JOHN O’CONNOR
President
John O’Connor has been assisting seniors, business professionals, and self-employed people for over 30 years to protect their assets and invest wisely. John has also trained numerous colleagues on insurance products and retirement investing throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, California, and Texas.
John is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about his work. His clients find him to be personable and incredibly dedicated to their needs. Through his planning strategies, his clients realize reduced exposure to stock volatility, income tax savings, protection of assets, and reduction in the expense created by probate. He is the ideal planner for people seeking to work with someone who can provide total financial and estate planning.
John is CEO and Founder of John O’Connor & Associates LLC. His organization enjoys a large presence in Illinois. His company’s primary focus is to help people transition into retirement without concern of losing the money they have worked hard to build and cannot replace.
John served in the United States Marine Corps from 1969 to 1973. He also served a tour in the Republic of Vietnam with the First Marine Air Wing at Danang, South Vietnam from 1969 through 1970. After receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1973, John studied business administration in Chicago.
John lives with his wife, Cathy, and his two children, Kristen and Ryan, in the suburbs of Chicago. John believes that his family is the cornerstone of his success.
Meet Our Team
Chris is John’s Executive Assistant and has been with John O’Connor & Associates since 2019. Chris handles all day-to-day business operations, as well as collaborates with the firm’s managing partners and agencies to continually innovate and keep the business forward-thinking. Chris works side-by-side with John and all of the financial advisors to ensure everyone coming into the office has the best experience possible. Chris communicates directly with all of the firm’s clients to guarantee each of his/her pre-appointment and post-appointment needs are met.
Chris has been with John O’Connor & Associates LLC since 2014. Chris utilizes a unique blend of financial services knowledge, client relationship management, and sales experience to create comprehensive safe retirement planning strategies for all of his clients. Chris’s significant experience in the financial services industry has allowed him to exhaust all possibilities in each and every case to ensure a client’s specific goals and needs are met properly.
Financial Advisor
After studying Finance and Psychology at University of Illinois at Chicago, Adam joined John O’Connor & Associates in 2023 as an advisor. Adam’s passion is to help clients meet their financial needs and attain their retirement goals. Adam approaches each case with a distinctive mix of traditional methods and new, contemporary tactics to make sure every client receives the most up-to-date information and financial strategies.
Office Assistant
Strategic Alliances
MICHAEL BINGER, CFA®
President of Gradient Investments, LLC
Mr. Binger is the President of Gradient Investments. He has been with Gradient Investments since 2012 and has more than 30 years of total investment management experience. Mr. Binger’s prior roles include managing multi-billion dollar investment products for a large institutional asset manager. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and is a CFA® charterholder. We believe that he brings a depth of market experience that is rare within the industry and has been a featured contributor with several media outlets including CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and The Wall Street Journal.
JEREMY BRYAN, CFA®
Portfolio Manager of Gradient Investments, LLC
Mr. Bryan is a Senior Portfolio Manager for Gradient Investments. He has been with Gradient Investments since 2016 and has over 15 years of total investment management experience. Mr. Bryan’s job history includes equity research and portfolio management roles for institutional asset managers in Minneapolis and New York. He has been a frequent contributor to media outlets including CNBC, Fox Business, Reuters, and The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Bryan graduated with a bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University, earned an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, and is a CFA® charterholder.
KEITH GANGL, CFA®
Portfolio Manager of Gradient Investments, LLC
Keith joined Gradient Investments in 2018 and has more than 25 years of industry experience. Prior roles include asset management for a multi-billion dollar portfolio with a large institutional asset management firm. Keith is a CFA® charterholder, Lipper Award winner, and has been featured in media outlets such as Investor’s Business Daily, Nasdaq, Reuters, and Bloomberg.
Bayley Anagos
Client Relations
Bayley is an accomplished office manager and administrative assistant with a wealth of experience spanning over a decade. Her diverse career journey has seen her excel in various industries, where she has demonstrated proficiency in streamlining operations, managing schedules, and providing exceptional administrative support. Bayley’s expertise is not only defined by her professional accomplishments but also by her unwavering commitment to service and her passion for helping others.
A graduate in Marketing from the University of North Texas, Bayley brings a blend of academic knowledge and practical skills to her roles. Beyond her professional endeavors, Bayley finds fulfillment in her hobbies and interests. She is an avid reader, a music enthusiast with a soft spot for 70’s classics, and a seasoned traveler who enjoys exploring new destinations.
In addition to her professional and personal pursuits, Bayley remains actively engaged in her community, volunteering her time to support seniors and participate in philanthropic initiatives. Her dedication to making a positive impact, both in and out of the workplace, underscores her values of empathy, integrity, and service. With her exceptional skills, versatile background, and compassionate approach. Bayley is here to help with any Medicare or life insurance needs!