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 at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, and retirement income. With a focus on helping clients identify their priorities, he develops tailored strategies to pursue their financial goals. Darell holds a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Illinois University and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys dancing, music, and soccer.

Kathleen Wresch is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with Series 66 credentials and four years of industry experience. She previously worked at Homeside Financial and Perl Mortgage. 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 solutions supported by a nationwide network of over 23,700 financial advisors.

Brandon Blazer is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 17 years of industry experience. He has held positions at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and Wells Fargo Clearing since 2009. He holds a Series 66 designation. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary investment advisory services tailored to plan objectives and risk tolerances. The firm’s approach is IPS-driven and includes a broader range of financial products, such as insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

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 at Cetera with 38 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. His prior experience includes roles at Lamb Little and VOYA Financial Advisors. Outside of his advisory work, he manages an agricultural business through John M. Hanson Enterprises LLC. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services and operates a multi-manager platform with access to affiliated and third-party investment strategies.

Jose Lopez Maldonado is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Wauconda, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. He previously worked at BMO Harris Financial Advisors from 2016 to 2019 before joining LPL Financial in 2021. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches supported by proprietary and third-party research.

Dennis Marach is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 43 years of industry experience. He has worked at Linsco Private Ledger since 2006. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Marach Financial Management, which includes activities such as tax preparation and writing non-variable life insurance. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, 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, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches supported by research and diverse investment strategies.

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.

Brian Magura is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Schaumburg, IL, holding CFP® and ChFC® designations and 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2002. 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 solutions, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, and operates under a fiduciary standard.

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 previously worked at Fidelity Investments, M1 Finance, and Merrill Edge/Bank of America. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applying an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

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.

Aira Lodygowski is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Saint Charles, IL. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has seven years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2021, she worked at BMO Harris from 2011 through 2018. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and proprietary research.

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.

Joseph Miceli is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 35 years of industry experience. He has been with Cetera and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC since 2000. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in health and life insurance renewals as an insurance agent. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving individual, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a network of over 10,000 independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services, utilizing a multi-manager platform with various program options, including automated allocations and direct indexing.

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.