Diego Verdugo is a CFP® professional based in Phoenix, AZ, with 11 years of industry experience. He has held various roles within Principal Financial Services and its affiliates since 2012. Outside of his advisory work, Verdugo serves as Executive Vice President of Business Development for the Association of Latino Professionals of America and holds board positions with multiple nonprofit organizations focused on youth entrepreneurship, minority development, and community service. He is also a managing member of a construction company he co-founded with his wife. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, and access to third-party money manager solutions, with investment implementation typically managed on a discretionary basis by third-party advisors.

Michelle Petrowski is a CFP® and Series 66-registered financial advisor with Schwab Wealth Advisory, Inc. in Phoenix, AZ, bringing seven years of industry experience. She is also the CEO and founder of New Direction Financial Strategies LLC, a firm specializing in divorce financial analysis and related educational services. Petrowski engages in public speaking and contributes as an editor for The Street: Retirement Daily, and she volunteers with Fresh Start Women's Foundation and Savvy Ladies. Schwab Wealth Advisory provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice to clients enrolled in the Schwab Wealth Advisory program, offering financial reviews, planning discussions, and investment recommendations supported by Schwab’s research tools and standard asset allocation models.

Sean Mahoney is a financial advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC with 8 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Stonegate Capital Advisors and BMO Harris Bank. Beacon Pointe Advisors provides wealth advisory, consulting, financial planning, retirement-plan platform services, and outsourced chief investment officer services to individuals, corporations, pension plans, and other institutional clients. The firm combines asset-allocation modeling with third-party independent managers, employing both active and passive strategies across public and private asset classes.

Matthew Armistead is a CFP® with 22 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC since 2015. He also holds a role at Beacon Pointe Insurance Services, LLC, where he is a licensed insurance agent involved in the sale of life and accident/health insurance products. Beacon Pointe Advisors provides investment advisory and consulting services to individual and institutional clients, utilizing a mix of discretionary wealth management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and outsourced CIO solutions. The firm emphasizes manager selection from a proprietary “Focus List” and employs both active and passive asset allocation strategies supported by quantitative and qualitative due diligence.

Jacob Lucchese is a financial advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC with a Series 65 credential and experience beginning in 2024. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, he worked at Northrop Grumman, Boeing, First International Bank and Trust, and BMO Harris Bank. Beacon Pointe Advisors provides wealth advisory, consulting, financial planning, retirement-plan platform services, and outsourced chief investment officer services to individual investors, corporations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and other institutional clients. The firm utilizes a combination of asset-allocation modeling and third-party independent managers, employing both active and passive strategies across public and private asset classes.

Christian Maracinaru is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Phoenix, AZ, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 11 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Charles Schwab Bank and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. for 11 years and spent two years at Apple, Inc. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm also advises a donor-advised fund and offers customized portfolio management through dedicated portfolio managers.

Andrew Smith is a financial advisor at Schwab Wealth Advisory, Inc. in Phoenix, AZ, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations with 26 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. since 1999 and with Schwab Wealth Advisory since 2026. Schwab Wealth Advisory, Inc. provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice through the Schwab Wealth Advisory program, offering services such as annual financial reviews, retirement planning, and investment recommendations using standard asset allocation models and Schwab research tools. The firm operates as an internal advisory unit within the Schwab ecosystem and does not directly charge clients fees, distinguishing its model from many enterprise wealth managers.

Brendan Weaver is a financial advisor at Schwab Wealth Advisory with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Charles Schwab, Mutual of Omaha, and J.P. Morgan Chase. Brendan is based in Phoenix, AZ. Schwab Wealth Advisory provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice to clients enrolled in the Schwab Wealth Advisory program. The firm utilizes Schwab’s research tools and standard asset allocation models to deliver investment recommendations and conducts at least annual account reviews without discretionary trading authority.

Richard Myers is a financial advisor with Schwab Wealth Advisory in Phoenix, AZ, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and six years of industry experience. His previous roles include positions at Robinhood Markets, Inc. and The Vanguard Group, Inc. He also worked at Grand Canyon University for four years. Schwab Wealth Advisory provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice through the Schwab Wealth Advisory program, delivering annual financial reviews, retirement planning, and investment recommendations using Schwab’s asset allocation models and research tools. The firm operates as an internal advisory unit within the Schwab ecosystem and does not charge clients directly for its services.

