John Piershale is a CFP® professional with 32 years of industry experience. He is the sole advisor at Piershale Wealth Management, LLC in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and has held prior roles at Origin Financial, Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc., Piershale Financial Group, Inc., and Triad Advisors, Inc. Piershale Wealth Management provides discretionary investment management and a variety of financial planning services to individual clients. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation based on Modern Portfolio Theory and fundamental analysis, offering specialized tax and estate planning within a modest, single-advisor model.

William Utes is the sole advisor at UTES Wealth Strategies in Antioch, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials with 56 years of industry experience. He has been managing his own advisory business since 2019 and has worked with Securities America Advisors, Inc. since 2007. In addition to investment advising, he occasionally offers insurance reviews to clients through approved vendors. UTES Wealth Strategies provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individuals, families, retirement plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and other entities. The firm uses a combination of strategic and tactical asset allocation with selected outside money managers and offers educational newsletters and seminars to clients.

Hi, I'm Larry Pershing, CFP® RMA®, a flat fee financial advisor. I focus on helping people age 55+ with their retirement planning and investment management needs for a FLAT fee. Having worked in various wealth management firms in my career, I was surprised to discover many firms try to service everyone, which leads them to being average for all. Some are more concerned with amassing client assets than providing customized recommendations. I started Optimum Retirement Planning because I saw a need for specialists to help clients navigate the complex and challenging financial aspects of retirement. Our offering is different. We don’t work with everyone. We specialize in helping those who are close to and in retirement. We apply the latest financial research for retirement to help answer your complex financial questions. Optimum Retirement Planning is a flat fee financial advisor. This means we charge differently than most financial advisors. We offer retirement planning and investment management for a flat fee. For too long retirees have been overpaying for financial advice due to large commissions and/or being charged a percentage of their assets. When I’m not in the office, I’m on a tennis court, reading a book (finance or science fiction), or spending time with family and friends. I also volunteer for AARP sponsored events that help seniors receive complimentary financial advice. While I live in Chicago, I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I return often, especially during winter. You can take the guy out of California, but you can’t take the California out of the guy!

Anton specializes in retirement planning, business tax strategy, and personalized financial advice designed to reduce taxes and support long-term financial goals. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a growing practice, or planning for life after work, he delivers clear, actionable guidance tailored to your situation. Most advisors specialize in either taxes or investments. Anton holds the credentials and the responsibility for both — which is what lets Sansone coordinate the two sides of your financial life under a single strategy.

John Choi is the sole advisor at Epiphany Capital in Vernon Hills, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 25 years of industry experience. He has led Epiphany Capital since 2006. Choi is also licensed as an independent insurance agent specializing in fixed, indexed annuities, and health insurance. Epiphany Capital offers financial planning, coaching, and investment management by coordinating with third-party portfolio managers to implement portfolio models. The firm serves individual investors, families, and small business owners, providing services across retirement, estate, tax, college, and insurance planning.

Jeffrey Kostis is a CFP® and PFS™ with 18 years of experience in financial planning. He is the sole advisor at JK Financial Planning, Inc., where he has worked since 2007. The firm provides fee-only financial planning and investment consultation primarily to individual clients navigating major life transitions. JK Financial Planning emphasizes a long-term, fundamental investment approach with a focus on non-discretionary advice and is notable for its specialization in divorce financial planning, including asset tracing and expert testimony services.

Robert Stanley is a CFP® and ChFC® with 17 years of experience in financial advisory services at R. W. Stanley Investment Planning. He has operated the Stanley Agency since 1991, providing fire, casualty, and life insurance services. R.W. Stanley Investment Planning offers fee-only, project-based financial planning and investment advisory services primarily to individuals and families, emphasizing broad strategic asset allocation and the use of low-cost passive index funds. The firm does not take custody of client assets and provides advice on a per-project, hourly basis.

Michael Calzolano is a CFP® professional with 21 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Encompass Wealth Management LLC since 2010 and also holds positions with Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and The Life Insurance Pro. Encompass Wealth Management LLC provides discretionary asset management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and their related trusts and estates. The firm employs asset-allocation models based on modern portfolio theory and offers access to mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, third-party managers, and alternative investments, with a focus on personalized oversight and tailored investment strategies.

Trevor Johnson is the sole advisor at Dream Weaver Financial Planning LLC, an independent registered investment adviser based in Richmond, Illinois. He holds a Series 65 credential and has two years of industry experience, including five years at Discover Financial Services and five years at I Am! I Can!. Dream Weaver Financial Planning serves individual and high-net-worth clients with discretionary asset management, full financial planning, and consulting engagements. The firm uses fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory to create customized portfolios and manages accounts on a discretionary basis with quarterly reviews.

Michael Knight is a CFP®-credentialed financial advisor with 22 years of experience, currently serving as the principal of Knight Investment Planning, LLC. He has led his independent firm since 2004 in Libertyville, IL. Michael also serves as a FINRA arbitrator in Chicago, a role he has held since 2011. Knight Investment Planning, LLC provides fee-only financial planning and investment consultation services to individuals, trusts, estates, and businesses. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation using low-cost, passive investment vehicles and operates on an hourly billing basis without accepting commissions or performance-based fees.

