John Siuda is the founder and wealth advisor at Afia Wealth Management, a fee-based fiduciary practice based in Westlake, Ohio, and affiliated with RFG Advisory as its supervising RIA. Afia Wealth Management serves pre-retirees, business owners, executives, and high earners, offering investment management, retirement planning, tax strategy, and estate planning within a single, coordinated approach. The practice places particular emphasis on business owners preparing for an exit, helping them navigate capital gains exposure, tax-efficient sale strategies, and the transition from operating a business to living on its proceeds. As a fiduciary, Siuda builds plans designed around each client's goals rather than around product sales.

Andrew Leeman is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Independence, OH. He holds Series 7, Series 63, and Series 66 exam licenses and has eight years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at NYLIFE Securities LLC, Dynamic Wealth Advisors. Outside of finance, he owns rental properties and Miller Muscle, LLC, an online strength and nutrition coaching business. Eagle Strategies LLC provides financial planning, investment advisory, and retirement plan consulting services to individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes client-directed solutions and utilizes third-party managers and model portfolios, operating as an indirect subsidiary of New York Life.

Jeffrey Tock is a financial advisor at Argo Wealth Management with 40 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has worked at Cantella and Co., Inc. since 2009. Tock is also involved in insurance sales, focusing on fixed annuities, long-term care, term life, and non-securities insurance. Argo Wealth Management provides discretionary investment management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and business entities, offering portfolio construction and ongoing management across a range of securities. The firm emphasizes fundamental analysis and tailored asset allocation while serving retirement and ERISA-type accounts under a fiduciary standard.

Todd Pouliot is a financial advisor at Gateway Financial with 21 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and previously worked at Sigma Financial Corporation for 12 years before joining Gateway Financial in 2019. Gateway Financial is an independent advisory firm serving individual clients, retirement plans, and corporate clients. The firm employs a largely passive, asset-class-driven investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, supplemented by fundamental and technical analyses, and offers a range of services including continuous investment management, financial planning, employee benefit plan consulting, and held-away account monitoring.

Carl Paskert is the sole advisor at Intelligent Capital Management LLC in Parma, OH, holding a Series 63 license with 17 years of industry experience. He previously owned an insurance agency and holds current licenses for Ohio property and casualty as well as life and health insurance, though he is not actively practicing in those fields. Intelligent Capital Management provides discretionary investment management to individuals, corporate accounts, retirement accounts, trusts, and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a long-term, tax-conscious, low-turnover approach using diversified model portfolios of ETFs and no-load mutual funds, with allocations tailored to client risk tolerance across various asset classes.

Michael Vitantonio is a financial advisor at Volition Financial Network, LLC in Cleveland, Ohio, holding a Series 65 credential with eight years of industry experience. He has worked at Volition Financial Network since 2019 and Capital Financial Services, Inc. since 2017. Outside of his advisory work, he provides bookkeeping services for small family businesses through Vitantonio & Associates, Inc. Volition Financial Network, LLC offers discretionary portfolio management and investment consulting to individuals, trusts, estates, pension, and charitable clients. The firm employs a combination of fundamental and technical analysis and utilizes both in-house and third-party model portfolio strategies.

Martin Jaras is the principal of Jaras Financial Services, Inc. in Brecksville, Ohio, with 39 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked in various capacities including investment advisory, insurance sales, and business consulting. Outside of financial services, he operates Dirt Wranglers, LLC, a small local equipment business. Jaras Financial Services primarily serves individual investors along with retirement plans, corporate entities, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan administration, managing portfolios on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases using fundamental and technical analysis.

Dave Flegal is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) and founder of Flegal Financial Planning, a Fee-Only, Registered Investment Advisory firm in Cleveland, Ohio. Dave founded Flegal Financial Planning in 2024 with the goal of having a significant impact in clients’ lives by going beyond the numbers and truly understanding what’s important to them. He’s passionate about helping clients align their values with their finances so they can live meaningful, and peace filled lives. Dave’s experience as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and tax preparer enables him to give tax-focused financial advice which helps to minimize clients’ lifetime tax bills.

Ronald Rich is the sole advisor at Ronald J. Rich Financial Advising in Lakewood, OH, holding a Series 65 designation with 19 years of industry experience. He has led his independent firm since 2004. Outside of financial advising, he is the managing member of RJR Product Development Ltd., a business focused on developing hardware products. His firm provides investment supervisory services and financial planning for individuals, trusts, and pension plans, managing approximately $8.69 million in discretionary assets. The firm emphasizes fundamental analysis and long-term asset allocation tailored to client risk tolerance, while also offering pension-plan advisory services, which is relatively uncommon among similar-sized advisors.

Frank Zak is the sole advisor at Zak Advisory, LLC in Rocky River, Ohio. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 19 years of industry experience, having led Zak Advisory since 2011. Zak Advisory, LLC provides discretionary investment management services to individuals, estates, trusts, pensions, IRAs, corporations, and other business entities. The firm focuses on two investment approaches—Aggressive Balanced Income and Aggressive Growth—emphasizing individual security selection and allowing for concentrated positions and lower-rated fixed income within client portfolios.

Anthony Budak is the principal advisor at Budak Financial Group, LLC, an independent firm based in Olmsted Falls, OH. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 24 years of industry experience. Since 2007, he has been affiliated with Budak Financial Group, Karl & Smith, LLC, and Anthony J. Smith Agency. Budak Financial Group provides personalized investment management and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm operates on a fee-only basis, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management tailored through risk tolerance assessments and using a variety of analytical strategies ranging from long-term buy-and-hold to shorter-term trading techniques.

