Jesse worked as an electrical engineer for six years before pursuing his passion for investments and investment planning. Jesse started his financial career at Merrill Lynch in 1996 after earning an MBA with a concentration in Portfolio Management. Jesse and Tom Stotz, Managing Director - Investments, met at Merrill Lynch and became partners in 1998.

Jesse focuses on bringing an engineering process to complex wealth management concerns and specializes in advanced planning solutions and investment strategies. Jesse believes in a disciplined process and collaborating with other professionals to optimize client solutions regarding wealth preservation, wealth accumulation, and efficient wealth transfer

25+ Years of Experience

Role Within Capstone Wealth Management Group

• Advanced Planning Solutions
• Senior PIM Portfolio Manager

Personal Interests

• Lives in Downers Grove, IL with wife Trisha, has five children, and one grandson
• Biking
• Golfing
• Boating

Jesse Diaz CA Insurance License #0I15554. Resident State: IL

Tom spent 10 years as a Corporate/Business banker before joining Merrill Lynch in 1997 as a Financial Advisor. That is where Tom and Jesse Diaz, Managing Director – Investments, first met and have been business associates ever since some 26 years.

Our team (Capstone Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors) was recently recognized as 2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams¹. Our core personal values are based around, our faith, family, and treating each client as part of our Capstone Family. The practice revolves around planning first before recommending solutions. Service and communication are our priorities as well as educating our clients on what Holistic investment planning entails. Tom has been married to his Wife Dana for 33 years and split their time between Charleston SC and Chicago.

25+ Years of Experience

Role Within Capstone Wealth Management Group

• Business Owners/Succession
• Planning
• Company Retirement Plans
• Liability Management
• Individual Wealth Management

Personal Interests

• Tom enjoys golfing and being outdoors, including swimming and kayaking.
• Proud father to four daughters
• Newly minted grandfather

_{Thomas Stotz CA Insurance License #0I09836. Resident State: SC
¹2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/23-3/31/24. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 11,674 wealth management teams were considered for the rating; 5,331 (45.66% of candidates) were named 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams.}

John M. Giovannini, Managing Director - Investments, is a Senior Financial Advisor and partner of the Capstone Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. In 2024 and 2025, John was recognized as Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State. Additionally in 2024, 2025 and 2026 the Capstone Wealth Management Group was named as one of Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams.

John's mission is to provide every client with targeted, comprehensive financial advice and portfolio management strategies - delivered with the highest level of personal service and professional integrity.  John works closely with his clients to see where they are and where they want to be in five years, ten years, twenty years, and all the years in between.

15+ Years of Experience

Role Within Capstone Wealth Management Group

• Advanced Investment Analysis
• Estate Planning Strategies
• Retirement Planning

Personal Interests

• Lives in Glenview with his wife, Colleen, son, Michael, daughters, Eleanor and Lucy, and golden retriever, Vinny.
• Rooting for Chicago sports.
• Traveling to Wisconsin's North Woods.
• Relaxing on the golf course.

<sub>John Giovannini CA Insurance License #4256306. Resident State: IL
2025 Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State: Awarded August 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/24 - 3/31/25 (Source: Forbes.com). 2024 Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State: Awarded August 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/23 - 3/31/24 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.

2026 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2026; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/24 - 3/31/25 (Source: Forbes.com). 2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/23 - 3/31/24 (Source: Forbes.com). 2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/22 - 3/31/23 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.</sub>

Phil serves as a client performance analyst with the Capstone Wealth Management Group at Wells Fargo Advisors, where he is dedicated to delivering exceptional service to the team’s clients. Phil plays a key role in developing comprehensive investment plans through eMoney®, analysis of investment research and management, assisting with account management, and relationships.

Before joining the Capstone team, Phil was a Financial Advisor at an independent investment firm in Chicago, IL. With six years of experience in the financial services industry, he brings a wealth of expertise to his current role.
6 Years of Experience

Role within Capstone Wealth Management Group

• Comprehensive Investment Planning (Utilizing eMoney)
• Portfolio Management
• Investment Analysis and Research

Personal Interests

• Phil resides in Plainfield, IL with his wife Hannah, daughter Evelyn, and their Shih Tzu, Bentley.
• An avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks.
• He enjoys fishing, golfing, and weightlifting.
• Phil and Hannah also love discovering new restaurants, attending country music concerts, and exploring the latest TV shows.

Phil Schlitter CA Insurance License #4237106. Resident State: IL