Kyle Schmidt is a financial advisor with Equity Services, Inc. who holds the Series 66 designation and has nine years of industry experience. His prior work history includes roles at Baize Financial Concepts and Signator Investors, Inc. He is also a member of BNI - Business Networking International, a local networking group. Equity Services, Inc., operating as ESI Financial Advisors, provides financial planning, consulting, and asset management to individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers multiple advisory platforms and frequently uses third-party asset managers and model portfolios, combining long-term strategies with options for shorter-term trading and specialized instruments.

Brian Kirkland is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with eight years of industry experience. He is currently with Fifth Third Securities, Inc. and Fifth Third Bank, where he has worked since 2022. Prior to that, he held positions at Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, and Bosak Auto Group. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients through both investment advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers multiple investment programs via the Passageway Managed Account Platform, combining advisor-directed models and third-party portfolio management, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank.

Brenda Ingram is a financial advisor at GWN Securities Inc. with 36 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at GWN Securities since 2015, alongside operating Ivory Tower Financial Services since 1994. Ingram serves as vice president and board member of Eric Family Services, a nonprofit organization. GWN Securities is an SEC-registered adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and business clients through discretionary managed accounts, financial planning, and access to third-party sub-advisers and model portfolios. The firm manages approximately $3.65 billion across more than 37,000 accounts and is noted for its legacy use of market-timing and momentum-based investment strategies.

Maurice Rodgers is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) and holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses. He has two years of industry experience and previously worked 15 years at RER Solutions Group LLC. Eagle Strategies serves individual and institutional clients by providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm delivers tailored advice through various program types and emphasizes fiduciary responsibilities, operating primarily on a non-discretionary asset management basis within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.

Michelle Griffith is a financial advisor at Citigroup Global Markets with 34 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has been with Citigroup Global Markets since 2016. Outside of her advisory role, she serves on the boards of two nonprofit organizations, Beacon Therapeutic Diagnostic and Treatment Center and Advocate United Church of Christ, focusing on fundraising and growth development. Citigroup Global Markets serves individual and institutional clients across a range of wealth segments, offering multi-asset, multi-manager investment strategies through both discretionary and non-discretionary programs. The firm combines large institutional scale with unique market roles, including in-house research and execution capabilities.

James Mehok is a financial advisor with Private Advisor Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at Private Advisor Group since 2018 and previously was affiliated with Independent Financial Partners. Mehok is also a commissioned notary public. Private Advisor Group serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans by providing portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to various managed account solutions. The firm’s advisory model is fiduciary-based, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services using a range of investment strategies and technology platforms.

Sean Mccormack is a CFP® and Series 66-licensed financial advisor with eight years of industry experience. He is currently affiliated with Valic Financial Advisors and Agia, where he provides non-securities insurance products. His prior work includes roles at Healy Construction Services and IronFlex Warzone. Valic Financial Advisors serves U.S.-domiciled individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet-developed UMA models for portfolio construction.

Jeremy Crocker is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Merrillville, IN, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and Migration Wealth Management, LLC. He is also appointed as an agent to sell non-securities insurance products for AGIA. 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 and employs centralized technology and model-based investment solutions.

Christopher Dilts is a CFP® professional with 44 years of industry experience, currently serving at MassMutual Investors Services since 2000. He also owns and operates M.A. Dilts & Associates, Inc., a firm specializing in life and health insurance as well as employee benefit consulting. Additionally, he has served on the board of Lake County Parks & Recreation since 2001. MML Investors Services, LLC, a subsidiary of MassMutual, provides financial planning and investment services to individuals, business owners, and charitable organizations, offering a range of solutions including asset management and employer-sponsored planning programs.

Joseph Lauer is a CFP® with four years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Stifel since 2021. Prior to joining Stifel, he spent 18 years at The Northern Trust. Stifel serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, offering both brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm’s investment approach is based on a proprietary methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group, which uses forward-looking capital market assumptions and probabilistic modeling for asset allocation and financial planning analyses.

Timothy Clark is a CFP® with 24 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cetera. He has held roles at Avantax Insurance Agency and Avantax Investment Services, and he owns Clarkfs, Inc., a tax preparation business serving individuals, trusts, and estates. Clark also operates Kathryn Humecki & Associates, LLC, a financial services firm. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationwide SEC-registered advisory firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with diverse portfolio management options and a broad network of over 10,000 advisors.

Delta Jones Walker is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 31 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. for 14 years. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the boards of Community Health Net and the Howard University Alumni group in Northwest Indiana, participates on the Finance and Budget Committee of Links Incorporated, and chairs the Trustee Board of St. John Baptist Church. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including individual investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a large network of affiliated advisers. The firm provides integrated brokerage and investment advisory services with a focus on asset allocation, risk tolerance, and portfolio construction using a wide range of investment products, supported by multiple advisory platforms and third-party solutions.

Derek Braggs is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined Merrill in 2011 and focuses on retirement and college planning for individuals and families. His areas of expertise include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, socially responsible and ESG investing, tax minimization, and retirement income. Before joining Merrill, Derek worked as an environmental scientist for URS Corporation in Chicago, consulting for companies such as BP and ArcelorMittal. He graduated with distinction from Indiana University in 2004. Derek holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Originally from Northwest Indiana, Derek lives in Valparaiso with his family. He serves as a board member for The Dunes Learning Center and Taltree Arboretum & Gardens. His personal interests include adventure sports, basketball, billiards, camping, golfing, music, reading, skiing, spending time with his family, and table tennis.

Michael Johnson is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked with various J.P. Morgan entities since 2015. Outside of finance, he previously operated MJ Photography of NWI LLC from 2009 to 2018. 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 in its investment approach.

Gina Van Baren is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Merrillville, IN, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and 27 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Securities America Advisors and Securities America, Inc. prior to joining Ameriprise. Van Baren is also involved in independent insurance brokering. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm that serves individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on retirement income planning with tax-aware strategies and ongoing advice.

David Ray is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in St. John, Indiana, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 21 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Cetera and Foresters Financial Services prior to joining LPL Financial in 2025. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management services through a large network of advisors and utilizes various advisory platforms and tools to support client strategies.

Dirk Brown is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Griffith, Indiana, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Cetera Advisors LLC, FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc., and Hobson Financial Group. He is also involved with Lakeshore Indemnity Group, an insurance agency, and participates in mortgage and real estate services through Listing Leaders NW. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a broad range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and model portfolio programs, with an emphasis on using research, technology, and multiple asset management options.

Maria Abney is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Crete, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing nine years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2018 and previously worked at Farmland Fabrication Co, a small business specializing in steel welding, where she was co-owner and vice president. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including pension plans and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, supported by a nationwide network of over 23,000 advisors and more than 15,000 branch offices.

Ghaniyya Lutfi is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Chicago, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and three years of industry experience. She has worked with Primerica Financial Services since 2008 and previously spent 25 years with Chicago Public Schools. Outside of advisory services, she is involved in the sale of home security and automation products as part of a referral arrangement with Primerica affiliates. Primerica Advisors offers discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, providing model-delivery strategies and separately managed account options primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm curates third-party asset managers and employs a tiered wrap fee structure, with portfolio implementation delegated to BNY Mellon Advisors.

Warren Kovacek is a financial advisor at Cetera with a Series 66 designation and no prior industry experience. Before joining Cetera in 2026, he worked in various roles outside the financial sector, including positions at AAA Steel Supply Corp. and Target, as well as at Highland High School. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party managers, supporting a range of program structures and investment strategies.