Michael Acho is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 32 years of industry experience. He is currently with Cetera and previously worked at Osaic Fa, Inc for 18 years. Acho serves as a board member and finance committee member for several nonprofit organizations, including the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation and the Yatoomas Foundation for the Kids, and participates in the Michigan Association of CPA’s as a task force member. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that supports over 10,000 independent advisors nationwide, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services to individuals, employer-sponsored plans, and institutional clients. The firm operates a multi-manager platform with a variety of program options and manages assets exceeding $256 billion.

Casey Quinn is a financial professional at Cetera with 18 years of industry experience and holds the Series 66 designation. Prior to joining Cetera in 2023, Casey worked at Valic Financial Advisors for 11 years and has been involved with Wealth Strategies Financial Group since 2022, focusing on fixed insurance sales. Casey operates in Southfield, MI. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a variety of portfolio management and financial planning services through a nationwide network of independent advisors, utilizing multiple program structures and access to third-party managers.

Carl Erickson is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Waterford, MI, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ameriprise in 2023, he worked at Capital Analysts and Lyons Financial Group. Outside of advising, Erickson is a co-owner of Detroit National Brewing Company, LLC, a former beer company that now receives royalty payments from a brand sale, and serves as Treasurer on the board of the Sylvan Shores Improvement Association. Ameriprise offers retirement-income planning services targeting individuals nearing or in retirement with significant investable assets, providing written, non-discretionary recommendation reports that integrate research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis. The firm combines advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through its affiliated entities and employs algorithmic automation overseen by dedicated committees to generate personalized retirement income recommendations.

Karen Balow is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates, where she has worked for 20 years. She has 21 years of industry experience and is based in Birmingham, MI. Raymond James & Associates is a large 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 financial planning, non-discretionary investment consulting, and institutional fiduciary solutions.

David Smith is a financial advisor at Cetera with 16 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Prior to joining Cetera in 2019, he worked at Foresters Financial Services and Foresters Financial from 2013 to 2019. Outside of his advisory role, he has served on the executive board of the Detroit Athletic Club, including terms as director of hockey operations, vice president, and president. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform, allowing advisors to utilize affiliated and third-party managers or create custom strategies.

Kelley Saros is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with JPMorgan Chase Bank NA and J.P. Morgan Securities since 2013. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services mainly to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, offering asset-allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through its Institutional Consulting Services program. The firm uses quantitative asset-allocation modeling combined with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Charles Anderson is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Clarkston, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009 and at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, focusing on tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and methodologies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers services both directly to individuals and through Corporate Financial Planning agreements.

Melissa Russell is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 17 years of industry experience. She has been with Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc since 2016, following prior roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. She is also a Notary Public for the State of Michigan, notarizing documents for Stifel clients. Stifel serves a broad range of clients, including high net worth individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm’s investment approach incorporates proprietary forward-looking capital market assumptions and probabilistic modeling to inform asset allocation and financial planning.

Erik Ireland is a financial advisor at Primerica Advisors in Madison Heights, MI, with 34 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Primerica since 1991. Outside of advising, he serves as a trustee for his mother and is a member of Business Network International. Primerica Advisors provides 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 curates third-party asset managers and uses a tiered wrap-fee structure for its services.

Sergei Yelizarov is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services and holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. He has 19 years of industry experience, including roles at Metlife Securities and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. Outside of his advisory work, he provides consulting services for a mining construction equipment sales company and works as a sales agent in life, health, fixed annuity, and disability insurance. Mass Mutual Investors Services is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, with a focus on collaborative, goal-based financial planning and specialized services such as divorce and estate-settlement planning.

Michelle Schneider is a financial advisor at Merrill with 26 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been affiliated with Merrill since 1998 and Bank of America, N.A. since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she is developing a travel advisory side business, Calm Currents Travel LLC, and works as a consultant for travel-related services. Merrill, along 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.

Bruce Berry is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has worked with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and has operated Berry & Maas Consulting, Inc. since 2003. Outside of his advisory roles, he is involved with several business entities for tax and investment purposes. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser offering a wide range of financial planning and investment management services to individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm combines extensive advisory capabilities with various non-advisory financial services and supports over 22,800 advisors managing more than $819 billion in discretionary assets.

Antonio Bugli is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on areas such as Legacy Planning, Managing New Wealth, Personal Retirement Planning, Tax Minimization, and Retirement Income. Antonio holds the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys football, golfing, hiking, hunting, pickleball, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Kenneth Oldham is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with one year of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. Prior to joining Ameriprise, he worked at EverNorth Wealth Advisors and Foguth Financial Group. Outside of his financial advisory role, he is involved with Orchard Grove Community Church where he leads a men’s group, teaches, and occasionally performs ceremonies such as weddings and funerals. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Colleen Schon is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates in Clarkston, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 36 years of industry experience. She has been with Raymond James & Associates since 2005. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a board member and fundraiser for the nonprofit Funding the Future and is treasurer of The Alexander Foundation. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a broad client base including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, non-discretionary investment consulting, and institutional services, employing a range of portfolio management styles supported by firm research and affiliated sub-advisers.

Kent Ballard is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 28 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. since 1998 and with Raymond James Financial since 2011. Ballard also owns Ballard Wealth Group, a marketing name used for his branch. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a wide range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutions. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting using analytical tools and supports advisory programs across a large network of advisors.

Craig Pasini is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Frisco, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2019 and previously spent seven years with Southwest Securities Inc. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Andrew Shaffer is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Birmingham, MI, holding a Series 66 designation. He began his career at Morgan Stanley in 2023 and has prior work experience in various roles, including at iMBranded and in education. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides advisory programs and financial planning services to individuals and institutional clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm’s planning approach uses structured discovery conversations and firm-approved tools to develop tailored financial plans.

Matthew Mazurek is a financial advisor with Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. in Birmingham, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Robert W. Baird & Co. since 2010. He is part of The DDK Group within Robert W. Baird & Co.’s Private Wealth Management department, which serves individuals, corporate and business clients, pensions, profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of services including financial planning, portfolio management, separately managed account programs, and custody and brokerage services, utilizing internal research, model-traded strategies, and tax-management techniques.

Vicki Filipiak is a CFP®-designated advisor with 27 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cetera since 2019. Her prior roles include extensive tenure at Foresters Financial Services and Foresters Advisory Services. She serves as chairperson of the endowment fund committee at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and owns an agricultural business involving farming, hunting leases, timber sales, and barn rentals. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a large SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services, utilizing a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary account structures.