John Marics is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Mentor, Ohio, holding 40 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 1985. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals approaching or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, providing written Recommendation Reports that address income sources, Social Security claiming options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research and modeling with a centralized consulting team to deliver non-discretionary, algorithm-supported recommendations tailored to clients’ needs.

Joseph Close is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and five years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at KeyBank, Northwest Bank, and First National Bank of Pennsylvania. Outside of finance, he previously worked at Whirley Drinkworks. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving a broad range of clients including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers, managing over $256 billion in assets with more than 10,000 advisors nationwide.

Danny Ehmer Jr. is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Primevision Financial Group since 2018 and has been associated with PFS Investments Inc. and Primerica Financial Services since 2012 and 2002, respectively. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of the International Referral Network, a non-investment-related organization based in Akron, Ohio. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, offering model-delivery strategies and a limited number of separately managed account options to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm curates third-party asset managers and delegates trading responsibilities, operating primarily through a tiered wrap-fee structure.

Matthew Dean is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 18 years of industry experience. He has been with J.P. Morgan Securities and JP Morgan Chase bank since 2013. He holds the Series 66 designation. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors. The firm’s approach combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework when recommending investment strategies.

John Grech is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 17 years of industry experience, including 18 years with Edward Jones. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Marc Tanner is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab in Richfield, OH, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Charles Schwab since 2014. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to discretionary separately managed accounts and employs a multi-asset model portfolio approach supported by in-house research and a formal alternative investment selection process.

Tim Papp is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds the position of Senior Vice President and focuses on providing personalized wealth management strategies tailored to individual goals. His approach involves developing flexible financial strategies that align with the client's full financial picture and changing market conditions. Tim specializes in legacy planning, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, and retirement income. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS) designations, as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from The University of Akron. In addition to his professional work, Tim participates in community activities and serves in various roles including with the Akron Children's Hospital - Hope Ambassador program, the Magical Theatre Company as Board President, St Francis de Sales Church, Summa Health as Charles Deering Legacy Advisor Leadership, and the YMCA's Heritage Club.

Anastasios Kountis is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 15 years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Key Investment Services, PNC Bank, and Patrick Capital Markets. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning and a wide array of advisory programs. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools such as Monte Carlo simulations and secular return estimates in its process.

Alexa Bleiweis is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with Series 63 and Series 66 designations. She has five years of experience at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Prior to her current role, she held positions in consulting, education, and event management. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and related services, offering a combination of non-discretionary and discretionary investment options supported by comprehensive research and centralized operational infrastructure.

Marc Servodio is a CFP® with 17 years of experience in the financial services industry, currently affiliated with Cetera. His prior roles include positions at Vita Advisors, Prosperity Advisors, Springside Partners, and Cetera Advisors. He is involved in several nonprofit and community organizations, serving on the board of Goodwill Industries and as an operating committee member of the C.A.M.P. youth mentoring program, as well as participating on the advisory board for the University of Akron's Department of Economics. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving a broad client base that includes individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable entities, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with access to model portfolios, third-party managers, and customized strategies across various program structures.

Justin Ellis is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2026. Prior to this, he served as a Financial Consultant Partner at Charles Schwab from 2024 to 2025. His career in financial services began with various roles including 401(k) Participant Services Specialist at Charles Schwab, Advisor Intern at Lifetime Financial Growth, Financial Intern at Symphony Financial Services, and Investment Operations Intern at Valmark Financial Group. Justin focuses on partnering with clients to understand their financial goals and overall financial picture, aiming to develop clear financial plans. He emphasizes thoughtful planning conversations and education to help clients comprehend their options, make informed decisions, and build confidence in the strategies they develop together. Outside of his professional work, Justin has interests that include cars, golf, military service, scuba diving, snowboarding, and soccer.

Matthew Hale is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab in Richfield, OH, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Charles Schwab since 2012. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves a large client base, primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, offering wealth advisory wrap fee programs, managed accounts, and financial planning services. The firm provides both non-discretionary and discretionary investment solutions through integrated advisory, brokerage, custody, and cash-sweep services.

Steven Frederick is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 33 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has been with Ameriprise and its related entities since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a consultant for 2uercus Operations LLC. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver non-discretionary, written retirement recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Brent Baumgartner is an advisor at Equitable Advisors and holds the Series 66 designation. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 2026 and has experience as an independent contractor delivery driver for Door Dash. Equitable Advisors serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management programs. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and third-party managers to deliver various advisory models and investment options.

Sumana Sarkar is a financial advisor at Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated with 10 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Robert W. Baird since 2016. The DDK Group, where Sumana works, is part of Baird’s Private Wealth Management department and serves individuals, corporate clients, pensions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a variety of financial planning and portfolio management services, utilizing both manager-traded and model-traded strategies, with a focus on research and technological tools in its advisory approach.

Andrew Hudson is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with 15 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has worked in various roles within Charles Schwab and Morningstar Investment Management. Outside of advisory work, he co-founded a podcast focused on accountability in fitness, motivation, charity, and work-life balance, and assists as a football game announcer assistant for Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program, offering a combination of non-discretionary and discretionary investment services supported by multi-asset model portfolios and alternative investment options.

David Volk is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding 15 years of industry experience. His career includes nine years in finance and accounting with the Department of Defense and ongoing roles with PFS Investments Inc. and Primerica Financial Services. He is involved in sales of investment-related products and also participates in the referral of home security and automation services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management via its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-delivery strategies and limited separately managed account options. The firm employs a tiered wrap-fee structure and curates third-party asset managers, delegating model implementation to BNY Mellon Advisors.

Jonathan Wilterdink is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with 10 years of experience at Thrivent Investment Management and Thrivent Financial. He serves on the boards of the East Ohio United Methodist Church Foundation and the Lake County YMCA, where he chairs the mission advancement team. Additionally, he co-owns Trilobite Group LLP, an entity that manages office leasing and tenant relations. Thrivent Investment Management delivers Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, providing holistic, goal-based financial analyses and written recommendations without discretionary trading authority. The firm allows clients to combine planning with managed accounts via a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan,” while keeping planning and portfolio management services separate.

Daniel Blanchette is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Charles Schwab, he worked in the hospitality sector with firms such as Columbia Sussex, Schulte Hospitality Group, General Hotels Corporation, and Crestline Hotels Corporation. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines a non-discretionary client relationship model with access to affiliated discretionary separately managed accounts, supported by centralized custody and operational infrastructure.

Robert Burns is the principal of Burns Financial Advisors, Inc. in Independence, OH, with 42 years of industry experience. He has led Burns Financial Advisors since 1988 and previously worked at Burns Financial Centre, Inc. for over two decades. Outside of advisory work, he also provides tax preparation services during the tax season. Burns Financial Advisors, Inc. is an independent advisory firm offering portfolio management and investment advisory services to individual clients. The firm manages approximately $10 million in client assets through a single-advisor practice and is distinguished by its combination of broker-dealer registration and use of performance-based fee arrangements.