James Malinowski is a CFP® professional with 30 years of industry experience. He is the principal of The JM Financial Planning Group, Ltd. in Mundelein, IL, where he has worked since 1991. His background includes roles at United Planners' Financial Services and ownership of his own advisory and insurance businesses. The JM Financial Planning Group, Ltd. provides portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning primarily for individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, written financial plans, and advice on employer-sponsored retirement accounts, using documented goals and risk-tolerance assessments to guide client strategies.

Nicholas Daleiden is the sole advisor at Daleiden Wealth Advisors in McHenry, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 38 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Nations Financial Group, Inc. for 11 years before establishing his own practice. In addition to advisory services, he is involved in fixed insurance sales as an insurance agent. Daleiden Wealth Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary asset management and financial planning to individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals. The firm employs a range of investment strategies tailored to client goals and risk tolerances, and routinely uses third-party sub-advisors while maintaining client relationship oversight.

Ryan Zentz is a financial advisor at PMG Wealth Management with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 credential and has worked at both PMG Wealth Management and LPL Financial, LLC. Prior to his advisory career, he was employed at DoorDash and Lake Point, and he has a background that includes time at the University of Kentucky and involvement with the Mundelein Baseball and Softball Association. PMG Wealth Management serves individuals, trusts, estates, and business owners with discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm manages customized portfolios in-house using a combination of fundamental, technical, and charting analysis, offering strategies such as the “Advance & Protect” approach and integrating both internal and external managers to address various client needs.

As Director of Physician Services at Prism Planning Partners, a fee-only RIA led by CFP® professionals, I lead a dedicated division serving physicians and healthcare professionals nationwide. My team and I specialize in helping medical professionals navigate every stage of their financial journey—from residency and fellowship through practice, career transitions, and retirement. I oversee a team that includes interns, paraplanners, and operations professionals, and collaborate closely with Prism’s Director of Financial Planning and Director of Operations to deliver high-impact, client-centered planning. Focus Areas: • Comprehensive financial planning tailored to physicians and healthcare professionals • Student loan strategies, including PSLF, refinancing, and REPAYE/SAVE optimization • Contract review and benefit analysis • Investment, tax, and estate planning strategies • Risk management (disability, life, long-term care) with no product sales • Burnout prevention and work/life balance strategies • Retirement and career transition planning • Speaking engagements and financial education for medical professionals Select Speaking Engagements: Regular speaker for medical residency and fellowship programs at: Northwestern, Loyola, University of Chicago, Rush, UIC, Cook County, Barnes-Jewish/Wash U, Medical College of Wisconsin, Advocate Aurora, University of Colorado, and more. Also presented for the Illinois Society of Pediatric Dentists, Illinois Pharmacists Association, and multiple private practices and hospital systems.

Jack Hallier is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving at Patrick M. Sweeney & Associates, Inc. He previously worked at Raymond James & Associates, Kestra Advisory Services, and Kestra Investment Services. Patrick M. Sweeney & Associates provides personalized investment management and financial planning to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm employs a mix of fundamental and active investment strategies and integrates tax preparation as part of its advisory services.

Shawn Block is a financial advisor at Briggs Financial Inc. with six years of industry experience and holds a Series 65 designation. Outside of finance, he has worked as a performer and emcee for Medieval Times since 2007, where his duties include acting, performing, media, marketing, and special events. Briggs Financial serves individual and high-net-worth clients with discretionary investment management, ongoing financial planning, and in-house tax preparation. The firm employs a fundamental, long-term investment approach and does not charge performance-based fees or accept commissions tied to capital gains.

Gregory Anderson is a CFA® charterholder with six years of industry experience. He has worked at SCV Capital LLC since 2021 and previously spent five years at PPM America. SCV Capital LLC provides investment management primarily to pooled investment vehicles and institutional-type clients, focusing on fundamental analysis of public equities and private securities. The firm emphasizes private-fund governance and operational review, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary management with a preference for longer-term strategies.

Patrick Sweeney is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 25 years of experience in the financial industry. He has been with Patrick M. Sweeney & Associates, Inc. since 2001. Patrick M. Sweeney & Associates provides personalized investment management and financial planning services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary accounts, integrates tax preparation into its advisory services, and employs a mix of fundamental and active investment strategies tailored to client objectives and risk tolerance.

Charles Lief is a financial advisor at Rudwall Wealth Management LLC with 28 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Rudwall Wealth Management since 2016, following a one-year tenure at Insight Securities Inc. Rudwall Wealth Management LLC provides investment advisory and consulting services to individuals, trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a client-tailored, fundamentally oriented, long-term investment approach and manages discretionary portfolios across cash, equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs.

Douglas Damrow is a financial advisor at Trust Investment Advisors Wealth Management, LLC with 45 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. for 14 years before joining his current firm in 2024. Trust Investment Advisors Wealth Management, LLC provides comprehensive investment advisory and consulting services to individuals, families, business owners, and charitable organizations. The firm typically manages client accounts on a non-discretionary basis, combining fundamental, technical, and qualitative analysis to develop tailored asset allocation and risk strategies.