Aurea Wangerien

Matthew Unger is the sole advisor at Unger Financial in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 license with 22 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. for 16 years before founding Unger Financial in 2021. Unger is also an independent insurance agent, offering disability, life, and long-term care insurance products. Unger Financial provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $15.94 million across about 69 accounts. The firm offers tailored portfolio management using various strategies and integrates complex outside holdings into clients’ overall financial plans, with a focus on both discretionary and non-discretionary managed accounts.

Kevin Brown is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Fortress Private Ledger, LLC. His prior experience includes roles at Fidelity Investments and Simplicity Wealth. Outside of his advisory work, he is also active as an Uber driver. Fortress Private Ledger advises individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a dynamic investment approach that combines trend identification, technical analysis, and complementary strategies across a variety of securities and model programs.

Jacob Stewart is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with five years of industry experience. He is currently with Wealth More Enterprise, Inc., where he has worked since 2024, and also has ongoing experience at Brightside since 2022. His previous roles include positions at Garrett Investment Advisors, Zeiders Enterprises, and Wells Fargo Advisors. Outside of his advisory work, Stewart is involved with Brightside as a financial assistant. Wealth More Enterprise provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individual U.S. investors through a primarily digital platform. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management via a wrap-fee program that integrates proprietary algorithms with human advisor consultations and serves clients through tiered plans and app-based access.

Stephen Barden is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 11 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Members Trust Company since 2016 and has worked with multiple entities related to State Employees’ Credit Union since 2004. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management and retirement planning with a focus on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs. The firm’s investment adviser representatives are salaried employees of the parent credit union, and clients retain full decision-making authority over their accounts.

Giovanni Todesco is a financial advisor at Belpointe Asset Management LLC with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with Belpointe since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he also works as a parcel delivery supervisor. Belpointe Asset Management serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, corporations, and other advisers. The firm offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing customized portfolios that combine internal management with third-party relationships tailored to client objectives and risk tolerance.

Zachary Green is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience, currently advising at Merit Financial Advisors. He has held positions at firms including Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Wealth Enhancement Group, Morgan Stanley, and E*TRADE. Since 2013, he has also served as an adjunct faculty member teaching online courses at Liberty University. Merit Financial Group, LLC manages approximately $10.6 billion and serves a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and customizable strategies overseen by a central Investment Management team and an Investment Committee.