Cortez Robinson-Starks is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2014. In this capacity, he partners with individuals, families, and business owners to develop comprehensive wealth plans aimed at providing financial peace of mind. He focuses on creating strategies that are personal, comfortable, and understandable, helping clients build confidence in their financial decisions. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Cortez worked as a Relationship Banker at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC from 2010 to 2014. His professional experience spans over a decade in the financial services industry, during which he has supported clients in selecting wealth strategies tailored to their present and future needs.

Michael Bender is Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2021. He began his career at Fidelity in 2017 and has progressed through roles including Financial Consultant, Investment Consultant, and Financial Representative. Prior to joining Fidelity, Michael worked as a Relationship Banker at FirstMerit Bank from 2015 to 2016. Michael's approach to financial planning emphasizes trust and integrity, collaborating with clients to assess their unique circumstances and needs in pursuit of their financial goals. His experience spans financial consulting and investment advising within Fidelity Investments. Outside of his professional work, Michael has interests in fitness, football, spending time at the lake, caring for pets, and traveling.

Shelby Budzeak is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with two years of industry experience. Shelby holds the Series 66 designation and has prior experience at Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management. Before entering the financial industry, Shelby worked in physical therapy and education. Raymond James & Associates provides financial planning and investment consulting through its Wealth Advisory Services Program to a diverse client base, including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate and charitable entities, and government clients. The firm offers tailored financial plans and asset-allocation analyses, serving both retail and institutional clients with a range of advisory and portfolio management services.

Thaddeus Crass is a financial advisor at Merrill with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Prudential Insurance Company of America and Pruco Securities, LLC from 2015 to 2024. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through its Select Portfolio Solutions program, offering a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries.

J Fioroni is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over four decades of experience in investment and wealth management advisory services. Since joining Merrill in 1982, he has focused on developing client relationships tailored to their individual needs and aspirations. Working as part of Team Fioroni, which collectively holds over 60 years of industry experience, he assists clients ranging from growing families to retirees in defining and pursuing their financial goals through comprehensive wealth management planning. Fioroni holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC™) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. He earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees from Michigan State University. Beyond his advisory role, he has been involved in leadership development, having taught Dale Carnegie Leadership Courses for 15 years across Michigan. He is an officer of the Rotary Club of Flint, Michigan, and actively participates in the community through this organization. Fioroni is also an avid baseball player and fan, competing in Men’s Senior Baseball tournaments locally and nationally. He lives in Michigan with his wife, Lynette, and their three children.

Nicole Gatto is a financial advisor at Merrill with 10 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill and Bank of America since 2017, following a year with PNC Bank and PNC Investments. Merrill provides managed account services through its Select Portfolio Solutions program, serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries. The firm integrates model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by Merrill’s Chief Investment Office within the broader Bank of America platform.

Leonard Zito is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 39 years of industry experience. He has been with Cetera Advisors LLC since 2013 and with Cetera since 2024. Outside of his advisory role, he is a 33% owner of MSZ Enterprises, LLC, a business involved in leasing office buildings. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with various program options, discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, and access to third-party money managers.

Paul Tackett is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His background includes roles at A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort and TREMEC Corporation, as well as academic involvement at the University of Michigan and University of Detroit Jesuit High School & Academy. Equitable Advisors serves a broad range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers financial planning, broker-dealer services, insurance distribution, and access to third-party asset management programs, operating through multiple program sponsors and third-party managers.

Philip Piesko is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 31 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 from 1995. LPL Enterprise serves a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional clients, offering financial planning, advisory, and brokerage services through an integrated platform that combines model portfolios, third-party management, and access to a range of financial products.

Ryan Robertson is a financial advisor at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors with 22 years of industry experience. His previous roles include positions at Securities America, Inc., Securities Service Network, OSAIC, and he is also a principal at The Dickerson Group, which he has been involved with for over 20 years. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and other clients. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services delivered through a network of independent professionals using a variety of portfolio management and platform options.

Daryl Severson is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 44 years of industry experience. He is currently with Robert Baird & Co., where he has worked since 2019, and has also been affiliated with J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc. since 1997. He is part of The DDK Group at Robert W. Baird & Co., which serves individuals, families, pensions, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The group provides customized financial planning and portfolio management services, employing a range of strategies from traditional allocations to more complex approaches, including separately managed accounts and overlay services.

