Brandon Chizer is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and seven years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Primerica Advisors, Katy ISD, and Vacations To GO. Ameriprise Financial Services is a diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, notable for its Premier Retirement Income service that provides written recommendation reports and annual retirement planning advice focused on income stability and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Luis Chaves is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Houston, TX, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He previously worked at INVEST Financial Corporation and has been involved with STONEWOLF BENEFITS, LLC for over a decade. Outside of advisory work, he is connected to a cloud-based HR software and compliance business through Stonewolf Benefits, LLC. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, providing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by LPL Research and third-party resources.

Kristie Ramirez is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with nine years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2016. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets.

Ben Cravens is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Houston, TX, holding a Series 63 designation and 44 years of industry experience. He has worked with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2015 and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery and firm-approved tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Rosario Burns is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 24 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2020, Burns worked at UBS Financial Services from 2013 to 2020. Outside of advisory work, Burns is involved as a business owner in Green Rock Venture LLC, which rents coworking spaces. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a broad range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, employing structured financial planning tools and managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm provides services that include tailored financial planning but generally acts in an advisory capacity rather than as a fiduciary for retirement accounts unless specifically engaged.

Alex Gutierrez is a financial advisor with Merrill in Houston, TX, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at Bank of America and educational roles at the University of Houston and Clements High School. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, offers managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations with model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Eric Jefferson is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 23 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2015 and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a wide range of advisory programs including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured financial planning process supported by firm-approved tools and methodologies.

Lisa Washington is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 63 designation and 35 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Waddell & Reed, Inc. and various insurance carriers over a 32-year period before joining LPL Financial in 2021. Outside of her advisory role, she is an agent for a non-variable insurance business serving clients in their homes. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting supported by research and model portfolios, with both discretionary and non-discretionary management options.

Karen Trekell is a financial advisor at Cetera with 18 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Cetera Advisors LLC since 2013 and Duffy, Cardwell, Clark & Clarke since 2018. Outside of her advisory work, she is a co-owner and partner in LatherUp, LatherMeUp, a soap-making business involved in internet sales and craft fairs. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a nationwide network of independent advisors, utilizing a multi-manager platform with various program options and custodial relationships.

Teresa Morris is a financial advisor at Cetera with 39 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Cetera and its affiliates since 2013. In addition to her advisory role, she has owned TDM Wealth Management, a financial services firm, since 2015 and has experience selling health and long-term care insurance. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional accounts, offering a variety of portfolio management and financial planning services. The firm operates a multi-manager platform with access to both affiliated and third-party managers, managing over $256 billion in assets across more than 10,000 advisors.

Lovetta Davies is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Houston, TX, bringing seven years of industry experience. She has worked at several firms, including Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Wells Fargo Clearing. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and comprehensive investment resources.

Jeffrey Gulitus is a CFP® and ChFC® with eight years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2017. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he worked at Infinity MEP and WSP, where he was involved in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design projects. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, operating under a fiduciary standard and maintaining a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

John Turner is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with over 22 years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Cetera and has held roles at Turner Wealth Management and Avantax Advisory Services. He serves as chairman on the board of Sweet Success ATX, a nonprofit organization. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC supports a nationwide network of independent advisors, serving individual, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients with a multi-manager platform that offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers.

David Butler is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and concurrently at Wamu Investments, Inc. since 2007. 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, delivering recommendations on a non-discretionary basis through a centralized due-diligence framework.

Justin Ponchak is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Houston, TX, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2011. Outside of his advisory role, he owns and operates Ponchak Management, LLC, a construction business. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals approaching or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, offering written Recommendation Reports that address income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. As a large institutional firm, Ameriprise also offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through affiliated entities.

Jaime Garza is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has prior experience at Pruco Securities LLC and Modern Brokers of America. Garza is also employed at Shell Federal Credit Union as part of the Ameriprise Financial Team. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets. The firm delivers structured recommendation reports using a combination of research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis, supported by a centralized consulting team.

Kirk Lippert is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Clear Lake, Texas, where he has served clients for 18 years. He brings a comprehensive approach to wealth management, focusing on personalized strategies that align with clients’ long-term financial goals. His areas of expertise include education planning, retirement income, philanthropic planning, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, tax minimization, and portfolio management services. Kirk emphasizes collaboration with clients to develop flexible strategies responsive to evolving market conditions, leveraging the resources of Merrill and Bank of America. Kirk’s professional background spans over two decades as a Certified Public Accountant, a credential he earned in 1983 following his graduation from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business Administration. His accounting career and global experiences—in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and The Netherlands—inform his advisory approach. He holds several financial designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Active in professional and community initiatives, Kirk is a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and has contributed leadership through roles such as Chairman of the Houston Chapter of CPAs Bay Area Satellite Group and participation on the City of Friendswood Texas Community & Economic Development Committee. Outside his professional life, Kirk enjoys baseball, golfing, and spending time with his family.

Cynthia Molina is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. She previously worked at Moore IT Services for four years and spent eight years as a homemaker. Merrill, together 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, and institutional accounts.

Oluwakemi Akinkugbe is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors with 12 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked in various roles within Wells Fargo since 2015. Outside of her advisory work, she serves as a guardian for her son. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser that offers investment and fee-based financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm provides a broad range of planning services, including specialized areas such as business-owner transition and special-needs analysis, using Wells Fargo’s research and planning tools.

James Miller is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been serving clients since 2016. He specializes in addressing the complex needs of clients by providing personalized wealth management planning aimed at bringing clarity to their financial lives. James focuses on helping clients achieve their goals with an emphasis on retirement and estate planning services, customizing financial strategies that align with each client’s investment personality and objectives. James holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M University System and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. His areas of expertise include employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, tax minimization, retirement income, and portfolio management services. Residing in Houston with his wife Lauren, their two children, Elle and Connor, and their pug Millie, James enjoys spending time with his family, as well as engaging in basketball, football, golfing, and traveling. His professional philosophy centers on understanding what is important to his clients to foster confidence in their financial future and provide them the freedom to live the lives they have worked hard for.