Shawn Thomas Franklin

Ronald Schiel Jr. is a CFP® professional with 22 years of industry experience, currently operating as the sole advisor at Aloft Financial. He is also the owner and CPA of Northwest Tax Choices, providing tax return consulting and preparation services since 2010. Ronald has been involved with Northwest Financial Choices LLC, an investment advisory firm, though he plans to wind down that business within the next year. Aloft Financial offers comprehensive wealth management services to individuals, family businesses, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and various plans and trusts. The firm’s investment approach focuses on growth-oriented equity exposure balanced with risk mitigation through diversified asset allocations tailored to client needs.

Diana Thompson is a Series 65 licensed advisor at Sovereign Capital Vantage, Inc. with nine years of experience at the firm and a total of 21 years in the industry. Prior to her current role, she worked in public schools in Hanover County and Desoto County for a total of 12 years. She is also a corporate Secretary and owner of Sovereign Capital Vantage, where she manages corporate responsibilities alongside her advisory duties. Sovereign Capital Vantage, Inc. is a fee-based advisory firm serving individual and high-net-worth clients through discretionary portfolio management and hourly financial planning. The firm oversees approximately $26.8 million for about 68 clients across three offices, using a blend of fundamental and technical analysis and offering services for both custodied and held-away retirement accounts.

Emily Griswell is a financial advisor with Sovereign Capital Vantage, Inc. She holds a Series 65 designation and has been with the firm since 2024. Prior to her advisory role, she worked in property management and caregiving. Sovereign Capital Vantage, Inc. is a fee-based advisory firm providing discretionary portfolio management and hourly financial planning primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm manages portfolios using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis, employs various strategies including options trading, and services clients across three offices with a team of two advisors.

Marc Thompson is a financial advisor at Sovereign Capital Vantage, Inc. with 18 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and previously worked at Edward Jones from 2010 to 2017 before joining Sovereign Capital Vantage in 2017. Sovereign Capital Vantage, Inc. is a fee-based advisory firm that provides discretionary portfolio management and hourly financial planning primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm manages portfolios using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis, offering both long- and short-term strategies including options trading, and oversees approximately $26.8 million across three offices.

Thomas Underwood III is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Bright Wealth Management, LLC. His career includes roles at Cary Street Partners, Truist Advisory Services, and BB&T. Outside of his advisory work, he operates as an independent insurance agent. Bright Wealth Management, LLC is a fee-only registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm manages approximately $265 million across 175 clients through a team of seven advisors, offering discretionary portfolio management with tailored asset-allocation models and ongoing portfolio supervision.

James Smythe is a financial advisor at Davenport & Company LLC with 35 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at Davenport since 2009. Prior to that, he was with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith beginning in 1990. Davenport & Company LLC serves individual and institutional clients such as banks, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, nonprofits, and corporations. The firm offers asset management, retail brokerage, fixed income, public finance, and investment banking services, with a focus on separately managed accounts, model delivery, and mutual fund advisory.