As a Founder and Principal of Creative Benefit Strategies, LLC, Dan is dedicated to coaching business owners through all three phases of the business lifecycle. He helps his clients to gain clarity about their situation and delivers creative solutions that enable them to create, sustain and transfer wealth.

• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)
• Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIFTM)
• Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC) and Retirement Planning Associate (RPA)
• Active member, Profit Sharing Council of America
• Member of the Professional Development Committee to the Governing Council, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
• Creator of the national participant-directed education program, Hyatt Hotels
• Pioneer in the field of Employee Financial Education, promoting “behavior-driven” education programs

Dan Piazza’s extensive knowledge of the employee benefits industry, team leadership skills and passion for excellence makes him a valued resource to his clients. As a Founder and Principal of Creative Benefit Strategies, LLC, Dan is dedicated to coaching business owners through all three phases of the business lifecycle. He helps his clients to gain clarity about their situation and delivers creative solutions that enable them to create, sustain and transfer wealth.

For more than ten years, Dan has been at the forefront of such industry issues as Employee Financial Education and ERISA Compliance and has worked proactively with business owners and management staff to address these areas. Regardless of the size of the business, Dan’s goal for every client is to design and implement “cutting-edge” benefits solutions that are both compliant-efficient and cost-effective. Afterwards, he delivers behavior-driven Employee Education programs to maximize participation and appreciation of those benefits.

Dan earned his Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation through the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans in the mid-90s. Later, as an adjunct faculty member of Northwestern University, he taught the program’s coursework to those pursuing the CEBS designation. Now, Dan is one of the first to earn the Accredited Investment FiduciaryTM (AIFTM) certification through the Foundation for Fiduciary Studies.

Dan and his wife and business partner, Denny Gustin-Piazza, live in the Wrigleyville neighborhood on Chicago’s north side. When he’s not enjoying a Cubs game or relaxing with friends, Dan can be found on the golf course pursuing his favorite sport.

Jim works exclusively with business owners as an integral part of their team to deliver effective, cost-efficient group health and employer welfare plans to their employees. He provides unbiased, objective advice to help his clients make wise decisions that will positively impact their employees and their bottom-line.

• Joined the industry in 1979, and founded his private practice in 1981
• Extensive industry experience in employee benefits, with special expertise in the areas of group health and employer welfare plans
• Taught numerous workshops to fellow professionals on such topics as health care reform, managed care and alternative approaches to employee benefit funding
• Member, The Legacy Companies Wealth Coach Network
• Developed seminar on Self-funded Health Benefits for American National Bank, partners of Arthur Anderson and several independent consulting firms.
• Owner, The Inverness Group

Jim Broderick joined the industry in 1979 and established his private practice two years later, in 1981. He then became an owner of The Inverness Group in the 1990’s. Today, as a Founder and Principal of Creative Benefit Strategies, LLC, Jim works exclusively with business owners and their staffs to deliver effective, cost-efficient group health and employer welfare plans to their employees. He positions himself as an integral member of their benefits team, focused on providing unbiased and objective advice gained from his many years of experience in the field.

Jim’s success over the years can be attributed to his ability to consistently guide his clients through the ever-changing, confusing, highly-competitive world of group healthcare. In this way, he helps business owners make wise choices that positively impact both their employees and their bottom-line.

Jim and his wife, Kathy, live in Hoffman Estates, Illinois with his stepson, Gerald. His children, Lisa and Jeff, have provided him with three grandchildren, Kaleigh, Jacob and Taylor. Jim also has two adult stepdaughters, Kimberly and Lindsey. When he’s not busy at work or enjoying his family, Jim can be found on the golf course!

John provides strategic planning services to the owners of privately-held businesses, helping them to create, sustain and successfully transfer their wealth. As a business owner himself, John understands and appreciates the opportunities and challenges his clients face, and helps them gain clarity around their total wealth, both business and personal.

• Joined the industry in 1982, established his private practice in 1986
• Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP®)
• Designed and implemented hundreds of effective, cost-efficient benefits solutions
• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics, Lake Forest College
• Member, The Legacy Companies Wealth Coach Network
• Active Member and former Treasurer, Cary Area Crime Stoppers
• Village of Cary Appointee to the Police Pension Fund Board
• Owner, The Inverness Group

For over twenty years, John McCloud has been dedicated to serving the benefits planning needs of small and mid-sized businesses. Through his extensive work in this market, he has come to understand and appreciate the unique needs of the private business holder. John began his career with IDS/American Express in 1982 and four years later formed his private practice. He earned his Certified Financial PlannerTM designation in 1993. Today, he is a Founder and Principal of Creative Benefit Strategies, LLC and a Principal of WealthPlanners, LLC.

Over the years, John’s clients have relied heavily upon both his analytical skills and follow-through ability. As a business owner himself, John understands and appreciates the opportunities and challenges his clients face. He is dedicated to helping business owners gain clarity around their total wealth, both business and personal, and empowering them to make wise choices. Today, his primary focus is to assist private business holders and entrepreneurs in their efforts to create, sustain and successfully transfer wealth.

John resides in Cary, Illinois where he’s been an active member of the community. He served for 21 years as Treasurer for the Cary Area Crime Stoppers and was recently appointed by the Village of Cary to serve as a Trustee of the Police Pension Fund. John and his wife Dana have three sons (Chris, Ryan and Adam), a daughter (Katy) and two young grandchildren (Maggie and Jacob). John is a Civil War enthusiast and although originally from Pennsylvania and a long-time resident of Illinois, he confesses to being an avid Green Bay Packers fan!

