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 at Alliance Wealth Advisors in Carbondale, IL, holding a Series 65 designation with 10 years of experience at the firm. She has been with Alliance Wealth Advisors since 2016. Alliance Wealth Advisors provides discretionary investment supervisory services primarily to individual clients, including high net worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm offers tailored investment plans and portfolio management, often utilizing mutual funds or third-party money managers to implement client strategies.

John Alongi II is a financial advisor with Alliance Wealth Advisors in Carbondale, Illinois, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has worked with LPL Financial since 2008 and has been with Alliance Wealth Management LLC (doing business as Alliance Wealth Advisors) since 2019. Outside of finance, he is a partner in a family-owned Italian restaurant. Alliance Wealth Advisors provides discretionary investment supervisory services primarily to individual clients, including high net worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm creates tailored investment plans and manages portfolios using a variety of techniques, including fundamental and technical analysis, often implementing strategies through mutual funds, third-party money managers, and LPL Financial investment models.

Bradley Wills is a CFP® professional with 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Alliance Wealth Advisors, where he has worked since 2019, and has previous experience at LPL Financial, Wells Fargo Clearing, and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Alliance Wealth Advisors provides discretionary investment supervisory services primarily to individual clients, including high net worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm develops client-specific investment policies and uses a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to manage portfolios, often implementing strategies through mutual funds, third-party money managers, and LPL Financial models.

Mark Chalem is a CFP® with 10 years of experience in the financial industry. He worked at Edward Jones from 2016 to 2026. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as an instructor at John A Logan College, teaching classes on investing. He is affiliated with Independent Wealth Network, Inc., a multi-team firm advising individuals, trusts, pension plans, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers wealth management, financial planning, and consulting services, using a combination of third-party managers and proprietary strategies to manage approximately $518 million in client assets.

Rachael Asbury is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with eight years of industry experience. She has worked at &Partners, LLC since 2024 and previously spent six years with Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors. Her background includes full-time education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and employment at White Oak Golf Course. &Partners serves a diverse range of individual and institutional clients, offering investment management, financial and tax planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis, managing accounts directly or through third-party managers using the Envestnet platform.

Rafe Tuttle is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with a Series 66 credential and two years of industry experience. He has worked exclusively at Edward Jones since 2024 and has prior experience at Murray State University and Black Diamond Harley Davidson. Outside of his advisory role, he creates and sells designs on merchandise through an online platform. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of advisory strategies and affiliated financial services, supported by a nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

David Clarke is a CFP® professional with 24 years of experience, associated with Cetera since 2002. He is also a CPA and provides accounting and tax services through Koberstein Clarke, Ltd. Clarke serves as treasurer for the Murphysboro Apple Festival, Inc. and Specialized Training for Adult Rehabilitation, Inc., both local nonprofit organizations. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC operates a nationwide network of independent advisors serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a range of portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services. The firm offers multiple program structures and access to third-party money managers, managing over $256 billion in assets.

Andrew Chylewski is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Walgreens for 12 years. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member, coach, and secretary for Murphysboro Trap Inc., where he helps coordinate team activities and administrative tasks. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, managing over $1 trillion in assets through a nationwide network of more than 23,700 advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies under a fiduciary standard.

Nicholas King is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior work history includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing, Metropolitan Council, Dick's Sporting Goods, Southern FS, and Southern Illinois University. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions.

James Gossett is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. and First Mid Illinois Bank & Trust since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he serves in a political capacity with Du Quoin District 300 and is Vice President of First Mid Wealth Management, where he focuses on investment product sales and service. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting using risk profiling and modeling tools, and supports municipal and public finance work through a unique affiliation with a municipal advisor.

Brandon Rogowski is a financial advisor at LPL Enterprise with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 credential and has previously worked at Edward Jones, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and Pruco Securities, LLC. LPL Enterprise provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm’s investment approach is primarily model-driven, utilizing portfolios developed by LPL’s Research Department and third-party strategists, and also offers non-securities products such as trust custody services and affiliated insurance agency services.

Theresa Ojewuyi is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Carbondale, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and having 25 years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Outside of her advisory work, she is involved with the Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95, where she participates in monthly meetings focused on fundraising and strategic planning for the district’s foundation. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages roughly $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions, utilizing research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party databases in its investment approach.

