Elizabeth Cervantes is a CFP® with 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. She currently works at Morgan Stanley, having previously been employed at Wells Fargo Advisors and Wells Fargo Clearing. Her background includes roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored financial planning and a range of advisory programs, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Julia Pearl is a financial advisor at Ameriprise in Los Angeles, CA, with one year of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation. Prior to her current role, she worked at Ameriprise from 2019 to 2025 and spent seven years at Bob Smith Toyota. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved with BRAHHVO LLC, an investment-related LLC formed by her Ameriprise franchise. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on retirement income planning, utilizing proprietary research and third-party data to provide ongoing, non-discretionary recommendations.

Mai Park is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 23 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2025, Mai worked for Bank of America and Merrill from 2009 to 2025. LPL Financial is a registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and research from LPL Research.

Tom Aguilera Jr. is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2022 and has been associated with Cuna Brokerage Services, Inc. and SchoolsFirst FCU for over 19 and 26 years respectively. Aguilera also serves as a financial advisor at SchoolsFirst FCU. LPL Financial is a national SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services. The firm provides both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and offers additional financial products and services through affiliated entities.

Aidan Curtin is a financial advisor with Merrill in Los Angeles, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill, he worked at LPL Enterprise and Prudential. Outside of finance, he is employed with Legends Hospitality. 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 supported by internal and third-party managers for a range of client types.

Hsien Lu is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 42 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 1999 and previously worked with Axa Advisors, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in an outside fixed business and owns investment real estate. Equitable Advisors serves individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, corporations, and charitable organizations by providing financial planning, retirement-plan support, and access to asset management through LPL programs and third-party asset managers. The firm uses a hybrid referral and implementation model, offering both advisory and brokerage/insurance channels to execute client recommendations.

Jaron Tsukamoto is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Thrivent Financial, Bishop & Co., and Island Insurance Companies LLC. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers holistic, goal-based planning covering topics such as retirement, tax, and estate planning, with the option to combine planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing system.

Cong Wang is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with two years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has previously worked at firms including Cetera, HSBC, Avantax Advisory Services, Bohai Securities, and Everbright Securities. In addition to his advisory role, he is active as an insurance agent selling fixed insurance products and serves as a wealth management associate at TYWL Wealth Advisors, LLC. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm combines internal research and third-party analytics to support investment decisions and offers a broad range of brokerage and advisory solutions across a large national platform.

John Tran is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 11 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Securities, LLC, and JP Morgan Chase Bank. LPL Enterprise serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers financial planning, consulting, model portfolio management, and access to a broad range of brokerage and insurance products through an integrated advisory and brokerage platform.

Ronald Thompson is a financial advisor at Fidelity with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Northwestern Mutual and New York Life Insurance Company. Outside of his advisory role, he is the sole proprietor of an Amazon publishing business. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including charitable funds and registered investment companies. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research and quantitative analysis to construct model portfolios from mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs, and it is notable for its use of algorithmic methods and formal advisory roles to multiple registered investment companies.

Alexander Reuben is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 10 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Edward Jones, JP Morgan Chase Bank, and JP Morgan Securities. He is also associated with Jonathon P. Reuben, CPA An Accountancy Corporation in a non-investment related capacity. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives, offering a wide range of advisory programs and brokerage services.

Roger Stephens is a financial advisor with RBC Capital Markets in Los Angeles, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. His prior firms include UBS Financial Services, where he worked for nine years, and City National Bank, where he currently maintains a role alongside his position at RBC. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, serves a diverse client base ranging from individual investors to institutional clients, offering various wrap fee advisory programs with tailored investment strategies implemented through a mix of in-house and third-party managers. The firm’s services include discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, custody, and brokerage solutions.

Gregory Vernon is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Los Angeles, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2017 and previously operated his own advisory firm, G.K. Vernon, LLC, for one year. Wells Fargo Advisors is a large national securities firm providing investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm utilizes research and analytics to inform its investment approach and offers a broad range of brokerage and advisory solutions.

Albert Smith III is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in advising corporate executives, financial professionals, founders, and professional athletes. He is part of the Private Executive Services team, where his practice focuses on managing complex financial lives through a coordinated, team-based approach. Albert collaborates closely with clients and their wider advisory teams—including CPAs, attorneys, and agents—to deliver comprehensive and customized financial planning and wealth management services. Albert earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Trinity College and his Juris Doctorate from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. He holds FINRA series 7, 63, and 65 registrations, as well as insurance and annuities licenses. Albert also maintains the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He has been recognized as a member of the Private Executive Services team in Forbes' Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams and Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams. Beyond his professional role, Albert is involved with several community organizations, serving on the executive committees for The Hope Gala and The Rita Hayworth Gala for the Alzheimer's Association Young Leadership Committee. He resides in the South Bay area of Los Angeles with his family and enjoys activities including yoga, basketball, golf, music, reading, running, swimming, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Ryan Gill is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill, he worked at Waldorf Estoria and attended Arizona State University. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services 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.

Raul Hernandez is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 17 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at BMO Bank NA, BancWest Investment Services, Wells Fargo Clearing, Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, and Wells Fargo Bank. Hernandez is also active as an advisor with BMO Bank NA. 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 and financial planning services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and technology to serve a diverse client base.

Eddie Kaspar is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 65 license. He has 42 years of industry experience, including a long tenure with Prudential Insurance Company of America and Pruco Securities, LLC. Kaspar is based in Orange, CA. LPL Enterprise serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, utilizing model portfolios, third-party asset managers, and an integrated platform that includes insurance products and lending solutions.

Alex Persons is a Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role held since 2023. Prior to this, Alex has held several positions within Fidelity Investments, including Financial Consultant, Investment Consultant, Relationship Manager, Financial Representative, Central Relationship Manager, Investment Solutions Representative, and Customer Relationship Advocate, spanning from 2017 to 2023. Before joining Fidelity, Alex worked as a Mortgage Processor at JPMorgan & Co in 2016. Alex holds a California Insurance License. Their professional approach focuses on assisting clients in identifying their financial goals and objectives and building strategies to work towards financial freedom. Alex emphasizes the importance of planning in achieving financial success. Outside of work, Alex enjoys attending concerts and movies, as well as engaging in outdoor adventures such as skiing, surfing, and traveling.

Kyong Hwa Koch is a financial advisor at Merrill with five years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill Lynch since 2022. Her prior experience includes roles at RBC Capital Markets and Wells Fargo Clearing. 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.

Peter Smaldino is a Wealth Management Advisor within the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management division of Bank of America. With over two decades of experience in the financial services industry, Peter works with busy professionals and business owners to provide objective advice and client-focused service. His areas of expertise include college education planning, divorce transition planning, employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, defined benefit and contribution plan consulting, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, and retirement income planning. Peter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California in 1993. He holds multiple professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), and Sports & Entertainment (SE). Outside of his professional role, Peter enjoys baseball, football, golfing, hiking, spending time with his family, and traveling.