In 2016, I started in the financial services industry unsure of what I wanted to do when I “grew up." I had spent my first year out of college doing mission and service work in Southern Africa, Southeast Asia and Central America. In just a handful of months, I became convinced that the best way I could serve people was as a financial advisor. Money touches everything. It is a tool, that when used well can bring stability and joy to our lives. However, when it is not held in the correct perspective, it can add stress and worry instead. That’s why our mission is to take the work and worry out of planning. I decided to start my own firm out of a desire to provide better advice at a lower cost to more people. Quality financial planning can be difficult to find in today’s world. When I’m not meeting with clients or building financial plans, I’m either with my family or outside. I enjoy scuba diving, swimming, running, cycling, mountain biking and playing music. My wife and I are active in our church community as well. I don’t get much time to sit and read, but I enjoy listening to audiobooks, especially by people who are the best at what they do in any field.

Jeffrey Smith is a financial advisor with Compass Financial, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Compass Financial since 2010. In addition to his advisory role, Mr. Smith is a licensed insurance agent selling life, health, and variable insurance products. Compass Financial, LLC provides asset management and pension consulting services to individuals, small businesses, trusts, estates, pooled vehicles, and charities, with a particular focus on qualified retirement plan sponsors. The firm develops investment strategies based on client goals, time horizons, and risk tolerance, primarily operating on a non-discretionary basis and employing both fundamental and technical analysis.

Brian Duerson is a financial advisor with Two Tree Financial, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and five years of industry experience. He is also an owner and investor in Consecrated Holdings, LLC, a commercial real estate holding company. Two Tree Financial provides fee-only advisory services to individuals, families, business owners, and sponsors of employer-sponsored retirement plans, emphasizing long-term, evidence-based investment approaches with low-cost funds and tax-aware implementation.

Hi, I'm Forest Dutton and I'm the owner of Brightworks Financial Planning. I entered financial services after many years in healthcare and my goal is to ensure each client that goes through financial planning experiences care, competence, and creativity. I am committed to the highest levels of ongoing education in the field of financial planning and seek to provide a comprehensive lens to all financial planning engagements and not just an investment focus. I have a strong emphasis on tax planning with all clients as I believe this can add significant value over a long period of time when engaging with a financial advisor. I prefer long term relationships over one-time engagements in my business. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife and 4 children that keep me busy outside the office. I enjoy collobaration with other professionals as part of the financial plannning process. I thoroughly enjoy financial planning and the best part is the people who I get to partner with in achieving their goals.

Jeremiah Barwick is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor at Keen Capital, Ltd with one year of industry experience. He previously worked at Wealth Enhancement Group and TrinityPoint Wealth, LLC. Prior to entering the financial industry, he served four years in the United States Air Force. Keen Capital provides financial planning, investment management, and integrated wealth management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, businesses, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm follows a long-term investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory and offers advisor-delivered accounting and tax services alongside investment advice.

Thomas Gore is a CFP® with 21 years of experience in the financial industry. He is currently with Keen Capital, Ltd and serves as President of Core Advisors, Ltd, a registered investment advisor. His prior work includes roles at Lifemark Securities Corp. since 2005. Keen Capital serves individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, businesses, and charitable organizations, providing comprehensive wealth management that integrates financial planning, investment management, and accounting and tax-related services on fixed-fee arrangements. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach, utilizing low-cost diversified funds, individual securities, and independent managers as appropriate.

Katherine Hollenbeck is a CFP® and CFA® with 16 years of industry experience. She has worked at Core Advisors, Ltd. since 2015. She serves as President and CEO of the CFA Society South Carolina, a nonprofit professional organization. Keen Capital, Ltd. provides comprehensive wealth management services to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm combines financial planning and investment management with retirement plan advisory and offers accounting and tax-related services on fixed-fee arrangements.

Shawn Kenney is a financial advisor at B. Riley Wealth Advisors, Inc. with 39 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been affiliated with B. Riley Wealth Management since 2016 and B. Riley Wealth Advisors since 2022. B. Riley Wealth Advisors provides investment advice and portfolio management to a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business clients. The firm offers multiple investment programs and manages approximately $4.21 billion in client assets through a team of about 173 advisors.

John Wrenn Sr. is a financial advisor at Synovus Securities, Inc. with 33 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. His career includes roles at Synovus Securities since 2000 and Synovus Bank from 2006 to 2025, most recently joining Pinnacle Bank in 2026. Synovus Securities serves individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients by offering investment advisory and brokerage services including managed accounts, mutual fund and ETF portfolios, financial planning, and alternative investments. The firm uses the Envestnet platform to deliver portfolio management tailored to client risk tolerance and provides additional services such as educational programs for ERISA plans and access to private offerings for qualified investors.

