Wesley Barnes is a CFP® with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Mariner since 2025. He previously worked at Hightower Advisors and Hightower Securities, LLC from 2008 to 2022 and served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves from 2011 to 2017. Outside of his advisory role, Barnes is involved in managing a group of doughnut franchise locations and serves on the board of United Way Northwest Indiana. Mariner serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations through comprehensive investment management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm emphasizes discretionary, customized portfolios overseen by an Investment Committee, integrating in-house research with third-party managers, and offers distinctive tax, accounting, and administrative CFO services.

Maria Burger is a financial advisor with First Command Advisory Services in Oak Brook, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. She has been affiliated with First Command and related entities since 2017 and is the business owner of MVB Financial Services, LLC. Burger also serves as president and board member of the West Point Society of Chicago, a nonprofit supporting the United States Military Academy, admissions, and alumni. Additionally, she provides consulting services to chemical and manufacturing companies through the Gerson Lehrman Group. First Command Advisory Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporate, and charitable clients, with a focus on active-duty service members and their families. The firm offers financial planning and multiple wrap-fee asset management programs managed centrally by an Investment Management Team and Wealth Portfolio Managers, using a disciplined manager selection process and established platforms for portfolio administration and custody.

Alexander Kapusta is a Series 65-licensed advisor with Mariner, bringing four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Horizon Wealth Management and Kam's, as well as work with Butterfield Country Club and the United States Soccer Federation. Mariner serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporations through investment management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm combines in-house research with third-party manager access and offers integrated tax, family office, and financial wellness services alongside traditional portfolio management.

Joseph Holakovsky is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management in Elgin, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 13 years of industry experience. He has been with PNC Investments since 2016. PNC Wealth Management provides retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an invitation-only digital offering that uses algorithmic risk assessment and manages investments via approved model strategies with mutual funds and ETFs.

Thomas Herzing is a CFP® professional with 26 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. He has been with Mercer since 2015. Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth families, small business owners, corporate plan sponsors, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory and emphasizes globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios using low-cost index vehicles and multi-factor tilts, supported by various implementation options and a range of affiliated service lines.

Jennifer Heid is a financial advisor at First Command Advisory Services with 16 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with First Command in various capacities since 2010. First Command Advisory Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporate, and charitable clients, with a focus on active-duty service members and their families. The firm offers financial planning and multiple wrap-fee asset management programs, delivering investment management through a centralized team that selects and manages model portfolios and third-party managers.

Victor Champney is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 17 years of industry experience. He has worked with Transamerica Financial Advisors since 2012 and is also involved with The UTC Tax Busters and Inheritguard, LLC. Outside of finance, he operates a music studio, provides music lessons, and performs as a member of a musical band. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a wide range of clients including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm delivers advisory services primarily through model portfolios and third-party managers, supported by a large advisor network and multiple program platforms.

Nicholas Costa is a CFP® professional with two years of industry experience. He is currently affiliated with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC and previously worked at Vermillion Financial Advisors. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services provides financial planning, asset management, retirement-plan consulting, and referrals to managed account investment managers for individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm manages over $122 billion in assets and utilizes a diversified investment process combining passive and active managers with quantitative, momentum, and fundamental analysis.

Ann Marie Cudzilo is a financial advisor with First Command Advisory Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 23 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Transamerica Capital, Inc., Diversified Investors Securities Corp., and First Command Financial Planning. First Command Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporate, and charitable clients, with a focus on active-duty service members and their families. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and various wrap-fee asset management programs that utilize model portfolios and third-party managers selected by an internal Investment Management Team.

Bradley Buening is a financial advisor at First Command Advisory Services with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and three years of industry experience. He served in the United States Air Force from 2001 to 2023 before transitioning to roles within First Command, including insurance, advisory, and brokerage services. First Command Advisory Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporate, and charitable clients, with a focus on active-duty service members and their families. The firm offers financial planning and multiple wrap-fee asset management programs, utilizing centralized portfolio management and prescreened third-party managers within an employee-owned structure.

Daniel Hedge is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently advising at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. since 2023. Prior to this, he spent seven years at Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as chair and board member of the St. Charles and Elgin Chambers of Commerce and occasionally delivers sermons as a guest speaker at Village Bible Church. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients through over 500 advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, investment management, brokerage services, and insurance products, combining proprietary strategies with third-party models and operating an internal equity and fixed-income trading desk.

