Nicholas Bialecki is a financial advisor with Citigroup Global Markets, holding a Series 66 credential and 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Citi Smith Barney since 2008. Citigroup Global Markets serves individual and institutional clients across various wealth segments, offering a range of investment advisory programs alongside broker-dealer execution and custody services. The firm employs multi-asset, multi-manager strategies and operates with significant institutional scale and specialized market roles.

Carsten Lester is a CFP® with two years of industry experience, currently serving at Corient in San Diego, CA. His work history includes roles at Dowling & Yahnke, LLC and Axos Bank. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a broad client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm uses a goals-based, team investment approach that incorporates in-house strategies along with third-party managers, employing risk management tools and alternative investment options where appropriate.

Peter Stratton is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Group, LLC, holding a Series 66 credential and 27 years of industry experience. He has worked with Independent Financial Group since 2018 and was previously with Union Capital Company for two years. Stratton is also the sole owner and officer of Stratton & Associates Accountancy Corporation, a CPA firm providing tax preparation and accounting services. Independent Financial Group, LLC offers investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and institutional plans. The firm utilizes a combination of proprietary and third-party models for portfolio management and financial planning, employing both passive and active investment strategies across various risk profiles.

Dionisio Meneses is a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. in San Diego, CA, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses with six years of industry experience. Prior to rejoining Mercer Global Advisors in 2025, he worked at DNM Creative Properties Inc. for 28 years. Mercer Global Advisors serves individuals, families, small business owners, plan sponsors, foundations, nonprofits, and endowments, providing a range of investment advisory, financial, tax, retirement, estate planning, and family office services. The firm employs a globally diversified investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing low-cost ETFs, index funds, and other vehicles, and offers specialized programs along with educational content and integrated service platforms.

Tyler Morris is a financial advisor at Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at LPL Financial, Wells Fargo Clearing, and Thrivent Investment Management prior to joining Stratos in 2015. His outside business activities include operating BWM Financial, a wealth management and financial planning firm based in San Diego. Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd is an SEC-registered enterprise adviser with approximately 379 advisors and $18.6 billion in assets under management. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, nonprofits, and institutional clients, offering customized portfolio management through an open-architecture platform integrating multiple third-party managers and specialized planning services.

Keith Mckenzie is a financial advisor with Hightower Advisors and holds a Series 66 designation. He has 21 years of industry experience, including ten years at Delphi Private Advisors prior to joining Hightower in 2019. Hightower Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a wide range of individual and institutional clients. The firm’s approach emphasizes manager selection and multi-manager solutions, utilizing both affiliated and third-party managers across various investment vehicles, including mutual funds, ETFs, alternative investments, and customized indexing strategies.

Gregory Chachas Jr. is a financial advisor at Independent Financial Group, LLC with 40 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has previously worked at Wedbush Securities Inc., Wells Fargo Clearing, and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. He serves as a board member for CHACHAS LAND CO INC. and COMSTOCK LAND AND MINING LLC. Independent Financial Group, LLC provides investment advisory and brokerage services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, corporations, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning and portfolio management through various platforms and utilizes a combination of strategic asset allocation and multi-manager portfolios with both active and passive exposures.

Yuanyuan Xue is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of experience at Merrill and Bank of America, N.A. Prior to her current role, she was involved in her family business, Barwick Translation, for seven years and worked at LB Sandwiches for four years. Merrill provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions (SPS) Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Jeremiah Jones is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in San Diego, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and 7 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2015. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, utilizing a range of strategies including discretionary and non-discretionary approaches.

Cody Jess is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones for six years and Umpqua Bank for one year. Outside of his advisory role, Jess is involved with Jess Ford of Pullman, a car dealership, and works as a subcontractor connecting local businesses with merchant services and point-of-sale systems. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by technology tools and a broad network of over 22,800 advisors.

Varinia Peridon is a financial advisor at Primerica Advisors with two years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Primerica Financial Services since 2021. In addition to her advisory role, she is affiliated with Point Loma Nazarene University. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, offering model-delivery strategies and a limited number of separately managed account options primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm uses third-party asset managers and a tiered wrap fee structure, with operational oversight to manage potential conflicts of interest.

Andrew Hendershot is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in San Diego, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at TD Ameritrade and Charles Schwab. Outside of his advisory work, he is also active as a Lyft driver. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs for individuals and institutional clients, focusing on tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and methodologies.

Christopher Zuaro is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in San Diego, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 11 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2024 and previously held positions at SCF Securities, SCF Investment Advisors, First Command Financial Planning, and Allstate Insurance Co. Zuaro is also involved with Kelly Financial Group, where he spends part of his time on non-variable insurance and investment-related activities. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm provides a range of advisory and brokerage services, utilizing model portfolios, third-party managers, and customized strategies, supported by advanced operational and research tools.

David Harlow is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with 15 years of industry experience, currently working at Cetera Investment Services LLC since 2025. His prior roles include positions at CUSO Financial Services, LP and SSN Advisory, Inc. Outside of his advising career, he has been involved with Smoky Mountain Guides. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with access to affiliated and third-party managers, providing a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through various program structures.

Alexander Aros is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in San Diego, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and six years of industry experience. He has worked with Primerica Advisors since 2019 and Primerica Financial Services since 2018. His prior experience includes five years at Welk Resorts Inc. Aros is also involved in the sale of loan products and home-related services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors offers discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-delivery strategies and discretionary separately managed accounts. The firm uses a tiered wrap fee structure and curates third-party asset managers, delegating trading responsibilities to BNY Mellon Advisors.

Damon Friedman is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) affiliated with LPL Financial and has 14 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Commonwealth Financial Network, Independent Financial Group, and Kestra Investment Services. Outside of advising, he is a co-owner of Caliber Pacific Construction, a general contracting business. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Holden Enniss is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in La Mesa, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley and Hillstone, along with earlier experience at Enniss Inc. and other firms. He also has a background involving Francis Parker School and Columbia University. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a variety of financial planning and investment management services, utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies across discretionary and non-discretionary accounts.

Cecilia De La Cruz is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Robert W. Baird & Co. since 2020. Her prior experience includes roles at KeyBank and Key Investment Services. She is part of The DDK Group within Robert W. Baird & Co.’s Private Wealth Management practice, which advises a diverse client base including individuals, families, pensions, corporations, and charitable organizations. The group offers tailored financial planning and portfolio management services, utilizing a combination of in-house and third-party managers across traditional and non-traditional investment strategies.

Besjana Husted is a financial advisor at Edelman Financial Engines with 14 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, and Ferguson McClure and Associates. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as president of a nonprofit charitable organization focused on selecting and overseeing charitable projects. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-enabled investment advisory services for workplace retirement accounts, IRAs, taxable accounts, and institutional clients. The firm manages model-based and customized portfolios, offers sub-advisory services, and supports a large client base through both advisor-led and online platforms.

Austin Barber is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in San Diego, CA, holding a Series 66 designation with three years of industry experience. He has worked within Morgan Stanley since 2022, including a role at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. Barber also has prior involvement with the Associated Students of San Diego State University. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a wide range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning services. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools without providing individual security recommendations as part of standalone plans.