As a Partner of Creative Benefit Strategies, LLC, Joe’s primary focus is to deliver the consulting expertise available to large-scale businesses to the small and mid-sized business markets.  His “no-nonsense” down-to-earth approach and responsiveness have earned Joe the trust and respect of employers and employees alike.  He also advises many of his clients about their personal wealth, including college funding, retirement planning, asset allocation and investments.

• Joined the industry in 1988
• Extensive background in individual and group health, disability and long-term care
• Chartered Business Consultant (CBC)
• Completed extensive graduate-level in the following areas of study:  Public Health  and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Board Member, Midwest Children’s Brain Tumor Center
• Member, The Legacy Companies Wealth Coach Network
• B.A. in Communications, Northern Illinois University
• Strong emphasis on employee education, fluent in Spanish

Joe is a past board member of the Midwest Children’s Brain Tumor Center and prior two-term school board member.

Joe Fragale has nearly 20 years of experience in the insurance and employee benefits industry.  As a Partner with Creative Benefit Strategies, LLC, Joe’s primary focus is to deliver the consulting expertise available to large-scale businesses to the small and mid-sized business markets.  He works proactively to guide his clients through the maze of group health products, options and funding alternatives, helping to transform a huge expense burden into a meaningful, cost-effective and highly-valued benefit.

His “no-nonsense” down-to-earth approach and responsiveness have earned Joe the trust and respect of employers and employees alike.  He also advises many of his clients about their personal wealth, including college funding, retirement planning, asset allocation and investments.  Whether advising business owners about their company benefits or personal wealth, Joe strives to educate his clients and help them to make wise choices.   In the area of Employee Financial Education, he is able to effectively convey the potential value and impact of an employee benefits program in Spanish as well as English.

Joe earned his B.A. in Communications at Northern Illinois University and has since done extensive graduate-level course work in the area of Public Health and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).  He is a Chartered Business Consultant (CBC), Registered Representative with Financial Network Investment Corporation and a member of the Legacy Companies Wealth Coach Network.

Joe is a past board member of the Midwest Children’s Brain Tumor Center and prior two-term school board member.

Matt applies the knowledge gained from his solid educational background in Finance to his multi-dimensional role at WealthPlanners and Creative Benefit Strategies. He assists all Partners with client plan design in each core discipline – financial planning, group benefits and 401(k).

• Series 7-Licensed, Registered Representative
• Series 66 -Licensed, Investment Advisory Representative
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance, Emphasis in Risk Management & Insurance, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
• Disciplined approach to plan design built upon core financial principles
• Flexible and proficient at utilizing a variety of software tools
• Building a client base of young, successful professionals
• Responds to 401(k) plan participants requests and inquiries

Matt’s disciplined style and strong work ethic is much appreciated by the firms’ Partners and clients alike. His strengths include the ability to multi-task, troubleshoot software issues and apply his strong finance background to both the employee benefits and personal wealth management arenas. Matt’s primary area of responsibility is to assist all Partners with plan design in each core discipline – individual financial planning, group benefits and 401(k).

Matt is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance, with an emphasis on Risk Management and Insurance. Continuing his education, Matt is now both Series 7 and Series 66-licensed and is making plans to pursue the Certified Financial PlannerTM designation. In addition to handling inquiries and requests from retirement plan participants, Matt is working to develop his own client relationships. Influenced and encouraged by his grandmother, Matt developed his passion for investing and finance at the early age of 14. From that age, he began investing his own portfolio.

Matt grew up in the Wisconsin, and still maintains close ties with family and friends there. He now lives in the Wrigelyville neighborhood of Chicago. Matt enjoys a variety of outdoors activities, including hunting, fishing, hiking and attending Green Bay Packers games whenever he gets the chance!

Mike is dedicated to helping business owners achieve objectives around both their personal wealth and their business.  He brings more than 20 years of experience in retirement plan services to his role as advisor with Creative Benefit Strategies.  Combining his industry knowledge with his passion for service excellence, he helps clients overcome organizational obstacles and fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities to their retirement plan participants.

Throughout his career, Mike has worked collaboratively with peers and strategic partners to solve problems and deliver results.   This is still true today as he leverages the expertise of his partners at Creative Benefit Strategies and WealthPlanners, as well as other professionals, to help his clients achieve a financially-secure retirement, articulate their values and preserve their legacy.  Mike is a registered representative and investment advisory associate with Cambridge Investment Research and holds Series 6, 63, 7 and 65 licenses.  In addition, he is insurance-licensed for life, health and disability.

Mike is a native Chicagoan and a graduate of St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.  He resides on the north side of the city where he enjoys running along the lakeshore.  Mike believes strongly in the value of service and gains enormous satisfaction in his volunteer work with Misericordia – Heart of Mercy and The Danny Did Foundation.

As Operations Manager, Patty is responsible for overseeing all “back-office” operations for WealthPlanners and Creative Benefit Strategies. Her ability to process and track all transactions from start to finish with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail has earned her recognition from the firm’s broker/dealer, Financial Network Investment Corporation. Patty fields inquiries from WealthPlanners’ clients regarding investment and account activity, interfacing with the home office staff of various investment and insurance companies to resolve any issues.

Patty uses her strong follow-through skills to ensure that compliance requirements are fulfilled and up-to-date. Prior to joining WealthPlanners and Creative Benefit Strategies, she worked in a personal injury law firm for four years. She had many responsibilities there including the processing of all claims paperwork, coordinating and assessing clients’ medical evaluations as well as doing paralegal work for the firm.

Patty and her Husband Joe reside in Mount Prospect with their 5 children.