Eric Salek is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016, following a brief tenure at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. The firm provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering services such as investment policy statement preparation, investment recommendations, performance reporting, and participant education. Wells Fargo Clearing’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates a range of financial products, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Jackie Emerick is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with six years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank and J.P. Morgan Securities since 2016. Prior to that, she was involved with 4 Hermanos LLC for one year. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and an ESG eligibility framework to guide investment recommendations.

Richard Reilley is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Burr Ridge, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2015. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, operates under a fiduciary standard, and manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Benjamin Black is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he partners with clients to develop financial plans and build trusted personal relationships aimed at achieving their financial goals. He focuses on being responsive and empathetic to client situations, fostering strong, enduring client relationships. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments in 2023, Benjamin held roles as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch from 2018 to 2022 and from 2013 to 2015, as well as at Wells Fargo from 2015 to 2018. He also worked as a Wealth Management Analyst at Morgan Stanley between 2006 and 2013 and began his career as an Internal Wholesaler at Van Kampen Investments from 2002 to 2005. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Benjamin enjoys biking and staying active on his road bicycle. He is a parent of two children and also pursues interests in pets, photography, traveling, and volunteering.

Lark Ramirez is a financial advisor at Osaic with 23 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services for 19 years before joining Osaic in 2024. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse range of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisers, offering integrated brokerage and advisory services along with access to multiple investment platforms and third-party money managers. The firm employs a variety of tools and strategies to construct diversified portfolios and supports legacy platform transitions and managed-account solutions.

Charles Schoenjohn Jr. is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 1995, assisting clients with retirement planning and investments. Mr. Schoenjohn specializes in areas including college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, and tax minimization. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance & Investment from Babson College, with additional academic experience at Richmond College in London and Harvard University. His professional designations include Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Outside of his professional role, Mr. Schoenjohn enjoys cooking, painting, and photography. He lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife and four children and engages in personal interests such as riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and developing black and white photographs.

Christina Sievers is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 14 years of industry experience. She has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2016 in various capacities and serves as a Township Trustee for Homer Township. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through its Institutional Consulting Services program, utilizing quantitative asset-allocation modeling and centralized due diligence in its investment approach.

John Milder is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Naperville, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 66 registrations and 27 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2016. 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 range of services including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, with advice delivered primarily through investment adviser representatives using various investment strategies and operational tools.

Patricia Paulik is a financial advisor with LPL Financial who holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has 35 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Heartland Bank, Sanctuary Securities, Merrill, Banc of America Investment Services, and LaSalle Financial Services. She is involved in managing a strategic planning services business unrelated to investments. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of services including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting advisors with various investment strategies and operational tools.

Belinda Castellanos is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 18 years of industry experience. She has held positions at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2021 and previously worked at Fifth Third Securities from 2002 to 2021. Castellanos holds the Series 66 designation and is based in Orland Park, IL. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning utilizing firm-approved tools and methodologies.

Matthew Bish is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Oswego, Illinois. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 15 years of industry experience, having been with Edward Jones since 2010. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of investment strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Ryan Cole is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked in various capacities within Fidelity since 2016, including roles at Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC and FIDELITY Personal and Workplace Advisors. Fidelity's Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, fund advisory, and model portfolio delivery. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction, and serves multiple registered investment companies with a formal advisory role.

Vijay Bajaj is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Lisle, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, he is a part owner of V & V Partners LLC, a real estate company involved in office space leasing. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services targeting individuals near or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored, non-discretionary recommendations and offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions.

David Young is a financial advisor at Merrill with 35 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at both Merrill and Bank of America, N.A. since 1991 and 2011, respectively. 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.

Matthew Stevens is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and having nine years of industry experience. His career includes roles at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as well as Northwestern Mutual Investment Services LLC. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applying an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Kedra Olsen is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 30 years of industry experience. She has been with Cetera and its related entities since the late 1990s and early 2000s. Outside of her advisory work, she is a partner in a tax and accounting practice and involved in commercial rental property management. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, institutional, and retirement plan clients through a large network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services with multiple program options and access to third-party managers.

Brett Efimov is a financial advisor at Cetera with 26 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked with Cetera since 2013. Outside of advising, he owns and operates a CPA firm and serves as president of a company providing credit card processing services. He is also a member of the Illinois CPA Society’s membership committee. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationwide SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform that includes access to affiliated and third-party managers.

Alena Gifford is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 10 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at firms including LPL Financial, Redwing Financial, and St. Charles CPA. She also has experience outside finance, having worked at Mayneland Farmstand and A Toda Madre. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering tailored financial planning and consulting services that are generally non-discretionary and supported by a broad range of portfolio management styles.

Daniel Galovich is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities and holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. He has five years of industry experience, including roles at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Prior to his current position, he worked in various industries such as fitness and retail. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, using a process that combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and an ESG eligibility framework.

Ryan Philo is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Naperville, IL, holding CFP® and ChFC® designations with 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2003. Outside of his advisory role, he is a managing member of an LLC involved in commercial rental property. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.