Benjamin Miller is a CFP® with 30 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates since 2024. Prior to joining Raymond James, he was with UBS Financial Services Inc for 15 years. He is an officer involved in neighborhood management for The Preserve at Long Grove. 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, institutional and pension plans, and charitable organizations, offering non-discretionary financial planning and investment consulting supported by proprietary research and a range of portfolio management styles.

Patrick O'Connor is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors with 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2011. Outside of his work at Wells Fargo, he co-owns Armada Financial Partners Ltd with his spouse. Wells Fargo Advisors is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser that serves individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of financial planning services that include retirement, education, risk, and wealth-transfer planning, with specialized services requiring specific advisor credentials.

Nirdesh Patel is a financial advisor with OSAIC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He previously worked for Signator Investors, Inc. and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. for 22 years before joining OSAIC in 2018. Patel is also an agent for Dynasty Retirement and Financial Services, where he is involved in the sales and marketing of fixed annuities and non-variable insurance products. OSAIC serves a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering integrated brokerage and advisory services through a large network of affiliated advisers and multiple platforms. The firm employs various asset-allocation tools and third-party solutions to construct portfolios that include a range of securities and alternative investments, with accounts managed on discretionary or non-discretionary bases.

Lesley Torres is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Charles Schwab Bank and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. since 2022. Prior to this, she held positions at Magnit, Paylocity, and Edgars Landscaping Inc. 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 centralized custody and supervisory functions.

Michael Hirsch is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Villa Park, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and possessing 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2003. Hirsch serves as a trustee for the United Congregation Community Church and reviews investments for the St. Peters Church Endowment Committee. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment options supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Daniel Sano is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2022, as well as at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2005. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Robert Stackhouse is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Eastern Point Advisors Inc., Investors Capital Corp., and currently maintains a separate investment consulting and advising business, RPS Financial, which he owns and operates. He has been affiliated with Cetera and its affiliates since 2016. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a wide range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable organizations, and institutional accounts. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services through a multi-manager platform with access to both affiliated and third-party investment managers and various program structures.

Richard Augustine Sr. is a financial advisor with OSAIC based in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 26 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at SagePoint Financial, Lincoln Financial Advisors, and Austin Bancorp. In addition to his advisory work, he serves as president of R.J. Augustine & Associates, Ltd., a corporation offering tax, accounting, and strategic business planning services, and he is the treasurer of the Founders Club Homeowners Association. OSAIC serves a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm provides integrated brokerage and advisory services, utilizing asset-allocation tools and risk-assessment methods to manage portfolios across various asset classes on discretionary and non-discretionary bases.

Michael Procaccio II is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and eight years of industry experience. He has worked at multiple firms, including Pro Financial Services Group, Inc. and The Procaccio Corporation, and is involved in managing Jimmy John’s franchise operations. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, and institutional accounts, offering a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a large nationwide network of independent advisors.

Julia Pierre Louis is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 11 years of industry experience. She has been with J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank since 2014. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, delivering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with broker-dealer and investment adviser registrations, offering a range of advisory and brokerage services.

Michael Barwacz is currently a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2024. He has been with Fidelity since 2019, serving previously as a Planning Consultant from 2021 to 2024 and as a Relationship Manager from 2019 to 2021. Prior to joining Fidelity, Michael worked as a Premium Investment Consultant for Merrill Edge between 2017 and 2019. Michael brings over 40 years of experience in the financial industry. His background includes a decade as Director of Retail Trading at TD Ameritrade from 2007 to 2017 and over two decades as a Market Maker at the Chicago Board Options Exchange from 1984 to 2007. This extensive experience supports his focus on building comprehensive financial plans tailored to individual goals. Outside of his professional work, Michael enjoys activities such as cooking and baking, family engagements, fitness, football, music, and photography.

Benjamin Gottlieb is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in Schaumburg, Illinois. He specializes in working with businesses on retirement, benefit, executive, and equity compensation program needs, supporting companies and individuals in developing retirement programs specific to their plan design. As part of a team, he follows a methodical process to review current plans and look for opportunities to improve technology, reporting, fees, and risk management to help companies fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities. Ben began his career in the financial services industry in 2008. He is a member of the Institutional Advisory Council (IACTM) at Merrill, which includes retirement and institutional designated advisors who provide input to firm management. Ben holds several professional designations, including Certified 401(k) Professional (CkP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He graduated from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and completed the UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education Program in 2018. Ben lives in the Northwest Suburbs of Illinois with his wife, Kristen, and their three children, Charlotte, Jack, and Taylor. In his free time, he enjoys football, golf, hockey, activities that help animals, and spending time with his family. He is involved with community organizations such as the Humane Society, Love for Liam, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Aruna Sriram is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 22 years of industry experience. She has held roles at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2005. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, focusing on asset-allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through its Institutional Consulting Services program. The firm’s approach combines quantitative modeling with centralized due diligence and incorporates an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Sofiya Semanyshyn is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Vermillion Financial Advisors and Le Colonial, as well as academic experience at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s investment approach is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Gary Phelps is a financial advisor at Stifel with 28 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Merrill, Banc of America Investment Services, and LaSalle Financial Services. In addition to his advisory work, he is a notary public who notarizes documents for clients. Stifel serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, institutions, charitable organizations, and municipal entities, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm’s investment approach uses a proprietary methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group to provide asset allocation and planning analyses, which support client decision-making.

Maja Sobolewska is a financial advisor at LPL Enterprise with 20 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Securities LLC, Equitable Advisors, and Axa Advisors, LLC. In addition to her advisory role, she sells health insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield. LPL Enterprise serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and institutional clients through both advisory and brokerage channels. The firm offers financial planning, model wealth portfolios, third-party asset management, and a range of brokerage and insurance products.

Frank Difino is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Glenview, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and with JPMorgan Chase Bank since 2007. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through its Institutional Consulting Services program. The firm combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework when recommending strategies.

Jason Brim is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab, holding a Series 66 credential and seven years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at National Life Group and Lakeshore Financial Group. Outside of advising, he owns farmland in Central Illinois that he rents out for agricultural use. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves mainly high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients through its Schwab Wealth Advisory program, offering a blend of non-discretionary and discretionary investment management along with integrated custody and brokerage services.

Kent Atkinson is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and having 41 years of industry experience. He has worked with various Morgan Stanley entities since 2007, including Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Outside of his advisory work, he manages a rental property in Crystal Lake, IL. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide range of advisory programs and financial planning services to individuals and institutional clients. The firm employs a structured planning process and serves clients through both direct and corporate financial planning agreements.

Donald Sakamoto is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 37 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2014 and previously worked at Level Four Advisory Services, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he owns and operates CMDS Insurance Brokerage and is involved with Level Four Insurance Services, LLC, which offers non-variable insurance products. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations nationwide. The firm provides a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by proprietary and third-party research.