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.

Todd Bauman is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2009. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for clients approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets, using a centralized consulting team to deliver tailored, non-discretionary recommendations that incorporate research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis. The firm offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of a large institutional provider.

Nicholas Curio is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Deerfield, IL, holding a Series 66 designation. He has been with Morgan Stanley and its Private Bank since 2026 and previously worked at Second Avenue and UBS Financial Services Inc. Outside of finance, his background includes work in the hospitality and retail sectors. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services, utilizing structured planning tools and investment models while generally acting in an advisory capacity.

Kelly Ipjian is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Triad Advisors, Alera Investment Advisors, GCG Financial Services, and Securian Financial Services. 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 plan consulting, with both discretionary and non-discretionary management options supported by proprietary and third-party research.

David Carter is a financial advisor at Merrill with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked for J.P. Morgan Securities and JP Morgan Chase Bank. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies to a broad client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, and corporate fiduciaries. The firm integrates with Bank of America’s wider platform, providing access to various financial products and services.

Kathleen Liggins is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Buffalo Grove, IL, where she has six years of experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2007 in various roles. Outside of her advisory work, she serves as Treasurer for the Barrington Juniors Women’s Club and is a managing member of BK Legacy Holdings LLC, a consumer retail products business. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a variety of advisory strategies, including both discretionary and non-discretionary options, and maintains a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Spencer Hunzeker is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with the CFP® designation and a Series 66 license. He has 10 years of industry experience, all with Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank. 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. The firm offers a combination of non-discretionary and discretionary investment guidance, utilizing multi-asset model portfolios and a centralized operational structure.

Blade Varian is a financial advisor at Fisher Investments with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Fisher Investments since 2013. Fisher Investments serves a global mix of institutional and private clients, providing discretionary portfolio management across equity, fixed-income, and blended mandates. The firm employs a centralized investment process that combines quantitative screening and qualitative research to construct diversified portfolios and offers sub-advisory and retirement plan services.

Dejan Acimovic is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings over 15 years of experience in wealth management, sales, and finance, with a focus on helping clients achieve their financial goals through personalized strategies. Dejan holds the designations of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University Paris XII and is fluent in Serbo-Croatian, French, and English. Dejan emphasizes understanding each client’s full financial picture to develop flexible strategies that align with their long-term objectives. In addition to his professional work, he participates in community activities and volunteers with local organizations. Outside of work, Dejan enjoys basketball, reading, soccer, and traveling. His approach is centered on working closely with clients one-on-one to establish tailored financial plans that pursue their personal goals.

Pandit Singharuksa is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of America and the University of Arizona Global Campus. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies to a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries.

Vanessa Drolshagen is a financial advisor with Merrill in Northbrook, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. She previously worked at Bank of America, N.A. and co-manages a family trust as a co-trustee. Outside of her advisory role, she owns AVPro Services, LLC, a home remodeling and handyman business where she also assists with administrative tasks. Merrill provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions program to a broad client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies integrated with Bank of America’s platform, providing access to a wide range of products and services.

Christine Kusher is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 23 years of industry experience. She has worked with LPL Financial since 2022 and has concurrent roles at Cuna Brokerage Services, Inc. and Cuna Mutual Insurance Society since 2010. Outside of her advisory work, she is also a self-employed musician. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations. The firm offers diverse advisory programs and financial planning services, utilizing model portfolios and research from various sources to support discretionary and non-discretionary management.

David Maleh is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Deerfield, IL, and has 27 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2015 and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients. The firm emphasizes a structured financial planning process using proprietary tools and serves clients through both direct and employer-sponsored arrangements.

Connor Brandon is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Forbes Technical Consulting, Purdy Products Company, CareerBuilder, and Tech USA. He spent eight years in full-time education prior to entering the financial services field. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and charitable organizations. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds supported by a large nationwide network of advisors.

Scott Barber is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been a member of the team since 1992. He has held several roles throughout his tenure, including investment associate, training coordinator for new financial advisors, and financial planning specialist for Merrill Lynch’s Financial Foundation® program. Currently, he serves with The HDB Group, leveraging over 20 years of financial services experience to assist clients such as attorneys, physicians, and business executives in defining, prioritizing, and pursuing their financial goals. Scott follows a disciplined, goals-based wealth management process that addresses critical financial planning areas including college education funding, retirement income planning, estate planning, philanthropic planning, tax minimization, liability management, and portfolio management services. He is a qualified portfolio manager who can build and manage personalized strategies incorporating individual securities, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. Scott holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) certification and the Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) designation, along with the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. Scott earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Indiana University Bloomington. He resides in St. Charles with his wife, Bethany, and their daughters, Riley and Quinn. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he enjoys running, reading, traveling, and spending time with his family. Scott was recognized as part of the HDB Group on the 2024 Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” list.

John Thunholm is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Deerfield, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 38 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo in various capacities since 2009, including a decade at Wells Fargo Clearing. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network serves individuals, trusts, and institutional clients, offering a broad range of investment and fee-based financial planning services. The firm provides tailored recommendations supported by Wells Fargo research and planning tools, covering diverse planning needs such as retirement, education, risk management, and business-owner transition planning.

Bryan Catalano Jr. is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012, following a prior role at JPMorgan Chase Bank. 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 team of Wealth Advisors. As a subsidiary of J.P. Morgan, the firm combines institutional advisory capabilities with brokerage, distribution, and investment management services.