Joel Ridle is a Senior Financial Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill for over 15 years, focusing on retiree wealth management, portfolio management, financial guidance, and working with small to mid-size businesses. Joel is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and a qualified Portfolio Manager who provides traditional advice and guidance, as well as manages personalized or defined strategies on a discretionary basis. These strategies may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, model portfolios, and third-party investment approaches. Joel holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Western Illinois University. He is involved with the Sigma Chi Fraternity and participates in community organizations such as the Golden Eagles Wrestling Club. In his personal time, Joel enjoys baseball, golfing, and traveling. He has been married to his wife, Sandy, since 1994, and together they have four children.

Rita Maliekal is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Lake Zurich, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 18 years of industry experience. She has worked with PFS Investments, Inc. since 2007 and Primerica Financial Services since 2006. In addition to investment advisory activities, she is involved in the sale of loan products and home-related services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-driven and separately managed account strategies. The firm curates third-party asset managers and employs a tiered wrap fee structure for its services.

Matthew Alexander is a CFP® certificant affiliated with LPL Financial, with seven years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at various firms including SagePoint Financial, Third Street Advisors, and OSAIC. Alexander is also involved with Alpha Dog Advisors LLC, a business entity he established for tax and investment purposes. 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 and access to third-party asset managers, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies supported by research and technology tools.

Kelly Kepka is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where she focuses on helping clients develop personalized financial plans that align with their goals. She emphasizes clear communication and education to support clients in making informed decisions. Her professional experience includes roles as a Relationship Manager at Fidelity Investments, Licensed Investment Professional at JP Morgan Chase, Financial Professional at Equitable Advisors, Financial Representative at Fidelity Investments, and Associate Banker at JP Morgan Chase. This diverse background has provided her with comprehensive knowledge of financial planning and client relationship management. Outside of her professional work, Kelly has interests in cooking and baking, fitness, kayaking, music, pets, and traveling.

George Delgiudice is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 33 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wayne Hummer Investments LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities, Chase Investment Services Corp., and Banc One Securities Corporation. 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 variety of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by extensive technology and a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Rupali Agarwal is a financial advisor at Primerica Advisors with five years of industry experience and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. She has been with Primerica Advisors since 2021 and is also the owner of TJ Outlet LLC, an online e-commerce business selling bullion, household items, and electronics. Prior to her current roles, she was self-employed in 2020 and has longstanding ties with Primerica Financial Services since 2005. Primerica Advisors manages a wrap-fee asset management program serving individual investors, corporate, and charitable clients. The firm uses model-delivery strategies developed by unaffiliated asset managers and offers discretionary separately managed accounts, supported by BNY Mellon Advisors and Pershing for trade execution and custody.

Thomas Mc Cartney is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has 30 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he was associated with M Holdings Securities, Inc. and operated his private wealth management practice through My Advisor & Planner LLC. Outside of advisory work, he manages MAP Professional Building LLC, a family-owned business. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. offers financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutions. The firm uses risk profiling and analytical modeling to tailor non-discretionary planning and encourages implementation through its advisory programs or other providers.

Mathew Matusiak is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Elk Grove, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has been with Primerica Advisors and Primerica Financial Services since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a director for the District 12 & 13 Youth Camp PNA. Primerica Advisors manages a wrap-fee asset management program primarily serving individual investors, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and charitable accounts. The firm offers model-based investment strategies supported by third-party asset managers and custodial services, with approximately 3,948 advisors and $15.5 billion in assets under management.

Zachary Powell is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, he held positions at Community Unit School District 200 and FedEx Ground. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to a diverse client base, including retail and institutional investors. The firm utilizes a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios, including funds-of-funds and model portfolios.

Devin Price is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Lombard, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he served five years in the United States Army and worked at McMaster-Carr. He is currently applying to join the Military Academy Liaison Officer program, where he would volunteer to assist students with West Point and ROTC applications. 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, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices across the United States.

Brandon Macias is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Wheaton, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Edward Jones since 2019 and previously was involved in hospitality management and a bread and wine business. Macias serves as a board member of DayOne Alliance, a nonprofit organization focused on compliance with its mission and ethical standards. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients across a wide range of asset segments. The firm offers various advisory strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a large network of advisors and branch offices nationwide.

David Johnson is a CFP® professional with 31 years of experience in the financial services industry. He currently works at LPL Financial and has a background that includes nearly two decades at Wayne Hummer Investments, as well as experience at Chase Investment Services Corp. and Banc One Securities Corporation. 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 services including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting over 22,800 advisors and managing more than $819 billion in discretionary assets.

Susan Huizinga is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 credentials and ten years of industry experience. She has worked at various firms including Avantax Investment Services and Rozovics Wealth Management, where she is also a partner. Outside of advisory work, she serves as treasurer of the BTB Foundation, a nonprofit organization raising funds to support individuals fighting cancer. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving individual and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services, utilizing multiple investment program structures and affiliated third-party managers.

Michael Howlett is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 18 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining Ameriprise in 2021, he worked at Fidelity Brokerage Services and JPMorgan Securities in various roles from 2007 to 2021. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service aimed at individuals approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets, providing written Recommendation Reports that include income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to generate automated and tailored recommendations, primarily for clients with assets managed through Ameriprise accounts.

Eric Schneider is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 18 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 designations and has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2012. Ameriprise offers retirement-income planning services for individuals nearing or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, providing written Recommendation Reports that address income sources, Social Security options, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax analysis to deliver non-discretionary, algorithm-assisted recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Kathleen Morton is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. She holds a Series 63 designation and has 41 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Norwex and Isagenix International, LLC, and she is a 50% owner and secretary of Morton Private Wealth Strategies, Inc. Morton also has a long-standing association with Melaleuca since 1993. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting using risk profiling and analytical tools, supports wrap-fee advisory programs, and maintains specialized municipal and SIMPLE IRA advisory services.

Charles Stuck is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 30 years of industry experience. He has worked at Ameriprise and its affiliate Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. since 2005. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving both individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides written recommendation reports and ongoing retirement-income planning advice. The firm’s approach integrates investment research, third-party data, and algorithmic tools, with a focus on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Laura Bochenek is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors. The firm combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework when recommending strategies, delivering services on a non-discretionary basis.

Daniel Studebaker is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Geneva, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 13 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Northwestern Mutual and John Roland. He serves on the board of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, supporting high school athletes through athletics and discipleship. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on holistic, goal-based analyses and planning without discretionary trading authority. Their approach includes options for combining planning with managed accounts under a consolidated billing program called WealthPlan.

Nancy Morales Calara is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2024. Prior to this role, she held positions including Relationship Manager and Transition Services Specialist at Fidelity Investments, as well as various roles at Merrill and Banker's Life and Casualty Co. Her career demonstrates a progressive experience in financial services and client relationship management. Nancy emphasizes the importance of listening and building trust in financial planning. She approaches financial discussions with a focus on understanding each client's unique circumstances, whether addressing retirement, investments, or unforeseen financial events. Her professional philosophy centers on providing clarity and support as clients navigate their financial situations. Outside of her professional work, Nancy has interests in art, badminton, cars, food, social events, and traveling.