Our Local Team

We are passionate about our clients' financial interests . We believe that truly getting to know what is important to clients and then overlaying strategic financial planning is critical to the success of any retirement, investment, and wealth management program; doing what is right for them, their families, and/or their organization or company

We are a values-driven and goal based investment management firm who's mission is about improved life financial outcomes, achieving financial security and financial confidence for one's self, one's family, and, in a larger context, one's business and our community.

Ensuring more financially secure lives is a passion for us. As a private independent firm, we have no obligations to proprietary products. We have particular experience working decades for medical doctors, physicians and healthcare workers.
Investment minimums for individual clients are $250,000 in investable assets and $3,000,000 for retirement plans and corporate clients.
We also have the ability to work with clients by means of a retainer or hourly fee.

David Cyrs, MS, CFP®, AIF®, CRC®

Sr. Partner & President

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He is passionate about positively changing people's life financial outcomes. His energy and enthusiasm for making a difference in people's lives are apparent in the office hallways, meeting rooms, or educational presentations. Having designed and developed retirement plans and welfare benefit plans for many of the largest employers in the Northern Illinois region, including executive compensation, nonqualified deferred compensation, and 401(k)s, David brings valuable experience to working with business owners, executives, medical doctors, physicians, and all people planning for or near retirement. For more than 30 years, he has been executing financial planning and capital management.

David believes in giving back to his community and does so by volunteering in various trusted community leadership positions, including years with the Rockford-area Chamber Leadership mentorship program, 10 years as a board member for the MILL Youth Center and Mill Foundation for disadvantaged youth, and 6 years on the board of directors for the Rosecrance Health Network Foundation and Rosecrance Health Network and on the finance board of his church.

In leisure, he loves the outdoors and spending time at "the Lake in Northern Wisconsin." Fishing, boating, and golfing are favorite outdoor activities. He particularly likes reading history and a "shareholder" of the NFL, Green Bay Packers. He is most happy enjoying family outdoor activities, even an occasional basketball pickup game, family football, or skiing event.

David holds the Certified Retirement Counselor^® (CRC^®) designation and has earned the trusted advisor role for highly discerning financial professionals, including CPAs, corporate financial officers, and lawyers. He is highly experienced in developing and implementing customized investment management strategies, in addition to engineered retirement portfolios. He is knowledgeable and experienced in individual tax planning, estate planning, intergenerational wealth transfer, and strategic charitable philanthropy. He obtained the Accredited Investment Fiduciary^®(AIF^®) designation in 2006. He has unique knowledge and experience in health care financial planning. David has a BA in financial management/economics and an MS in business. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and brings decades of executive-level corporate strategic financial planning, capital management, and investment experience to clients. Registered in General Securities since 1995, he founded CYRS Wealth Advisors in 2007, specializing in private, independent retirement, and fee-based consultative investment management solutions.

David Cyrs is proud to have been recognized as a Summit Club advisor for 2016 & 2017, and a Vista Club advisor for 2018—a distinction based on annual production that places him/her among the top 27 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network. Each year, Commonwealth, the Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer that helps us process investment transactions on your behalf, recognizes Vista Club advisors by inviting them to an exclusive gathering of their peers, leading industry experts, and Commonwealth home office staff. Vista Club advisors benefit from an intensive learning and networking experience designed to help them hone their expertise, share best practices, and provide ever-higher levels of service, education, and leadership to their clients

*Based on 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria, including a minimum of 5 years as an active credentialed financial professional, favorable regulatory and complaint history, accepts new clients, client retention rates, client assets administered, education, and professional designations. 5,430 award candidates in the Chicago area were considered for the Five Star Wealth Manager award. 429 (8 percent of candidates) were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers. (The criteria provided reflect the most recent year for which advisor received the award. The criteria used, the number of wealth managers considered for the award, and the percentage of those who receive the award may vary from year to year). These awards are not indicative of the wealth managers' future performance. Your experiences may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

John P. O'Connor, CFP®, AIF®, CPFA, AAMS®

Senior Wealth Manager

[email protected]

John believes in developing a comprehensive financial plan for clients focused on their goals and values. With well over a decade of experience, his expertise includes strategic retirement income planning and wealth management, serving as a 3(21) fiduciary to corporate retirement plans and providing participant education, income tax and tax-efficient investing and distribution strategies, estate planning and analysis, and long-term health care solutions. John is an excellent educator and has many family members in education. He truly listens to the people he works with and understands that each individual client is unique. As an independent advisor, he has developed a reputation for excellence in client service and has a passion for helping clients by representing their best interests. These valued clients often refer their friends and family to him.

John is actively involved in the local community and believes in giving back. He is a Shriner, board member for Youth Services Network (YSN), a deacon at his church, and is on the finance committee and is a board member for Build a Dream, an organization that builds schools and provides resources for underprivileged children in Mexico.

Outside the office, he spends time with his family and has two daughters and two sons. He enjoys annual Canadian fishing trips, traveling, live music, golfing, boating, and reading early American history (of which he is particularly fond). He is a member of Star in the East Lodge #166, Rockford Cosmopolitan Club, Financial Planning Association (FPA), and the Financial Services Institute.

John has a BA from Western Illinois University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner. He attained the Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® (AIF^®) designation in 2013 and also holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) credential developed by some of the nation's leading advisors and retirement experts. John obtained the Accredited Asset Management Specialist℠ (AAMS^®) designation from the College for Financial Planning in 2014. John holds FINRA Series 7 (General Securities Representative) and Series 65 (Uniform Investment Advisor Law Examination) securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network®.

Heidi M. Burds

Senior Client Service Manager

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Heidi attended Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois, where she graduated with a BA in business administration. She began her career in financial services in early 2008 at RBC Wealth Management. Her passion for putting clients first quickly advanced her to a management role. She was valued, most notably, for her professionalism, efficiency, and attention to detail.

Heidi is highly experienced in guiding clients through the complex details of financial planning, retirement planning, and wealth services. In addition to her operational, client service and administrative support, Heidi is instrumental in contributing to our firm’s development and goals.

Heidi holds her FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network^® and life/health insurance and annuities licenses. She is also a notary public in the state of Illinois.

Outside the office, Heidi enjoys vacationing and spending time with her family, attending school, church, theater, and sporting events.

Celeste Miller

Office Administrator

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Celeste Miller has over 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. Her broad-based experience makes her an excellent office administrator. She understands client’s needs and has successfully supported firm operations on a consistent basis. She treats clients with a five‐star experience. She enjoys participating in self-motivated classes at local college. Celeste was born and raised in Rockford, a wife and mother of two. She enjoys going to the gym, spending time with her family and walking her dog.