Joseph Christopoulos is a Series 66 credentialed financial advisor with 12 years of industry experience, all with LPL Financial. He operates out of Arlington Heights, IL. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing model portfolios and research from multiple sources.

Peter Schallmoser is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over 25 years of experience in the financial industry. He specializes in designing cost-effective corporate retirement plans—including 401(k), defined benefit, and non-qualified platforms—for businesses that prioritize employee economic empowerment. Since 1997, Peter and the Schallmoser Group have worked closely with corporate and high net worth individual clients to develop personalized financial strategies that align with their unique goals. His areas of expertise include corporate benefits, equity compensation services, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. Peter holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Loyola University Chicago and a Master’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University. He holds multiple professional designations, including Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Certified 401(k) Professional (CKP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Beyond his professional work, Peter serves as a Village Trustee for the Village of Lake Barrington, Illinois, and volunteers with the Crushers Club in Englewood, Chicago. His personal interests include adventure sports, baseball, and traveling.

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 with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 23 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Cetera Advisor Networks LLC for five years and has operated Gorman & Associates since 1990. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with a CPA Affiliate Program through Gorman & Associates. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and model portfolios.

Peter Van Houten is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 40 years of industry experience. His prior firms include Merrill, Brewer Investment Advisors LLC, Amcore Investment Services, and LaSalle Financial Services. He is also a co-owner of a real estate rental business in Amelia Island, Florida. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a broad range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers various advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing model portfolios, research, and advanced technologies in its investment approach.

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 with Edward Jones in Cary, IL, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and five years of industry experience. His prior work history includes positions at JP Morgan Chase and its affiliates from 2010 to 2025. Outside of his advisory role, Borchers 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 over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of investment advisory programs and manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large network of advisors and branches.

Bryan Luczkiw is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 11 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cetera and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC since 2015 and has provided tax and accounting services through CBC Tax & Accounting since 1997. Outside of advising, he owns a collectibles business on eBay and serves as treasurer for a nonprofit promoting lower Illinois tax initiatives. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with access to various portfolio management strategies, including model portfolios, third-party managers, and bespoke solutions, supported by ongoing supervision and client reviews.

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. He has worked at Global Retirement Partners since 2017 and was previously with UBS Financial Services from 2014 to 2017. Smith also serves as a board member for The Center for Board Certified Fiduciaries. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, providing both discretionary and non-discretionary management alongside model portfolios and research support.

Patrick Witte is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, and BMO. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a nationwide network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing research and model portfolios from multiple sources.