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.

Franklin Hilvers is the Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2015. He has been with Fidelity since 2005, progressing through various positions including Financial Consultant, Investment Consultant, Private Client Relationship Manager, Workplace Planning and Guidance Consultant, Retirement Solutions Representative, and Client Service Representative. Over his 21 years at Fidelity, he has worked with many clients to develop, implement, and maintain financial plans, focusing on retirement, income, and wealth planning. Franklin holds a California Insurance License, which supports his work in providing comprehensive financial advice. He emphasizes integrity in his advisory services and is committed to helping clients and their families work toward their financial goals. Outside of his professional life, Franklin enjoys baseball, concerts, football, family activities, and parenthood.

David Hatton is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 27 years of industry experience. He is currently associated with LPL Financial and has worked in the financial services sector including tenures at Old National Bank and First Midwest Bank. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers financial planning, advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing model portfolios and research from both in-house and third-party sources.

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.

Thomas Noto Jr. is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with 24 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked with Equitable Advisors since 2002, including its predecessor, AXA Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an ice hockey official with USA Hockey. Equitable Advisors serves individual, high-net-worth, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients by providing financial planning, broker-dealer services, insurance distribution, and access to third-party asset management programs. The firm operates as a dual-registered SEC investment adviser and broker-dealer and collaborates with program sponsors and third-party managers to deliver a range of advisory and brokerage solutions.

Zachary Cashmore is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in North Barrington, IL, holding Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Advisor Share Wealth Management and self-employed advisory firms. Outside of financial advising, he has worked in the brewing industry with Revolution Brewing. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving a diverse client base, including individual and institutional clients, with a broad range of advisory programs and affiliated investment options.

William Feeney is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services in Northbrook, IL, with 43 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS since 1989 and previously worked at Drexel Burnham Lambert. Feeney holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings, including financial planning and portfolio management. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services and provides a broad range of capital markets and research resources.

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.

Jared Korn is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in comprehensive wealth management for small business owners, corporate executives, and high-net-worth families. He offers personalized wealth management strategies including retirement planning, tax-efficient wealth preservation, risk management, estate planning, executive compensation optimization, and small business retirement plans. With over six years of experience in the financial services industry, Jared adopts a client-centric approach that focuses on building long-lasting relationships based on trust and integrity. He develops customized strategies by taking a holistic view of clients' financial landscapes, aligning with their objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizons. His expertise spans portfolio management, tax planning, estate planning, and retirement solutions, keeping abreast of market trends and regulatory changes to provide up-to-date advice. Jared holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He is involved in professional organizations including Merrill Lynch Bank of America's Disability Action Network and Inter-Generational Employee Network. Outside of work, Jared enjoys activities such as adventure sports, boating, football, golfing, music, rock climbing, skiing, surfing, and spending time with his family.

Shawn Marks is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Park Ridge, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. He has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and has worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2003. 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. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage and investment management capabilities, delivering services through a non-discretionary program supported by a centralized due diligence framework.

Yonglin Ren is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 19 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cambridge in 2021, Ren worked at LPL Financial for 10 years. Outside of advisory work, Ren is an IRS Enrolled Agent and operates a tax services firm, REN & Associates Tax Services Inc. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and trusts, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals. The firm provides a range of investment implementation options across multiple platforms, including proprietary models and third-party strategies, with both discretionary and non-discretionary approaches tailored to client objectives.

Jon Meek is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 23 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with the Center for Enriched Living, a recreation-focused organization in Riverwoods, Illinois. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a wide range of advisory programs serving both individual and institutional clients, with a focus on tailored financial planning and a structured discovery process using firm-approved tools.

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.

Tracy Cook is a financial advisor at Merrill with 18 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Merrill since 2008. 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 supported by internal Chief Investment Office teams and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

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.

Derek Nichols serves as Vice President and Branch Leader at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2026. In this role, he leads a team of advisors by providing support and coaching aimed at maximizing their potential. He focuses on fostering a positive work environment and developing the skills and capabilities of his team to serve more clients effectively each day. Prior to his current role, Derek was a Branch Leader at Fidelity Investments from 2024 to 2026, and before that, he was Vice President and Wealth Planner at the company from 2018 to 2024. His mission is to create a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation within his branch while delivering exceptional service and value to clients. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Derek has personal interests that include fitness, football, golf, hiking, and motorcycles.

Blake Ripes is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and four years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Fifth Third Bank, and National Securities Corp. Outside of finance, he has experience in the hospitality industry, including positions at Quinton's Bar and Brill and Picklemans. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a blend of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to deliver model portfolios and manage registered investment companies.

James Oshaughnessy is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Northbrook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Global Retirement Partners, HUB International, Sheridan Road Advisors LLC, and Independent Financial Partners. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations through a nationwide network. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, combining discretionary and non-discretionary management with model portfolios and research support.