Melanie Whitehurst

Ellis Sloan is a CFA® charterholder with 29 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at APEX Wealth Management. His career includes roles at Kernodle & Katon Tax and Asset Management Group and a long tenure as an assistant professor at Harding University. Sloan holds ownership interests in several non-investment related businesses, including land development and commercial property management. APEX Wealth Management provides tailored wealth management, financial consulting, and retirement plan services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and government entities. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach, managing approximately $52 million across diverse client relationships with both discretionary and non-discretionary service models.

Amanda Wihebrink is a financial advisor at Farther with a Series 65 credential and one year of industry experience. She previously worked at Goldman Sachs PFM/United Capital for four years and at Whitlow Engineering Services for seven years. Amanda is a silent partner in Paragon Drafting Services LLC, a consulting and drafting business. Farther serves individual investors, trusts, and estates through a technology-driven advisory platform and direct meetings. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach using bespoke and algorithmic model portfolios, primarily allocating among ETFs, mutual funds, equities, and fixed income.

John Pinkley is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has been with Thrivent and its predecessor entities since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, Pinkley receives residual income from a non-producing insurance agent position with AFLAC. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on holistic, goal-based financial planning without discretionary trading authority. The firm offers these planning services separately from managed accounts, allowing clients to combine both under a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan.”

Debra Elgen is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with eight years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones continuously since 2012. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a national network of financial advisors and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Barry Brown is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2001 and holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Outside of his advisory role, he is president of Cha-Lex Holdings LLC, a holding company based in Searcy, Arkansas. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of investment strategies and advisory services, supported by a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Wesley Sowell is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Searcy, Arkansas, with nine years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Edward Jones and Cottingham & Butler since 2017, with prior experience at Burnett Insurance. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management and offers a range of investment strategies and affiliated services supported by a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.