Susana Martinez is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 10 years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at JP Morgan Chase Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, and TD Ameritrade. Outside of her advisory duties, she is the sole member of S2K, LLC, a non-investment-related entity. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services, combining non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to affiliated discretionary separately managed accounts and a structured alternative-investment offering.

Matthew Ramos is a Financial Consultant currently based in the Deer Park office. He partners with individuals and families to develop financial plans tailored to their personal definitions of success. With a career spanning over 20 years in the industry, Matthew collaborates with clients to co-create financial roadmaps that leverage a wide range of resources and services. Matthew's professional experience includes roles as a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments since 2022, Financial Advisor at Tranel Financial Services in 2022, Senior Financial Consultant at TD Ameritrade from 2018 to 2021, Producing Branch Manager and Financial Consultant at Scottrade between 2014 and 2018, Financial Consultant at TD Ameritrade from 2006 to 2014, Personal Finance Specialist at Hewitt Associates from 2005 to 2006, and Licensed Sales Assistant at Comerica Securities from 1995 to 1996. Outside of his professional work, Matthew has interests in cars, cooking and baking, family activities, fitness, social events with friends, and motorcycles.

Darell Hughes James is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works closely with individuals, families, and business owners to help them pursue their financial goals through personalized wealth management strategies. Leveraging the resources of Merrill and Bank of America, he provides guidance in wealth planning, retirement strategies, investment management, and risk management. Darell holds a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Illinois University and holds the designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His approach emphasizes understanding what matters most to clients and assisting them in making informed decisions with confidence. His client focus areas include family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, and retirement income. Outside of his professional role, Darell enjoys dancing, music, and soccer.

Kathleen Wresch is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Lake in the Hills, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Homeside Financial and Perl Mortgage. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Brandon Blazer is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Barrington, IL. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 17 years of industry experience, including 10 years with Wells Fargo Clearing. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers a range of brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research and analytics from Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

Travis Brown is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Grayslake, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having 20 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2013. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors.

Anthony Bianchi Sr. is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with 20 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member for Lake County Crime Stoppers, an anonymous crime tip line. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers comprehensive, goal-based planning on topics such as retirement, tax, estate, and special needs but does not include implementation of recommendations as part of the service.

John Josten is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 39 years of industry experience, including prior roles at Lamb Little and VOYA Financial Advisors. Outside of his advisory work, he manages an agriculture-related business, John M. Hanson Enterprises LLC. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationwide SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services through a multi-manager platform that includes affiliated and third-party managers, with over $256 billion in assets under management and more than 10,000 advisors.

Jose Lopez Maldonado is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. He previously worked at BMO Harris Financial Advisors from 2016 to 2021 before joining LPL Financial in 2021. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services through a large network of representatives serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a variety of financial planning and investment management solutions, including model portfolios and third-party asset management, supported by advanced research and operational tools.

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® professional with 26 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012. She has worked with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. for 25 years and was involved with The Sheedy Family Living Trust from 2010 to 2021. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on non-discretionary, written asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative screens and qualitative research to build model asset allocations and includes broader derivatives and commodities capabilities.

Brandon Nguyen is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at Fidelity Investments, M1 Finance, and Merrill Edge/Bank of America. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting within a non-discretionary framework. Their advisory process includes centralized due diligence with a combination of quantitative and qualitative research supported by affiliated portfolio services.

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.

Roger Smith is a CFP® professional with 25 years of industry experience, currently serving at Edward Jones since 2000. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs, investment options, and fiduciary services supported by a nationwide network of over 23,000 financial advisors.

Peter Van Houten is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 40 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at LPL Financial since 2017, with prior experience at Merrill and other firms. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services through a large network of representatives to individuals, retirement plans, banks, and institutions. The firm offers a range of investment solutions including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

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.