Patrick Mahardy is a CFP® with 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Independent Financial Partners and has previously worked at Commonwealth Financial Network for 11 years. Independent Financial Partners offers investment advisory, financial planning, trust, and retirement-plan services through a nationwide network of independent Investment Adviser Representatives. The firm supports a multi-advisor platform serving tens of thousands of clients and is notable for its formal retirement-plan advisory and pension consulting capabilities.

Akira Gatewood is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Syracuse, NY, and has four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Valic, Akira worked at Equitable Advisors and has held various roles including agent selling non-securities insurance products at Agia. Outside of financial services, Akira is a musician who writes, records, and performs original music. Valic Financial Advisors serves primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients, as well as employer-sponsored retirement participants. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and discretionary unified managed accounts through a large network of advisors, leveraging centralized technology and model solutions.

Gary Croniser is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Commonwealth and Diversified Wealth Strategies, LLC since 2008. Outside of his advisory role, he is the owner and president of GRC Wealth Management, Inc. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser supporting a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs and services, including custom portfolio solutions and third-party asset manager access, while providing operational, compliance, and practice-management support to affiliated advisors.

Andrew Schaffel is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) in Dewitt, NY, holding a Series 66 designation and 23 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Eagle Strategies since 2010 and New York Life since 2006, and also serves as president of Crystal Clear Financial Group LLC, a firm involved in brokering non-registered insurance products. Schaffel is a board member of the CNY Estate Planning Council and the author of a self-help book titled *Money Matters*. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors and institutional sponsors, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm delivers tailored advice through multiple program types, with most regulatory assets managed on a non-discretionary basis within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.

Steven Burgess is a financial advisor with PlanMember Securities Corporation, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 20 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at LPL Financial, M&T Bank, Prudential Insurance Company of America, and Mutual Inc., alongside self-employment since 2001. Outside of his advisory work, he assists with his son’s local tree removal and maintenance services on a limited basis. PlanMember Securities Corporation provides retirement-plan advisory services to employers and plan participants, offering fiduciary oversight under ERISA Section 3(38) and participant-level investment options through asset allocation portfolios. The firm employs a top-down strategic asset allocation approach, managing unitized, risk-based mutual fund portfolios and supporting clients with education, seminars, and personalized retirement planning.

Joseph Lazzaro Jr. is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 21 years of industry experience. He is currently with Independent Financial Partners and IFP Securities, LLC, having previously worked at Commonwealth Financial Network for 11 years. Independent Financial Partners offers investment advisory, financial planning, trust, and retirement-plan services through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm supports a multi-advisor platform serving tens of thousands of clients and is notable for its formal retirement-plan advisory and pension consulting capabilities.

Thomas Militello is a financial advisor with United Planners' Financial Services of America, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He previously worked at The Prudential Insurance Company of America and Pruco Securities LLC before joining United Planners in 2021. Militello also owns Adirondack Investment Strategies, a marketing DBA, and serves as an insurance agent for non-variable insurance. United Planners Financial Services is a national wealth-management enterprise serving a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm delivers advisory services through independent Investment Adviser Representatives, employing a mix of custodians and third-party money managers, with a notable focus on non-discretionary account management.

Albina Balkic is a financial advisor with Key Investment Services LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 13 years of industry experience. She has worked with Key Investment Services LLC since 2016, including her current role since 2021, and previously held positions at KeyBank. Key Investment Services LLC serves individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and corporate clients through various advisory programs, model portfolios, and managed accounts. The firm emphasizes client-directed investment choices and ongoing oversight, operating within the KeyCorp group with connections to affiliated banking and capital markets entities.

Justin Harlow is a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Pathfinder Bank and held various roles connected to Syracuse University and the Urban Sports Hall of Fame of Syracuse, NY. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is a large enterprise firm managing approximately $110 billion in client assets, serving individuals, families, trusts, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and municipalities. The firm offers a range of brokerage, financial planning, consulting, and advisory programs, combining in-house and third-party portfolio management along with custody and trustee services.

