Darren Marcantuone is a Senior Financial Advisor and First Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked since August 2006. He has nearly three decades of experience in the financial services industry, having helped clients navigate their financial lives since 1996. In his role as a Senior Portfolio Advisor, Darren collaborates closely with clients to develop personalized investment strategies. He designs and manages customized portfolios using a wide range of Merrill-managed solutions and third-party investment options, and may manage these strategies on a discretionary basis through the firm's Investment Advisory Program when appropriate. Darren holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation and the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Entrepreneurial Studies from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Florham Park, New Jersey. He has particular experience working with individuals and families during times of financial transition, assisting with retirement planning, legacy considerations, and coordinating with estate planning attorneys to align financial strategies with long-term goals. He lives in New Providence, New Jersey, with his wife Diana, their sons Jason and Ethan, and their family pet, Percy.

Juan Leon Ruiz is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2018 and has been with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2014. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary investment advisory services. The firm’s process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, serving plan sponsors with tailored solutions and a broader range of financial product offerings, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Leonardo Urena Guzman is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and less than one year of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at Bank of America, Market Securities LLC, Petco, and teaching roles at Middlebury College and Cresskill High School. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Andrea Spatola is Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position she has held since 2019. In this role, she assists clients in managing their financial assets and planning for various financial goals, including home buying, education savings, and retirement planning. She emphasizes listening to her clients and prioritizing their needs to develop and implement effective financial plans. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Andrea has held several roles including Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley and Prudential Financial, Senior Investment Analyst for the United States Steel and Carnegie Pension Fund, and Equity Analyst positions at Tupelo Capital Management, Credit Suisse First Boston, Deutsche Bank, and PaineWebber. Andrea holds a California Insurance License.

Bernard Pigott is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Bank of America and Merrill, as well as owning a Fit Body Boot Camp franchise and operating Pigott Consulting. 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, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Thomas Hall is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 12 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2013, also working with JPMorgan Chase Bank since 2011. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with market-facing registrations and offers advisory services alongside affiliated brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Annu Mccarthy is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 23 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Merrill, LPL Financial, LLC, and IBEX Wealth Advisors. 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 a broader range of financial products than typical for large institutional advisers, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Margot O'Neill is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 44 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 1979. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program to Bank of America fiduciary clients. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary strategies developed by internal and third-party managers.

Michael Fisher is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been serving clients since 2003. In his role, he manages the investment side of the business by implementing the wealth management process, analyzing client accounts, conducting investment manager reviews, and preparing customized proposals and portfolio reviews. Michael provides traditional financial advice and guidance, helping clients pursue their investment objectives through a variety of Merrill or approved third-party investment strategies, funds, and portfolios. His areas of expertise include equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and tax minimization. Michael holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations, Life and Health insurance licenses, and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing management from the Pamplin School of Business at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Michael lives in Brielle, New Jersey, with his wife Stephanie and their two children, Mason and Kyra. Outside of work, he enjoys adventure sports such as surfing, snowboarding, skiing, hiking, and fishing, as well as spending time boating and traveling. He is involved in community activities through his volunteer work with the Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting oceans, waves, and beaches.

Bimal Gupta is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Summit, NJ, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 13 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ameriprise in 2022, he worked at Avantax Investment Services and has been involved with Parsippany Tax and Accounting Corporation since 2010, where he operates a CPA accounting and tax practice. He serves on the board of the Northeast Society for Education and Learning and participates on the advisory board of Citizens Bank. Ameriprise Financial Services is a diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, notable for its Premier Retirement Income service, which provides tailored retirement income planning through a collaborative, non-discretionary approach supported by research and algorithmic analysis.

Bela Patel is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and 29 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 1995. Patel is also a co-owner of a family investment-related business. 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, and institutional investors.

Matthew Fazendeiro is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2025, he worked at Park Avenue Securities and Guardian Life Insurance Agency. His background also includes roles at the Food and Drug Administration and Fairleigh Dickinson University. LPL Financial serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations, offering diverse advisory and brokerage services supported by model portfolios and research from multiple sources.

John Cicmansky is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2022. He specializes in building customized financial plans that prioritize the personal and financial needs of his clients and their families. His approach involves collaborating closely with clients to determine investment decision preferences and to simplify their financial lives. Prior to his current position, John worked as a Financial Solutions Advisor at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated from 2011 to 2022. He also served as a Registered Representative at AXA Advisors LLC in 2010. He holds a California Insurance License. Outside of his professional work, John enjoys camping, golf, kayaking, skiing, softball, and volunteering.

Justin Winkelman is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services in Warren, NJ. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has five years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, H. Beck Inc./Grove Point Investments, and AXA/Equitable Advisors. Winkelman has experience in the restaurant industry, having worked at Krave Restaurant and Kroghs Restaurant and Brew Pub. MML Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that operates as a subsidiary of MassMutual. The firm provides financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers.

Roopesh Amin is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Short Hills, NJ, holding a Series 66 designation and 20 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2016. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by structured discovery processes and advanced modeling tools.

Joseph Cataldo is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 36 years of industry experience. He has worked at Raymond James since 2019 and previously spent 11 years at Morgan Stanley. He is also the owner of Iron Ridge Wealth Management Group and Cataldo Wealth Management. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm uses analytical tools such as risk profiling and probability modeling to tailor non-discretionary planning and consulting to client goals, and it supports a broad advisor network with additional specialized services in municipal finance and retirement plan advisory.

Frank Mastrosimone is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 49 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Securities, LLC, and Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he occasionally assists his wife with real estate transactions. LPL Enterprise serves a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutions. The firm offers financial planning, advisory and brokerage services, and access to model portfolios and third-party asset management through an integrated platform combining adviser programs with various financial products.

Thomas Vastardis is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds a Series 63 designation and has 27 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Avantax Investment Services, Inc. for 27 years and has operated Thomas Vastardis & Associates, providing tax preparation and accounting services, for over 30 years. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable and institutional clients. The firm offers a variety of portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform, supporting a large network of advisors and managing over $256 billion in assets.

Ryan Welsch is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at DoorDash and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is also a registered associate with Shapiro Financial Group, a non-investment-related entity. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual, high-net-worth, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored non-discretionary planning and consulting using analytical tools to support client goals and maintains notable programs such as municipal advisory services and SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory & Consulting Services.

Marc Israel is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 designations and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, he worked at Verizon for 18 years. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and fund advisory. The firm combines fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction across a broad investable universe, and it serves as an advisor to multiple registered investment companies and fund-of-funds.