Jeffrey Hillesland is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 10 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Merrill and The Vanguard Group. Merit Financial Group, LLC manages approximately $10.6 billion for a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and modular sleeves, with services that include asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advice, educational workshops, and employee financial wellness programs.

Jay Riggs is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. Prior to joining Merit in 2025, he was president and founder of Riggs Capital Management LLC for 23 years and has worked with firms including Emerson Equity LLC, DFPG Investments, Inc., and Orchard Securities. Outside of his advisory role, Riggs manages several personal business entities, including Bocephus Enterprises LLC. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with 264 advisors serving over 20,000 clients across 66 offices and managing approximately $23.9 billion in assets. The firm offers coordinated wealth management services with an investment approach focused on long-term, diversified portfolios using centrally managed sleeves and customizable models overseen by an internal Investment Committee.

Isaiah Broyles is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors in Billings, MT, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with four years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Commonwealth Financial Network, Strategic Retirement Plans, Bank of America N.A., Merrill, and several other firms. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 260 advisors serving approximately 20,000 clients across multiple offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth management services, utilizing a long-term, diversified investment approach with customizable portfolio models overseen by an internal Investment Management team.

Nicholas Yeomans is a CFP® with 23 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors since 2026. He previously worked at Sagepoint Financial, Inc. for 13 years and led Yeomans Consulting Group, Inc. for over two decades. Yeomans is an elder at North Metro Church, where he provides spiritual direction and accountability to leadership. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 260 advisors serving more than 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach that combines centrally managed portfolios with customizable strategies overseen by an internal Investment Management team.

James Colbourne is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Merit Financial Advisors since 2015, with prior experience at LPL Financial and PKS Investments. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion and serving a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and modular sleeves, overseen by a central Investment Management team and an Investment Committee.

Terence Gibbons is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with five years of industry experience. He has worked at various firms including Nancy S. Daoud & Associates, LLC, Granite Group Advisors, LLC, and Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with 264 advisors serving over 20,000 clients across 66 offices, managing approximately $23.9 billion in assets. The firm offers coordinated wealth management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach with both discretionary and non-discretionary account management.

Hunter Powell is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors in Frisco, TX, holding a Series 66 designation. He has been with Merit Financial Advisors since 2026 and has prior experience with Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and Northwestern Mutual. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 260 advisors serving more than 20,000 clients across 66 offices, managing approximately $23.9 billion in assets. The firm provides coordinated wealth-management services and emphasizes long-term, diversified portfolios built from centrally managed models overseen by an internal Investment Management team and Investment Committee.

Joshua Carlson is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with six years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, E*Trade Securities, and Goldman Sachs, and he holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an assistant manager at The Story Cupboard, where he assists with shipping, inventory management, and managing sales events at local elementary schools. He also works as a freelance web designer for local businesses. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with 264 advisors serving over 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using centrally managed portfolios that advisors can customize.

William Morrison is a CFP® and CFA® with seven years of industry experience. He currently works at Merit Financial Advisors and has previously been affiliated with PKS Investments, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Rooted Planning Group, and Carl M. Hennig, Inc. Additionally, he serves as a Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, where he teaches courses on finance, investments, and student-managed endowments. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion and serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment strategy using model portfolios and modular sleeves, overseen by a central Investment Management team and Investment Committee, while allowing advisors to customize portfolios on various platforms.

Edwin Rodriguez is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors in Alpharetta, GA, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. He previously worked at Purshe Kaplan Sterling and has prior experience with MML Investors Services, LLC, MassMutual Life Insurance Co, and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. Outside of financial advising, he is also an insurance broker specializing in life, disability, and long-term care insurance. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 260 advisors serving more than 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm focuses on long-term, diversified portfolio management overseen by an internal Investment Management team, offering customizable models and a range of wealth-management services.

Kunal Patel is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, LPL Financial, and Fidelity Investments. Outside of advising, Patel has experience in insurance services and real estate rental. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion and serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and customizable strategies, supported by a central investment team and oversight committee.

