Lauren Susan Hopper

Heather Weber is a Managing Director and Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill, based in the Tampa Bay area. She has been a financial advisor since 1997 and joined Merrill in 2006. Her practice focuses on serving active and retired executives of public companies, particularly those in the transportation sector and individuals affiliated with defense-related industries. She advises clients with complex wealth profiles, emphasizing concentrated equity positions, borrowing against concentrated stock, diversification planning, and integrating these within broader financial and investment strategies. Heather's experience includes portfolio construction, retirement and estate planning considerations, and facilitating access to credit solutions through Bank of America as appropriate. She works closely with clients to evaluate strategies addressing the risks and opportunities of holding concentrated stock positions, including borrowing against equity holdings and coordinated planning alongside independent tax and legal advisors. Her approach centers on helping clients make informed decisions aligned with their financial objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida and a Master of Science degree from Tennessee State University. Heather holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation and the Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist™ (CRPS™) designation. She is a sustaining member of the Junior League and has served on the Military Affairs Committee for the Tampa Chamber of Commerce. Her personal interests include hiking, pickleball, and skiing.

Dana Lyon is a financial advisor at Capital Wise Advisory with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. Prior to founding Capital Wise Advisory, Mr. Lyon worked for Bank of America/Merrill Lynch for 12 years. He is also a Real Estate Sales associate and serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Grant-Booster Foundation, a nonprofit organization. Capital Wise Advisory is a fee-only independent investment adviser that provides discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning to individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals. The firm uses a combination of modern portfolio theory, fundamental and technical analysis, and integrates both passive and active investment strategies, with a focus on individualized service.

William Hughes is the sole advisor at William D Hughes in Odessa, FL, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses with nine years of industry experience. He previously worked at Waddell & Reed Inc for one year and operates a licensed CPA practice alongside his advisory services. Hughes also serves as an insurance agent for various carriers through W&R Insurance Agencies. His firm provides ongoing portfolio management to individual and high-net-worth clients, focusing on equities and fixed-income securities. The investment approach uses fundamental analysis and includes both long- and short-term trading, with accounts reviewed at least quarterly and customized to each client’s objectives and risk tolerance.

Jorge Diaz Druet is a financial advisor at Cima Sports & Wealth Management Inc with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Portfolio Medics, LLC and MassMutual. He is also involved with an affiliated accounting and tax-preparation business owned by the same principal. Cima Sports & Wealth Management is an independent, state-registered investment adviser serving individual retail clients, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm provides asset management and standalone financial planning services, employing fundamental analysis with strategic and tactical asset allocation, and operates with a single adviser using a designated custodian platform.

Donald Reynolds is the sole advisor at Reynolds Capital Management, Inc. in Safety Harbor, FL, with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Reynolds Capital Management since 2005, also working at Rogers Quimby & Associates from 2005 to 2017. Reynolds Capital Management provides discretionary asset management primarily to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs tailored investment strategies that incorporate fundamental and technical analysis, including the use of derivatives and options, with regular portfolio reviews and client evaluations.

Ralph Marra is the sole advisor at Carter Ridge Strategic Advisors, an independent firm based in Lutz, Florida. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 33 years of industry experience, including positions at Merrill, UBS Financial Services, Morgan Stanley, and National Securities Corporation. Since 2022, he has led Carter Ridge Strategic Advisors and also works as an insurance agent. Carter Ridge Strategic Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and investment consulting for individuals, families, small businesses, and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs fundamental, technical, and economic analysis across various strategies, including the use of options, derivatives, and margin techniques, and may manage assets through an unaffiliated third-party wrap fee program.