Max is the co-founder of Novak Financial Partners, a flat-fee, fiduciary financial planning firm serving clients nationwide. He helps professionals, business owners, and families make smarter financial decisions through comprehensive financial planning and transparent, flat-fee advice. Novak Financial Partners is a flat-fee, fiduciary financial planning firm helping professionals, business owners, and families make smarter financial decisions with confidence. As CFP® professionals, we provide comprehensive financial planning that goes beyond investment management. We help clients coordinate investments, retirement planning, tax strategies, equity compensation, insurance, estate planning, and other major financial decisions into one cohesive financial strategy. We charge a transparent flat annual fee because we believe pricing should reflect the value of our advice, not simply the size of your investment portfolio. This allows us to work with professionals who are still building wealth without investment minimums while remaining a cost-effective option for retirees and clients with larger portfolios. Before co-founding Novak Financial Partners, Max worked at Personal Capital, Moneta, and Facet Wealth, helping individuals and families navigate complex financial decisions. He earned his MBA from Southern Illinois University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. Based in Southern Illinois, Max works virtually with clients nationwide. Advisory services offered through Core Planning LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor.

Zach is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional™ who helps clients align their money with their values so that they can live more intentionally now and in the future. With a background in psychology and a deep belief in access and equity, he brings both heart and strategy to every plan. Zach’s approach is collaborative, thorough, and solution-oriented. He’s worked with hundreds of families over his 10+ year career, and he’s especially passionate about demystifying complex topics so clients feel confident making decisions that reflect what they care about most. Prior to Novak Financial Partners, Zach spent over a decade at nationally recognized Registered Investment Advisors, where he became increasingly focused on delivering planning in a way that’s transparent, approachable, and deeply human. Outside of work, Zach enjoys reading, exercising, traveling with family, and cheering on Chicago’s sports teams. “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

Mary Swearingen is a financial advisor with Alliance Wealth Advisors in Carbondale, Illinois. She holds a Series 65 designation and has been with the firm since 2016. Alliance Wealth Advisors provides investment supervisory services and discretionary portfolio management primarily for individual clients and pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm develops individualized investment policies using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis and routinely exercises discretionary authority to implement trades.

John Alongi II is a financial advisor with Alliance Wealth Advisors in Carbondale, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Alliance Wealth Management LLC since 2019 and has also worked with LPL Financial since 2008. Outside of his advisory role, he is a partner in a family-owned Italian restaurant. Alliance Wealth Advisors provides investment supervisory services and discretionary portfolio management primarily for individuals and pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm uses a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to establish individualized investment policies and routinely exercises discretionary authority to implement client trades.

Bradley Wills is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) with 19 years of industry experience. He is currently with Alliance Wealth Advisors in Carbondale, IL, where he has worked since 2019, and has also been affiliated with LPL Financial since 2008. Alliance Wealth Advisors provides investment supervisory services and discretionary portfolio management primarily for individual clients and pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm employs a mix of fundamental and technical analysis to develop individualized investment policies and routinely exercises discretionary authority in managing client portfolios.

Sheila Lautenbacher is a financial advisor at KCPAG Financial Advisors LLC with 20 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at KCPAG Financial Advisors since 2015. Her prior experience includes roles at Securities America Inc. and Kemper Capital Management LLC. KCPAG Financial Advisors LLC serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and business clients with financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $22.5 million in discretionary assets and operates through a team of 13 advisors across 27 offices, employing fundamental analysis and a combination of long- and short-term strategies.

Jolene Johnson is a financial advisor with KCPAG Financial Advisors LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 28 years of industry experience. She has worked at Kemper Capital Management LLC and KCPAG Financial Advisors LLC since 2008 and was also affiliated with Securities America, Inc. from 2007 to 2019. KCPAG Financial Advisors LLC provides financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan consulting for individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and business clients. The firm manages approximately $22.5 million in discretionary assets, serving around 405 clients through a team of 13 advisors across 27 offices, employing a blend of fundamental analysis, long- and short-term strategies, and both discretionary and non-discretionary management.

Mark Chalem is a CFP® professional with 10 years of experience in the financial industry, currently affiliated with Edward Jones since 2016. He is based in Carbondale, Illinois. Outside of his advisory role, Chalem serves as an investing instructor at John A. Logan College. Independent Wealth Network, Inc. advises individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations, providing wealth management, financial planning, and consulting services. The firm manages approximately $518 million in client assets and employs a range of investment strategies including third-party models and discretionary portfolio management.

Michael Nichols is a financial advisor at Prospera Financial Services, Inc. with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Cutter & Company Brokerage, Inc. for 21 years. Prospera Financial Services, Inc. is an enterprise-scale adviser and dually registered broker-dealer serving individuals, corporate and charitable entities, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $12.4 billion across about 207 advisors and offers a range of investment advisory and financial planning services through multiple delivery platforms.

Michael Kaiser is a financial advisor at Valic Financial Advisors with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has been with Valic Financial Advisors since 1998. In addition to his advisory role, he serves on the board of the Lake Estates Property Owners Association in Marion, Illinois. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-domiciled individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet-developed UMA models for portfolio construction.

Jack Graham is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services and holds a Series 66 designation. He has two years of industry experience, including roles at Principal Life Insurance Company and Equitable Advisors, LLC. Prior to entering the financial industry, he held various positions at Southeast Missouri State University and other organizations. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a wide range of clients, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and active-duty U.S. military personnel located outside the United States. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager solutions.

Curtis Wharton is a financial advisor at J. W. Cole Advisors, Inc. with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has been associated with Jonathan Roberts Advisory Group, Inc. and J.W. Cole Financial, Inc. since 2010. Outside of his advisory role, he works as a property and casualty insurance producer and is involved with Wharton Enterprises, Ltd. J.W. Cole Advisors is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, charities, corporations, and retirement plans through a national network of over 400 independent representatives. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, access to third-party managers, and various managed account solutions.

Rachael Asbury is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience, currently advising at &Partners. She previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors and has a background that includes education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. &Partners serves a diverse clientele, including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, foundations, universities, and sovereign wealth funds. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, employing a combination of proprietary and third-party investment strategies delivered through platforms like Envestnet.

Sidney Stephens is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2023, Stephens worked at General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems and Continental Tire. Outside of advisory work, Stephens is secretary of Stephens Holdings, Inc. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including households, pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Jeffery Miller is a CFP® professional with 21 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edward Jones since 2011. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Outside of his advisory role, he is the board president of Market Street Music Conservatory and serves on the board of the Illinois Baptist State Association, contributing to resource planning and financial oversight. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a nationwide network of financial advisors, offering a range of advisory programs, discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, and affiliated investment products.

Robin Ucci is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 26 years of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at Edward Jones and a business called Pro Prep and Fulfillment. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets and serving a diverse client base ranging from individuals to institutional and municipal entities. The firm offers financial planning, non-discretionary investment consulting, and institutional fiduciary solutions, supported by a nationwide adviser network.

Robert Cash is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edward Jones since 2014. Based in West Frankfort, IL, he holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones throughout his advisory career. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million clients, including individual and institutional investors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, operating under a fiduciary standard and supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors.

Hannah Gill is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 11 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2014. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management and offers a range of advisory strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Sara Crone is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Marion, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. She has worked at Edward Jones since 2017, with previous roles at Kforce Staffing Solutions and McBride and Sons. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Kenneth Nettleton is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 44 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James since 2009. Nettleton holds the Series 63 designation. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base, including individuals, institutional and pension plans, charitable organizations, and municipal entities, offering financial planning and investment consulting services through various advisory programs.