David Don Semersky

Larry Grogan is the principal of GROGAN Advisory Services, LLC, an independent advisory firm based in Johnson City, TN. He holds the Series 66 designation and has 26 years of industry experience, including 23 years with his current firm. Outside of his advisory work, he is an author, public speaker, and founder of a mental-health nonprofit. GROGAN Advisory Services primarily serves individual clients, including many high-net-worth individuals, as well as businesses, charities, and small pension plans. The firm provides wealth management services with a conservative investment approach, utilizing fundamental analysis and third-party research, and coordinates with specialist managers for alternative investments when appropriate.

Benjamin Edwards is a financial advisor at W.B. Edwards & Co. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with the firm since 2026. Prior to this, he has managed the Tennessee Lawn Company since 2015. W.B. Edwards & Co. is an independent investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses with portfolio management and financial planning services. The firm combines fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis across various investment strategies and also provides corporate advisory, public finance, treasury management, and research/valuation work.

Matthew Albritton is a financial advisor at Valor Financial Planning in Johnson City, TN, holding a Series 65 designation with two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Ferguson Wealth Management and American Values Investments. Valor Financial Planning is an independent, fee-only registered investment adviser serving primarily individual clients, as well as charitable organizations and businesses. The firm emphasizes long-term, passive portfolio construction with a focus on asset allocation and low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, offering various engagement formats including subscription-style retainers and specialized support for retirement-plan advice and student loan repayment.

Justin Lester is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Allied Investments in Johnson City, TN. He previously worked for Aldebaran Financial Inc. for 19 years. In addition to his advisory role, Lester provides professional trustee and executor services, managing assets within trusts and estates. Allied Investments offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, and tax preparation services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and corporations. The firm utilizes a long-term investment approach with a focus on exchange-traded funds and low-cost mutual funds, incorporating options and derivative strategies that are uncommon among peers.

Austin Reppart is a financial advisor at Lake Park Advisors with 10 years of industry experience and holds a Series 65 designation. He also serves as an operations manager and staff accountant at Eddy, CPA, where he provides tax preparation and accounting services. Lake Park Advisors offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and qualified plan consulting to individuals and business entities, managing approximately $18.7 million across 91 client relationships. The firm’s approach includes tailored investment programs based on clients’ goals and risk tolerance, with an emphasis on fundamental analysis and a range of investment strategies. A notable aspect of the firm is its affiliation with an active CPA and tax-preparation practice, providing clients with integrated tax and investment services or the option to keep them separate.

Phillip Worley is a CFP® and Series 65-registered advisor with WorthWhile Wealth Council, based in Johnson City, TN, and has four years of industry experience. He has been with WorthWhile Wealth Council since 2020 and previously worked at Worthwhile Wealth. Prior to his advisory career, he was employed at East Tennessee State University for six years. WorthWhile Wealth Council serves individual clients, including high-net-worth households, retirement plan sponsors, trusts, and small foundations by providing integrated wealth management, financial planning, and discretionary portfolio management as a fee-only fiduciary. The firm uses a strategic, global multi-asset allocation approach and offers client education, behavioral-finance coaching, and impact-investment screening tools.