Broker Check

Credentials, Designations, and Awards

At Puzzle Wealth, our team is built on experience, integrity, and a deep commitment to helping our clients pursue their financial goals. Our advisors hold some of the most respected designations in the industry and have received multiple accolades for their exceptional service. Here’s a closer look at the credentials and awards that set our team apart.

2026 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams — Illinois

2026 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams for Illinois


Puzzle Wealth proudly earned the #49 spot in the 2026 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams for Illinois, distinguishing us as the highest-ranked team at LPL in the state for the second year in a row — moving up seven spots from 2025. This recognition highlights our continued growth, strong assets under management, and clean regulatory record.


This builds on our 2025 recognition (#56), earned on the firm's first application.


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David J. Millington, CFP®, CIMA®, CEPA®, SE-AWMA®


Credentials:

  • CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM)
    David is a Certified Financial Planner, an elite designation requiring rigorous education, examination, and a fiduciary commitment to act in the best interest of his clients. His expertise spans investment, tax, estate planning, and retirement strategies.
  • CIMA® (Certified Investment Management Analyst)
    David holds the CIMA® designation, focusing on advanced investment management. His expertise includes asset allocation, risk management, and portfolio construction, making him an invaluable resource for high-net-worth clients.
  • CEPA® (Certified Exit Planning Advisor)
    With the CEPA designation, David specializes in helping business owners plan their exit strategies, working toward a seamless transition that aligns personal, business, and financial goals.
  • SE-AWMA® (Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor)
    David has extensive experience guiding high-net-worth clients in the sports and entertainment industries, assisting them with wealth management strategies tailored to their unique financial challenges.

Awards:

  • Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor (2026 - #57, Dallas-Ft. Worth, High Net Worth;   2025, 2024 - North Texas;  2021 - Illinois)
    David has earned this Prestigious Recognition, Reflection his Exceptional Client Focus, Expertise, and Leadership in Wealth Management.
  • AdvisorHub Top 250 Advisors to Watch in USA (Over $1B) - 2026 (#163)
  • AdvisorHub Top 150 Advisors to Watch in USA (Over $1B) - 2025 (#124)
  • AdvisorHub Top 100 Advisors to Watch in USA (Under $1B) - 2024 (#56)
    David's National Ranking highlights his Rapid Growth, Scale of Practice, and Professionalism in Wealth Management.
  • LPL Masters Club Member* (2025,2024)
    Recognition from LPL Financial for his Top-Tier Performance and Dedication to Clients.
  • LPL Chairmans Club Member* (2023)
    David's Commitment to Excellence earned him a place in one of LPL's Highest Performance Clubs. 
John Klaas

John Klaas

Awards:

  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor (2021 - Illinois)
    John's recognition as one of the top advisors in Illinois demonstrates his unwavering commitment to client success and his expertise in wealth management. 



Steven Connolly, CFP®

Steven Connolly, CFP®

Credentials:

  • CFP® (Certified Financial Planner)
    Steven is a valued CFP® professional, providing clients with holistic financial advice, including tax planning, investment strategies, and estate planning. His focus on comprehensive wealth management supports clients in pursuing their financial goals.

Awards:

  • LPL Masters Club Member* (2024)
    Steven’s exceptional client service and business performance earned him this prestigious recognition.
  • LPL Directors Club Member* (2023)
    A reflection of his dedication to helping clients reach their financial objectives.
Robert Davit, CIMA®

Robert Davit, CIMA®

Credentials:

  • CIMA® (Certified Investment Management Analyst)
    Robert holds the CIMA® designation, focusing on advanced investment management. His expertise includes asset allocation, risk management, and portfolio construction, making him an invaluable resource for high-net-worth clients.
Alexander Klaas

Alexander Klaas

Credentials:

  • Master of Science
    Alex's MS degree reflects his professional concentration in cohesive Family Financial Planning for his clients.
  • PPC® (Professional Plan Consultant)

Awards:

  • AdvisorHub 50 Next Gen Advisors to Watch (2024)
    Alexander’s inclusion in this exclusive list highlights his rapid rise and success in wealth management early in his career.
Christopher Sagan, CFP®, AWMA®

Christopher Sagan, CFP®, AWMA®

Credentials:

  • CFP® (Certified Financial Planner)
    Christopher’s CFP® certification represents his dedication to providing comprehensive financial planning, from tax strategies to retirement solutions.
  • AWMA® (Accredited Wealth Management Advisor)
    Christopher specializes in serving high-net-worth clients, with a focus on asset management, equity compensation, retirement, and estate planning.

Awards:

  • LPL Ascent Club Member* (2026)
    Chri's comprehensize client service and business service performance earned him this prestigious recognition.


The Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives a fee in exchange for rankings.

Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s best practices, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and team, and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results.  Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

AdvisorHub nominees are required to have a minimum of seven years experience, $100m minimum AUM, and a clean regulatory record. Using data on assets, households, and production, advisors are ranked on three categories: scale, growth, and professionalism. The list is broken into several sublists: RIAs (fee-only), Over $1b, Under $1b, Next Gen, Women, Solo, and Fast-Growing. Please note that participation in this ranking is free, and AdvisorHub receives no compensation from the participating advisors.

*LPL membership based on annual production