Michael Steven Ames

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.

Phillip Gussman is the sole advisor at Bulldog Asset Management, Inc., an independent firm based in Huntersville, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has 16 years of industry experience. Since 2006, Mr. Gussman has been self-employed and also spends the majority of his time working with non-profits through Gussman Consulting, assisting with fundraising, messaging, and web development. Bulldog Asset Management provides investment supervisory and portfolio management services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, corporate pension and profit-sharing plans, and trusts. The firm manages approximately $61 million across 45 client accounts, focusing on diversified asset allocation tailored to each client’s financial situation, objectives, and risk tolerance, with ongoing discretionary management and regular portfolio reviews.

Patrick Riley is a financial advisor with Optimal Planning LLC in Concord, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has worked with several firms, including LPL Financial and Camarda Wealth Advisory Group. In addition to his advisory role, he is an insurance agent with Wealth Management of the Carolinas. Optimal Planning LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and educational seminars to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm primarily uses a passive investment approach with portfolios of index mutual funds and ETFs, guided by client-specific investment policy statements and supplemented by fundamental and cyclical analysis.