Top advisors focused on university employee 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.

Cary Cates is a CFP® professional with 11 years of experience in financial advising. He is the principal of Cates FP and Cates Tax Advisory, where he has worked since 2016 and 2017 respectively. Cary also served as an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas from 2013 to 2021. Cates FP serves individual and high-net-worth clients by combining investment management with ongoing financial and tax planning, as well as tax compliance services. The firm emphasizes client-specific asset allocation using primarily passive portfolios and integrates professional tax services, including tax return preparation and IRS representation, into its advisory approach.

James Bradley is a CFP® and CFA® with 28 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Penobscot Financial Advisors since 2011 and previously held roles at Mid Atlantic Financial Management, Inc. and Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation. Outside of finance, he is a flight instructor and pilot at Maine Coastal Flight Center and serves as Treasurer and volunteer board member for Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County. Penobscot Financial Advisors is a team-based firm serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm employs a multi-disciplinary investment approach with a long-term orientation and offers both comprehensive wealth management and standalone financial-planning services.

William Laundon is a financial advisor at Hunter Street Investment Advisors LLC with 12 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Edward Jones since 2013 before joining Hunter Street in 2024. Hunter Street serves individual and high-net-worth households as well as retirement plans, trusts, charities, and business entities, offering discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm employs a variety of analytical methods and strategies, combining institutional and alternative-markets experience to manage approximately $133.6 million in client assets.

Jon Michael Carrick is a Series 65-registered financial advisor at Hanson Financial Group with two years of industry experience. He has worked at Hanson Financial Group since 2023 and holds a full-time academic appointment at Stetson University since 2011. Outside of advisory work, Mr. Carrick serves as Director of Alta Peaks, Inc., an investment holding company. Hanson Financial Group primarily serves pooled investment vehicles and institutional or business clients, providing discretionary portfolio management through a tactical allocation approach that includes equities, fixed income, derivatives, and real assets. The firm is a single-adviser practice that uses a fixed fee structure rather than asset-based fees.

Timothy Lee is a CFP® professional at Bluestem Financial Advisors, LLC with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Bluestem, he worked at Costco Wholesale and Chipotle. Bluestem Financial Advisors serves individuals and families across various life stages, offering comprehensive financial planning, discretionary investment management, and tax preparation. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation with low-cost, passively managed index funds and ETFs and provides integrated tax and advisory services through a fee-only retainer model.