Caragh Fahy is a CFP® professional with 30 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network and owner of Madison Financial Planning Group. She worked at Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. for 22 years prior to joining her current roles. Commonwealth Financial Network is a national dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser supporting approximately 2,900 advisors and managing over $212 billion in client assets. The firm provides a broad platform including managed-account programs, access to third-party asset managers, retirement consulting, and custody services.

Daryl Oar is a financial advisor with Citizens Securities, Inc. in Syracuse, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and with 33 years of industry experience. He has worked at Citizens Securities since 2008. Citizens Securities serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors and individual retirement plans, offering investment advisory programs as well as brokerage and insurance services. The firm’s advisory offerings include a digital advisory program managed in partnership with SigFig and a Managed Account program, and it operates as a broker-dealer and insurance agency.

William Nice is a financial advisor with Janney Montgomery Scott, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at Janney Montgomery Scott since 2018 and previously held roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2018. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base, offering brokerage services, financial planning, and advisory programs supported by a mix of in-house and third-party portfolio management.

Christian Brown is a financial advisor with Key Investment Services LLC in Syracuse, NY. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 22 years of industry experience. His prior work includes 11 years at M&T Securities, Inc. and a period at LPL Financial. Key Investment Services LLC serves individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and corporate clients through various advisory programs and investment products, emphasizing client-directed model selection combined with ongoing monitoring and due diligence. The firm operates within the KeyCorp group and maintains affiliations with KeyBank and KeyBanc Capital Markets.

Darren Butler is a financial advisor at Citizens Securities, Inc. with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and previously worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC. Citizens Securities serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, offering investment advisory programs alongside brokerage and insurance services. The firm’s advisory approach includes a digital platform and managed accounts, operating as part of Citizens Bank, N.A.

Michael Sheridan is a CFP® with 32 years of industry experience, currently serving at Independent Financial Partners since 2020. His prior experience includes 15 years at Key Investment Services LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved as the owner of a holding company and an S-Corp related to financial services compensation. Independent Financial Partners offers investment advisory, financial planning, trust, and retirement-plan services through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm supports a multi-advisor platform with discretionary and non-discretionary account management, and is notable for its formal retirement-plan advisory and pension consulting capabilities.

Brent Schleicher is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Partners, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 29 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Commonwealth Financial Network for 11 years before joining Independent Financial Partners and IFP Securities in 2025. Independent Financial Partners provides investment advisory, financial planning, trust, and retirement-plan services through a nationwide network of independent Investment Adviser Representatives. The firm offers a decentralized advisory model with both discretionary and non-discretionary account management, and it is notable for its formal retirement-plan advisory and pension consulting capabilities.

Joseph Fletcher is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network in Syracuse, NY, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Commonwealth, he worked at Salt City Financial Advisors and has professional experience in corporate and sports-related roles. Outside of finance, he is involved in bookkeeping for The Goalie Workshop and coaches at The Platform Lacrosse Academy. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their retail and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and support services, including discretionary model portfolios and personalized investment solutions, while providing operational and compliance infrastructure to affiliated advisors.

Mario Cabral is a financial advisor with Guardian Life and Park Avenue Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Equitable Advisors, Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company, and AXA Advisors. Outside of his advisory work, he is a 50% owner of St. Famous Partners LLC, a company that manages rental properties. Park Avenue Securities LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, provides brokerage services, financial planning, and investment advisory programs to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary advisory relationships utilizing model portfolios from in-house and third-party managers.

Collin Avery is a financial advisor at Key Investment Services LLC with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at KeyBank, Mariner Finance, and Sir Walter Chevrolet. Key Investment Services LLC serves individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and corporate clients through various advisory programs, including wrap-fee programs, model portfolios, separately managed accounts, and brokerage and insurance products. The firm emphasizes client involvement in investment strategy selection and provides ongoing monitoring, due diligence, and supervisory oversight while working within the KeyCorp group and collaborating with affiliated entities.

Megan Dozier is a financial advisor at Citizens Securities, Inc. with three years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Equitable Advisors for two years. Prior to her financial services career, she spent several years in roles at St. Lawrence University, Rowan University, and A Service Company, Inc. Citizens Securities serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors and individual retirement plans. The firm offers investment advisory programs alongside brokerage and insurance services, including a digital advisory program that uses proprietary algorithms to manage ETF-based portfolios.