David Smolarek is a CFP® professional with 39 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial in Troy, MI. He has been with LPL Financial since 2009 and previously worked at the Center for Wealth Planning Advisors, Inc. from 2015 to 2017. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a broad range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers financial planning, advisory programs, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by in-house and third-party research.

Brooks Black is a financial advisor at LPL Enterprise with 26 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation as well as Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. His prior career includes positions at Prudential Insurance Company of America, Mass Mutual Investors Services, and Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. Additionally, he operates a real estate rental business. LPL Enterprise serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional clients through both advisory and brokerage channels. The firm offers financial planning, access to Model Wealth Portfolios, third-party asset management, and a range of brokerage and insurance products via an integrated platform.

Jill Syracuse is a ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with 23 years of industry experience, currently serving clients at Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC since 2021. Prior to this, she worked for Royal Alliance for 10 years. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in tax preparation through Blumark Tax Advisors, LLC, and participates in a wellness shopping club called Melaleuca. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals with significant investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored, non-discretionary recommendations. The firm also offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through its affiliated companies.

Peter Molesa is a financial advisor with OSAIC who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 21 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services INC and SII Investments. Outside of his advisory role, he operates a business selling bonsai and related products. OSAIC serves a broad mix of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisors and offers integrated brokerage, investment advisory services, and access to third-party money managers. The firm employs various portfolio construction tools and supports multiple advisory platforms to accommodate diverse client needs.

Brian Higgins is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He offers financial advice to high net worth individuals, business owners, and retirement plans, focusing on understanding each client’s specific life and financial objectives to help manage their investment life cycles. His client focus areas include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, and portfolio management services. Brian began his career in the financial services industry by joining Merrill in 1977. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Wayne State University, where he studied finance, and maintains several professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He has been recognized on the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list for 2022, 2023, and 2024. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Brian resides in Bloomfield Hills with his wife, Clarice. They have three sons, Robert, Patrick, and Stuart, the latter being his business partner. Outside of his professional life, Brian enjoys sports such as baseball, basketball, boxing, football, and ice hockey, as well as spending time with his family.

Michelle Lively is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Birmingham, MI, with 24 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley since 2016. Outside of her advisory role, she has been an independent representative for Silpada Designs Jewelry, conducting home shows, though she currently does not plan to continue this activity. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning services. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers planning supported by firm-approved tools and structured processes.

Nicholas Kozak is a Private Wealth Advisor and founding member of MK Private Wealth at Merrill, where he serves as Managing Partner. In this role, he focuses on ensuring that the advisory team consistently delivers service aligned with their vision and mission for the families they advise. He acts as the primary advisor to many of the firm's families as well as to athlete and entertainer clients. Growing up working in his family's businesses, Nicholas gained firsthand insight into the challenges business owners and their families face. This experience has informed his work in helping clients navigate business succession and sale, family dynamics, and legacy planning. He earned the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® designation to provide financial guidance in complex divorce cases, working with families and their legal and tax advisors to achieve favorable outcomes in high-asset divorce situations. Nicholas holds a Bachelor's degree from Portland State University. He is involved in several professional organizations including Brother Rice High School Alumni Association, Cranbrook Schools, Detroit Athletic Club, Michigan State University Alumni Association, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish, and The Hundred Club of Detroit. Additionally, he is engaged in community activities such as the Pope Francis Center. His personal interests include adventure sports, boating, fishing, hiking, skydiving, spending time with family, and traveling.

Nourin El Hamalawi is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with one year of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. since 2026, along with roles at Birmingham Wealth Partners and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. prior to that. Outside of finance, she has experience in the beauty industry, including positions at Escova Salon and Paul Mitchell School. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth investors and public entities. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary advisory solutions and specialized programs such as SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory & Consulting Services for small businesses.

David Mitter Sr. is a financial advisor at LPL Enterprise with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked previously at Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Securities, Mass Mutual Investors Services, and MetLife Securities. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with NuStar Insurance Agency, where he provides property and casualty insurance services. LPL Enterprise serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and institutional clients through advisory and brokerage channels. The firm offers financial planning, model portfolio access, third-party asset management, and a range of brokerage and insurance products within an integrated platform.