Juan Carlos Suarez

Jean Alden is a Series 65 licensed financial advisor with 18 years of experience, serving clients through Liberated Investor Advisors, LLC since 2008. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning primarily for individual clients, including both high-net-worth and non-HNW investors. Liberated Investor Advisors utilizes model portfolios and third-party money managers to implement investment strategies focused on diversification and long-term purchase approaches across ETFs, mutual funds, and individual stocks. The firm operates as a small, single-advisor practice, with Jean Alden directly managing client relationships.

Douglas Alden is a financial advisor with Liberated Investor Advisors, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Liberated Investor Advisors since 2007 and also holds roles at Winning Point Advisors, L.L.C. and Efficient Advisors, LLC. Alden is president of Alden Agency, Inc., an independent insurance agency selling life and disability products. Liberated Investor Advisors, LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individual clients, including both high-net-worth and non-HNW investors. The firm primarily uses model portfolios and third-party money managers, focusing on diversification and long-term investment strategies across ETFs, mutual funds, and individual stocks.

Dustin Poteat is a financial advisor with Gradient Advisors, LLC and holds a Series 65 designation. He has one year of industry experience and a background that includes roles at Crane Resistoflex and Premier Insurance Services, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a consultant in operations and analytics for a manufacturing firm. Gradient Advisors, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting to a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm operates primarily through third-party money managers and Investment Advisor Representatives, utilizing a largely non-discretionary model and multiple analytical approaches to support client portfolios.

Ryan West is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has seven years of industry experience, including roles at Members Trust Company and State Employees' Credit Union. Outside of his financial career, West serves as a financial assistant at East Marion Baptist Church, managing accounts payable, budgeting, and bank reconciliation. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm focuses on recommending low-cost, mostly index-based mutual funds and ETFs, fixed-income products, and supports a goals-based, long-term planning approach.

Catherine Zieman is a CFP® with 38 years of industry experience, currently serving at Advisory Services Network since 2019. Her prior roles include positions at Field Point Private and Neuberger Berman LLC. Outside of her advisory work, she is the managing partner of High Pointe International Equestrian Tours, a travel agency she operates as a hobby. Advisory Services Network serves individuals, families, trusts, estates, corporations, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, investment and retirement-plan consulting, and third-party manager selection through a network of independent advisers.

Boyd Phillips II is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Marion, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Eagle Strategies since 2007 and has maintained concurrent roles with Nylife Securities LLC, New York Life Insurance Co, and Phillips Financial Group, LLC since 2006. Outside of advisory work, Phillips owns and operates a seedling plant business and participates in several local boards, including the McDowell County Schools board and the Mission Hospital McDowell oversight board. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, and institutional clients, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm offers multiple program types tailored to client objectives and emphasizes non-discretionary asset management within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.