James Salera is a financial advisor at Stephens with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Stephens since 2021, with prior roles at Northcoast Research, Cetera, and KeyBank. Stephens provides investment advisory and wealth-management services to individuals, pension plans, foundations, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored portfolio programs with committee-based oversight and combines advisory services with broker-dealer and investment banking activities.

David Trende is a financial advisor at The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. with 27 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at American Portfolios for 14 years before joining his current firm in 2022. Outside of his advisory role, Trende is involved in fixed insurance consulting and business consulting through several independent ventures. The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. provides advisory services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and other entities, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting. The firm operates multiple portfolio programs and supports third-party manager platforms, managing a majority of client assets on a non-discretionary basis.

Douglas Smorag is a financial advisor with CM Wealth Advisors LLC in Beachwood, OH, holding the PFS™ designation and Series 65 license. He has 23 years of industry experience, including 28 years with Clanco Management/CM Wealth Advisors. CM Wealth Advisors serves individual clients, including high-net-worth households, through portfolio management, financial planning, and related wealth-management services. The firm’s team includes credentialed accounting and investment professionals and provides investment strategy and oversight via an internal committee, with a focus on complex client relationships and involvement in private pooled investment vehicles.

Frank Preziuso is a CFP®-credentialed financial advisor with 21 years of industry experience. He currently works at Capital Analysts and Lincoln Investment, having previously spent 16 years at Valic Financial Advisors and two years at Agia. He serves as a volunteer board member for Akron Children’s Roundtable, a hospital organization. Capital Analysts serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, trusts, foundations, and corporate clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management through various programs, utilizing an in-house Investment Management & Research team that employs proprietary screening processes and model portfolios.

Andrew Lamb is a financial advisor at ValMark Advisers, Inc. in Akron, Ohio, holding a Series 66 designation with 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, and Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of his advisory work, Lamb serves as chairman and volunteer for pediatric palliative care organizations, including the Akron Children's Hospital Pediatric Palliative Care Center and the Victory Gallop nonprofit. ValMark Advisers provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, plan sponsors, and institutional clients through a network of approximately 280 advisors. The firm employs diversified, goal-based model portfolios primarily using mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party managers, and offers proprietary platforms such as ACCESS and ACCESS Direct.

Teddy Milbrandt is a financial advisor with ValMark Advisers, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and beginning his advisory career in 2026. His prior work history includes roles at Avery Dennison, the Army National Guard, and New York Life Insurance Company. Outside of finance, he has experience working with DoorDash. ValMark Advisers provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plan sponsors, and institutional clients. The firm utilizes diversified, goal-based model portfolios and asset allocation strategies, offering solutions through proprietary platforms, sub-advisory relationships, and third-party manager programs.

William Walker is a financial advisor with StoneX Advisors Inc. and holds a Series 63 designation. He has 24 years of industry experience, including roles at StoneX Securities Inc. since 2014. Outside of his advisory work, he operates a sole proprietorship focused on insurance sales and tax consulting. StoneX Advisors Inc. serves individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and charitable organizations by providing portfolio management, financial planning, ERISA plan consulting, and related services. The firm employs a variety of investment strategies through independent advisors, proprietary models, and third-party managers, supported by integrated platforms and comprehensive operational capabilities.

Manuel Gonzalez II is a financial advisor with Signature Equity Partners, LLC, holding a Series 63 designation and 19 years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Osaic Wealth, Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and PRUCO Securities, LLC. He is also involved in small business ventures focused on insurance and investment product sales. Signature Equity Partners, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and business entities. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services through a network of independent advisory affiliates, utilizing model-based and discretionary investment approaches.

Linda Tekavec is a financial advisor with Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 16 years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Beacon Financial Partners and Lincoln Investment, each held for seven years. Outside of advisory duties, she has worked in a restaurant role as a server. Stratos Wealth Advisors serves a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, trusts, retirement plans, nonprofits, corporations, and institutions, providing financial planning and portfolio management through various advisor-managed and third-party platforms. The firm’s integration with SEI-affiliated businesses offers clients access to specialized subadvisory and custody services.

Patrick Hahn is a CFP® with 14 years of industry experience and is currently with Dakota Wealth, LLC. He has previously worked at Springside Partners LLC, Cetera ADVISORS LLC, and SS&G Wealth Management. Hahn serves on the Board of Trustees and Finance Committee for the Medina County Society for the Protection of Animals, where he analyzes and reports on the organization’s investment portfolio. Dakota Wealth Management provides investment advisory and wealth management services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, foundations, charitable organizations, and business enterprises. The firm constructs customized portfolios using diversified allocations including mutual funds, ETFs, equities, fixed income, and other instruments, employing a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical research while offering access to affiliated tax preparation services.

