Russell D Ahlers

Herman Brunson Jr. is the sole advisor at Balance Investments in Statesville, NC, with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 65 licenses and has led Balance Investments since 2014. Balance Investments provides investment advisory services and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses, offering portfolio management, written financial plans, and ongoing reviews. The firm uses a core-satellite investment strategy tailored to client-specific factors and integrates both fundamental and technical analysis, while also providing public educational seminars and webinars.

Shawn Fleming is a financial advisor with Professional Wealth Management Services LLC in Statesville, NC, holding the ChFC® designation and a Series 65 license. He has 18 years of industry experience and has been with Professional Wealth Management Services since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, Shawn is independently licensed in life, accident, and health insurance and provides limited insurance agent services as part of comprehensive financial planning. He is also engaged in general business and management consulting. Professional Wealth Management Services LLC serves individuals and trusts with fee-only financial planning and discretionary portfolio management. The firm emphasizes suitability and tailored strategies, managing approximately $136 million for about 60 clients through a two-advisor team.

John Stevenson is a financial advisor with Professional Wealth Management Services LLC in Statesville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Professional Wealth Management Services since 2007. Outside of his advisory role, John is independently licensed in life, accident, and health insurance and also engages in general business and management consulting. Professional Wealth Management Services LLC provides fee-only financial planning and discretionary portfolio management primarily for individuals and trusts. The firm emphasizes tailored investment strategies based on detailed risk assessments and offers a wrap fee program that includes bundled asset allocation and trade execution services.

Donald Masters is a financial advisor at Masters Tax and Financial Planning LLC in Statesville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with five years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Centaurus Financial Inc. and HD Vest Investment Services, and he owns a Certified Public Accountant firm, Donald M Masters CPA PC. Masters Tax and Financial Planning LLC primarily serves high-net-worth individuals, families, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations, offering discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and tax-efficient investment strategies. The firm emphasizes long-term, tax-aware portfolios and provides related professional services through its principal’s separate CPA practice.

Timothy Bain is a financial advisor with Spark Asset Management Group in Statesville, NC, holding Series 63 and 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Spark Asset Management Group and StoneX Securities Inc. since 2010. Outside of finance, Bain is involved in MUSIC 49 INC., where he teaches music lessons and assists with marketing and bookkeeping. Spark Asset Management Group is a state-registered investment adviser offering discretionary asset management, retirement advice, and financial planning to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm employs tactical asset allocation using trend-following models combined with technical and fundamental research and manages a range of portfolios, including specialty accounts utilizing derivatives and leveraged products.

Mary Masters is a financial advisor at Masters Tax and Financial Planning LLC with 26 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and Cetera Advisors. Mary is also a licensed insurance agent, offering insurance products on a limited basis. Masters Tax and Financial Planning LLC serves high-net-worth individuals, families, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations. The firm focuses on long-term, tax-aware portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning, incorporating fundamental, technical, and macroeconomic analysis.