James Blaydes is a financial advisor with Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and bringing nine years of industry experience. His career includes roles at LPL Financial, OSAIC, Securities America, and National Planning Corporation. Outside his advisory work, he serves as president of his condo association, managing administrative duties unrelated to investments. Stratos Wealth Partners is an SEC-registered enterprise advisor with approximately 379 advisors and $18.6 billion in assets under management, serving individuals, retirement plans, corporations, nonprofits, and institutional clients. The firm employs an open-architecture, IAR-driven model that integrates multiple third-party platforms and offers customized portfolio management and specialized planning services.

Danuta Durkiewicz is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at PNC Wealth Management. Her prior work includes roles at MissionSquare Investment Services, Bank of America, Merrill, and Fifth Third Securities. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an invitation-only digital portfolio option that employs algorithm-driven risk assessment and third-party-managed investment models.

Nicholas Swan is an advisor at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. He holds the Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, he was involved with several churches in various roles from 2007 to 2025. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients through a network of over 500 advisors. The firm offers a range of services including advisory programs, financial planning, investment management, brokerage services, insurance products, and M&A advisory services.

Arthur Reich is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and with 28 years of industry experience. His background includes roles at several firms such as Medico Insurance Company, Travel Guard International, and World Financial Group. He has also been involved in insurance sales and ownership of Wellington Group of Illinois LLC. Transamerica Financial Advisors provides investment advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and businesses. The firm employs a model portfolio and third-party manager approach, supported by a large advisor network and multiple program platforms.

Phillip Bucaro is a financial advisor with TLG Advisors, Inc. in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Resource Insurance and Financial Group, The Leaders Group Inc, Pinnacle IFS Inc, and Insource Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in providing insurance and investment products to small businesses through KAPPLE & APPLE Insurance Benefits & Financial Services. TLG Advisors, Inc. manages approximately $2.0 billion in discretionary client assets, serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and institutional investors. The firm offers investment supervisory and portfolio management, comprehensive financial and estate planning, ERISA fiduciary services, and a direct-to-consumer program called Starlight Portfolios, combining fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory in its investment approach.

Matthew Wetzel is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management in Clarendon Hills, IL. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has seven years of industry experience. Prior to joining PNC, he worked at JPMorgan Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A. from 2019 to 2026, as well as at Medline Industries and Spire Hospitality. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through several model-based programs, including a digital discretionary model account available by invitation to employees with PNC Bank online credentials. The firm utilizes algorithm-driven risk assessment and implements investment strategies via approved models managed internally or by third parties.

David Floyd is a financial advisor at Kestra Advisory with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. He previously worked at Riverstone Wealth Partners and Commonwealth Financial Network from 2021 to 2026, and held positions at UBS Asset Management from 2016 to 2020. Kestra Advisory Services provides investment advisory and retirement-plan consulting to plan sponsors and a range of institutional and individual clients. The firm offers services including fiduciary consulting, plan design, employee education, and access to multiple management platforms, serving clients such as sovereign wealth funds and other large institutional investors.

Rajeswaran Venkatraman is a financial advisor at VOYA Financial Advisors, Inc. with 41 years of industry experience. He has held positions at Voya Financial Partners, LLC and VOYA Financial Advisors since 2000. Outside of advisory work, he serves as treasurer for his local homeowners association. VOYA Financial Advisors, Inc. is an enterprise-scale advisory and broker-dealer affiliate of Voya Financial that serves individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm provides financial planning, portfolio management, retirement advisory services, and access to third-party money managers through a wide network of representatives, utilizing both in-house and external investment strategies with a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary account management.

Adam Hillebold is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Schaumburg, IL. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has nine years of industry experience. Prior to joining Eagle Strategies in 2024, he worked at NYLIFE Securities LLC and New York Life Insurance Company since 2017 and at Tovar Snow Professionals Inc from 2014 to 2017. He is also licensed as an insurance broker, working part-time in that capacity. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base, including individual investors, institutional clients, and retirement plans, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and manages the majority of its regulatory assets on a non-discretionary basis within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.

