Blake Snyder

Michael Mitchell is a financial advisor at Values First Advisors, Inc. with 15 years of industry experience and holds a Series 65 designation. He has worked at Eurofins Pharma Discovery Services since 2016, where he serves as a Product Manager focused on drug safety and efficacy, alongside his advisory role. Mitchell has been with Values First Advisors since 2009. Values First Advisors is an independent SEC-registered firm that provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm integrates Biblically Responsible Investing principles with fundamental analysis, model management, and third-party due diligence to tailor portfolios and manage assets across various client types.

Lee Simmonds is a financial advisor with Kovack Advisors, Inc. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has 39 years of industry experience. He has been with Kovack Advisors and Kovack Securities since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he is a registered notary public. Kovack Advisors, Inc. is an SEC-registered enterprise investment adviser serving a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and banking institutions. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, financial planning, and third-party manager recommendations, focusing on diversified asset-class exposure primarily through mutual funds and ETFs.

Brian Mulhall is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network in Greenville, Illinois. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has 35 years of industry experience. Mulhall has been with Commonwealth Financial Network since 2007 and also operates Mulhall Financial Design. He is involved in fixed insurance as an outside business activity. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their retail and institutional clients, providing advisory programs, wealth management, and retirement plan consulting. The firm offers a broad range of investment options and supports advisors with operations, trading, technology, compliance, and practice management.

Joseph Horstmann is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Highland, Illinois, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with LPL Financial since 2012 and operates Horstmann Premier Financial since 2015. Outside of his advisory work, Horstmann is co-owner of Twice the Ice, a family-run ice vending business. LPL Financial provides advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plan sponsors, institutions, charities, and high-net-worth households. The firm offers a wide range of investment solutions supported by an in-house research team and various delivery options, combining advisory and brokerage services tailored to client needs.

Brock Brannon is a financial advisor at Cetera with 19 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked with firms including Cambridge Investment Research and Investment Centers of America. Brannon serves as treasurer for the Vandals Sports Booster Club in Vandalia, IL. Cetera Investment Advisers supports a diverse client base through a large network of independent advisors, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan services. The firm combines advisor-managed accounts, model portfolios, and third-party solutions with notable retirement and fiduciary capabilities integrated into its institutional platform.

Christopher Wiegand is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. and Raymond James & Associates since 2018, and previously spent 11 years at Stifel Nicolaus followed by one year at Stifel Financial Corp. Raymond James & Associates provides financial planning and investment consulting through its Wealth Advisory Services Program to individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate and charitable entities, and government clients. The firm offers tailored financial plans and investment recommendations, serving both retail and institutional clients with a focus that includes public finance and municipal work.