Jessica Beard

Joseph Leonard is a financial advisor with Leonard Wealth Management, LLC in Lincolnton, NC, holding a Series 63 license and 24 years of industry experience. He previously worked at AE Wealth Management, Foundation For Financial Education, Formula Folio Investments, and Retirement Wealth Advisors. Outside of advising, he provides trumpet lessons and performances through his Cain Leonard Trumpet Studio and offers adult education on retirement planning. Leonard Wealth Management, LLC is an independent registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, charities, and pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm provides comprehensive financial planning, hourly consulting, estate-settlement assistance, and discretionary portfolio management, using a combination of model portfolios, third-party advisors, and various portfolio construction techniques.

Matthew Kale is a financial advisor with Extraordinary Kale LLC, holding a Series 65 designation. He is based in Lincolnton, North Carolina. Outside of his advisory role, he maintains an unrelated executive position in a separate business. Extraordinary Kale LLC provides advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and business entities, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan rollover advice. The firm uses a primarily value-oriented, long-term investment approach combined with tactical and strategic allocation techniques, incorporating fundamental and technical analysis as well as derivative strategies when appropriate.

John Zarinsky is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at SafeBridge LLC since 2016. His prior roles include positions at Horter Investment Management, LLC and AE Wealth Management, LLC, as well as running Zarinsky Wealth Management. He holds a license to sell life insurance and annuities but does not receive commissions from these products. SafeBridge primarily serves individuals and families nearing or in retirement, focusing on retirement income planning and tax-aware advice. The firm employs a long-term, retirement-oriented investment approach using low-cost broad-market index ETFs and high-quality fixed income, with integrated tax planning and optional tax-return preparation as part of its services.

Andrew Watkins is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services in Denver, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 15 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Advisors and Wells Fargo Clearing. He leads a team providing one-on-one investment advice to retirement plan participants eligible for distributions. Principal Advised Services offers investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, combining third-party and proprietary methodologies. The firm operates within the Principal Financial Group family, providing access to affiliated products and integrated services.

Richard Reber is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 17 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with LPL Financial and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank. In addition to his advisory work, he is the author of "How to Talk to Your Partner About Money and Not Kill Each Other." LPL Financial provides advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, institutions, and high-net-worth households. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management options supported by an in-house research team and a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Patrick Wittekind is a financial advisor with Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He has been with Stifel Independent Advisors since 2004 and has also been self-employed since 2003. Stifel Independent Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, trusts, and public entities, offering both brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm uses a collaborative planning process with proprietary modeling to tailor asset allocation recommendations and provides a range of financial services depending on client needs.