Stephanie Peterein is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Murphysboro, Illinois. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2007, accumulating 19 years of industry experience. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients with a range of investment advisory programs and affiliated financial services. The firm is notable for its extensive network of advisors and branches, as well as its fiduciary standard and diverse investment offerings.

Brenta Bevis is a Series 66-credentialed advisor with 16 years of industry experience, currently with LPL Financial. She has worked at LPL Financial since 2008. Outside of her advisory role, she holds a notary public commission, providing services exclusively for LPL clients, and works part-time as a cashier at Walmart. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a wide range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to third-party asset managers, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Dana Zimbro is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 26 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2016, Zimbro worked at A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. from 2000 to 2008. Outside of financial advising, Zimbro assists with inventory control and event preparation at a motorcycle dealer and apparel retail business operated by their spouse. Wells Fargo Advisors serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients by providing investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and integrates research and analytics with a range of brokerage and advisory solutions.

Chelsea Jones is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. She has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2018 and previously held roles at Hurst - Rosche Engineering and The Southern Illinoisan. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm providing investment advisory services, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage solutions to individual, corporate, and institutional clients, managing approximately $671 billion in assets with over 14,000 financial advisors.

Nicholas Ramsey is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 10 years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Regions Bank, First Southern Bank, LPL Financial, and Northwestern Mutual. Outside of advising, he is involved in youth volleyball as an IHSA official, head coach, and club director. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services through a multi-manager platform with over $256 billion in assets under management and more than 10,000 advisors nationwide.

Robert Loucks is a CFP® professional with 26 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2007 and worked previously at A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. for five years. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides advisory and brokerage services through a large network of investment adviser representatives, offering a range of financial planning, asset management, and institutional platforms.

Micah Clarke is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. He concurrently leads several related businesses focused on accounting, tax preparation, and financial planning, including Clarke CPA & Consulting Ltd and Koberstein Clarke Ltd. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform that allows advisors to use affiliated and third-party model portfolios, discretionary and non-discretionary management, and a range of program options tailored to client needs.

Lisa Vorce is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Murphysboro, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 12 years of industry experience. She previously worked with Visionary Wealth Advisors and Financial Engines Advisor Center. Outside of her advisory role, Vorce is involved in several nonprofit and community organizations, including serving as a programming liaison for a professional women’s membership group and participating on boards focused on anti-trafficking efforts and youth evangelism. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers goal-based, holistic planning across a broad range of topics without discretionary portfolio management, allowing clients to integrate planning with managed-account services through its consolidated WealthPlan billing option.

Jerry Kuhnert is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2020, he worked at District #300 Schools, St. Vincent Hospital, and Indiana University - Bloomington. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm providing investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages roughly $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from the Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

John Forbes is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Carbondale, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Linsco/Private Ledger since 2005. 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.

Lisa Forby is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 17 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers a range of brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Michael Neill is a CFP® professional with over 41 years of experience, currently affiliated with Raymond James Financial in Carbondale, IL. He has worked with First Mid Wealth Management and various Raymond James entities since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee for the First United Methodist Church in Carbondale and is a director for the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and supports municipal and public finance advisory services through a broad network of advisors.

Joel Sambursky is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Carbondale, Illinois. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 19 years of industry experience, serving with LPL Financial since 2006. Outside of his advisory role, he has involvement in non-variable health insurance activities. 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 a range of financial planning and investment management services utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies.

Kelly Ansinelli is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with four years of industry experience. She is currently with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. and has previously held positions at First Mid Wealth Management and First Mid Bank & Trust. Ansinelli works in Carbondale, Illinois, and is involved in brokerage sales support through her roles at First Mid entities. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. serves a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm provides tailored financial planning and investment consulting, employing risk profiling and analytical tools, and supports advisory programs alongside institutional consulting and portfolio management.

Alesia Patterson is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 33 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations. The firm offers investment advisory services, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage solutions, managing approximately $671 billion in assets with over 14,000 advisors.

Daryl Murphy II is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with three years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial. His prior experience includes roles at Wells Fargo Advisors, Edward Jones, and North Western Mutual. Outside of advisory work, Murphy has involvement in an accounting and bookkeeping business related to entertainment. 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 provides a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and third-party asset management, supported by technology tools for advisors and a broad non-advisory financial services platform.

Earl Colboth is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Carbondale, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2022, he worked for 14 years at Marion CUSD #2. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Daniel Nolan is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 35 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. since 1990. Outside of his advisory role, he holds an ownership stake in a family-owned sub shop. 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 and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.