Ashley Ek is a financial advisor with Merrill who holds a Series 66 designation and has 10 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2017 and previously held positions at PNC Investments and PNC Bank. Ek is based in Pittsburgh, PA. 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, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Daniel Riley is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 14 years of industry experience. He has worked at Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc since 2018, following roles at PNC Investments and PNC Bank from 2013 to 2018. Stifel serves a wide array of clients, including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, offering brokerage and investment advisory services supported by a proprietary investment methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group. The firm provides fee-based financial planning and model allocations intended to inform client decisions while allowing clients discretion over implementation.

Louis Sforza is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Pittsburgh, PA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 18 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ameriprise in 2021, he worked for Prudential Investment Management Services LLC and The Prudential Insurance Company of America from 2009 to 2021. He serves on the Board of Directors for the YMCA and has ownership roles in several business entities related to managing his advisory practice. Ameriprise offers retirement-income planning services focused on clients approaching or in retirement with specific asset criteria, providing written Recommendation Reports that address income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis delivered through a centralized consulting team, emphasizing managed accounts and utilizing algorithmic automation overseen by a Retirement Income Oversight Committee.

Paul Mcbeth III is a financial professional with 31 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cetera. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at Cetera and its affiliated entities since 2020. He is also a partner at Lewis, McBeth & D'Ambrosio, a firm involved in expense management, a role he has held since 1995. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving a broad range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional accounts. The firm offers various portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform that supports discretionary and non-discretionary authorities and multiple program structures.

Linda Elliott is a Series 66-registered financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Pittsburgh, PA, where she has worked since 2009. She has 4 years of industry experience. 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 including tailored financial planning, using structured discovery processes and firm-approved tools to model financial outcomes.

Robert Barmen is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. from 2016 to 2023. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and combines brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party analytics.

Brian Simon is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise, holding a Series 66 designation and 23 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Enterprise since 2024 and previously worked at Prudential Insurance Company of America and Pruco Securities, LLC for over two decades. LPL Enterprise serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers financial planning, advisory services, and access to a range of investment and insurance products through an integrated platform that combines advisory programs with active sales of financial products.

Ryan Kramer is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Cardinal Management Group and The University of Alabama. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm focuses on holistic, goal-based planning and allows clients to combine planning services with managed accounts under a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan,” while keeping these services separate.

Kristine Gutkowski is a financial advisor at Merrill with 29 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with Merrill since 1984, including her current role at Bank of America since 2022. 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

John Pikras Jr. is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and 29 years of industry experience. He worked at Citizens Securities, Inc. for 10 years before joining LPL Financial in 2023. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing model portfolios, research, and various management strategies.

Jared Dykes is a financial professional with 16 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cetera. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at notable firms including Avantax and LPL Financial. He is also involved with CEC Financial Group. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves individual and institutional clients through a large network of independent advisors, offering a range of portfolio management and financial planning services across multiple program structures and custodial relationships.

Richard Rose is a financial advisor with LPL Financial and holds Series 63, 65, and 66 credentials. He has 51 years of industry experience, including 17 years with Triad Advisors prior to joining LPL Financial. Rose also engages in tax preparation and accounting services as part of his professional activities. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by internal and third-party research.

William Place is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding the ChFC® and Series 63 designations and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Kestra Investment Services, LLC for 13 years and has been associated with Jacobson Associates, Inc. for 16 years. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, 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, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management along with research and model portfolios from LPL Research and third-party subadvisors.

James Wyman is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 35 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with RBC Capital Markets and has worked at City National Bank since 2019. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an expert witness and securities valuation consultant on a limited, non-business hours basis. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, serves individual investors, institutional clients, and charitable organizations with tailored investment strategies. The firm offers various advisory programs that combine in-house and third-party managers, featuring discretionary portfolio management and options for tax management and responsible investing.

Mary Ann Ernette is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Pittsburgh, PA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 24 years of industry experience. She previously worked at IC Advisory Services Inc and The Investment Center Inc, each for six years, and has been involved with the AVS Foundation since 2012. Ernette is also engaged with The Eamon Foundation outside of her advisory work. LPL Financial serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations, offering a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services through a national network of investment adviser representatives.

Matthew Smallidge is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Monroeville, PA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and seven years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Cincinnati Life Insurance Company, GBU Financial Life, Royal Alliance, and Citizens 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 select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with broker-dealer and investment adviser registrations, delivering recommendations on a non-discretionary basis.

Michelle Kish is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She specializes in helping high-net-worth families and individuals develop customized, flexible wealth management strategies. Michelle's approach emphasizes personalized service and comprehensive planning that includes retirement planning, estate and insurance planning, education planning, and liability management. She collaborates with other professionals such as CPAs and attorneys to ensure alignment with clients' long-term goals. Michelle earned a Bachelor's Degree from the Pennsylvania State University System and holds several professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Her experience and credentials support her analytical approach combined with empathy, enabling her to build trust with clients and address both financial and personal aspects affecting their wealth. Residing in her hometown of Murrysville, Pennsylvania, Michelle is active in her community, serving on the board of the Franklin Regional Athletic Association and participating with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She enjoys spending time with her two children, Brody and Brooklyn, and her personal interests include skiing, attending sports events, reading, traveling, biking, boating, running, swimming, and watching movies.

Matthew Wirtz is a CFP® professional at Edward Jones with 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2007. Outside of his advisory role, he is the owner of 2nd Street Enterprises, an LLC established for real estate purposes. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million clients, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations, offering a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Justin Wegley is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 63 designation and five years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial, he worked at Trustmont Financial Group and Bayer US LLC. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved with Puzak Wegley Tax Services, a tax preparation and accounting service. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, institutions, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by proprietary and third-party research.

Michael Franklin is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 38 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has worked at OSAIC since 2023. Prior to joining OSAIC, he spent 14 years at Sagepoint Financial, Inc., and has been president of Patrick Financial Co., Inc. since 1996, where he continues to manage fixed insurance with various carriers. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a wide network of affiliated advisers and advisory platforms. The firm provides integrated brokerage and advisory services, employing asset-allocation tools and third-party managers to offer portfolios including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and alternative investments.