Charles Thompson

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.

Michael Sherman is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Sherman Wealth Solutions LLC in Charlotte, NC. His background includes roles in financial services, tax preparation, and insurance through various entities he owns and operates. Sherman also acts as a court-appointed administrator for the estates of two relatives. Sherman Wealth Solutions advises individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans, providing investment management, tiered financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services. The firm offers customized portfolio construction using ETFs, mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, and provides formal retirement-plan consulting in an ERISA fiduciary capacity, supported by affiliated tax and insurance services.

Michael Bookhardt is the managing member of Affluence Advisory LLC in Mount Holly, NC, with two years of industry experience. Prior to founding Affluence Advisory in 2023, he worked at The Vanguard Group from 2021 to 2022. He is also the managing member of SIB General Contractors LLC, a general business he has been involved with since 2006. Affluence Advisory LLC provides discretionary investment supervisory services to individuals, businesses, trusts, foundations, and other charitable entities. The firm builds individualized portfolios using low-cost, passively managed mutual funds and ETFs, applying asset-allocation strategies based on modern portfolio theory and a long-term equity orientation.

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.