Darlene Gargano

US Bancorp Investments, Inc. (USBI) is a dually SEC-registered investment advisor and broker-dealer headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota. The firm was founded in 2003 and is owned by US Bancorp (NYSE: USB). USBI offers financial planning services and other advisory services to a wide range of clients, which includes individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other businesses.

Cerulli Associates, Inc. is an international research and consulting firm that provides financial institutions with guidance in strategic positioning and new business development. The private company is based in Boston, MA and has subsidiaries in Singapore and United Kingdom. The company's analysts blend industry knowledge, original research, and data analysis to bring perspective to current market conditions and forecasts for future developments. The company was founded in 1992 by David Nadig, Kurt Cerulli. Kurt Cerulli has been the CEO since 1992.

Piper Sandler & Co. (Broker) (PSC-Broker) is the full-service brokerage division of Piper Sandler & Co., a financial service firm headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are a subsidiary of Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE: PIPR). The firm was founded in 1969 and previously known as Piper Jaffray & Co. They became Piper Sandler & Co. when Piper Jaffray Companies and Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P. merged to become Piper Sandler Companies in 2020. PSC-Broker provides brokerage and investment banking services to financial institutions, corporations and other financial investors. Their core focus sectors are Agriculture, renewables & cannabis, Business services, Chemicals & Materials, Consumer, Diversified industrials & services, Energy, Financial services, financial sponsors, Healthcare, and Technology.

The University of St. Thomas is an institution that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The private company is based in St. Paul, MN. It offers over 150 undergraduate majors and minors, as well as graduate programs in various fields such as business, engineering, law, education, social work, and arts and humanities. The University of St. Thomas was founded in 1885 by John Ireland.

Duke University is an academic university that offers undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. It also has publications and research services. The university was founded in 1838 and is headquartered in Durham, NC.

Citigroup Private Bank is the private banking subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc. (NYSE: C) in the US. Headquartered in New York City, the firm serves worldly and wealthy individuals and their families with a customized private banking service that crosses borders. They also provide services to professional investors, family offices, and lawyers and law firms.

UBS Financial Services, Inc. is a registered investment advisor and wealth management firm headquartered in Weehawken, New Jersey. The firm is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UBS Americas Inc., ultimately held by UBS Group AG (SWX: UBSG; NYSE: UBS) in Switzerland. Founded in 1969, UBS Financial Services provides investment advisory services to individuals, banks, thrift institutions, mutual funds and other investment companies, pension and employee benefit plans, trusts, estates, charities, corporations and other business and government entities.

Founded in 1958, Merrill Lynch Piece Fenner & Smith, Inc. is an SEC registered broker/dealer located in New York City. The firm is a subsidiary of BAC North America Holding Co. and their ultimate parent is Bank of America Corp. (NYSE BAC).

Northwestern University is a private institution founded in 1851 to serve the Northwest Territory, an area that now includes the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota. Northwestern has three campuses

Ameriprise Financial Services LLC (AFS) is a registered broker-dealer headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm was founded in 1971 and is a subsidiary of AMPF Holding Corp., which is owned by Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP). AFS offers brokerage services that enable clients to invest in many different types of investments including mutual funds, stocks, bonds, exchange traded products, unit investment trusts, annuities and alternative investments.

UVEST Financial Services Group, Inc. provides third party brokerage services. It offers investment and insurance programs to regional banks and credit unions. The company was founded on June 19, 1978 and is headquartered in Fort Mill, SC.

BellSouth LLC operates as a telecommunications holding company. It provides wire line communication services including local exchange, network access, intra local access, and internet services. The firm also offers print and online directory advertising. The company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.

Bank Insurance & Securities Association is a business association. The non-profit company is based in Washington.

Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC is a registered broker-dealer headquartered in New York City. The firm was founded in 1967 and is a subsidiary of Alliance Capital Management LLC, ultimately held by Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH). Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. provides trading and executions services to their clients.

LPL Holdings, Inc. operates as a holding comany for LPL Financial Services. It provides investment advisory, marketing, administrative, distribution and information systems services to the independent financial advisor network in the United States through its subsidiaries. The company is headquartered in Boston, MA.

Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association, Inc. (SIFMA) is an organization that represents the securities industry in the United States. The private company is based in New York, NY and has subsidiaries in the United States. The company's main focus is advocating for effective and resilient capital markets. The CEO of the company is Kenneth E. Bentsen.

The American Securities Association is a non-profit organization that advocates for the interests of broker-dealers and investors. The non-profit company is based in Washington. The association recently sent a comment letter to the SEC regarding new mandates related to cybersecurity policies. The American company also supports Representative Pete Sessions ’ legislation codifying a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff no-action letter that allows brokers-dealers to continue to be compensated for providing research services without registering as investment advisers. The association works in communities across the country to create jobs, grow the economy, and increase prosperity for all Americans.

University of Miami (Florida) is a private research university with students from around the world that is focused on teaching and learning, the discovery of new knowledge, and service to the South Florida region and beyond. The university was founded in 1925 and it is headquartered in Coral Gables, FL.

Putnam Investments LLC operates as an investment advisory company. The company was founded on May 14, 2009 and is headquartered in Boston, MA.

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is a broker/dealer located in New York City. The firm provides a comprehensive range of equity execution services exclusively to institutional clients worldwide. Their clients include private banks, mutual funds, hedge funds, independent asset managers and investment advisors and other brokers.

Part of AJM Ventures LLC, First Trust Portfolios LP is a financial services company based in Wheaton, IL. The company offers a range of investment products, including unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, and closed-end funds. The company's website provides research and commentary on available portfolios, asset allocation, and advanced portfolio searches. The company also offers target outcome investments, variable annuities, and structured investments. First Trust Portfolios is not ranked in any publication lists like the INC 5000.