Rosie George is a financial advisor at Strait Direction Wealth Management with nine years of industry experience. She previously worked at Edward Jones for five years before founding her independent practice in 2021. In addition to advisory services, she owns a tax-preparation business, Mitchell Financial Services. Strait Direction Wealth Management provides personalized financial planning and discretionary investment management primarily to middle- and high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm employs a passive buy-and-hold investment approach using diversified portfolios of no-load mutual funds and ETFs, managing accounts on a discretionary basis while allowing client-imposed restrictions.

Thomas Behlke is a CFP® professional with 41 years of industry experience, currently operating as the sole advisor at Behlke Financial in Independence, Ohio. He has worked at FSC Securities Corporation for 18 years and joined Osaic in 2023. In addition to his advisory role, he owns a sole proprietorship that reviews fixed insurance policies for clients. Behlke Financial provides wealth management and financial planning services primarily to individuals and families, including trusts, estates, and retirement accounts, as well as corporations and business-sponsored plans. The firm manages approximately $29 million in both discretionary and non-discretionary accounts, offering advisor-managed portfolios and written financial plans through a wealth management platform utilizing Osaic Wealth, Inc. for execution and custodial services.

Jeremy Pardue is a financial advisor at Atlas Wealth Management with 10 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including LPL Financial and Avantax Investment Services. In addition to his advisory role, Pardue is an independent insurance producer for various insurance companies. Atlas Wealth Management provides fee-based investment advisory services and comprehensive financial planning to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm employs an active, tactical allocation approach using a broad range of instruments and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management along with standalone planning engagements.

Thomas Craft Jr. is a financial advisor with Gateway Asset Management, LLC in Independence, OH, holding a Series 63 designation and 32 years of industry experience. He previously worked for Artista Financial Group for 24 years and has been involved with Gateway Financial Advisors and related firms since 2016. Outside of advisory services, he provides tax planning on a limited basis through Arista Financial Group. Gateway Asset Management offers comprehensive financial planning, consulting, and discretionary portfolio management to individuals, high net worth clients, business entities, and charitable organizations. The firm uses tactical asset allocation and proprietary model portfolios while overseeing approximately $70.6 million in client assets, often incorporating third-party sub-advisers for portions of those assets.

Kenneth Butze Jr. is a CFP® professional with 28 years of industry experience. He is the owner and president of Integrity First Planners, Inc., where he has worked since 2013, following an 11-year tenure at Triad Advisors, Inc. In addition to his financial planning work, he is also licensed as an insurance agent and recommends insurance products as part of his practice. Integrity First Planners, Inc. provides personalized financial planning and discretionary investment management to individuals and business entities, including executives, retirees, and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm offers ERISA plan consulting services and uses a combination of fundamental and technical analyses with long- and short-term strategies, including the use of derivatives and performance-based fee arrangements for qualified clients.

Andrew Hardy is a Series 66-registered advisor with Scalar Wealth LLC, an independent firm based in Avon Lake, Ohio. He has five years of industry experience and also works as a real estate sales agent with Key Realty, LTD. Hardy's background includes roles in real estate and financial services, with prior experience at firms such as Howard Hanna and Ithax Financial LLC. Scalar Wealth LLC provides discretionary portfolio management along with asset allocation and financial planning services. The firm employs tailored, discretionary strategies incorporating model portfolios and a variety of analytical methods, and offers both hourly and asset-based billing arrangements.

Douglas Wilde is a financial advisor with Great Lakes Retirement Planning, LLC in Cleveland, OH, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and 29 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Conscious Capital, Cirrus Research LLC, Wilde Capital Management, LLC, and UBS Financial Services. He is also a registered analyst with Cirrus Research, LLC, where he contributes to investment research and portfolio construction. Great Lakes Retirement Planning, LLC is an independent advisory firm managing approximately $5.3 million for about 66 clients. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning for individuals, accredited investors, retirement accounts, trusts, and estates, employing a portfolio-level investment approach grounded in Modern Portfolio Theory with ETF-based allocations and tax-loss harvesting.

When Britta decided to work in the field of personal finance, she researched the best way to enter the profession without compromising her ideals. She realized that the best way forward would be to become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and practice in a fiduciary, fee-only, and holistic capacity. A naturally frugal person, Britta enjoys working with clients to prioritize their goals and find ways to use their resources to create a fulfilling life. Money may not always buy happiness, but carefully and deliberately prioritizing your dreams can build sustainable joy. Britta enjoys working with clients interested in growing and sustaining their wealth as a means to achieving their ideal life, whether that involves traveling to exotic locations or making a difference in their communities. As a Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®), Britta is equipped for the unique financial challenges of those with disabilities and their families. Britta has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Financial Advisor Magazine, and Kiplinger's Personal Finance. She has also been interviewed in the Autism Dad and Wealthy Mom MD podcasts. Britta and her husband Craig live in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio, where they enjoy playing board games and spending time with their dogs, Wombat and Kookaburra.

Seku Shabazz is a financial advisor with Great Lakes Retirement Planning, LLC in Cleveland, OH, holding a Series 66 credential and 14 years of industry experience. He has worked with multiple related entities in the Great Lakes family of companies and serves as managing member and owner of various affiliated firms involved in mortgage servicing and financing. In addition to his advisory role, he is a licensed insurance agent. Great Lakes Retirement Planning, LLC is an independent firm managing approximately $5.3 million across about 66 clients, providing discretionary portfolio management and financial planning for individuals, accredited investors, retirement accounts, trusts, and estates. The firm follows a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach, employing ETF allocations, periodic rebalancing, and tax-loss harvesting, while also offering estate services and variable annuity asset monitoring.