Austin Lytle

David Whitaker is a CFP® and ChFC® with nine years of industry experience. He is the principal of Rooted Planning LLC in Mooresville, NC, and has prior experience at Northwestern Mutual and Financial Analysis Inc. In addition to his advisory work, he is involved in tax preparation and consulting through Rooted Finances LLC. Rooted Planning LLC is an independent, state-registered investment adviser serving individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as charitable organizations, corporations, trusts, and estates. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and fee-based financial planning, focusing on customized, primarily long-term portfolios using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, supplemented by individual securities when appropriate.

Leonard Marte is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Abundant Advisors, LLC. He previously worked at The Vanguard Group, Inc. for 11 years and at SmartPath, Inc. for two years. Abundant Advisors serves mass-affluent, high-net-worth, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, offering discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm employs investment strategies based on fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, combining passive ETFs and active funds with attention to tax efficiency and regular portfolio reviews.

Timothy Pope is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving as the principal advisor at 360 Aviation Advisors, LLC. His prior roles include positions at Cetera Investment Advisers and The Vanguard Group. He hosts the "Pilot’s Portfolio" podcast, which focuses on financial planning for professional pilots. 360 Aviation Advisors serves individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, and sponsors of pension and profit-sharing plans, providing investment management, financial planning, and employee benefit plan advisory services. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based approach with primarily passive allocations and integrates financial planning with ongoing portfolio management.

Phillip Gussman is the sole advisor at Bulldog Asset Management, Inc., an independent firm based in Huntersville, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has 16 years of industry experience. Since 2006, Mr. Gussman has been self-employed and also spends the majority of his time working with non-profits through Gussman Consulting, assisting with fundraising, messaging, and web development. Bulldog Asset Management provides investment supervisory and portfolio management services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, corporate pension and profit-sharing plans, and trusts. The firm manages approximately $61 million across 45 client accounts, focusing on diversified asset allocation tailored to each client’s financial situation, objectives, and risk tolerance, with ongoing discretionary management and regular portfolio reviews.

Patrick Riley is the principal advisor at Optimal Planning LLC in Concord, NC, with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at LPL Financial from 2013 to 2016. In addition to his advisory role, Riley is an insurance agent with Wealth Management of the Carolinas, dedicating about 20% of his time to this activity. Optimal Planning LLC offers investment management, financial planning, and educational seminars to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm primarily utilizes passive investment strategies with index mutual funds and ETFs, complemented by fundamental and cyclical analysis, and manages the majority of client assets on a non-discretionary basis.

Alexandra Rickard is the sole advisor at Rickard Investment Consulting, LLC, a state-registered advisory firm based in Concord, NC. She holds a Series 65 credential and has professional experience spanning roles at Novant Health, Bonded Logistics, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Rickard Investment Consulting, LLC provides investment advisory services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, offering portfolio analysis, ongoing monitoring, and periodic review meetings. The firm uses fundamental and technical analysis to tailor portfolios across cash, equity, and fixed income, incorporates options strategy education, and operates on a non-discretionary basis.