Curtis Wilcox is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment in Lombard, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and totaling 15 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Lincoln Investment in 2026, he was with VALIC Financial Advisors for 16 years. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in MCW Development, LLC, a real estate company he co-owns that develops small real estate projects. Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC is a large enterprise advisory and broker-dealer serving a broad client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, trusts, charities, and retirement plans. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management using proprietary models and third-party managers, and advisory services often led by advisors using Lincoln’s platform and Investment Management & Research team.

Benjamin Welch is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment in Lombard, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 19 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at LPL Financial, J. McGovern and Associates, Lincoln Investment Planning, and Merrill. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a Boys U5 Division Coordinator and board member for AYSO 300, a youth soccer organization. Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC is a large enterprise advisory and broker-dealer serving a broad client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, trusts, charities, and retirement plans. The firm combines advisor-led consulting with model portfolios developed by an in-house investment management team and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary services across various platforms.

Dane Sauer is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. in Schaumburg, IL. He has been with Mercer since 2016 in various roles. Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, small business owners, plan sponsors, and non-profits. The firm employs a globally diversified, risk-appropriate investment approach using low-cost ETFs, index funds, and other strategies, and offers a broad range of specialized services including retirement plan consulting and family office solutions.

Julie Bucaro is a CFP®-credentialed financial advisor with 14 years of industry experience. She is currently with Corient, where she has worked since 2022, following a 13-year tenure at Balasa Dinverno Foltz LLC. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, and corporate entities. The firm employs a goals-based, team investment approach that integrates in-house strategies with third-party managers and utilizes risk management tools and alternative investments as appropriate.

Daniyal Ahmed is a CFP® professional with nine years of industry experience. He is currently with Cetera Planning Partners and has previously worked at firms including Avantax Planning Partners, Avantax Insurance Services, and Honkamp Krueger Financial Services. His background includes roles in financial planning and client advisory services. Cetera Planning Partners serves individual and high-net-worth clients, particularly pre-retirees and retirees, offering investment management, comprehensive financial planning, Social Security optimization, and retirement-related advice. The firm provides a diversified investment approach using mutual funds and ETFs aligned with client objectives and risk tolerance, supported by a range of ancillary services such as tax planning, bookkeeping, payroll support, and estate-planning solutions.

Frank Nemeth is a financial advisor with NewEdge Advisors in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing and A.G. Edwards & Sons. NewEdge Advisors is an enterprise-scale registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations through a network of independent representatives. The firm provides a range of services including portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to sponsored advisory programs, using multiple program structures and technology tools to support its advisors and clients.

Samuel Awad is a CFP® professional with nine years of experience in financial advising. He has worked at Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC since 2026, following six years at HighTower Advisors LLC and four years at Private Vista, LLC. Outside of financial advising, he provides operational and IT consulting and executive coaching, assisting with strategic IT programs and coaching high-potential executives. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC serves individuals, families, trusts, businesses, and retirement plans through a network of independent financial advisors. The firm offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, family office, and retirement plan advisory services, employing a primarily long-term investment approach with customized portfolios and a variety of model and wrap-fee program options.

Nathan Freeman is a financial advisor at Wealthspire Advisors with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at several firms, including Independent Financial Partners, Rudwall Wealth Management, LPL Financial, and American Century Investment Services. In addition to his advisory work, he owns PKJ LLC, a health care services referral business. Wealthspire Advisors is an SEC-registered firm managing approximately $34.3 billion in assets for nearly 9,700 clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and nonprofits. The firm employs an institutional-style asset allocation framework and offers services such as wealth management, portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting.

Charles Williams is a CFP® professional with 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked with Independent Financial Partners since 2010 and previously served at LPL Financial and IFP Securities, LLC. Williams is also an adjunct professor at Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies, where he teaches a retirement planning and employee benefits course. Independent Financial Partners provides investment advisory, financial planning, trust, and retirement-plan services through a nationwide network of independent Investment Adviser Representatives. The firm supports a multi-advisor platform serving individual, charitable, corporate, and high-net-worth clients, with a focus on retirement-plan advisory and pension consulting services.