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Welcome Aspire Planning Group to the Vertex family

We look forward to providing you with all of the resources Vertex Planning Partners has to offer.

While the Vertex and Aspire teams (shown below) have been working together since our merger 4 years ago, we are excited to continue to work with the Aspire clients as we help guide you in the design, implementation and monitoring of your financial objectives. You should have been receiving monthly  communication from Vertex—including newsletters and ongoing planning guidance—and no action is required. We remain committed to the same personalized financial planning you’ve come to expect.

Meet Your Team

Gregory P. Benner, CPWA®, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, AIF®, RMA®

Managing Partner

Julie Hupp,
CFP®, MBA

PARTNER

Cindy Mittlestaedt,
CFP®

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Tammy Billadeau,
CFP®, CDFA®, AAMS®

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Connie Gross

ADMINISTRATIVE
MANAGER

Lindsey Benner

CLIENT SERVICE ASSOCIATE

Kara Owen

CLIENT SERVICE ASSOCIATE

Questions for the Team?

Use the button below to contact us and a member of the team will get right back to you.

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Gregory P. Benner, CPWA®, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, AIF®, RMA®

MANAGING PARTNER

Gregory P. Benner, CPWA®, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, AIF®, RMA® has over twenty-two years of experience as a financial advisor. Greg’s practice is based on developing holistic financial plans that help his clients integrate sophisticated retirement, tax, risk management and estate planning strategies into an actionable plan, then stay the course as their behavioral coach.

Prior to founding Vertex Planning Partners, LLC, Greg spent four years as a founding partner of a Registered Investment Advisory firm affiliated with LPL Financial. He also spent seven years with JPMorgan Chase as a Senior Financial Advisor and was a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual Life.

Greg holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® designation and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certificant. He also holds the Chartered Financial Consultant®, Chartered Life Underwriter®, Accredited Investment Fiduciary™, and Retirement Management AdvisorSM designations. He earned a B.S. in Finance from Miami University and a Master of Science in Taxation (MST) from the University of Cincinnati.

He and his wife Lindsey reside in Naperville, IL with their daughter and twin sons.

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Julie Hupp CFP®, MBA

PARTNER

Julie Hupp, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, has worked in the accounting and corporate finance field since 1987. She began her career as a CPA with Deloitte & Touche, specializing in the financial needs of small businesses. Then spent the next 13 years in corporate financial planning and business development at Baxter and TAP Pharmaceuticals. Recognizing her passion for personal financial planning, Julie started her business in 2006 where she focuses on comprehensive financial planning strategies and implementation.

Julie graduated from University of Illinois with a BS in Accountancy. She received her Master’s in Management with a concentration in Finance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 1994.

Outside the office, Julie is the co-founder of the 12 Oaks Foundation, which has merged with Cal’s Angels, and is a former Board member. Julie enjoys cooking, reading, running, triathlons and doing almost anything outdoors. A great weekend is spending time with her husband and two adult kids boating at their lake house in Wisconsin.

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Cindy Mittlestaedt,
CFP®,
TPCP®

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Cindy brings over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been a member of our team since 2018. She holds a B.S. in Finance from Northern Illinois University and has her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and Tax Planning Certified Professional (TPCP®) designations.

With a strong background in leadership and management across multiple financial sectors—including insurance, income tax, and accounting—Cindy brings a comprehensive understanding of the financial landscape. She specializes in developing strategic, holistic financial plans that integrate retirement planning, tax strategies, risk management, and estate planning. She is committed to empowering clients to set ambitious financial goals and help them achieve long-term success.

Cindy enjoys being an empty nester in Grayslake with her husband.

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Tammy Billadeau,
CFP®, CDFA®, AAMS®

Financial Advisor

Tammy Billadeau joined Vertex Planning Partners in 2019. With 17 years of experience in the financial services industry, she brings a strong background in comprehensive financial planning for high-net-worth individuals. Tammy leverages her broad industry knowledge to educate clients and guide them in making informed decisions. Her client-centered approach integrates investment strategy, risk tolerance, time horizon, tax planning, and risk management to build customized, retirement plans aligned with each client’s personal and retirement goals.

