Top financial advisors working with military members and veterans in Naperville, IL

Nolan Clifford is a financial advisor with Arkadios Wealth Advisors in Naperville, IL. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Arkadios Capital, he worked with the Colorado Rockies for one year and spent four years at Creighton University. Arkadios Wealth Advisors is a multi-team firm serving individuals, trusts, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm offers customized investment plans using a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, deploying them through various managed account solutions and third-party managers.

Susan Ahlfeld is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with 23 years of industry experience. She has been with Advisors Capital Management, LLC since 2023, following a 21-year tenure at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Outside of her advisory work, she is the managing member of Taking A Siesta LLC, a real estate rental business. Advisors Capital Management, LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and proprietary model strategies to individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, and governmental entities. The firm employs a combination of top-down macro analysis and bottom-up fundamental, quantitative, and qualitative research to manage custom private accounts and model strategies.

Bharati Thakkar is a financial professional with 13 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cetera. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked with Cetera Investment Advisors LLC since 2020 and Cetera Financial Specialists since 2013. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved as an assistant in accounting, tax, and financial services at Vijay Thakkar and Associates Ltd. Cetera Investment Advisors LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with a range of portfolio management options, financial planning services, and access to third-party money managers.

Larsa Heil is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc. in Naperville, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 11 years of industry experience. She has been with Fifth Third Securities since 2014 and also has a background with Fifth Third Bank dating back to 2011. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. offers brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors. The firm combines its municipal-advisor registration with its affiliation to Fifth Third Bank, providing access to multiple managed-account programs and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services.

Richard Williams is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Naperville, IL. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has four years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial, he worked at BMO Bank NA and US Bank. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and corporations. The firm offers various advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting through a national network of investment adviser representatives.

Craig Schwegman is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Erie, PA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and over 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 1995. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a nationwide network of over 23,700 financial advisors.

Jonathan Pollack is a Financial Consultant currently serving clients at Fidelity. He has held several roles within Fidelity Investments since 2023, including Investment Consultant, Relationship Manager, and Financial Representative. Prior to joining Fidelity, he was a Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial Services LLC from 2022 to 2023. His professional background is complemented by his service as a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret, which has contributed to his strategic approach to financial planning. Jonathan holds a California Insurance License, supporting his work in financial consulting. Born and raised in Northern Nevada, Jonathan is committed to serving his community. His personal interests include family activities, fitness, football, military service, pets, and volunteering.

Quintina Wallace is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She specializes in small business retirement plans, partnering with business owners to design, implement, and service retirement plans that support workforce and business objectives. Quintina assists plan sponsors in evaluating plan design, navigating fiduciary responsibilities, and improving participant outcomes by coordinating with recordkeepers, third-party administrators, accountants, and other service providers. Additionally, she serves as a qualified plan educator, providing retirement plan participants with education and personalized guidance to help them make informed financial decisions through life transitions such as retirement and career changes. Quintina holds a Bachelor's Degree from Albany State University and has earned professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She is affiliated with organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association, COVA Christian Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Plan Advisors. Outside of her professional work, Quintina's personal interests include camping, hiking, and spending time with her family. Her mission is to help people build wealth with clarity and confidence through disciplined, data-driven strategies while supporting the healthcare, military, and nonprofit communities important to her.

WHAT I DO: I help Locum Tenens physicians and advanced practice providers gain clarity about their finances, identify opportunities and pitfalls, and stay on track with a trusted accountability partner. WHY IT MATTERS: Three recurring concerns stand out in my conversations with Active Duty Military and Civilian physicians and advanced practice providers: Skill Atrophy – Concerns about staying clinically sharp and staying competitive due to limited patient volume or exposure to diverse clinical settings. Financial Catch-Up – After years of training, many feel the pressure to fast-track savings and build long-term financial security. Time Flexibility – A deep desire for greater control over one’s schedule to prioritize family, entrepreneurship, or personal goals. These pressures often lead physicians to pursue Locum Tenens work—part-time or full-time—for its higher earning potential and flexible structure. But with that flexibility comes greater financial complexity, making a clear strategy and support system more important than ever. HOW I DO IT: Together, we assess your strengths and gaps across the six pillars of financial planning: Cash Flow Management, Risk Management, Estate Planning, Tax Strategy, Retirement Planning, and Investment Management. Then, we develop action items over 3 months to strengthen your financial foundation. Clients are empowered to self implement recommendations or collaborate with us for efficiency and accountability. NEXT STEPS: Ready to take control of your financial future? Connect with me on LinkedIn or reach out directly at [email protected]—I’d love to learn more about your goals and how I can help. MORE ABOUT ME: I rediscovered my love for running three years ago thanks to one of my sons, starting with local 5Ks around the San Francisco Bay Area. Since then, I’ve become especially fond of the half-marathon distance, with races like the Oakland and San Francisco Half under my belt. Marathon training is next on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to the challenge. I also love exploring new places—favorites so far include Ilocos Sur (Philippines), Tokyo, Seoul, Busan, Barcelona, Lisbon, and London.

Scott Cadieux is a CFP® with 27 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Fidelity Brokerage Services, Strategic Advisers LLC, and Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors before founding Echelon Private Wealth LLC, where he has been since 2020. Outside of his advisory work, he owns and operates a vending machine business and works as an independent insurance agent. Echelon Private Wealth provides discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and goal-based financial planning to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis alongside modern portfolio theory, offering customized investment strategies including options programs managed on a discretionary basis.