David Carter is a financial advisor at Merrill with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining Merrill in 2022, he worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and JP Morgan Chase Bank from 2011 to 2022. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Kathleen Liggins is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Buffalo Grove, IL, where she has six years of experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2007 in various roles. Outside of her advisory work, she serves as Treasurer for the Barrington Juniors Women’s Club and is a managing member of BK Legacy Holdings LLC, a consumer retail products business. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a variety of advisory strategies, including both discretionary and non-discretionary options, and maintains a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Christopher Auer is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing extensive experience in wealth management and financial planning since beginning his career in 1998. He specializes in education planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. Christopher focuses on delivering a comprehensive approach tailored to each client’s individual needs by listening carefully and helping them make informed decisions to achieve their financial goals. He holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Christopher also completed an Accredited Certificate Program at Northern Illinois University. Outside of his professional role, he is involved with the Porsche Club of America and enjoys hiking, music, photography, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Spencer Hunzeker is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with the CFP® designation and a Series 66 license. He has 10 years of industry experience, all with Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank. 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 offers a combination of non-discretionary and discretionary investment guidance, utilizing multi-asset model portfolios and a centralized operational structure.

John Lancaster III is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. He is a partner at Porte Brown LLC, where he provides tax preparation, planning, and consulting services to both individual and corporate clients. Lancaster also serves as the treasurer on the board of the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce, participating in local business events and chamber activities. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a national SEC-registered firm serving a broad client base that includes individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutions. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with a range of portfolio management options, including model portfolios, third-party managers, and customized strategies, overseeing more than $256 billion in assets through over 10,000 advisors.

Blade Varian is a financial advisor at Fisher Investments with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Fisher Investments since 2013. Fisher Investments serves a global mix of institutional and private clients, providing discretionary portfolio management across equity, fixed-income, and blended mandates. The firm employs a centralized investment process that combines quantitative screening and qualitative research to construct diversified portfolios and offers sub-advisory and retirement plan services.

Jeffrey Hejza is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 20 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial. His prior experience includes roles at Commonwealth Financial Network and Realty Associates Network, among others. He is also involved in mortgage banking through Partners in Mortgage. 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 broad range of advisory and brokerage services supported by advanced research and technology tools.

Dejan Acimovic is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings over 15 years of experience in wealth management, sales, and finance, with a focus on helping clients achieve their financial goals through personalized strategies. Dejan holds the designations of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University Paris XII and is fluent in Serbo-Croatian, French, and English. Dejan emphasizes understanding each client’s full financial picture to develop flexible strategies that align with their long-term objectives. In addition to his professional work, he participates in community activities and volunteers with local organizations. Outside of work, Dejan enjoys basketball, reading, soccer, and traveling. His approach is centered on working closely with clients one-on-one to establish tailored financial plans that pursue their personal goals.

Pandit Singharuksa is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 66 designations and two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Bank of America and Interfirst Mortgage Company, as well as entrepreneurial experience with Singharuksa Company. Merrill provides managed account services primarily to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party management teams for a variety of client types.

Joseph Scott is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations with 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he owns a rental property business in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a variety of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning and estate strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes a structured planning process supplemented by firm-approved tools.

Vanessa Drolshagen is a financial advisor with Merrill in Northbrook, Illinois, holding a Series 66 designation and 2 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2015 and previously worked at Bank of America, N.A. Vanessa is a co-trustee of a family trust and owns a home remodeling business where she assists with administrative tasks. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Mark Gallegos is a financial advisor at Cetera with three years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has worked at firms including Porte Brown Wealth Management and Avantax, and he is a partner at Porte Brown LLC, where he leads areas such as international tax, M&A tax, and tax credits and incentives. He also writes and speaks on tax topics. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable entities, and institutional accounts. The firm offers diversified portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform that includes model portfolios, third-party managers, and bespoke strategies.

George Aslanidis is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012, also working with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2009. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, offering asset-allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting 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.

David Maleh is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 28 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, serving in roles at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. in Deerfield, Illinois. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, including customized financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and uses a structured financial planning process supported by firm-approved tools and modeling techniques.

Marvin Siegel is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He has managed his own accounting and tax firm, Marvin M. Siegel CPA PC, since 1976 and has been involved with Siegel Accounting & Financial Services since 2009. In addition to his advisory roles, he is active as an insurance agent specializing in fixed insurance products. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a large SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services, utilizing multiple program structures and a multi-manager platform that includes affiliated and third-party managers.

Brian Harrigian is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and two years of industry experience. He has prior experience with Cambridge Investment Research Inc. and Preferred Planning Concepts, LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he coaches youth baseball with the Park Ridge Jr. Hawks Traveling Baseball League. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is an SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through a network of independent advisors using a variety of portfolio management approaches and custody arrangements.

Sean Lee is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, he worked at Molo Solutions for five years and held roles with Be Reality Group, Core Spaces, and The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including advisory work for registered investment companies and charitable funds. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to develop model portfolios, and it engages in activities such as fund-of-funds management and oversight of affiliated sub-advisers.

Leslie Cabrera is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having one year of industry experience. Before joining Morgan Stanley in 2023, Leslie worked at Horizon Wealth Management and Benjamin F Edwards. Outside of her advisory roles, she has experience at a nursing home and a recreation center. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a broad range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and methodologies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and serves clients through direct and corporate financial planning agreements.

Patrick Nix is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 credential and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Cetera Wealth Services, Avantax, and Alcorn & Cureton, Ltd., where he is involved in accounting and tax preparation. He also owns a tax preparation and accounting services business, advising clients on tax matters and business operations. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with various portfolio management and financial planning services, managing over $256 billion in assets.

Patrick Mulvaney is a Financial Consultant currently working with Fidelity Investments. He collaborates with clients and their families to understand their financial goals and develop personalized strategies aimed at growing, protecting, and managing wealth. He emphasizes open dialogue and education to assist clients in making informed financial decisions. Patrick has progressed through roles at Fidelity Investments, starting as a Financial Representative in 2023, then as an Investment Consultant from 2024 to 2025, before assuming his current position. Prior to joining Fidelity, he held a Financial Representative role at Northwestern Mutual during 2022 to 2023. He holds an Arkansas Insurance License. Outside of his professional work, Patrick engages in activities such as bowling, cooking and baking, fitness, golf, traveling, and volunteering.