Tammy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business/Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In addition, she is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP®), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®), Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®). As a LPL Registered Associate she holds the following securities registrations: Series 7 & 63 (held with LPL Financial) and 65 (held with Vertex Planning Partners, LLC), and Life & Health Insurance license.

She and her husband reside in Naperville, IL with their son.

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Connie Gross

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

Connie is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh with a degree in Journalism. After working in corporate positions and running her own business, she joined Julie’s team in 2009 and helps keep everyone organized. Connie is the first point of contact for our clients.

Connie spends her free time reading the latest mystery novel, taking exercise classes with friends and sampling the newest restaurants with her husband, Mark. As often as possible, she spends time with her daughters- Allison a graduate from Arizona State University pursing a Marketing career in Chicago while Katie is back in school pursuing a Masters in Nutrition and Dietary Science at Northern Illinois University after receiving her undergrad from Drake University. She loves to travel with her friends and husband, preferably someplace warm.

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Lindsey Benner

client service associate

Lindsey Benner is a Client Service Associate at Vertex Planning Partners, LLC. She has over ten years of experience in a variety of capacities in the financial services industry.

Lindsey earned her BA in Psychology at Ohio University. After earning her degree, she decided to pursue a career in finance and started in retail banking with National City Bank outside of Cleveland, Ohio. She completed the Retail Management Development Program, eventually serving as Branch manager for over a year. She returned home to Chicago with a role at National City Bank’s Private Client Group working in Fiduciary Investments. After several years in that role, she joined JPMorgan Private Bank, where she held a series of titles including: Estate Settlement Assistant, Market Administrative Officer and Client Service Manager. After leaving JPMorgan, she joined her husband Greg’s firm Redwood Financial Network as a Compliance Analyst.

She also holds the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses with LPL Financial.

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Kara Owen

CLIENT SERVICE ASSOCIATE

Kara Owen joined Vertex in 2022. She taught for 7 years in the elementary education setting in the suburbs of Chicago. At Vertex Planning Partners, Kara uses her skillset as an educator—communication, organization, innovation, and leadership; to focus on client relations and service.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from The University of Iowa and her Master of Education from Benedictine University.

Kara resides in Naperville, IL with her husband and three young sons. In her free time she enjoys working out, reading, spending time with friends, and going on walks.

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Connect

Connecting with Vertex Planning Partners is your first step towards a tailored financial future. Reach out to discuss guidance that aligns with your unique financial goals and aspirations.

Connect With Us

Schedule a meeting with a  Vertex Planning Partner Advisor who will answer any questions you might have. 

p: 630.836.3300 – e: in**@************rs.com

We’re here to help. Email or call us and speak with a Vertex Planning Partner Advisor who will answer any questions you might have: 630.836.3300 or in**@************rs.com

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Peter M. Babilla, CFP®, CRPS®

PARTNER

Peter Babilla brings 40 years of experience in investment management and fiduciary* financial consulting to Vertex Planning Partners, LLC.

Pete graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana with a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance.

He began his career in 1983 with a focus on institutional fixed-income portfolio management, primarily working with community banks. After a decade serving institutional clients, Pete shifted his focus to working with individuals, families and business owners, providing guidance and education in all areas of Wealth Management.  Among his areas of focus are accumulation and retirement planning, investment management, risk management, and estate and wealth transfer.

Pete’s planning philosophy allows him to create a personalized program for clients, based on their own unique goals and circumstances.  The extensive investment and planning platform offered by Vertex enables him to create a highly customized program, tailored to each individual client.

Pete and his wife Suzanne have two children, and have resided in Wheaton, Illinois for the past 30 years.  He enjoys golf, reading, and traveling with his family.  Pete gives back as a past Board Member of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, where his focus is on improving the lives of those living with epilepsy.

