Seasoned, stock option exercise strategy financial advisors in Illinois

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

If you have stock options nearing their expiration or a planned exercise date, you need an advisor who understands the timing and tax implications of exercising those options. Without specialized insight, you might exercise too early or too late, missing out on potential gains or facing unexpected tax bills. Seasoned advisors bring years of experience navigating these complexities, helping you avoid costly mistakes.

  • Tax impact analysis. Confirm how they evaluate the tax consequences of exercising now versus later, including alternative minimum tax (AMT) effects.
  • Exercise timing strategy. Ask how they balance market conditions, vesting schedules, and your personal financial goals when recommending exercise dates.
  • Liquidity planning. Ensure they consider how you'll fund the exercise cost and potential tax payments without disrupting your broader financial plan.
  • Post-exercise management. Inquire about their approach to managing the shares after exercise, including diversification and risk control.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Kevin H

Series 63, Series 65

Chicago, IL

Merrill

Kevin Hanrahan is a financial advisor with Merrill in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has been with Bank of America and Merrill since 2009. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
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Jessica S

Series 65

Aurora, IL

Rezny Wealth Management, Inc.

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.

Annuities Active portfolio management General estate planning guidance Retired
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Michael H

Series 63, Series 65

Downers Grove, IL

LPL Financial

Michael Hankes is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 40 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2006 and previously spent seven years with UBS Financial Services. Outside of his advisory role, he is a 20% partner in an LLC related to investment activities. 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, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Tax-loss harvesting Annuities Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Kristine I

Series 63, Series 65

Chicago, IL

Morgan Stanley

Kristine Iverson is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 31 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been associated with Morgan Stanley and its affiliates since 2007, including roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and delivers services that include estate planning and structured investment approaches.

General estate planning guidance
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Roland S

Series 63, Series 65

Olympia Fields, IL

Valic Financial Advisors

Roland Szilard is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Olympia Fields, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has worked at Valic Financial Advisors since 2006 and is also affiliated with Agia since 2022. Outside of his advisory role, Szilard serves as a board member involved in organizing youth soccer training and play activities and acts as a youth soccer referee. Valic Financial Advisors, Inc. serves primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth clients and employer-sponsored retirement participants, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and discretionary unified managed accounts through a large network of advisors. The firm manages approximately $29.2 billion and utilizes centralized technology and model solutions to support its client base of nearly 300,000 across more than 1,200 advisors.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting Retirement income strategy

Andrew G

Series 66

Cincinnati, OH

Merrill

Andrew Grombala is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on serving corporate executives and high-earning professionals who have complex compensation structures, including equity awards such as RSUs, stock options, ESPP programs, deferred compensation packages, and performance awards. In his role, he helps clients manage concentration risk, reduce tax implications, and align their equity compensation with long-term, goals-based wealth strategies. Since entering the industry in 2017, Andrew has adopted a structured, plan-first approach that incorporates compensation, cash flow, family priorities, retirement planning, and overall risk management. He guides clients through various financial events, including vesting, diversification, liquidity management, and retirement income planning. His expertise extends to executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, portfolio management services, and tax minimization. Andrew holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 registrations and is licensed in Accident & Health, Life, and Variable Insurance. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where he also competed as a student-athlete in football and lacrosse. He resides in Anderson Township with his wife and two children. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys boating, golfing, football, ice hockey, music, and spending time with his family.

Exec comp design Stock option exercise strategy Equity Recipients (RS/RSU, SOP, ESPP) Liquidity event planning Concentrated stock management Executive Parents
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Tyler M

Series 65

Vienna, VA

Rembert Pendleton Jackson

Tyler Morris is a financial advisor at Rembert Pendleton Jackson with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining RPJ, he worked at Clarendon Wealth Management and has experience with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Brambleton Bettas. Rembert Pendleton Jackson provides investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and business consulting to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based approach and manages both discretionary and non-discretionary assets.

Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business exit / sale strategy Stock option exercise strategy Charitable giving & philanthropy General tax planning Founder/Business Owner Retired

Eric B

CFP®, Series 66

Santa Maria, CA

Edward Jones

Eric Bravo is a CFP® professional with 18 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edward Jones since 2007. He is based in Santa Maria, CA. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Liquidity event planning Startup equity planning Wealth management Founder/Business Owner
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Robin C

Series 63, Series 65

Knoxville, TN

Knox Wealth Partners Advisory

Robin Clark is a financial advisor with Knox Wealth Partners Advisory, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 17 years of industry experience. He has worked with LPL Financial since 2008 and has been with Knox Wealth Partners Advisory since 2018. Outside of advisory services, he operates an independent insurance agency specializing in fixed insurance products. Knox Wealth Partners Advisory serves primarily high-net-worth individuals and business owners, managing approximately $231 million across a seven-advisor team. The firm employs an open-architecture investment approach that includes a variety of asset classes and strategies, and it offers both discretionary and non-discretionary management alongside financial planning and consulting services.

Business ownership considerations Business succession planning Stock option exercise strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Arriana N

Series 65

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

LRI Investments

Arriana Neese is a financial advisor at LRI Investments with a Series 65 credential and three years of industry experience. She previously worked at Advanced Insurance Strategies, Inc and Retirement Income Strategies, Inc. Neese also serves as a marketing associate at Lindberg & Ripple through M Holdings Securities. LRI Investments, LLC provides financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, businesses, financial institutions, and certain government entities. The firm manages approximately $2.78 billion with a team of 25 professionals, focusing on customized asset allocation and a long-term investment approach across mutual funds, ETFs, and equities.

Stock option exercise strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Retirement income strategy Tax strategies for small businesses Charitable giving tax strategies Founder/Business Owner Retired Self-Employed Executive Mid-Career Professionals HENRY (High Earners, Not Rich Yet)
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Scott M

Series 63, Series 65

New York, NY

Morgan Stanley

Scott Mahoney is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in New York, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, including roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with Giants Foot Cubed LLC. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a large SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by structured planning tools and broad investment resources.

General estate planning guidance
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Elizabeth B

Series 66

New York, NY

J.P. Morgan Securities

Elizabeth Brown is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in New York, NY, where she has worked since 2012. She has 26 years of industry experience. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to clients such as corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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David C

Series 63, Series 65

Houston, TX

LPL Financial

David Cade is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Houston, TX. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 42 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2025, he worked at Next Financial Group, Inc. for 20 years and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. for six years. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and portfolio management solutions, integrating proprietary research and third-party strategies.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Tax-loss harvesting Annuities Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Sarah C

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Boston, MA

Santander Securities LLC

Sarah Currier Barrella is a CFP® professional with 26 years of experience in financial advisory services. She currently works at Santander Securities LLC and Santander Bank, NA, having previously held positions at TD Bank and Citizens Securities, Inc. Barrella is based in Boston, MA. Santander Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base with approximately $3.14 billion in regulatory assets under management across 10,800 client relationships. The firm offers investment advisory services, portfolio management through wrap-fee programs, and financial planning, operating both as a registered investment adviser and a FINRA-registered broker-dealer.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting General retirement planning Income planning Founder/Business Owner
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Linda P

Series 63

Mt. Laurel, NJ

BC Advisors, LLC

Linda Postorivo is a financial advisor at BC Advisors, LLC with 43 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 63 designation and has worked with MAFG RIA Services, Inc. since 1994 and with Mid-Atlantic Companies since 1981. BC Advisors provides investment advisory and portfolio management services primarily to high-net-worth individuals, family trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, and other institutional clients. The firm emphasizes non-discretionary investment recommendations grounded in fundamental analysis alongside technical and cyclical reviews, employing a variety of strategies including long-term, short-term, trading, options, and alternatives.

Active portfolio management
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