Katherine Micek is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 18 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and previously worked at UBS Financial Services for eight years before joining Raymond James in 2021. 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 charitable organizations, offering financial planning and non-discretionary investment consulting supported by a nationwide adviser network.

Kincade Frank is a financial advisor with Merrill holding a Series 66 designation and no prior industry experience. His background includes roles at Bank of America, New York Life Insurance Company, Aflac, and service in the Illinois Army National Guard. He has also held positions at Liberty University and Illinois State University. 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.

Gerardo Velasquez is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Milliman, Inc. for nine years. 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 under management through a nationwide network of over 23,700 financial advisors and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Matthew Strutzel is a financial advisor at Cetera with 22 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has previously worked at Raymond James & Associates for 14 years. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as an elder at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, IL. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm supporting a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services to individual, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary options.

William Lavanne is a CFP® certificant affiliated with Cetera who has 40 years of industry experience. He currently serves at Cetera and its related entities, including James Hamlin Financial Services, LLC and JHFS Management Corporation, where he holds ownership and management roles. Outside of his advisory work, Lavanne is a licensed insurance agent authorized to offer fixed, life, disability, annuities, and long-term care insurance products. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that supports a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services with multiple program structures and access to both affiliated and unaffiliated third-party managers.

Stephanie Barnett is a financial advisor at Mass Mutual Investors Services with 11 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management Inc. since 2015. Barnett is based in Libertyville, IL. MassMutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm provides ongoing financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, employing firm-approved software to support goal analysis and recommendations.

Thomas Noto Jr. is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Deerfield, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 2002 and previously worked with Axa Advisors, LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as an ice hockey official for USA Hockey, the governing body for amateur ice hockey players, coaches, and officials. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and offers a variety of advisory programs, including third-party asset management and fiduciary services for qualified plans.

Pauline Staab is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and has 17 years of industry experience. She has worked at Cetera and its affiliated entities since 2025 and previously spent six years at Avantax Advisory Services. Additionally, she is a partner at Porte Brown LLC, a public accounting firm, where she provides attest, tax, and consulting services. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers various portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform that supports both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies.

Zachary Cashmore is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in North Barrington, IL, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he held advisory roles at Advisor Share Wealth Management and operated several self-employed wealth management ventures. Outside of finance, he has experience working with Revolution Brewing. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with both discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets through a broad network of advisors and offers affiliated investment products and tax-efficient services under a fiduciary standard.

James Gregga is a CFP® professional with 18 years of industry experience, currently advising clients at Morgan Stanley in Barrington, Illinois. He previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities from 2012 to 2020. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning and a broad range of investment advisory programs. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools and analyses but generally acts in an advisory capacity without providing individual security recommendations in its standalone planning services.

Jacob Ries is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Crystal Lake, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 25 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Cetera Advisor Networks and Cetera Wealth Services, with a combined tenure from 2001 to 2018. Outside of his advisory role, Ries is involved in coaching wrestling at Big Foot Union High School and operates a tax preparation and accounting business. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management solutions, utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies, and supports over 22,800 advisors managing more than $819 billion in discretionary assets.

Brian Tait is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been associated with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he is a partner in Liberty Lake LLC, a non-investment related business. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, and endowments, focusing on non-discretionary asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process integrates quantitative and qualitative research with a range of eligible investment strategies.

Nicholas Demarco is a financial advisor at OSAIC in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Strategic Private Advisory Group and Kem Krest, as well as four years dedicated to full-time education. Osaic Wealth serves a diverse range of retail and institutional clients through a multi-advisor platform, offering brokerage and advisory services such as financial planning, managed portfolios, and retirement plan consulting. The firm’s investment approach centers on model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization, supported by various tools and strategies including discretionary Unified Managed Accounts and third-party manager selection.

Umair Mustafa is a financial advisor at Merrill with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Adapt Health and Bank of America. Outside of his advisory role, he has worked as a customer service representative for Adapt Health and has experience with delivery services such as Amazon Flex and Uber Eats. 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, and institutional investors, combining internal and third-party management with cash management solutions.

Patricia O'connor is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 22 years of industry experience. She holds the ChFC® and Series 63 designations. Her prior roles include positions at Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation, Mass Mutual Investors Services, MetLife Securities Inc., New England Securities, and Nelico/Rabjohns Financial Group. She also operates as an independent insurance agent specializing in dental and group disability income, life and health insurance, and Medicare-related products. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, charities, and corporate clients through a multi-advisor platform offering brokerage and advisory services. The firm uses a model-based investment approach with asset allocation and portfolio optimization tools, supporting discretionary strategies, third-party managers, and proprietary models.

Brett Jenne is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 17 years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Stifel, where he has worked since 2022, following eight years at Bank of America. Brett is based in Lake Forest, Illinois. Stifel serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm uses a proprietary investment methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group to support asset allocation and financial planning decisions.

Nicholas Hamilton is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 24 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Old National Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Raymond James Financial, and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. He is also associated with Alliant Retirement and Investment Services as a DBA. 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 portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by technology tools and a broad suite of financial products.

Michael Tursi is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 10 years of industry experience, currently associated with Wells Fargo Advisors in Arlington Heights, IL. His prior roles include positions at PNC Investments and Charles Schwab. Outside of his advisory work, he owns J.M. Equity Advisors LLC and serves as a notary public. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser that provides a broad range of investment and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutions. The firm offers specialized planning services and integrates advisory offerings with other financial products and referral channels.

Jeffrey Garbaciak is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at New York Life Insurance Co. and NYLIFE Securities LLC, as well as founding his own consulting business. He also has experience working outside the financial industry, including roles at Home Depot and in healthcare settings. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base of individuals and institutions, offering financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs through a large network of financial professionals. The firm manages a multi-billion dollar asset base and provides access to multiple platforms, third-party advisers, and proprietary model strategies.

Adam Stock is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 27 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at Lincoln Financial Advisors and Merrill. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of Rising Stock, Inc., a consulting and training company, and holds board positions with a religious organization and a private school. OSAIC Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, charities, and corporate clients, offering brokerage and advisory services across various financial programs. The firm's investment approach focuses on model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization, with access to discretionary and third-party managed strategies.