Jeffrey Grizer is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Durham, NC, holding CFP® and CFA® designations and seven years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA and TIAA-CREF since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president and finance elder of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, where he helps oversee the church budget and financial matters. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, and small retirement plans. The firm distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing discretionary portfolio management, utilizing both model and customized portfolios under a fiduciary standard.

Brian Zarnick is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding a Series 66 designation and 13 years of industry experience. He has worked at Truist Advisory Services since 2021 and previously held roles at Bb&T Securities and Bb&T Investment Services. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, utilizing a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Robert Doebler is a CFP® professional with three years of industry experience, currently with Truist Advisory Services in Lexington, SC. His prior experience includes roles at Wells Fargo Bank, Wells Fargo Clearing, JPMorgan Chase Bank, J.P. Morgan Securities, Fidelity Investments, and First Citizens BancShares. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations, offering a range of asset allocation, fiduciary support, and manager-selection programs. The firm combines discretionary and non-discretionary approaches and relies on integrated inter-affiliate arrangements across its platform.

Mark Ebert is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network based in Chapin, SC. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Commonwealth Wealth Financial Network since 2024. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Director of Corporate Accounts at Atlantic Coast Orthopedic Resources and is involved in orthopedic consulting and sales through his ownership of Paramark, LLC, as well as consulting for an online orthopedic retailer. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients. The firm provides a range of advisory programs and support services, including discretionary model portfolios and various customized investment solutions.

Wendy Sheffield is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with four years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at LPL Financial and as a self-employed advisor. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders. The firm delivers services through an integrated model connected to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, focusing on long-term portfolio returns, annual rebalancing, and clients’ savings rates.

Robert Blake is a financial advisor with Equity Services, Inc. (ESI Financial Advisors) in Lexington, SC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 19 years of industry experience. He has worked at National Life Group since 2021 and previously spent 18 years at Bankers Life and Casualty Company. Blake is also the owner of RT Blake Financial Group, LLC, and serves as managing director of Blake Insurance and Financial Group, LLC; he is a member of Business Network International, a lead-sharing organization. Equity Services, Inc. provides financial planning, consulting, and asset management to individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers multiple advisory platforms, frequently utilizing third-party asset managers and model portfolios, combining long-term strategies with options for shorter-term trading and specialized instruments.

Dwight Szarkowski is a Private Wealth Advisor with Merrill Private Wealth Management and has been with Merrill since 1984. As one of the founding members of his team, he serves as the primary equity strategist and is responsible for evaluating derivative strategies, structuring fixed-income portfolios, and formulating asset allocation strategies for high-net-worth clients. His client focus areas include corporate executive services, family wealth management strategies, and managing new wealth. Dwight graduated magna cum laude from Washington and Lee University with bachelor's degrees in both Economics and French. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is fluent in English and French. Throughout his career, Dwight’s expertise has centered on advising ultra-affluent individuals, families, and institutions on wealth perpetuation, intergenerational wealth transfers, and philanthropic planning. Outside of his professional work, Dwight is involved in mentoring teens and supports organizations such as Family Place, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and the North Dallas High School Mentor Program. His personal interests include biking, boating, fishing, golfing, hunting, ice hockey, photography, scuba diving, tennis, and traveling.

Daniel Lauffer is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF who holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 16 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA-CREF since 2014. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm combines point-in-time planning services with ongoing portfolio management under a fiduciary standard.

Gina Rogers is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. with 2 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at First Citizens Bank since 2019, with prior experience at SunTrust Bank and Saluda County School District One. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses, offering portfolio management, wrap programs, and financial planning through a client-centered approach that incorporates fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis.

Lisa Taylor is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. She has previously been associated with LPL Financial and Crescent Financial Group since 2011. Taylor serves as a board member of The Library Village Office Condo Regime Association, a nonprofit organization in Lexington, SC. Independent Advisor Alliance works with a diverse range of clients, including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting services. The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, utilizing various investment strategies and technology platforms to support client wealth management.

Gregory Scott is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in Chapin, SC. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Empower Financial Services, The Mortgage Firm, and Sheehan Cadillac. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer‑sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, along with Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage clients. The firm offers integrated services linked to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, focusing on long-term portfolio returns and using proprietary planning methodologies.