Vertex Partners

Julie Hupp is a CFP® professional with 19 years of experience in financial advising. She currently works at Vertex Partners and has previous experience with firms including Highpoint Advisor Group and LPL Financial. Outside of advising, she has served as faculty at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Vertex Partners provides 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, using a variety of investment strategies and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Igor Yukhvidin is a financial advisor at Vertex Partners with a Series 65 designation and experience beginning in 2025. Prior to joining Vertex Partners, he worked at JP Morgan Chase Bank for seven years and Ernst & Young for four years. Vertex Partners provides advisory services to a range of clients including 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 vehicles and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Scott Sandee is a CFP® professional with 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Vertex Partners and has previously worked at firms including Oxford Financial Group, Capital Group Private Client Services, BNY Mellon, and BMO Private Bank. Vertex Partners provides advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans, tailoring portfolios based on clients’ risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs. The firm utilizes a variety of investment strategies and platforms, emphasizing asset allocation, diversification, and behavioral finance principles.

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 in Downers Grove, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and three years of industry experience. Prior to his current role starting in 2022, he worked at LPL Financial and other firms. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as head coach for the Chicago Blaze Rugby Club. Vertex Partners provides advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm emphasizes tailored portfolios based on client risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs, utilizing a mix of proprietary model portfolios, mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, and third-party program 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.

Justin Dagostino is a CFP® professional with nine years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Vertex Partners and has worked at firms including LPL Financial, TD Ameritrade, and Scottrade. He has been involved in founding and developing independent advisory firms and holds the Series 66 license. Vertex Partners provides 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, implementing strategies through a combination of proprietary models, mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, and third-party platforms.

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 at Vertex Partners with 23 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and ChFC® designations and has worked at firms including LPL Financial and Highpoint Advisor Group. Benner is also involved with Vertex Accounting Partners, a CPA firm affiliated with his advisory practice. Vertex Partners provides advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm customizes portfolios based on clients’ risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs, using a combination of proprietary models, mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, and third-party program platforms.

Christopher Huston is a financial advisor at Vertex Partners with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Vertex Planning Partners, LPL Financial, and Highpoint Advisor Group. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Reflexivity LLC, a business entity unrelated to investment activities. 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 variety of investment strategies and platforms, including proprietary models, mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party programs.