Kassidy Gountanis is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Elgin, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, she worked in community therapy services and has experience in early childhood education and retail. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory solutions, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and maintains a large national network of advisors and branch offices.

Aaron Roehl is a Series 66-registered financial advisor with Merrill, where he has worked for 10 years. Prior to and concurrently with his advisory role, he was involved with Aircraft Training Services, LLC for 12 years. Outside of his advisory duties, he serves as a trustee for the R. W. K. 2022 Trust and holds multiple roles at Hope Lutheran Church, including board member and mutual ministry committee member. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Michael Smith is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Crystal Lake, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 18 years of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at UBS Financial Services, Commonwealth Financial Network, and Plexus Financial Services. He is also a for-profit board member of The Center for Board Certified Fiduciaries. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of services including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by technology and a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Patrick Witte is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with eight years of industry experience. He has previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, with additional experience at St. John's Lutheran Church and School. His credentials include Series 63 and Series 66 registrations. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a broad range of services including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and access to third-party asset management, supported by both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies.

Brian Sheppard is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2008 and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation earned through The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. Brian works alongside colleagues Dave and Svitlana to implement financial strategies focused on retirement planning and other client goals. Brian attended Barrington High School and pursued coursework at DePaul University, though no degree was conferred. He is also a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and contributes to The Sheppard Group, which was recognized on the 2024 Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list. Based in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, Brian volunteers and fundraises to support local first responders, including running the Chicago Marathon for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. His personal interests include golf, martial arts, and reading literature on economics, philosophy, and science.

Evan Hoobchaak is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 credential and 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its related entities since 2003. Outside of advising, he is the owner and president of Sisu Capital Inc., and is involved in strategic planning and sales for Palm Rat Golf, LLC, an apparel business. He is also an author. Ameriprise offers retirement-income planning services targeted at individuals nearing or in retirement, focusing on clients with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research-driven modeling and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored, non-discretionary recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Erik Olsen is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Woodstock, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with seven years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2018, he served five years in the United States Navy. His background includes involvement related to veteran disability benefits. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a wide range of investment solutions, supported by a large network of advisors and branch offices nationwide.

John Silmon is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Edward Jones since 2019. He previously worked at KPMG LLP for 18 years. 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 strategies, and manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management through a nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Nicole Schelkopf is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Schaumburg, IL, holding CFP® and Series 66 credentials with 10 years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she is a co-owner and partner of NAS Farms, a farming business in Chicago. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

William Hoffman is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Schaumburg, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise since 2019 and has previous work experience that includes CJs Bar and Kemper Lakes Country Club. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides written recommendations and ongoing retirement-income planning focused on dependable income and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Kurt Kubon is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 38 years of industry experience. His prior firms include Citigroup Global Markets, where he worked from 1998 to 2009, and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, Kubon serves as a trustee for multiple personal trusts. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients with tailored financial planning and a broad range of advisory programs. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured financial planning process using firm-approved tools and scenarios to model outcomes.

Jeffrey Lord is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with four years of industry experience and holds the Series 66 designation. He previously worked at Edward Jones for four years and has been involved with Noble Path Wealth Management and Upstream Investment Partners since 2025. Outside of his advisory roles, he hosts a social media podcast based in Crystal Lake, Illinois. 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 advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, with advice delivered primarily by investment adviser representatives using various discretionary and non-discretionary strategies.

David Hubbard is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 43 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Total Clarity Wealth Management and Cetera Advisor Networks. Outside of his advisory work, he has entrepreneurial involvement in several business ventures, including Exemplar Financial Network and Exemplar Accounting & Tax Advisors. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management access, and institutional platforms, supporting a large network of advisors who implement a range of investment strategies.

Lloyd Montgomery III is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 22 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Raymond James Financial since 2009. He is also the owner of Montgomery Wing LLC, a support company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. offers financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and nonprofit clients. The firm uses a non-discretionary, goal-based approach with analytical tools to tailor recommendations and supports municipal and public finance work through a unique affiliation.

Jeffrey Bruce is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Crystal Lake, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and over 21 years of industry experience. Before joining LPL Financial in 2018, he worked at Cetera Advisor Networks and Ameriprise, and he concurrently serves in the United States Army Reserve. In addition to his advisory work, Bruce is involved in tax preparation and accounting through Exemplar Accounting and Tax, Inc. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to third-party asset management, with a focus on providing scalable and customizable investment strategies supported by research and technology tools.

Robert Teik is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 38 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license and has been with LPL Financial since 1997. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Vice President and Treasurer for Ossanna Consulting Group, Inc., a consulting business where he dedicates part of his time. 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 institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management solutions, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies across discretionary and non-discretionary mandates.

Jeffrey Froman is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 2006 and began his career in financial services in 1996. Jeffrey specializes in working with businesses to address their retirement, benefit, executive, and equity compensation program needs. Jeffrey holds several professional designations, including Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Certified 401(k) Professional (CKP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS). These credentials support his ability to tailor and manage retirement benefit plans suited to the unique needs of organizations. He provides a broad range of services to plan sponsors, including plan design guidance, provider selection, plan performance tracking, investment menu updates, and employee education to encourage participation. His approach includes reviewing plan features and investment options to identify opportunities for improvement in technology, reporting, fees, and fiduciary risk management. Jeffrey earned a Bachelor's Degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master's Degree from DeVry University.

Jahkelle Jones is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at BMO Bank, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, and JPMorgan Securities. Jones is currently based in Schaumburg, Illinois. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by advanced operational tools and oversight of more than $819 billion in discretionary assets.

Michael Crouch is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Woodstock, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Merrill and Avantax Advisory Services. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions through a large network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, combining advisory services with a broad range of non-advisory financial products.

James Mcghee is a CFP® professional with 17 years of industry experience, currently serving at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Prior to that, he worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. He also acts as a trustee of his mother’s trust. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory solutions. The firm’s approach is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.