Joseph Leonard is a financial advisor with Leonard Wealth Management, LLC in Lincolnton, NC, holding a Series 63 license and 24 years of industry experience. He previously worked at AE Wealth Management, Foundation For Financial Education, Formula Folio Investments, and Retirement Wealth Advisors. Outside of advising, he provides trumpet lessons and performances through his Cain Leonard Trumpet Studio and offers adult education on retirement planning. Leonard Wealth Management, LLC is an independent registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, charities, and pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm provides comprehensive financial planning, hourly consulting, estate-settlement assistance, and discretionary portfolio management, using a combination of model portfolios, third-party advisors, and various portfolio construction techniques.

Matthew Kale is the sole advisor at Extraordinary Kale LLC and holds a Series 65 designation. He has one year of experience in the financial advisory industry and has prior work experience at Goodwill Catholic Media and PETSMART. Outside of his advisory role, he maintains an executive position with Goodwill Catholic Media. Extraordinary Kale LLC provides advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and corporations, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan rollover advice. The firm combines hourly-billed financial planning and consulting with active portfolio management, using a primarily value-oriented, long-term approach alongside tactical and strategic asset-allocation techniques.

John Zarinsky is a CFP® and Series 65 credentialed advisor with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with SafeBridge LLC since 2016, including a prior tenure at AE Wealth Management, LLC, and Horter Investment Management, LLC. Zarinsky is licensed to sell life insurance and annuities but does not receive commissions from their sale. SafeBridge primarily serves individuals and families near or in retirement, focusing on retirement income planning, tax-aware advice, and discretionary investment management. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio construction using low-cost index ETFs and high-quality fixed income, integrating tax planning and optional tax-return preparation.

Mark Mahshie is a Series 65-registered advisor with MPM Advisors Group LLC, based in Denver, NC. He has been with MPM Advisors Group since 2026 and has prior experience at Hendrick Automotive Group. MPM Advisors Group LLC provides discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial planning for individuals, retirement plans, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes passive investment management using index mutual funds and ETFs, complemented by client-specific policies, periodic rebalancing, and educational seminars.

Andrew Watkins is a financial advisor at Principal Advised Services with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked with Principal Financial Services, Principal Life Insurance Company, and Wells Fargo Clearing. He currently serves as a team lead at Principal Advised Services, offering investment advice to retirement plan participants. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, combining third-party tools and proprietary models to offer both nondiscretionary recommendations and discretionary investment management through its SimpleInvest program. The firm is part of the Principal Financial Group family, which integrates affiliated entities to provide access to a broad range of proprietary products and services.

Samuel Hershberger is a financial advisor at United Brokerage Services, Inc. with 37 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Edward Jones and J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC. United Brokerage Services, Inc. provides investment advisory and brokerage services to individuals, corporate pension and profit-sharing plans, and trust clients through various wrap fee and advisory programs. The firm primarily manages client assets on a non-discretionary basis and is affiliated with United Bank through its parent company, United Asset Management Corporation.

Vanessa Harris is a financial advisor at Focus Financial with Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and one year of industry experience. She has previously worked at Mass Mutual and Goosehead Insurance Agency. Focus Financial Network serves a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charities, and corporate entities, offering tailored advisory services through various investment management and planning options. The firm emphasizes coordination with other professionals for estate and tax planning and provides detailed disclosures on operational practices and potential conflicts.

Mitchell Roth is a CFP® professional with eight years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Sovran Advisors, LLC and holds a Series 66 license. His prior experience includes positions at The Vanguard Group, LPL Financial, Equitable Advisors, and Ameriprise Financial Services. Sovran Advisors serves individuals, corporations, and retirement plan sponsors by providing financial planning, advisory services, and portfolio management across various program types. The firm employs both active and passive investment strategies and utilizes multiple custodial platforms to support its clients' diverse objectives.

James Beam is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding the Series 63, 65, and 66 designations and bringing 28 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Sollinda Capital Management LLC and Capital Investment Group, Inc. He serves as chairman of the Cherryville ABC Board of Directors, overseeing operations related to controlled spirit sales in Cherryville, NC. Capital Investment Advisory Services provides portfolio management and supervisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, and institutional accounts. The firm offers tailored investment programs with a focus on discretionary management and employs fundamental, technical, and charting analyses across various investment strategies.

