James Pattie is the sole advisor at Horizon Capital Management, LLC in Lake Forest, Illinois. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 21 years of industry experience, including 22 years with Horizon Capital Management. Horizon Capital Management provides discretionary investment management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and pension or profit-sharing plans, and also offers sub-advisory asset management to other registered investment advisers. The firm’s approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, emphasizing diversified allocations, a buy-and-hold strategy, and regular portfolio reviews.

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!

Joshua Kortenkamp is a financial advisor at Kortenkamp, Joshua F, an independent firm. He holds a Series 65 designation and has three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Lawrence E Grandt, Powers & Moon, LLC, and Uline Shipping Supplies. The firm provides discretionary investment management services primarily to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates, using a top-down macroeconomic approach combined with growth, value, and momentum strategies. It emphasizes closed-end funds and employs a broader range of instruments such as options and limited partnership interests, managing about $13.5 million for approximately 15 clients.

Peter Wright is the principal of Wright Benefit Advisors Inc. in Lake Bluff, IL, with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Kingsbury Capital Investment Advisors, Edwin C Blitz Investments, and Wright Benefit Strategies. He is also president of Wright Benefit Strategies, an insurance brokerage and consulting firm licensed for life, health, and property casualty insurance. Wright Benefit Advisors provides investment advisory and pension consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, pension consulting, and education seminars, employing a combination of fundamental, quantitative, technical analysis, and modern portfolio theory with a long-term trading orientation.

Nathaniel Gandy is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience. He is the principal of Obar Wealth Management LLC, an independent firm he joined in 2024. Prior to this, he worked at Wealthfront Brokerage LLC and USAA, among other firms. He also owns Gandy Fintech Solutions LLC, where he consults business owners on fintech and technology integration. Obar Wealth Management is a fee-only registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm offers investment management, financial planning, and tax preparation, using a portfolio approach based on asset allocation and Modern Portfolio Theory. It serves both individual and institutional clients, providing a range of planning services including business and employee benefits planning.

Michael Mc Clain is a CFA® charterholder with nine years of industry experience. He is currently the sole advisor at PAC Capital, LLC in Lake Forest, IL. Prior to founding PAC Capital, he worked at Hedeker Wealth LLC and Hedeker Capital, LLC from 2016 to 2019. PAC Capital provides discretionary and occasional non-discretionary investment management through separately managed accounts, sub-advisory services, and institutional consulting. The firm serves individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients, employing a multi-strategy approach that includes hedge-style strategies such as convertible arbitrage and active shorting, combining fundamental and systematic analysis tailored to client mandates.

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.

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.

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.

Jaana Virta Gupta is a financial advisor at Winslow Financial LLC with a Series 65 designation and five years of professional experience, including roles at Redfin Corporation and self-employment. Her background spans various positions from 2015 to the present, involving work at multiple firms prior to joining Winslow Financial. Winslow Financial LLC advises individuals, families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans, providing investment management and financial planning services. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory approach, managing accounts on a non-discretionary basis with an emphasis on asset allocation and diversification.

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.

David Jordan is a CFP® and ChFC® with 22 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has been associated with Independent Wealth Management LLC since 2008. In addition to his advisory work, he is a partner in TOJO Enterprises LLC, which manages the property where his practice is located. Jordan Financial Life Planning provides financial life-planning and investment-advisory services primarily to individual clients, with additional services for trusts, estates, small businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a comprehensive planning process aligned with CFP Board standards and delivers active, individualized discretionary investment management.

Dustin Decker is a financial advisor at North Shore Capital Group Investment Advisors, Inc. He holds a Series 65 credential and has five years of experience in the industry. Prior to joining North Shore Capital Group in 2021, he spent 30 years at R.E. Decker PC. North Shore Capital Group Investment Advisors, Inc. provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates, using diversified portfolios that include low-cost mutual funds, ETFs, individual stocks, bonds, REITs, and alternative investments. The firm serves approximately 316 clients with about $38 million in assets under management and follows a primarily long-term investment orientation while employing fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis.

Jonathan Rigoni is a financial advisor with North Shore Capital Group Investment Advisors, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 19 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Cetera Advisor Networks LLC and Summit Financial Group. Outside of advisory work, he is involved as a member and insurance agent with North Shore Capital Group Insurance Solutions, LLC, and operates a golf business, NSCG Golf, LLC. North Shore Capital Group Investment Advisors provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates. The firm constructs diversified portfolios using a range of investment vehicles and employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis with a long-term orientation, also sponsoring affiliated private funds through an affiliated general partner entity.