Natalia Ruiz

Michael Bookhardt is the sole advisor at Affluence Advisory LLC in Mount Holly, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with three years of industry experience. Prior to founding Affluence Advisory in 2023, he worked at The Vanguard Group from 2021 to 2022 and has been the managing member of SIB General Contractors LLC since 2006. Affluence Advisory LLC provides discretionary investment supervisory services to individuals, businesses, trusts, foundations, and charitable entities, constructing individualized portfolios that emphasize low-cost, passively managed mutual funds and ETFs, guided by modern portfolio theory and a long-term equity orientation. The firm focuses on asset-allocation strategies with regular rebalancing, tax-aware adjustments, and a preference for custodial platforms offering SIPC and supplemental insurance.

Joseph Leonard is a financial advisor with Leonard Wealth Management, LLC in Lincolnton, NC, holding a Series 63 license and 24 years of industry experience. He previously worked at AE Wealth Management, Foundation For Financial Education, Formula Folio Investments, and Retirement Wealth Advisors. Outside of advising, he provides trumpet lessons and performances through his Cain Leonard Trumpet Studio and offers adult education on retirement planning. Leonard Wealth Management, LLC is an independent registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, charities, and pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm provides comprehensive financial planning, hourly consulting, estate-settlement assistance, and discretionary portfolio management, using a combination of model portfolios, third-party advisors, and various portfolio construction techniques.

Ryan Hammond is a financial advisor at Hammond Wealth Partners with one year of industry experience. He has held positions at Amplified Planning, The Vanguard Group, and Wells Fargo. Hammond Wealth Partners is a fee-only fiduciary firm providing discretionary investment management and financial planning mainly to individuals, families, and high-net-worth clients. The firm offers customized portfolios combining strategic asset allocation, tax-efficient management, and active tactical approaches based on multiple analysis methods, with clients able to impose reasonable investment restrictions.

Matthew Kale is the sole advisor at Extraordinary Kale LLC and holds a Series 65 designation. He has one year of experience in the financial advisory industry and has prior work experience at Goodwill Catholic Media and PETSMART. Outside of his advisory role, he maintains an executive position with Goodwill Catholic Media. Extraordinary Kale LLC provides advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and corporations, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan rollover advice. The firm combines hourly-billed financial planning and consulting with active portfolio management, using a primarily value-oriented, long-term approach alongside tactical and strategic asset-allocation techniques.

Cory Shuford is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience. He is currently with WealthPoint Advisors and has previously worked at Dempsey Lord Smith, LLC and Kalos Management. WealthPoint Financial, LLC provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services primarily to non-high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and tactical asset allocation strategies, managing portfolios on a discretionary basis with continuous monitoring and at least annual formal reviews.

Lee Mann is a CFP® and holds a Series 63 license with 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at Lyon Wealth Advisors Group, LLC since 2024 and previously spent 10 years with The Vanguard Group, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. Lyon Wealth Advisors Group provides discretionary portfolio management and integrated financial planning primarily to high net worth individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs customized strategies based on Modern Portfolio Theory, using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, and is affiliated with a tax and business advisory practice and an events and publishing entity focused on dentists and other specialists.