Kristen Nicole Thomas

Sean Williams is a CFP® with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Cadence Wealth Partners, LLC since 2023. His prior experience includes roles at Instrumental Wealth, LLC and Northwestern Mutual. Outside of his financial advisory work, he is a father first. He enjoys woodworking and playing the banjo. He also loves Gator sports, even when the teams are terrible. Cadence Wealth Partners is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm in Concord, NC specializing in helping business owners and pre-retirees (55+) reduce taxes, plan retirement income, and prepare for business exits and major life transitions. Our team includes CFP®, CEPA, and RICP credentialed advisors who take a whole-picture approach — investments, tax planning, estate planning, and risk management working together. We work with clients locally and virtually across the U.S. Named a 2025 & 2026 Wealthtender Voice of the Client Highly Rated Advisor.

David Whitaker is a financial advisor at Rooted Planning LLC in Mooresville, NC, holding CFP® and ChFC® designations with 10 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Northwestern Mutual and Financial Analysis Inc. Additionally, he owns Rooted Finances LLC, which offers tax preparation and consulting services. Rooted Planning LLC is an independent, state-registered investment adviser serving individual and high-net-worth clients through discretionary portfolio management and fee-based financial planning. The firm constructs customized, primarily long-term portfolios using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, incorporating various securities as appropriate, and also serves charitable organizations, corporations, trusts, and estates.

Leonard Marte is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Abundant Advisors, LLC. He previously worked at The Vanguard Group, Inc. for 11 years and at SmartPath, Inc. for two years. Abundant Advisors serves mass-affluent, high-net-worth, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, offering discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm employs investment strategies based on fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, combining passive ETFs and active funds with attention to tax efficiency and regular portfolio reviews.

Timothy Pope is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at 360 Aviation Advisors, LLC in Concord, NC. His prior experience includes roles at Cetera, PNC Investments, and The Vanguard Group. Outside of advising, he hosts a financial planning podcast called "Pilot's Portfolio," which targets professional pilots. 360 Aviation Advisors is an independent registered investment adviser that provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, and coordinated tax preparation services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm employs a passive investment approach grounded in Modern Portfolio Theory and offers tailored investment policy statements without a firmwide account minimum.

Michael Sherman is the principal of Sherman Wealth Solutions LLC in Charlotte, NC. He holds the CFP® designation and has 11 years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Raymond James Financial Services and Hightower Advisors, as well as managing affiliated tax and insurance businesses. He is also appointed as the court administrator for two family estates. Sherman Wealth Solutions offers investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and employer retirement plans. The firm manages portfolios using ETFs, mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, and serves as an ERISA fiduciary for retirement plans.

Michael Bookhardt is the managing member of Affluence Advisory LLC and holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses. He has three years of industry experience, including a prior role at The Vanguard Group. In addition to his advisory work, he is a managing member of SIB General Contractors LLC, a general business he has been involved with since 2006. Affluence Advisory LLC provides discretionary investment supervisory services to individuals, businesses, trusts, foundations, and other charitable entities. The firm builds individualized portfolios primarily using passively managed no-load mutual funds and ETFs, employing asset-allocation strategies informed by modern portfolio theory and a long-term equity orientation.