Mark Sumner

David Whitaker is a CFP® and ChFC® with nine years of industry experience. He is the principal of Rooted Planning LLC in Mooresville, NC, and has prior experience at Northwestern Mutual and Financial Analysis Inc. In addition to his advisory work, he is involved in tax preparation and consulting through Rooted Finances LLC. Rooted Planning LLC is an independent, state-registered investment adviser serving individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as charitable organizations, corporations, trusts, and estates. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and fee-based financial planning, focusing on customized, primarily long-term portfolios using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, supplemented by individual securities when appropriate.

Patrick Riley is the principal advisor at Optimal Planning LLC in Concord, NC, with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at LPL Financial from 2013 to 2016. In addition to his advisory role, Riley is an insurance agent with Wealth Management of the Carolinas, dedicating about 20% of his time to this activity. Optimal Planning LLC offers investment management, financial planning, and educational seminars to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm primarily utilizes passive investment strategies with index mutual funds and ETFs, complemented by fundamental and cyclical analysis, and manages the majority of client assets on a non-discretionary basis.

Michael Fuhr, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Founder of Evergreen Wealth Services, a fee-only financial advisory firm located in Mooresville, North Carolina. Michael provides experienced financial planning and investment management services to individuals and families. His goal is to help clients make wise financial decisions to ensure a secure financial future. Michael believes that financial planning is the cornerstone of your financial success, starting with your unique goals and objectives. Ongoing services address the following core areas: retirement planning, investments, tax strategies, maximizing employee benefits (private and Federal), education funding, real estate financing, insurance review, estate and legacy planning and charitable giving strategies. As an independent, fee-only Financial Advisor, Michael does not receive commissions or other incentives. He acts in your best interests as your fiduciary advisor and his only loyalty is to you. He serves clients in the Lake Norman, Charlotte and surrounding areas. He also works with clients virtually across the country. Michael grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He and his family reside in Mooresville, North Carolina.

David Hedges is a financial advisor at Bookman Bright, Inc. with 23 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Bookman Bright, Inc. since 2012, including operating Bookman Bright Consulting, Inc. since 2013. Outside of his advisory work, he owns College Bound Financial, through which he assists clients with college financial planning, including calculating expected family contributions and completing FAFSA forms. Bookman Bright, Inc. provides comprehensive financial planning, portfolio management, and pension plan consulting primarily for individual clients. The firm manages approximately $22.2 million across about 87 clients, using tailored asset allocation models and a combination of fundamental and technical analysis, and may recommend third-party investment advisers as part of its services.

Brendan Willmann is the principal of Granada Wealth Management, LLC in Davidson, NC, with 25 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and CFA® designations and has previously worked at LPL Financial. In addition to his advisory role, he provides tax preparation and client representation before the IRS through a related business. Granada Wealth Management is an independent, single-advisor SEC-registered firm serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm offers discretionary investment management, comprehensive financial planning, and corporate retirement plan advisory services, with an investment approach that includes long-term portfolio construction using ETFs, mutual funds, and U.S. Treasuries.

Kristina Schuler is a financial advisor at Allied Oak Wealth, LLC with seven years of industry experience. She holds the Series 65 designation and has worked previously at Paradiem, LLC, Hancock Whitney Investment Services, Inc., and Edelman Financial Engines. Outside of her advisory role, she is an independent contractor distributor for Young Living Essential Oils. Allied Oak Wealth, LLC is a registered investment advisor serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates. The firm employs a long-term, fundamental-analysis approach to portfolio construction, primarily using exchange-traded funds and individual stocks, and generally manages accounts on a discretionary basis.