Vertex Partners

Justin Dagostino is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, with nine years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Vertex Partners, where he has worked since 2019 in various capacities, including the launch of Vertex Partners as an independent investment advisor firm in 2022. His prior experience includes roles at LPL Financial, TD Ameritrade, Scottrade, Executive Wealth Management, and INVEST Financial Corp. Vertex Partners provides advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and charitable and corporate entities. The firm’s investment approach emphasizes asset allocation, diversification, and behavioral finance, using a combination of active and passive model portfolios implemented through various investment vehicles and third-party manager platforms.

Julie Hupp is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with 20 years of industry experience. She is currently with Vertex Partners and has held prior roles at Aspire Planning Group LLC, Highpoint Advisor Group, and LPL Financial among others. She is also a faculty member at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Vertex Partners provides comprehensive advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and charitable and corporate entities. The firm emphasizes asset allocation, diversification, and behavioral finance through a combination of active and passive investment strategies.

Ryan Bellis is an advisor at Vertex Partners in Downers Grove, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has been with Vertex Planning Partners since 2024 and has prior experience at Natixis Investment Managers. Ryan entered the industry recently after completing his studies in 2024. Vertex Partners provides advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and charitable and corporate entities through financial planning, investment and wealth management, consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a diverse investment process focusing on asset allocation, diversification, and behavioral finance, utilizing a combination of active and passive model portfolios across various platforms and strategies.

Igor Yukhvidin is a financial advisor at Vertex Partners with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at JP Morgan Chase Bank for seven years and Ernst & Young for four years. Vertex Partners provides advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and charitable and corporate entities through financial planning, investment and wealth management, and consulting. The firm’s investment approach emphasizes asset allocation, diversification, and behavioral finance, utilizing a mix of active and passive model portfolios across various platforms and strategies.

Scott Sandee is a CFP® certificant with 21 years of industry experience. He is currently with Vertex Partners and has previously worked at Oxford Financial Group, Capital Group Private Client Services, Capital Bank & Trust Company, and BNY Mellon. Vertex Partners serves individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and charitable and corporate entities through financial planning, investment and wealth management, consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a combination of active and passive investment strategies, emphasizing asset allocation, diversification, and behavioral finance.

Peter Babilla is a CFP® professional with over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Vertex Partners and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley and LPL Financial. Babilla is also involved with Avant Holistic Wealth Management and has experience in non-variable insurance through affiliations with Ohio National Life and Capitas Financial Midwest. Vertex Partners provides advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm focuses on tailored portfolio management based on clients’ risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs, employing diversified strategies through various investment vehicles and third-party program platforms.

Megan Micek is a financial advisor at Vertex Partners with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. She has worked at several firms including LPL Financial LLC and Professional Wealth Advisors. In addition to her advisory role, she provides administrative support to Vertex Partners. Vertex Partners offers advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm emphasizes tailored portfolios based on clients' risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs, utilizing a range of investment strategies and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Edward Smith is a financial advisor with Vertex Partners and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has four years of industry experience, including prior roles at TPOD and LPL Financial. Outside of his advisory work, Edward serves as the head rugby coach for the Chicago Blaze Rugby Club. Vertex Partners provides advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and charitable and corporate entities through financial planning, investment and wealth management, and consulting. The firm’s investment process focuses on asset allocation, diversification, behavioral finance, and employs both active and passive strategies across multiple platforms.

Michael Bellis is a CFP® professional with over 32 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently affiliated with Vertex Partners and has previously worked with Highpoint Advisor Group and LPL Financial. Bellis also has involvement in an accounting and tax preparation partnership, Vertex Accounting Partners, LLC. Vertex Partners provides advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm tailors portfolios based on clients’ risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs, using a diversified approach that includes proprietary model portfolios, mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, and third-party program platforms.

Tammy Billadeau is a CFP® professional with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving at Vertex Partners. Her prior experience includes roles at LPL Financial, LLC and Churchill Management Group. She also provides administrative support to Vertex Partners. Vertex Partners offers advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm emphasizes tailored portfolios based on risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs, utilizing a variety of investment strategies and platforms.

Steven Franzen is a financial advisor at Vertex Partners with 25 years of industry experience. He holds the PFS™ designation and Series 66 license. Franzen has held roles at LPL Financial since 2009 and operates his own CPA firm, Steven P. Franzen, CPA, PC, providing tax preparation and accounting services. He also acts as a trustee for family trusts. Vertex Partners serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement consulting. The firm customizes portfolios based on clients’ risk tolerance and goals, utilizing a range of investment vehicles and third-party platforms, and maintains an affiliation with an accounting firm that provides additional tax and consulting services.

Cynthia Mittlestaedt is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license, with six years of industry experience. She is currently with Vertex Partners and has previously worked at Highpoint Planning Partners, Aspire Planning Group, and Edward Jones. Vertex Partners provides advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm tailors portfolios based on clients’ risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs, utilizing a variety of investment strategies including proprietary model portfolios, mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, and third-party program platforms, with ongoing monitoring and rebalancing.

Gregory Benner is a financial advisor with Vertex Partners in Downers Grove, IL, holding CFP® and ChFC® designations and over 24 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Highpoint Advisor Group, LPL Financial, Chase Investment Services, and Banc One Securities. Benner is also involved in an accounting practice, Vertex Accounting Partners, LLC, which offers tax preparation and CPA services. Vertex Partners provides advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and charitable and corporate entities. The firm’s investment approach focuses on asset allocation, diversification, and behavioral finance, utilizing a combination of active and passive strategies across various investment vehicles and third-party platforms.

Christopher Huston is a financial advisor at Vertex Partners with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked with firms including LPL Financial and Highpoint Advisor Group, LLC, now operating as Vertex Planning Partners. Huston is also involved with Reflexivity LLC, a non-investment-related business entity used for tax and investment purposes. Vertex Partners provides advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and various entities through financial planning, investment and wealth management, and consulting. The firm’s investment approach combines asset allocation, diversification, and behavioral finance using both active and passive strategies implemented via multiple platforms and tax-aware overlays.