Top advisors focused on disability insurance in Illinois

Kevin Hanrahan is a financial advisor at Merrill with 31 years of industry experience. He has held positions at both Merrill and Bank of America, N.A. since 2009. Hanrahan holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Merrill serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional clients, offering managed account programs, third-party manager selection, discretionary portfolio management, and brokerage services. The firm integrates deeply with Bank of America affiliates and emphasizes managed account and manager-selection capabilities across multiple program strategies.

Kristin Manna is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors and holds a Series 66 designation. She has one year of industry experience, including roles at Park Avenue Securities, Guardian Life Insurance Company, and Consolidated Planning Holdings, Inc. Prior to entering the financial industry, she worked in education for eight years. Outside of advising, Kristin is an author and publisher of a basketball coaching notebook and works as a math tutor for high school students. Park Avenue Securities serves a broad retail client base with a range of brokerage and advisory services, utilizing proprietary and third-party investment strategies across various account types and investment vehicles.

Charles Bachtell is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Los Angeles, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Western International Securities, Inc. for 13 years. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as President and Managing Partner of the Academy of California Examinations, which provides exam preparation for financial services licensing. LPL Financial offers advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, institutions, and high-net-worth households. The firm provides a variety of investment delivery options supported by an in-house Research team and accommodates both advisory and brokerage services tailored to client needs.

Jessica Stanley is a financial advisor at Rezny Wealth Management, Inc. in Aurora, IL, holding a Series 65 designation with 13 years of industry experience. She has been with Rezny Wealth Management since 2009. Rezny Wealth Management primarily serves individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, offering discretionary portfolio management and integrated financial planning on a fee-only basis. The firm manages approximately $506 million in client assets, utilizing a Global Tactical Opportunity Portfolios framework that combines quantitative and fundamental analysis across a range of investment styles.

Anthony Lyons is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he works alongside a team of financial professionals to provide guidance aimed at helping clients achieve peace of mind and live with purpose. He focuses on actively listening to clients' concerns and suggesting courses of action to support their financial goals. Anthony has held various roles in the financial services industry since 2016, including positions as a Financial Advisor at PNCI and Edward Jones, Private Wealth Advisor at Regions Bank, and Vice President-Planning & Development Manager at Arvest Wealth Management. His experience spans several organizations, reflecting a broad background in financial consulting and wealth management. Outside of his professional work, Anthony has interests in baseball, cars, football, and social events with friends.

Phillip Rademacher is a CFP® with 33 years of experience in financial services and is the principal of Rademacher Financial, Inc. in Lawrence, KS. He has held roles at multiple firms including Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. and leads RTP, LLC as CEO. Rademacher Financial, Inc. serves individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, insurance companies, and retirement plan participants, offering discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs an individualized, typically discretionary investment approach and places a notable focus on retirement-plan consulting and participant education.

Gregory Smarr is the sole advisor at Smarr Financial Services Inc. in Atlanta, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 20 years of industry experience. He has operated Smarr Financial Services since 2004. Outside of advisory work, he has been involved in selling various insurance products through multiple agencies. Smarr Financial Services provides financial planning and investment supervisory services to individuals, high net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business entities. The firm also functions as an insurance agency, offering life, disability, long-term care, group life and health products, and fixed annuities. Its investment approach emphasizes fundamental analysis and long-term buy-and-hold strategies supplemented by moderate trading across a range of asset classes.

John Hale is a financial advisor with Worth Asset Management in Waxahachie, TX, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Worth Asset Management since 2014 and also manages The Hale Law Firm, P.C., where he practices as an attorney. Outside of financial advising, Hale is involved in legal practice and real estate management. Worth Asset Management provides portfolio management, financial planning, and insurance advisory services to individuals, high net worth clients, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm customizes investment strategies based on client objectives and employs various analytical methods, maintaining ongoing portfolio reviews and discretionary authority to manage assets.

Matthew Kimberley is a financial advisor with Des Moines Investments, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and over 30 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Des Moines Wealth Management LLC and Royal Alliance Associates, INC. Kimberley also operates Kimberley Tax Preparation, providing tax preparation services. Outside of finance, he coaches youth softball, offering private lessons in pitching and hitting. Des Moines Investments manages approximately $264.8 million in discretionary assets for around 700 clients, including individuals, business owners, and trusts. The firm offers portfolio management and financial planning services, creating tailored investment profiles and utilizing a range of securities such as ETFs, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and REITs.

Benjamin Doernberg is a financial advisor at First Step Financial in Boston, MA, holding a Series 65 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to founding First Step Financial, he worked with Never Again Action and Escape the Room Boston. First Step Financial provides financial planning and advisory services to individual and high-net-worth clients through one-off plans, ad-hoc hourly engagements, and an ongoing subscription option, focusing on modern portfolio theory and broad index mutual funds and ETFs. The firm does not custody or trade client accounts and uses a pricing model based on subscription and hourly fees rather than asset-based charges.