Katherine Micek is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 18 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and previously worked at UBS Financial Services for eight years before joining Raymond James in 2021. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning and non-discretionary investment consulting supported by a nationwide adviser network.

Gerardo Velasquez is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Milliman, Inc. for nine years. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management through a nationwide network of over 23,700 financial advisors and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Matthew Strutzel is a financial advisor at Cetera with 22 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has previously worked at Raymond James & Associates for 14 years. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as an elder at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, IL. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm supporting a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services to individual, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary options.

William Lavanne is a CFP® certificant affiliated with Cetera who has 40 years of industry experience. He currently serves at Cetera and its related entities, including James Hamlin Financial Services, LLC and JHFS Management Corporation, where he holds ownership and management roles. Outside of his advisory work, Lavanne is a licensed insurance agent authorized to offer fixed, life, disability, annuities, and long-term care insurance products. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that supports a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services with multiple program structures and access to both affiliated and unaffiliated third-party managers.

Stephanie Barnett is a financial advisor at Mass Mutual Investors Services with 11 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management Inc. since 2015. Barnett is based in Libertyville, IL. MassMutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm provides ongoing financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, employing firm-approved software to support goal analysis and recommendations.

Pauline Staab is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and has 17 years of industry experience. She has worked at Cetera and its affiliated entities since 2025 and previously spent six years at Avantax Advisory Services. Additionally, she is a partner at Porte Brown LLC, a public accounting firm, where she provides attest, tax, and consulting services. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers various portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform that supports both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies.

Zachary Cashmore is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he worked at Advisor Share Wealth Management and operated several self-employed wealth management ventures. Outside of finance, he has experience with Revolution Brewing. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients through a broad range of advisory programs and maintains a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

James Gregga is a CFP® professional with 18 years of industry experience, currently advising clients at Morgan Stanley in Barrington, Illinois. He previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities from 2012 to 2020. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning and a broad range of investment advisory programs. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools and analyses but generally acts in an advisory capacity without providing individual security recommendations in its standalone planning services.

Jacob Ries is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Crystal Lake, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 25 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Cetera Advisor Networks and Cetera Wealth Services, with a combined tenure from 2001 to 2018. Outside of his advisory role, Ries is involved in coaching wrestling at Big Foot Union High School and operates a tax preparation and accounting business. 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 management solutions, utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies, and supports over 22,800 advisors managing more than $819 billion in discretionary assets.

Umair Mustafa is a financial advisor at Merrill with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Adapt Health and Bank of America. Outside of his advisory role, he has worked as a customer service representative for Adapt Health and has experience with delivery services such as Amazon Flex and Uber Eats. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors, combining internal and third-party management with cash management solutions.

Brett Jenne is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 17 years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Stifel, where he has worked since 2022, following eight years at Bank of America. Brett is based in Lake Forest, Illinois. Stifel serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm uses a proprietary investment methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group to support asset allocation and financial planning decisions.

Michael Tursi is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 10 years of industry experience, currently associated with Wells Fargo Advisors in Arlington Heights, IL. His prior roles include positions at PNC Investments and Charles Schwab. Outside of his advisory work, he owns J.M. Equity Advisors LLC and serves as a notary public. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser that provides a broad range of investment and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutions. The firm offers specialized planning services and integrates advisory offerings with other financial products and referral channels.

Andrew Carman is a CFP® professional with 21 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial. His prior roles include positions at Securities America Advisors and Edward Jones. 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 range of advisory and brokerage services, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies across various asset classes.

Yonglin Ren is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. He has 20 years of industry experience, including prior roles at LPL Financial and Edward Jones. Ren is also an IRS Enrolled Agent and operates his own tax services business. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad range of clients—including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations—offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through independent Financial Professionals. The firm provides access to proprietary and third-party model strategies with both discretionary and non-discretionary implementation options.

Heidi Alten is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Crystal Lake, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and possessing 18 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Cetera Advisor Networks LLC and Cetera Wealth Services, LLC before joining LPL Financial in 2018. Outside of her advisory role, Alten is an ordained minister and is involved in tax preparation and accounting through Exemplar Accounting and Tax, Inc. 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 advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, supported by a nationwide network of investment adviser representatives.

Derek Bergquist is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 20 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at BSI Group and Sterling Engineering. In addition to his advisory work, he is involved in sales of loan products and home security referrals through Primerica affiliates. Primerica Advisors is a large-scale firm serving individual investors, corporate, and charitable clients through a wrap-fee asset management program. The firm utilizes model-delivery strategies managed by unaffiliated asset managers and supports trade execution and custody through established industry partners.

Nathan Levin is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cetera. His prior roles include positions at Ameriprise Financial Services and Edward Jones. He serves as treasurer on the Manors of Highland Park Condo Association Board. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser that supports a large network of independent advisors, serving individual clients, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional accounts through diversified portfolio management and financial planning services. The firm operates a multi-manager platform offering a variety of program structures with over $256 billion in assets under management.

James Danielson is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial in South Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 22 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at UBS Financial Services and multiple positions within Raymond James and affiliated firms since 2009. He is also the owner of Magnolia Financial Group, Inc. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm employs tailored, non-discretionary planning and analytical tools to support client goals and offers specialized programs such as municipal advisory services and SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory & Consulting Services.

Kenneth Kruss is a financial advisor with OSAIC based in Lake Zurich, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 30 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services for 17 years before joining OSAIC in 2024. Outside of his advisory role, he is president of Kruss Investment Services, Inc., a company involved in fixed insurance sales. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including retail and institutional investors, offering integrated brokerage and advisory services through a large network of affiliated advisors. The firm utilizes asset-allocation tools, risk-tolerance assessments, and automated rebalancing to manage portfolios across various asset classes on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases.

Eva Maria Atanassova is a financial advisor at Fidelity with three years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Fidelity Investments since 2023. Her prior roles include positions at Aramark, Enterprise Holdings, and various educational institutions. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including charitable funds and registered investment companies. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to deliver model portfolios and advisory services.