Brent Fooks is a financial advisor with United Planners' Financial Services of America, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 66 license. He has 18 years of industry experience and has been associated with United Planners and Rogers & Kirby for over a decade. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a secretary and board member for Base Camp Missions Corp. United Planners Financial Services serves a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, charitable organizations, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm operates with an open-architecture platform using multiple custodians and third-party money managers, offering both fee-based and commission-based options through its network of 477 independent advisors.

Kristen Rose is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Scottsdale, AZ, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 21 years of industry experience. She has worked at Valic Financial Advisors since 2011 and is also an agent with Agia, involved in non-securities insurance products. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-domiciled individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet-developed UMA models for portfolio construction.

Robert Merfeld is a financial advisor with Schwab Wealth Advisory, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Schwab-affiliated firms since 2000, including Charles Schwab Bank and Schwab Wealth Advisory. Merfeld also serves as Treasurer for the Valley of the Sun Figure Skating Club, where he provides bookkeeping and accounting services. Schwab Wealth Advisory offers non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice to clients enrolled in the Schwab Wealth Advisory program sponsored by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. The firm emphasizes annual financial reviews and tailored investment recommendations, utilizing Schwab’s asset allocation models and research tools, while leaving final trading decisions to clients.

Timothy Hatton is a CFP® with 24 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Creative Planning since 2022. Prior to this, he led Hatton Consulting, Inc. for over two decades. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and is based in Phoenix, AZ. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning–led investment process emphasizing low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supported by a large advisory team and centralized investment infrastructure.

Christopher Wedlich is a financial advisor at Schwab Wealth Advisory with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at USAA FSB for ten years. Wedlich is based in Phoenix, AZ. Schwab Wealth Advisory provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice to clients enrolled in the Schwab Wealth Advisory program, offering annual financial reviews, retirement planning, and investment recommendations using Schwab’s asset allocation models and research tools. The firm operates as an internal advisory unit within the Schwab ecosystem and does not directly charge clients fees for its advisory services.

Carlee Hughes is a financial advisor with United Planners Financial Services of America and holds a Series 66 designation. She has five years of industry experience and has worked with United Planners and related entities since 2019. Outside of advising, she serves as an adult education instructor at Pima Community College. United Planners Financial Services is a national wealth-management firm with about $12.77 billion in assets under management and approximately 359 advisors. The firm serves a broad range of clients, including individual investors, retirement plans, corporations, and trusts, and offers advisory and brokerage services through independent Investment Adviser Representatives.

Joseph Bergen is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 16 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has previously worked at Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C., Bank of the West, Charles Schwab, and Merrill. Bergen is based in Phoenix, AZ. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning, discretionary managed account programs, and broker-dealer services to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans. The firm separates one-time planning services from ongoing discretionary management, offering both model and customized portfolios within a vertically integrated group that includes advisory services for a donor-advised fund.

Evan Cole is a financial advisor at Commonwealth Financial Network with 40 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and Peachtree Life Finance. Outside of advising, he owns oil and gas rights leases in Ohio. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients by providing a range of advisory programs, investment management, and practice-management support. The firm offers discretionary model portfolios and various program structures while acting as a platform provider for affiliated advisors.

Emily Anderson is a financial advisor with Schwab Wealth Advisory and holds a Series 66 designation. She has one year of industry experience, including roles at Charles Schwab & Co. and Banner Health. Schwab Wealth Advisory, Inc. provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice through the Schwab Wealth Advisory program, offering annual financial reviews, retirement planning, and investment recommendations utilizing Schwab’s research tools and standardized asset allocation models. The firm operates as an internal advisory unit within the Schwab ecosystem and does not charge clients directly for its services.

Matthew Refner is a financial advisor with Schwab Wealth Advisory in Phoenix, Arizona. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 10 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Schwab Wealth Advisory and Charles Schwab in 2021, he worked at The Vanguard Group from 2015 to 2021. Schwab Wealth Advisory, Inc. provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice to clients enrolled in the Schwab Wealth Advisory program, using standardized asset allocation models and Schwab research tools. The firm focuses on annual financial reviews and investment recommendations, with clients maintaining control over final trading decisions.

Daniel Kambeitz is a Certified Financial Planner® with seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Cresset Asset Management, LLC since 2022 and previously spent nine years at Meristem Family Wealth LLC. Cresset Asset Management is a multi-disciplinary investment adviser managing approximately $78.9 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, retirement plans, corporations, and pooled investment vehicles, employing a disciplined, risk-aware approach that combines strategic asset allocation with active and passive implementation across a variety of asset classes.