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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

William Hartmann is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has worked at Raymond James and its affiliated firms since 2017 and previously spent two years at Hilliard Lyons. He is also involved with Arcadia Wealth Group, where he assists in portfolio management. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a wide range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutions. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary advisory services supported by analytical tools and manages specialized programs in municipal finance and SIMPLE IRA employer consulting.

Brian Mc Hugh is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 10 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2015 and holds a Series 66 designation. Outside of his advisory role, he manages several rental properties in Marion, Illinois. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and corporate entities. The firm offers a range of investment strategies and advisory services, supported by a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

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 six years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Edward Jones, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and Pruco Securities, LLC. LPL Enterprise serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The firm offers financial planning, advisory services, and brokerage products through an integrated platform that combines adviser programs, insurance sales, and lending solutions.