I'm Matthew, the founder of Maplewood Wealth, and I'll admit it—I'm a financial planning nerd. While I geek out over optimizing finances and taxes for my clients, what truly excites me is witnessing the transformation in their lives as they gain confidence in their financial decisions. At Maplewood Wealth, I've created a fresh approach to financial planning that resonates with fellow millennials who've found success early in their careers. I understand that for our generation, true financial confidence goes beyond mere numbers—it's about aligning our money with our values and goals to design the lifestyle we want. My approach allows you to enjoy life now while also securing a fulfilling future. Based in the Chicagoland area, I bring both professional expertise and relatable life experience to my practice. As a young father balancing career and family life, I intimately understand the challenges and aspirations you face. Whether you're a young professional building a strong financial foundation, a "surprised affluent" navigating sudden wealth, or part of a growing family juggling multiple financial priorities, I tailor my approach to your unique situation. With Maplewood Wealth, you're not just getting a financial planner—you're gaining a dedicated partner in navigating life's changes and achieving your dreams without stress. Let's work together to create a financial plan that empowers you to live your best life, both now and in the future.

Hi, I'm Larry Pershing, CFP® RMA®, a flat fee financial advisor. I focus on helping people age 55+ with their retirement planning and investment management needs for a FLAT fee. Having worked in various wealth management firms in my career, I was surprised to discover many firms try to service everyone, which leads them to being average for all. Some are more concerned with amassing client assets than providing customized recommendations. I started Optimum Retirement Planning because I saw a need for specialists to help clients navigate the complex and challenging financial aspects of retirement. Our offering is different. We don’t work with everyone. We specialize in helping those who are close to and in retirement. We apply the latest financial research for retirement to help answer your complex financial questions. Optimum Retirement Planning is a flat fee financial advisor. This means we charge differently than most financial advisors. We offer retirement planning and investment management for a flat fee. For too long retirees have been overpaying for financial advice due to large commissions and/or being charged a percentage of their assets. When I’m not in the office, I’m on a tennis court, reading a book (finance or science fiction), or spending time with family and friends. I also volunteer for AARP sponsored events that help seniors receive complimentary financial advice. While I live in Chicago, I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I return often, especially during winter. You can take the guy out of California, but you can’t take the California out of the guy!

I launched my firm in July of 2024 to continue working with my clients on my own terms. I work with a wide range of types of clients. However, most of my clients tend to fit into a few archetypes; wealth accumulators, wealth distributors, and business owners. The clients I work with benefit when we take a comprehensive approach to their financial picture. Each client receives assistance with retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, insurance/estate planning, and behavioral finance. Does your situation feel familiar? - Accumulator - These clients come to me after some early career success or receiving a windfall (i.e inheritance or large cash distribution). I help clients navigate their financial life from now until retirement and beyond. In many cases this can be 25+ years in the future. I help ensure that you are doing the correct actions each year to build your wealth and enjoy your time and money now... - Distributor - Clients in this stage of their life have regularly saved in their employers retirement plan or independently over their working career. Now that retirement is looming or in motion, you need a plan to distribute your assets and pay your bills. We work together to prepare a distribution plan that coordinates social security, pensions, and distributions from retirement accounts to be the most tax efficient as possible. You've saved all this time, now it is time to enjoy! - Business Owners - My business owner clients fit into a combination of accumulation and distribution. Wherever your business is, we will navigate growing, preserving, and distributing the assets through the lifetime of your business. I am proud to be a fee-only, fiduciary, Certified Financial Planner™️ practitioner in my day-to-day working life. Outside of work you can find me spending time with my wife and kids, playing golf/basketball, and enjoying the Fox River Valley where we have set our roots. I can be reached directly at tim@rhodowealth.com or at www.rhodowealth.com for more information. Thanks!

Garrett Dahm is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been providing financial guidance since 2017. He specializes in developing strategies and offering advice tailored to the short- and long-term financial objectives of individuals, families, and businesses. As a qualified Portfolio Manager, Garrett manages discretionary Personalized and Defined Strategies that may include individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management model portfolios, and third-party investment options. His areas of focus include family wealth management, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, liquidity management, retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and strategies for sports and entertainment clients. Garrett earned a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He completed his high school education at Prospect High School and attended Harper College without earning a degree. Outside of his professional role, Garrett has a background in classical guitar, having performed solo and with orchestras worldwide since the age of four. Notably, he performed in multiple cities in Australia during the opening ceremonies of the 2000 Olympics. He lives in Mt. Prospect with his wife Tanya and their son Jace. His personal interests include golfing, ice hockey, practicing guitar, and spending time with his family.

Amir Jafariaria serves as a Senior Portfolio Advisor and Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings a global perspective to his role, shaped by his experiences living in six countries across multiple cities and working in private equity in Istanbul before relocating to the United States in 2014. Since joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2015, Amir has focused on delivering comprehensive wealth management services and proactive financial strategies tailored to his clients' diverse needs. With a background rooted in an entrepreneurial family and professional experience spanning private equity, start-ups, and wealth management, Amir specializes in areas including college education planning, employee benefits planning, executive and equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, institutional and corporate benefit services, and wealth planning for LGBT and women clients. He integrates his services with clients’ external advisors such as attorneys, tax professionals, business managers, and family offices. Amir holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), both from Eastern Mediterranean University. He also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is proficient in English, Persian, and Turkish. Outside of his professional life, Amir’s personal interests include bungee jumping, cooking, pickleball, refereeing, skiing, soccer, table tennis, and tennis.

Brian Segura is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2025. He works with clients across various financial situations, including retirement planning, investment guidance, insurance, college planning, and long-term care considerations. He focuses on building long-term relationships with clients to ensure their financial plans meet the unique needs of their families. Prior to his current role, Brian served as an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2024. He has also held several positions at Merrill Lynch and Merrill Edge between 2018 and 2023, including Market Supervision Manager, Supervision Principal, Team Lead, and Financial Service Representative. His professional experience encompasses a broad range of financial services and client support. Outside of his professional work, Brian has interests in football, golf, movies, parenthood, reading, and traveling.

Michael Ochs is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and socially responsible, values-based, and ESG investing. Michael and his team focus on creating wealth by providing guidance to help clients avoid financial pitfalls and navigate monetary challenges, prioritizing their goals and establishing timelines to achieve them. Michael holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Eastern Illinois University and an MBA from Northern Illinois University. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Chartered SRI Counselor (CSRIC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He has been in the financial services industry since 2004, with experience in life and long-term care insurance sales, retail banking, and branch operations prior to becoming a financial advisor in 2012. Michael lives in Algonquin, Illinois, with his wife Michelle and their six daughters. He is active in his community and church, serving on several committees, coaching volleyball at his daughters' school, and volunteering with organizations including 4-H of Kane County, Feed My Starving Children, and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Michael Parris is Vice President and Wealth Planner at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2026. In this capacity, he collaborates with clients and their families to understand their financial situations and develop comprehensive plans aimed at growing and protecting their wealth while working toward their financial goals. He emphasizes open communication and building strong, enduring relationships with his clients. Prior to his current role, Michael served as a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2026. Before joining Fidelity, he held positions at JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., including Private Client Advisor from 2017 to 2022 and Private Client Banker from 2011 to 2017. His experience spans various aspects of financial planning and client advisory services.