Pete works as fiduciary for his clients and holds the CERTIFIED FIANANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation and the Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist (CRPS®) designation.

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JUSTIN J. D'AGOSTINO, CFP®, TPCP®, ChFC®, CRPC®

PARTNER

Justin D’Agostino joined Vertex Partners in 2019 and serves a select group of business owners and affluent families. He specializes in investments, financial planning, and succession planning. His interest and knowledge in providing comprehensive financial planning and wealth management services to clients was sparked when he worked at a boutique tax and wealth management firm in Michigan. He has nine years of experience in the financial services industry, and his mission is to provide every client with targeted, comprehensive financial advice and to help them implement customized strategies designed to move them closer to accomplishing their unique goals.

Justin attended Hillsdale College where he earned his BA in Accounting and Financial Management and was a member and captain of the football team. Justin is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, and holds the Tax Planning Certified Professional®, Chartered Financial Consultant® and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ designations.

Justin and his wife, Alexandra, reside in Chicago, Illinois. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys golfing, playing soccer and spending summer weekends with his family.

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Scott A. Sandee CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, CEPA

MANAGING PARTNER

Scott Sandee brings over 20 years of experience as Managing Partner. He is responsible for leading the firm’s efforts in assisting middle-market business owners and seven and eight-figure families to plan and realize financial goals based on their unique aspirations and situations.

With a privately held family business background, Scott has helped owners prepare for and execute a successful transition. In addition, he works with business owners and their advisors to develop financial strategies to maximize sales proceeds and minimize future taxes.

Before joining Vertex, Scott served in financial planning and investment strategy roles at Oxford Financial Group, Capital Group, and The Northern Trust Company, working with Chicago’s HNW/UHNW families clients.

Scott holds the Certified Financial Planner®, Certified Private Wealth Advisor®, Certified Investment Management Analyst®, and Certified Exit Planning Advisor designations. Scott earned his B.S. in Computer Science from Northern Illinois University, and his family resides in Wilmette, IL.

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Steven P. Franzen, CPA, PFS, CGMA

MANAGING PARTNER

Steven P. Franzen, CPA, PFS, CGMA is a public accountant and consultant with more than 23 years of experience helping individuals and businesses reduce their tax liability.  He began his career under the guidance of Patrick M. De Sio, CPA, CGMA and in 1996 became Mr. De Sio’s partner in De Sio, Franzen & Associates, Ltd. Steve’s expertise include entity design, complex tax strategies and multigenerational wealth transfer.  As Managing Partner, Steve conducts his practice under the philosophy that the client’s investment in their CPA should yield a return on that investment – most of the time that return is realized when working with clients on planning for their future. In an effort to increase the planning capabilities of the firm,  Steve formed Vertex Accounting Partners, LLC to ensure their guiding philosophy will continue well into the future.

Steve is a certified public accountant and has earned the professional designations of Personal Financial Specialist and Chartered Global Management Accountant.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society.  Steve earned a B.S. degree in accounting from Millikin University.  He and his wife Kristie live in Sugar Grove, IL with their three children.

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Michael D. Bellis, CFP®, CLU®

MANAGING PARTNER

Michael D. Bellis, CFP®, CLU® began his career as a financial planning professional in 1994. His practice is centered on holistic financial planning, astute risk management strategies and empirical, research-driven portfolio construction. He began his career in partnership with his father under the name Bellis & Associates. Together, their practice and reputation for excellence dates back more than 40 years and includes multiple generations of the same families. After his father’s retirement several years ago, Mike continued to build a client-centric, consultative practice before forming Vertex.

Mike holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and is also a Chartered Life Underwriter. He has been an active member of both the Society of Financial Services Professionals and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He earned a B.S. in Business & Marketing from Illinois State University. Mike is a lifelong resident of Naperville, Illinois. He and his wife Tanja have three children.

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