Natalia Ruiz is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services in Dallas, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having nine years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing Services and Wells Fargo Bank. She currently serves as a retirement consultant, providing one-on-one investment advice to Principal retirement plan participants. Principal Advised Services offers investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, combining third-party tools and proprietary models to deliver both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary investment management program called SimpleInvest. The firm is part of the Principal Financial Group family, integrating affiliated products and services with robust governance and supervision.

Carmen Maria Andrews is a financial advisor with Great Valley Advisor Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 23 years of industry experience. She has previously worked at Sharp Advisors and Merit Financial Group, LLC, and has been affiliated with LPL Financial since 2010. Great Valley Advisor Group is an SEC-registered, multi-team investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and other entities. The firm offers personalized portfolio construction and ongoing oversight through a combination of in-house strategies and third-party managers, with a network of approximately 190 advisors.

Robin Radovich is a financial advisor at United Brokerage Services, Inc. with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at several firms including BB&T and Crescom. Radovich also serves as secretary of the Rotary Club of Lincolnton, NC. United Brokerage Services, Inc. provides investment advisory and brokerage services to individuals, corporate pension and profit-sharing plans, and trust clients through various wrap fee and advisory programs. The firm primarily manages assets on a non-discretionary basis and is affiliated with United Bank, offering a combination of banking affiliation and a primarily non-discretionary advisory model.

Richard Reber is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 18 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and has prior experience with Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank. Reber is also the author of "How to Talk to Your Partner About Money and Not Kill Each Other." Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, and charitable organizations, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a network model of advisory representatives and integrates various portfolio management strategies along with technology platforms to support its services.

Bruce Putnam is a financial advisor at Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC with 22 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked with LPL Financial since 2011 and Cornerstone Financial Advisors from 2011 to 2018. Beyond his advisory role, he has been involved in mortgage and real estate services and acts as an agent for fixed insurance products. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting through a network of advisory representatives utilizing discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management strategies, supported by technology platforms and a governance model that integrates supervised advisors, sub-advisors, and third-party managers.

Kerr Ann Dempster is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with six years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Fifth Third Securities since 2019, following a tenure at Fifth Third Bank beginning in 2014. Outside of her financial advisory role, she is the owner and author of Ink City Books, where she self-publishes fiction novels. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. serves a diverse range of individual and institutional clients through both investment advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers access to multiple program types via the Passageway Managed Account Program, combining third-party portfolio managers and advisor-directed strategies to meet varied client needs.

David Raudman is a CFP® with 25 years of industry experience currently affiliated with Independent Financial Partners in Denver, NC. He has worked at Independent Financial Partners since 2011 and spent eight years with LPL Financial prior to that. Raudman is also involved in the sale of non-variable life insurance and fixed annuities. Independent Financial Partners provides investment advisory, financial planning, trust, and retirement-plan services through a decentralized network of independent Investment Adviser Representatives. The firm supports a multi-advisor platform serving tens of thousands of clients with a notable focus on retirement-plan advisory and pension consulting services.

Lisa Baverso is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Newton, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 24 years of industry experience. She has worked at Truist Advisory Services and related entities since 2018, with prior experience at Bb&T Investments dating back to 2006. Truist Advisory Services offers investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools to support asset allocation and manager selection, providing ongoing monitoring and regular client consultations.

Jaclyn Mcgrew is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with five years of industry experience. She holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at Fifth Third Securities since 2021 and Fifth Third Bank since 2019. Prior to her financial services career, she was involved with D9 Brewing Company for four years. Fifth Third Securities serves a broad range of individual and institutional clients through investment advisory and brokerage services, offering access to multiple program types and third-party portfolio managers on the Passageway Managed Account platform.

Kate Holton is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. She holds a Series 66 designation and has nine years of industry experience. Kate has been with Bankers Life since 2007 and Bankers Life Securities since 2016. In addition to her advisory role, she serves as a Field Development Manager, training agents and managers on insurance-related topics and products. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting primarily to mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals. The firm emphasizes customized asset allocation, tax efficiency, and a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in its investment approach.

Chris Gruin is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc. in Lincolnton, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 11 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at First Citizen Investor Services, Wells Fargo Clearing, Suntrust Investment Services, and PNC Bank. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs, including advisor-directed models and access to third-party portfolio managers, with features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services.