Dennis Marach is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 44 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Citigroup Global Markets for six years before joining Linsco Private Ledger, now part of LPL Financial, in 2006. He is involved in outside insurance activities and operates Marach Financial Management, which includes non-variable life insurance writing and tax preparation services. 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 advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by extensive operational and research tools.

Erick De La Cruz is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 designation. He began his career at Morgan Stanley in 2025. Prior to this role, his work experience includes positions at Coro Enterprises LLC The Red Lion, Exmoor Country Club, and Target Corporation. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered adviser and broker-dealer that provides a range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery processes and firm-approved tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Melanie Sheedy is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 25 years of industry experience, currently with J.P. Morgan Securities. She has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and also has a long tenure at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. from 2001 to the present. Her prior experience includes managing The Sheedy Family Living Trust. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines institutional advisory services with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Svitlana Sheppard is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been active in the financial services industry since 2003, beginning her career with Merrill in 2010. Svitlana works closely with high-net-worth clients as part of The Sheppard Group, contributing to the delivery of a broad range of wealth management services and strategies. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with a minor in Economics from Northeastern Illinois University, graduating summa cum laude. Svitlana also possesses several professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Originally from Ukraine, Svitlana is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, and English. She engages with the community through involvement with Better Money Habits in partnership with Khan Academy and the Chicago Public Library Foundation Associate Council. Outside of work, she resides in Chicago with her husband and enjoys biking, cooking, hiking, running, skiing, traveling, and yoga.

Casey Torrey is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Round Lake, IL, holding the ChFC® and Series 66 designations with 14 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, Torrey is the owner and singer of a local band called Acousticats. 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 and investment strategies, with a nationwide network of advisors and branch offices, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management.

Brian Schnell is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 10 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Northern Trust Bank, Bank of America, Merrill, and Morgan Stanley Private Bank. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery processes and firm-approved tools. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides planning services alongside broader investment and brokerage capabilities.

Stanley Kottke is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with 38 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2002. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers holistic, goal-based planning and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account programs while keeping the services separate.

Dennis Gorman is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 23 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at LPL Financial since 2018. Prior to that, he was with Cetera Advisor Networks for five years and has operated Gorman & Associates since 1990. He is involved with the CPA Affiliate Program through Gorman & Associates. 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 programs, including model portfolios and third-party asset management, supported by advanced operational tools and a broad platform of non-advisory financial services.

Morgan Hensel is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Ameriprise with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ameriprise, Hensel held various roles including positions at Bethel University and multiple leadership development centers. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies. The firm’s retirement income service uses a centralized team to deliver customized Recommendation Reports supported by proprietary research and third-party data.

Kelly Karecki is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2016. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a variety of advisory programs including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools and scenario modeling as part of its financial planning process.

Timothy Matta is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Edward Jones with one year of industry experience. He previously worked for SRI Systems Research Inc for 19 years. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Kenneth Molnar is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Southwest Securities and Invex, LLC. He has also held a role at Communitech Outposts. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies and an IRS-qualified Charitable Gift Fund. The firm uses a combination of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to deliver systematic model portfolios and manages sub-advisers while maintaining oversight and conflict-of-interest controls.

Robert Dion is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Crystal Lake, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and with 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, including roles at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process supported by firm-approved tools and analytics.

Sean Borchers is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Cary, IL, with five years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2025, he worked at JP Morgan Chase and its affiliates for over a decade. Outside of his advisory work, he manages a music band called Wings of Severance, performing in the Chicagoland and Milwaukee areas. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a nationwide network of thousands of advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

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.