John Gordon Christian IV

Wendolyn Forbes is a CFP® professional with 17 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently with Advisory Services Network and has previously worked at Bank of America, Merrill, and Wells Fargo. Outside of her advisory role, she is an author of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, and serves on multiple nonprofit boards including Working Wheels, Haywood Chamber of Commerce, Haywood Vocational Opportunities, Haywood Community College Foundation, and Lake Logan Retreat Center. She also leads indoor cycling classes. Advisory Services Network serves individuals, families, corporations, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans through a network of independent Investment Adviser Representatives. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and investment consulting using a variety of strategies across asset classes, managing approximately $8.6 billion in client assets.

Jack Bishop III is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network and the owner of Bishop Financial Group, LLC. He previously spent ten years at Edward Jones. Outside of his advisory work, he is co-owner of Bishop Endeavors, LLC, an entity connected to his financial services business. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,900 advisors and managing over $210 billion in client assets. The firm offers a comprehensive adviser-support platform with various managed account programs, third-party asset manager access, and custodial services.

Sebastien Gruaz is a CFP® and Series 66 licensed advisor with Valic Financial Advisors and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Valic Financial Advisors in 2023, he worked at United Surgical Partners International and held positions at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Houston Methodist. He is also appointed as an agent to sell non-securities insurance products for AGIA. Valic Financial Advisors serves primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients, as well as employer-sponsored retirement participants. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services through a large network of advisors, utilizing discretionary unified managed accounts and a range of model-based investment solutions.

Cameron Bennett is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (New York Life) based in Waynesville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and five years of industry experience. He has worked with Eagle Strategies since 2022 and has been affiliated with NYLIFE Securities LLC and New York Life Insurance Company since 2020. Outside of his advisory role, Bennett serves as a board member for the AYSO youth soccer organization and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Theological Studies through Westminster Theological Seminary. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, and institutional clients, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and manages the majority of its assets on a non-discretionary basis within the New York Life affiliate structure.

Elizabeth Waters is a CFP® professional with 17 years of industry experience. She is currently with Farther and has previously worked at Commonwealth Financial Network and operated Stable Waters Financial. Waters is also an independent insurance agent. Farther serves individual investors, trusts, and estates through a technology-driven advisory platform, offering discretionary investment management, retirement plan consulting, and non-discretionary recommendations for private investment funds. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based approach using bespoke and algorithmic model portfolios with automatic rebalancing.

Daniel Stanush is a financial advisor with Schwab Wealth Advisory who holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 15 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Charles Schwab since 2011 and with Schwab Wealth Advisory since 2026. Schwab Wealth Advisory, Inc. provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice to clients enrolled in the Schwab Wealth Advisory program, offering annual financial reviews, retirement planning, and investment recommendations using Schwab’s research tools and standard asset allocation models. The firm operates as an internal advisory unit within the Schwab ecosystem and does not act as a discretionary portfolio manager.