Rodney Kirkner

Jean Alden is a Series 65 licensed financial advisor with 18 years of experience, serving clients through Liberated Investor Advisors, LLC since 2008. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning primarily for individual clients, including both high-net-worth and non-HNW investors. Liberated Investor Advisors utilizes model portfolios and third-party money managers to implement investment strategies focused on diversification and long-term purchase approaches across ETFs, mutual funds, and individual stocks. The firm operates as a small, single-advisor practice, with Jean Alden directly managing client relationships.

Douglas Alden is a financial advisor with Liberated Investor Advisors, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Liberated Investor Advisors since 2007 and also holds roles at Winning Point Advisors, L.L.C. and Efficient Advisors, LLC. Alden is president of Alden Agency, Inc., an independent insurance agency selling life and disability products. Liberated Investor Advisors, LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individual clients, including both high-net-worth and non-HNW investors. The firm primarily uses model portfolios and third-party money managers, focusing on diversification and long-term investment strategies across ETFs, mutual funds, and individual stocks.

Dustin Poteat is a financial advisor at Gradient Advisors, LLC with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. He has a background in manufacturing operations and analytics consulting at Crane Resistoflex and is also involved with Premier Insurance Services, Inc. outside of his advisory role. Gradient Advisors, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm supports a large network of advisors and employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor investment strategies, typically delivering portfolio services on a non-discretionary basis.

Ryan West is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has seven years of industry experience, including roles at Members Trust Company and State Employees' Credit Union. Outside of his financial career, West serves as a financial assistant at East Marion Baptist Church, managing accounts payable, budgeting, and bank reconciliation. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm focuses on recommending low-cost, mostly index-based mutual funds and ETFs, fixed-income products, and supports a goals-based, long-term planning approach.

Catherine Zieman is a CFP® with 38 years of industry experience, currently serving at Advisory Services Network since 2019. Her prior roles include positions at Field Point Private and Neuberger Berman LLC. Outside of her advisory work, she is the managing partner of High Pointe International Equestrian Tours, a travel agency she operates as a hobby. Advisory Services Network serves individuals, families, trusts, estates, corporations, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, investment and retirement-plan consulting, and third-party manager selection through a network of independent advisers.

Boyd Phillips II is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (New York Life) based in Marion, North Carolina. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 23 years of industry experience. Phillips has been with Eagle Strategies since 2007 and concurrently associated with New York Life entities and Phillips Financial Group, LLC since 2006. Outside of his advisory work, he serves on several local boards including the McDowell County Schools and Mission Hospital McDowell, and is involved with the Marion Business Association. Eagle Strategies LLC provides financial planning, investment advisory, and retirement plan consulting services to individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes client-directed solutions through a network of over 2,000 advisors and utilizes third-party managers and model portfolios rather than firm-controlled discretionary mandates.