Franz Merkendorfer is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Aurora, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and nine years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities since 2017. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, offering asset-allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through a non-discretionary process that incorporates quantitative modeling and ESG criteria.

Evan Gallien is a CFP®-credentialed financial advisor with 13 years of industry experience, currently with Morgan Stanley in Oak Brook, IL. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley since 2018 and previously at Securities Service Network and Resource Financial Group, Ltd. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning through a structured process that includes firm-approved tools and modeling techniques. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and delivers services both directly and under employer agreements.

Patricia Penrod is a financial advisor at Merrill with six years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, U.S. Bancorp Investments, U.S. Bank, and JP Morgan in various capacities. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, offers managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, providing model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

William Bloom III is a financial advisor with OSAIC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 18 years of industry experience. He previously worked for Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. for 10 years before joining OSAIC. Outside of advising, he is involved in several entrepreneurial ventures including leading Bloom Financial, Co., developing a financial planning algorithm through Diane Money, and creating mindset workshops and audio programs. He also serves on the board of the Chicago Yacht Club. OSAIC serves a diverse range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charities. The firm provides integrated brokerage and advisory services supported by various proprietary and third-party tools to construct and manage portfolios across multiple asset classes.

Jordan Pemble is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2021. In this role, Jordan partners with families to develop financial plans and provides education to support well-informed financial decisions. Jordan specializes in retirement planning, investment strategy, and income protection, and collaborates with a wealth management team that addresses tax-efficient investing and estate planning considerations. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Jordan held positions at Merrill, serving as Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager from 2020 to 2021, and as an Investment Consultant from 2017 to 2020. Jordan holds an Arkansas Insurance License. Outside of professional responsibilities, Jordan has personal interests in baseball, family activities, and traveling.

Michael Malone is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with five years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC since 2017, with prior experience at Nissan. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, delivering non-discretionary advice 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.

Manila Kala is a Series 66-registered financial advisor with UBS Financial Services, where she has worked since 2007. She has 21 years of experience in the financial industry. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and advisory offerings, including financial planning and portfolio management. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services and integrates proprietary research and data analytics into its client solutions.

Roger Nelson is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Naperville, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having seven years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at PFS Investments Inc and Larsen MFG. Outside of advisory services, he is involved in sales of loan products and home-related services through Primerica Mortgage, LLC and Primerica Client Services, Inc. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-delivery strategies and separately managed account options under a wrap-fee structure. The firm curates third-party asset managers and uses BNY Mellon Advisors for trading implementation.

Thomas Bongiorno is a financial advisor with MassMutual Investors Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has worked at MassMutual Investors Services since 2017 and previously spent two years with Metlife Securities. Outside of his advisory work, he is a drummer in a local 80's cover band that performs at special events. MassMutual Investors Services provides financial planning and asset management to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers collaborative, annual planning engagements using firm-approved tools and supports a range of investment strategies without discretionary authority.

Daniel Iverson is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015, at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009, and previously at Citigroup Global Markets from 1996 to 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning and managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm’s planning process involves structured discovery and firm-approved tools, serving clients through both direct engagements and corporate financial planning agreements.

Ryan Ford is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding CFP® and PFS™ designations and a Series 66 license, and has two years of industry experience. He has worked at several firms, including Sequoia Advisors LLC and Forvis, LLP. Outside of his advisory role, he is a managing member and part owner of Sequoia Advisors LLC, where he prepares tax returns. 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 multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers.

Neil Harnen is a CFP® with 19 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cetera in Wheaton, IL. His career includes roles at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, National Securities Corp, B. Riley Wealth Advisors, LPL Financial, and TrustBank. He serves as a board member and co-chair of the finance committee for Mutual Ground, where he is involved in budget recommendations and audit approvals. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC operates a large nationwide network of independent advisors, serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services through a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

Ravi Patel is a financial advisor at Cetera with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Cetera and its affiliates since 2016. In addition to advising, he works as a property and casualty insurance agent for Modus Technologies. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationwide SEC-registered firm that serves individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and access to a range of investment programs, operating a multi-manager platform with over $256 billion in assets under management.

James Moster Jr. is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 33 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 1999 and also worked at AXA Advisors, LLC from 1999 to 2020. Outside of financial advising, he maintains a law practice as an attorney and provides attorney referrals. Equitable Advisors serves individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations by offering financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and various asset management programs. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and partners with third-party asset managers and advisory programs to deliver its services.

Alvaro Zavala Jr. is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with seven years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank since 2018. Prior to this, he was employed at US Bank and H&R Block. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applying an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Sandra Nasby is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with three years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at BMO Bank NA and Helzberg Diamonds. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and a range of institutional platforms, supporting advisors with various investment strategies and operational tools.

Mark Schuurman is a CFP® with 13 years of industry experience. He is currently with Wells Fargo Clearing and previously worked at UBS Financial Services, Inc. for 16 years. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a range of financial product offerings that include insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Alex Marusarz is a CFP®-credentialed financial advisor with 14 years of industry experience. He is currently associated with LPL Financial, where he has worked since 2019, following prior roles at Waddell & Reed Inc and CMS Office Management, LLC. Marusarz also holds an association with a non-variable insurance firm. 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 range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

James Gibson is a Senior Financial Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since beginning his career with the firm in 1989, he has assisted high-net-worth families in making important investment decisions across various market environments. He leads The Gibson Group, overseeing a team that supports wealth management efforts for a diverse client base including corporate CEOs, entrepreneurs, multi-generational families, and organizations with complex asset and debt management needs. Mr. Gibson sets the core investment philosophy for his team and directs asset management strategies to align with clients' objectives. His approach often emphasizes asset class diversification and generating increasing income streams to help protect against inflation. He utilizes discretionary accounts, third-party money manager accounts, and alternative investments to incorporate non-correlating asset classes. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Ohio State University and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He resides in Hinsdale with his wife, Molly, and their two children, Gray and Naomi. Outside of his professional role, James is a member of Ruth Lake Country Club and participates in his community through Christ Church of Oak Brook. His personal interests include golfing, music, reading, and traveling.

Brian Doruff is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works in partnership with Dennis Foley and is part of The Foley/Doruff/Gizzi/Jain Group, a diverse team of advisors focusing on delivering comprehensive wealth management strategies to affluent individuals, families, business owners, and executives. Their approach emphasizes designing goals-based financial strategies tailored to what matters most to their clients. Brian began his financial services career as a mortgage loan officer in 1996 after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from Arizona State University. He spent 14 years as a banking center manager at LaSalle Bank, Bank of America, and MB Financial before joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a Financial Advisor in March 2014. He became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional in 2017 and holds additional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Brian and his team provide a holistic approach to wealth management, offering services such as family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, retirement income, and tax minimization. Outside of his professional role, Brian enjoys biking, golfing, music, softball, spending time with his family, traveling, and watching movies.