Sarah Mouser is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with nine years of industry experience. She holds the CFP® designation as well as Series 65 and Series 66 licenses. Prior to joining Merit Financial Advisors in 2026, she worked at Verdence Capital Advisors LLC and Cassaday & Co, Inc. Outside of her advisory role, she serves on advisory boards for Virginia Tech and George Mason University’s undergraduate financial planning programs, and she is Chair of the Online Education Committee for the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. Additionally, she is a certified Barre fitness instructor. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with 264 advisors serving about 20,040 clients across 66 offices and managing approximately $23.9 billion in assets. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using centrally managed portfolios and customizable models overseen by an internal Investment Management team and Committee.

Sydney Thompson is a financial advisor with Merit Financial Advisors in De Pere, WI, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. Prior to joining Merit, Thompson worked at PKS Investments and LPL Financial, among other firms. Outside of finance, Thompson serves as head coach for the Panthers 17 Black volleyball team at One Wisconsin Volleyball Club. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with 264 advisors serving over 20,000 clients across 66 offices and managing approximately $23.9 billion in assets. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach supported by an internal Investment Management team and customizable portfolio models.

James Colahan is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 22 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Wealthcare Advisory Partners, Avantax, and 1ST Global in various capacities. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with SSC CPAs & Advisors, a tax preparation and CPA firm. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion and serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and customizable strategies, overseen by a central Investment Management team and Investment Committee.

Benjamin Murphy is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 12 years of industry experience. He holds the PFS™ and Series 66 credentials. His prior experience includes roles at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and Global Wealth Advisors. Outside of his advisory work, he is a co-owner and manager of finance for Murphy Brothers Cattle Company, a family-owned cattle ranch. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with 264 advisors serving over 20,000 clients across 66 offices and managing approximately $23.9 billion in client assets. The firm provides coordinated wealth-management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach supported by an internal Investment Management team and committee.

Nadezda Scharnell is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 14 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Merit Financial Advisors in Chicago, IL. She previously worked at Morgan Stanley for ten years before joining Merit Financial Advisors and related firms in 2025. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion for a diverse client base, including individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment strategy using model portfolios and customizable sleeves, supported by a centralized Investment Management team and Investment Committee.

Gene Esplin is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 28 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Sanctuary Wealth Management, Kalos Capital, and Fiduciary Services. Esplin also serves as a member-manager in multiple business operations related to investment management and real estate development. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with 264 advisors serving approximately 20,040 clients across 66 offices. The firm manages about $23.9 billion in assets and offers coordinated wealth management services including asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advice, and employee financial-wellness programs. Their investment approach emphasizes long-term, diversified portfolios constructed through centrally managed sleeves and model allocations, allowing for customization by advisors.

Nicholas Rossetti is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving at Merit Financial Advisors in Deerfield, IL. His prior experience includes roles at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, The Pinnacle Financial Group, Commonwealth Financial Network, and Northern Trust Corporation. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 260 advisors serving more than 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services utilizing a long-term, diversified investment approach supported by an internal Investment Management team and customizable portfolio models.

Mark Fried is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked previously at TFG Wealth Management and as a sole proprietor. Outside of advising, he writes and publishes books and creates online educational content through his digital production company. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion for a diverse client base that includes individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a long-term, diversified investment approach with customizable model portfolios and offers specialized services such as fiduciary and ESOP trustee work.

Eric Sajdak is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 11 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Merit in 2025, he worked at Safeguard Wealth Management and Safeguard Income Strategies from 2019 to 2025, and Fox River Capital from 2016 to 2019. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 registrations. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with 264 advisors serving approximately 20,040 clients across 66 offices and managing about $23.9 billion in client assets. The firm offers wealth-management services including asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advice, and employee financial-wellness programs, using a centrally managed investment approach with customizable portfolios.