James Edward Clouse

Gary Stratton is a financial advisor with Vistafront Partners Inc in Frankfort, KY, holding a Series 65 credential and five years of industry experience. He has an extensive academic background, serving as an Associate Professor of Economics and Finance at Kentucky State University since 2017, following over two decades at The University of Virginia's College at Wise. Outside of advising, he is involved with several community and philanthropic ventures, including roles as a consultant and registered agent for nonprofit initiatives supporting historically Black colleges and local business development. Vistafront Partners provides discretionary portfolio management primarily for individual clients, trusts, and business owners. The firm employs a combination of fundamental and technical analysis with a long-term buy-and-hold investment approach across stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and REITs, managing around $650,000 across 24 client accounts.

Jacob Larue is a CFP® certificant with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Savvy. He has previously worked with Focus Financial and Osaic Wealth, Inc. Larue is also a partner in Perspective 6 Wealth Advisors LLC and owns LaRue Financial Planning, LLC. Savvy provides investment and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, businesses, ERISA plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, offering customized, primarily index-based portfolios alongside active equity and tax-aware strategies. The firm integrates third-party fintech tools and specialized sub-adviser strategies while providing in-house tax preparation and estate-planning support.

Craig Coker is a financial advisor with Silver Oak Securities, Inc., holding the ChFC® and Series 66 designations and having 20 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Cantella & Co., Inc., Allstate Financial, and Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of his advisory work, he is a part owner of Autumn Shade Farm, where he assists with general upkeep. Silver Oak Securities, Inc. serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and other business entities through a network of about 101 financial professionals. The firm manages roughly $2.4 billion in discretionary assets and offers a variety of advisory programs tailored to client objectives and risk tolerances, combining discretionary investment management with operational features like ongoing model monitoring and automatic investment processes.

Geoffrey Smarte is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Advisory Services Network, LLC, where he has worked since 2020. He has 18 years of industry experience, including nine years at Fisher Investments. Beyond his advisory role, he serves as chairman of Smarte Investments, a charitable organization that provides donations and scholarships to students and families. Advisory Services Network is a multi-team firm serving individuals, families, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans through a network of independent investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of services including portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, employing varied securities and investment strategies tailored to client objectives and risk tolerances.

Jason Hagen is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 24 years of industry experience. He has a background that includes roles at Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines, and several business ventures in financial services and property management. Hagen also serves as president of MSI Financial Group Inc., a residential and commercial property and casualty company. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a broad client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, offering both advisory and broker-dealer services through proprietary and third-party model portfolios and programs.

Natalie Thomas is a financial advisor with Osaic Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Osaic Wealth Inc, Capital Financial Advisors, CTM Financial Group LLC, and Charles T. Mitchell Company PLLC. She also operated a business called Candi's Closet from 2021 to 2022. Osaic Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, trusts, charitable organizations, and governmental entities. The firm offers a range of services such as investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and specialized offerings like annuity sub-account management and donor-advised fund advisory.