Bruce Shay is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation. Prior to joining Empower, he worked at Deloitte & Touche LLP for 23 years. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as certain IRA and retail brokerage clients, using an integrated model aligned with Empower’s administrative platforms.

James Gentry Jr Jr is a CFP® and ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2012. In addition to his advisory role, he manages Freedom Odyssey LLC, a real estate holding entity related to his branch office building. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, with a broad range of advisory programs and affiliated financial services supported by a nationwide network of approximately 23,701 financial advisors.

Geddings Crawford Jr. is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He was previously with Janney Montgomery Scott for 12 years before joining Raymond James in 2024. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual investors, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and municipal entities. The firm offers financial planning and non-discretionary investment consulting, utilizing asset-allocation analysis and firm research, and maintains a distinctive focus on non-discretionary advisory services supported by an extensive affiliate network.

Phillip Smelser is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 29 years of industry experience. He has been with Cambridge since 2008 and is also associated with The Householder Group. Outside of advising, he serves as treasurer for St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Burnsville, NC, teaches retirement classes, and is training to become a Professional Barbell Coach. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves individual investors, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and pension/profit-sharing plans through a large network of independent financial professionals. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan advisory services utilizing various account platforms and third-party strategists.

David Wilson is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 18 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at United Community Bank, Bank of America, Merrill, Hancock Investment Services, and Hancock Bank. Outside of his advisory work, he owns Southern Spoon Inc., a business unrelated to investment services. LPL Financial provides advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, institutions, and high-net-worth households. The firm offers a variety of investment solutions supported by an in-house research team and a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Richard Trouillot is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment management grounded in modern portfolio theory. The firm’s advisory process is driven by investment policy statements and includes a broad range of financial product options, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Thomas Perkins Jr. is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Spruce Pine, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2018 and previously worked at Verizon Wireless from 2015 to 2018. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management and offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions through a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Howard Kobrin is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 40 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary investment advisory solutions. The firm’s process is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related products and bank deposit sweep options in its investment offerings.

Harry Crosby III is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Spruce Pine, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2003. Outside of his advisory role, Crosby serves as an assistant cross country coach for Avery County Schools during the fall season. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a nationwide network of over 23,700 advisors, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, affiliated mutual funds, and tax-efficient services under a fiduciary standard.

Kenneth Howell is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Burnsville, North Carolina, holding a Series 66 credential with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2025, he worked at North Carolina Farm Bureau and co-owned a restaurant business for over a decade. He also owned a management company related to his previous business, which is in the process of dissolution. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory programs, discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, and affiliated investment options. The firm is notable for its extensive advisor network, retail footprint, and additional capabilities including a trust company and securities-based lending.

Richard Schooley Jr. is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Raymond James and Dogwood Wealth Advisors since 2014. Outside of his advisory work, he is a partner in Coolsville Farms, where he oversees forestry operations. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual investors, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and municipal entities. The firm focuses on non-discretionary financial planning and investment consulting, utilizing asset-allocation analysis and firm research to tailor recommendations and support client decision-making.

Shane Ellingson is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 11 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Avantax Investment Services and Raymond James & Associates. Outside of advising, he is the managing member of an RV park operation. Cetera Investment Advisers serves a diverse client base through a large network of independent advisors, offering portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan solutions, and access to third-party managers. The firm combines advisor-managed accounts, model portfolios, and fiduciary services within a broad institutional and trust framework.