Parker Kaesgen is a financial advisor with OneSeven in Beachwood, OH, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and four years of industry experience. He has been with MGO Inc. since 2020. OneSeven provides investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans, using a primarily long-term investment approach that incorporates diversified mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, and access to alternative investments. The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and is affiliated with MGO Inc., enhancing its retirement-plan consulting capabilities.

Daniel Klusty is a financial advisor at OneSeven in Beachwood, OH, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Shelton Capital Management and Roundtable on the Square. Outside of finance, he has experience working with March First Brewing and Klusty Sign Associates. OneSeven provides investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting, employing a primarily long-term investment approach that incorporates diversified funds, individual securities, and alternative strategies.

Gregory Markus is a financial advisor at Portfolio Medics, LLC with one year of industry experience and holds a Series 65 designation. He has a background in tax and accounting services as the managing partner of taxSmarty Tax and Accounting Services and serves as treasurer/CFO for the Rocky River City School District. Additionally, he manages rental property businesses through Markus Properties U.P. North LLC and Markus Properties of Ohio LLC. Portfolio Medics is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $552.7 million for around 3,700 clients through a team of 75 advisors. The firm serves both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, offering a mix of strategic and tactical investment approaches including model portfolios with mutual funds, ETFs, individual stocks and bonds, and alternative strategies.

Arcie Petty is a financial advisor at Simplicity Wealth with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 65 designations and has worked previously at Edward Jones and Huntington National Bank. Outside of his advisory role, he is a member of The Dawson LLC, a business focused on coaching. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, corporate and institutional investors, and other financial firms. The firm employs a fund-of-funds approach using ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, offering model portfolios with ongoing monitoring and rebalance, alongside technology and operational support for advisers.

Eugene Welsh Jr. is a financial advisor with LaSalle St. Investment Advisors, L.L.C., holding the PFS™ and Series 63 designations and bringing 32 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role since 2019, he worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. and has operated Professional Management Inc., providing corporate and personal tax preparation services. He is also a partner in Strophic, Inc., an entity managing operations for Aria Financial Group. LaSalle St. Investment Advisors offers personalized, fee-based financial planning and investment supervisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm provides both non-discretionary and discretionary investment programs, emphasizing a predominantly non-discretionary asset mix across its service offerings.

David Ptacek is a financial advisor with Ta-Check Financial Ltd. in Fairview Park, OH, holding a Series 63 designation and over 31 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2018 and previously spent 11 years with SII Investments, Inc. In addition to his advisory role, he owns and operates a tax preparation and accounting business. Ta-Check Financial Ltd. provides investment advisory services primarily through referring clients to third-party asset managers and supporting those relationships via solicitor arrangements. The firm offers portfolio consultations and ongoing account servicing while delegating portfolio management and trading authority to selected third-party managers.

Shawn Berthelot is a financial advisor with Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. in Macedonia, OH, holding a Series 66 designation and 22 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at TD Ameritrade and Citizens Securities, Inc. In addition to his advisory work, he is president of Western Reserve Business Consulting, providing small business consulting services. Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. offers portfolio management, financial planning, and managed retirement plan services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm operates primarily through a network of CPA firms and advisors, managing over $7.5 billion in assets, and employs tax-intelligent strategies and discretionary management with periodic rebalancing.

Cathy Jacobs is a financial advisor at ValMark Advisers, Inc. with 30 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 63 designation and has been with ValMark Advisers and Valmark Securities since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she is the president and owner of Hydro-Lawn Landscaping & Design, Inc., and serves as treasurer for New Beginnings of Akron, a nonprofit focused on mentoring and workforce development for underserved youth. ValMark Advisers provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, plan sponsors, and institutional clients through a network of approximately 280 advisors. The firm employs diversified, goal-based model portfolios utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party managers, and offers fee-based planning and sub-advisory services.

John Francis is a financial advisor with ValMark Advisers, Inc. in Akron, Ohio, holding 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Valmark Securities, Inc. since 2013. Outside of his advisory work, he owns and operates a livestock farm where he raises cattle and sheep. ValMark Advisers provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, plan sponsors, and institutional clients through a network of approximately 280 representatives. The firm emphasizes diversified, goal-based model portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party managers, and supports its advisors with due diligence, back-office services, and a range of investment platforms.

Thomas Giltner is a financial advisor with OneSeven in Beachwood, OH, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 16 years of industry experience. His previous roles include positions at MML Investors Services, LLC and MassMutual Life Insurance Co. He is also involved in managing Eden Wine Bar LLC, a full-service bar and restaurant in Akron, OH. OneSeven provides investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans, with a focus on diversified portfolios and both discretionary and non-discretionary advisory arrangements. The firm employs a primarily long-term investment approach while incorporating third-party managers and platforms, and maintains a notable affiliation with MGO Inc. to support pension consulting services.