Gar Wood Securities Welcomes Bret DeGood as Chief Financial Officer
Gar Wood Securities welcomes Bret DeGood as Chief Financial Officer, a newly created role in which he also serves as the firm’s Series 27 FINOP. Bret brings experience in public accounting and broker-dealer financial reporting from RSM and B.C. Ziegler.
Gar Wood Securities Welcomes Brett Mezatis as Client Service & Trading Operations Representative
Gar Wood Securities welcomes Brett Mezatis as its new Client Service & Trading Operations Representative. Brett is a recent Illinois State University finance graduate and first-place winner of the university’s trading club competition, and he will support the firm’s trading operations, client service, investment banking, and compliance teams.
Teeing Up for Kids with Dyslexia: The Brent Sopel Foundation Golf Outing
Gar Wood Securities joined the Brent Sopel Foundation golf outing at Riverside Golf Club to support kids with dyslexia. It was a day of competition, connection and giving back, spent alongside our friends at Cboe Global Markets.
The Conviction Standard: How We Back the Middle Market
Strong middle market companies often get lost at big institutions, treated as "too small" or run through a process instead of a partnership. Gar Wood's investment banking division takes a different approach, built on three commitments: back what's tangible, move at the speed of conviction, and run on relationships, not transactions.
Gar Wood Securities Proud to Sponsor Invest For Kids 2026
Gar Wood Securities is proud to sponsor the 18th Annual Invest For Kids Conference on October 28, 2026, in Chicago – an event where leading investors share ideas and 100% of proceeds go to nonprofits supporting local youth.
Investing in the Next Generation: Gar Wood Securities at STAC Young Professionals
Gar Wood Securities' Craig Gantar served as a Mentor at STAC Young Professionals' Summer Social, joining industry veterans in supporting the next generation of Chicago's securities talent.
An Evening with Chicago's Investment Community: Gar Wood at Invest For Kids
Gar Wood Securities joined Chicago's finance community for an evening of networking and family office insights at Invest For Kids' summer event.
A Day on the Course: Recapping the 6th Annual KGF Celebrity Pro-Am
On June 20th, Gar Wood Securities joined the Kids Golf Foundation and Bo Jackson's Give Me A Chance Foundation at Rich Harvest Farms for the 6th Annual KGF Celebrity Pro-Am — helping equip 80+ kids with new golf gear and supporting a foundation now running 91 programs across Illinois.
Gar Wood Securities Proud to Sponsor the 6th Annual KGF Celebrity Pro-Am Benefiting Bo Jackson's Give Me A Chance Foundation
Gar Wood Securities is proud to sponsor the 6th Annual KGF Celebrity Pro-Am at Rich Harvest Farms on June 20th, supporting the Kids Golf Foundation in providing over 80 youth participants with equipment, training, and access to the game.
Gar Wood Securities Welcomes Patryk Wydrych
Gar Wood Securities is pleased to welcome Patryk Wydrych to the team. In his new role as Associate, Patryk supports brokerage and banking operations — bringing a grounded, people-first perspective shaped by a background in automotive sales and law enforcement.
Gar Wood Securities Advises on Acquisition of American Infrastructure Services, Inc. by Michiana Contracting
Gar Wood Securities served as the exclusive placement agent in Michiana Contracting’s acquisition of American Infrastructure Services, Inc., expanding infrastructure and electrical capabilities across the Midwest and Southeast.
The 5 Friction Points in Professional Trading
Most trading losses don’t come from bad ideas. They come from friction – hidden in routing, support, risk systems, and infrastructure. Here are the five pressure points that matter when markets move fast.
Gar Wood Securities Proudly Sponsors STAC’s 100th Annual Mid-Winter Meeting | January 21-22, 2026
Gar Wood Securities is proud to support STAC’s 100th Annual Mid-Winter Meeting, bringing industry leaders together to discuss the future of trading and markets.
Gar Wood Securities Attends the 2025 Invest For Kids Chicago Conference
Gar Wood Securities joined industry leaders at the 2025 Invest For Kids Chicago conference – an event that unites finance professionals to share insights and support youth-focused charities across Chicago.
Gar Wood Securities Sponsors the Sopel Foundation for Dyslexia’s Golf Outing
Gar Wood Securities was a proud sponsor of the recent Sopel Foundation for Dyslexia's annual golf outing. It was a fantastic day to swing the irons with Brent Sopel and so many foundation supporters.
Beyond Finance: Gar Wood Securities at New York’s Private Collector Car Show
Gar Wood Securities proudly sponsored a private collector car show at the East River Helipad in New York City. The event brought together vintage cars, families, and the local community — reflecting our commitment to building connections beyond finance.
Behind The Desk: Jason Toledo
Jason has been with Gar Wood since 2018, but his journey into independence started long before that. After building a successful team for someone else, he made the leap to launch Toledo Trade – a DBA of Gar Wood Securities serving self-directed traders worldwide. What started as a business decision quickly became something much more personal.
Behind The Desk: Bobby Jersey
Mental health isn’t just something I think about – it’s something I actively work on every day. I’ve learned that staying strong, both mentally and physically, isn’t just about discipline. It’s about having a purpose beyond yourself, showing up for others, and knowing when to ask for help.
2025 Dyslexic Stars Charity Hockey Game
Gar Wood team joined former National Hockey League (NHL) players – including Brent Sopel – Illinois labor union members, families and friends from our incredible community to sponsor an unforgettable charity hockey event in support of Sopel Foundation for Dyslexia and its mission to raise awareness for dyslexia and ADHD.
Gar Wood Securities x Rockin’ the Hill
Join us on Saturday, July 26, 2025 for a night of live music, good company, and unforgettable summer energy – all set on one of the most beautiful private estates in the country. This year’s headline: Stone Temple Pilots