Bradley Gempeler is a financial advisor at &Partners with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. Prior to joining &Partners in 2024, he worked at Wells Fargo Clearing for eight years. &Partners serves a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, and institutional clients, offering investment management, financial and tax planning, and consulting services. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis with both proprietary and third-party strategies, and operates as both a registered investment adviser and a broker-dealer.

Mira Dragisic is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in Downers Grove, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 11 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Bank, NA, Thrivent Financial, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Northwestern Mutual. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and active-duty military personnel. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager asset allocation and separately managed account solutions.

Kyle Crowley is a financial advisor with NewEdge Advisors in Arlington Heights, IL, holding a Series 66 credential and 10 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at LPL Financial and Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with the Northwest Chargers Hockey Association. NewEdge Advisors is an enterprise-scale registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a broad range of services including portfolio management, financial planning, and access to sponsored advisory programs, with an investment approach that combines in-house manager selection, third-party model portfolios, and advisor discretion.

Derek Mc Daniel is a Series 66 registered advisor with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc., bringing seven years of industry experience. He previously worked at Bank of America, Merrill, Kinetic Life Growth Partners, and Focal Point Partners. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a Planning & Zoning Commissioner and city councilman in Naperville, Illinois. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients through a team of over 500 advisors. The firm offers a range of financial services including advisory programs, financial planning, investment management, brokerage, insurance products, and M&A advisory.

John Matenko is a Series 66 licensed advisor with Principal Financial Services in Saint Charles, IL. He has one year of industry experience and has held positions at Principal Securities, Principal Life Insurance Company, and various other roles including at St. Charles Country Club and Goldfish Swim School. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and active-duty military personnel. The firm focuses on direct advisory programs, financial planning, and access to third-party money manager solutions.

Philip Sandrok is a financial advisor with FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc. in Schaumburg, Illinois. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has 12 years of industry experience, all with Fifth Third Securities since 2014, having also worked with Fifth Third Bank since 2011. FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc. serves individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and trusts, through both advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers investment programs via the Passageway Managed Account platform, utilizing multiple program types and third-party portfolio managers tailored to client risk profiles.

Jared Lester is a CFP®-designated financial advisor at Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd with 10 years of industry experience. His prior roles include time at LPL Financial LLC, OSAIC, Securities America Advisors, and NATIONAL PLANNING CORPORATION. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as an assistant soccer coach for kindergarten-aged children in Naperville, IL. Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd is an enterprise SEC-registered advisory firm with approximately 379 advisors and $18.6 billion in assets under management that serves individuals, retirement plans, corporations, nonprofits, and institutional clients. The firm uses an open-architecture, IAR-driven model integrating multiple third-party platforms and managers, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management alongside financial planning and outsourced CIO solutions.

Jarret Van Acker is a financial advisor at Mariner with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Savant Wealth Management and Mariner Wealth Advisors. Mariner serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and private funds. The firm provides investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and coordinated tax and family office services, combining in-house research with third-party managers across a range of asset classes and strategies.

Nathan Muersch is a financial advisor at Principal Financial Services in Downers Grove, IL, holding a Series 66 designation. He has been in the industry since 2024, including experience with Muersch Financial LLC and Principal Life Insurance Company. Prior to his advisory roles, he was a student for three years and briefly worked at Walmart. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager asset allocation and separately managed account solutions.

Maurice Mathy is a financial advisor with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. in Naperville, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 38 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley and Citigroup Global Markets. He serves as executor of an estate, managing financial assets and related administrative duties. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients through a team of over 500 advisors. The firm offers a range of services including advisory programs, financial planning, investment management, and brokerage, with proprietary and third-party investment strategies supported by an in-house trading desk and a unique operational structure involving multiple custodians.

John Selzer is a CFP® with 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Capital Point Financial Group, LTD. for 10 years, LPL Financial for 19 years, and Guardian Life for one year. He is currently with Allworth Financial, L.P. Allworth Financial serves individual and high-net-worth investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial and wealth planning, portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, and education through newsletters, podcasts, and seminars. The firm uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis to implement customized investment strategies across various asset classes and offers specialist portfolios tailored to different client values and goals.