Benjamin Smith, CFP®, is the founder and owner of Briarwood Financial, a comprehensive financial services firm providing wealth management, tax preparation, accounting, and business consulting for individuals and business owners nationwide. Benjamin enjoys working directly with clients to help them navigate the complexities that wealth inevitably brings. His approach combines financial planning, tax strategy, and business advisory services—ensuring that every piece of a client’s financial picture works together efficiently and intentionally. Before launching Briarwood, Benjamin served as a Financial Advisor at Cetera Investment Services, an independent broker-dealer. There, he specialized in developing customized investment portfolios guided by long-term strategic planning. His drive to offer clients more holistic, tax-integrated advice led him to expand his practice beyond traditional advising and establish Briarwood Financial as a full-service firm. Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Economics from Seattle Pacific University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional. Earlier in his career, he gained valuable experience in sales, operations, and management within the telecommunications industry—skills that helped shape his practical, results-oriented approach to leadership and client service. At the heart of his philosophy are integrity, honesty, and competence. He believes true financial planning is built on trust, clarity, and a genuine commitment to helping clients make informed, confident decisions that align with their values and long-term goals.

Kathleen Gallagher is the sole advisor at Gallagher Capital Corp., an independent firm based in Bainbridge Island, WA. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 22 years of industry experience, having led Gallagher Capital Corp. since 2004. Gallagher Capital Corp. specializes in discretionary fixed-income portfolio management for high-net-worth individuals, trusts, and retirement accounts, focusing on income generation and capital preservation. The firm employs an active, risk-aware investment approach with an emphasis on holding bonds to maturity and uses independent credit research to guide investment selection.

Jesse Dungan is a financial advisor at Fangorn Wealth Management with Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining the firm, he spent 10 years at Amazon Corporate LLC. Outside of advising, he works as a compensated soccer referee in Kent, WA. Fangorn Wealth Management serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, small businesses, and charitable foundations with financial planning and portfolio management. The firm utilizes diversified, tax-aware investment strategies and applies Modern Portfolio Theory, scenario analysis, and stress testing to manage risk, while also providing estate and charitable-planning guidance and educational seminars.

Gary Harris is the sole advisor at Bedfield Asset Management, LLC, an independent firm based in Bainbridge Island, WA. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 18 years of industry experience, with over 20 years managing the firm since its founding in 2006. Harris has a background in aviation and technology entrepreneurship. Bedfield Asset Management provides discretionary portfolio management to individuals, trusts, businesses, and corporate pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm employs a blended active/passive investment approach across six asset classes, using fundamental and technical analysis methods focused on index and sector rotation for capital appreciation.

Jacy Hixon is the president and chief compliance officer of Crossroads Advisor Network LLC and has 20 years of experience in the financial industry. He is also president and co-owner of Advisor Systems Inc., a technology company serving financial advisers. Prior to his current roles, he has been self-employed as a business consultant since 2015. Crossroads Advisor Network LLC provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and pension consulting services for pooled vehicles, institutional retirement accounts, businesses, trusts, and individual clients. The firm’s investment approach incorporates technical, cyclical, and fundamental analysis and may include options strategies, margin, and derivatives in separately managed accounts.

Edward Labanara Jr. is the sole advisor at Seattle Asset Management, Inc., where he has worked since 1993, bringing 32 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation. Seattle Asset Management serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and other business entities, managing approximately $25.9 million. The firm employs a proprietary seven-principle fundamental analysis model and maintains a long-established, solo practice with a very small client base and regular portfolio reviews.

Mark Kruse is a CFP® professional with 20 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Brackenwood Capital Management, LLC since 2005. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and operates from Bainbridge Island, WA. In addition to his advisory role, he is a licensed insurance producer in Washington State, offering life and disability insurance. Brackenwood Capital Management, LLC is a small, supported firm with two advisors.

Jeremy Despain is a financial advisor at Advent Capital Strategies, LLC, with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has previously worked at Key Investment Services and Key Bank. Outside of his advisory work, he is actively involved with Bible Baptist Church. Advent Capital Strategies provides discretionary investment management and retirement-plan consulting to individuals, families, trusts, employer-sponsored plans, and various institutional clients, including pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm emphasizes passive, asset-class-based portfolios primarily using index mutual funds and ETFs, tailoring asset allocation to client objectives and risk tolerances while also offering plan-level services like investment menu design and participant education.

Terry Bradford-Crane is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® practitioner with over 25+ years of financial services industry experience as a financial advisor and registered representative, financial literacy advocate, guest speaker, educator, and adjunct faculty member for MBA and CFP® education and certification programs. Terry helps clients create pathways to financial and professional wellness by aligning values, financial and non-financial resources, and a clear vision for a fulfilled quality of life. Terry is also the managing partner and financial officer of Allied Approach Group, LLC, an aviation test and evaluation consulting firm. She volunteers for the Foundation for Financial Planning and multiple business leadership and mentoring programs. Terry is a member of the XY Planning Network and the Financial Planning Association of Puget Sound. Terry holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy, a Master of Business Administration from California Lutheran University, and is a Taekwondo Master, 4th Dan.

Krystal Oien is a financial advisor with Brackenwood Capital Management, LLC, holding a Series 65 credential and four years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Rogowski Wealth Management and multiple positions associated with Seattle Pacific University. Brackenwood Capital Management is an independent SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, small businesses, and trusts. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and hourly financial planning, using diversified, long-term investment strategies primarily with no-load mutual funds and ETFs.

Steven Toepel is the principal of Toepel Investment Counsel, Inc., an independent advisory firm he founded in 1995. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 31 years of industry experience. Prior to establishing his firm, his background includes broker-dealer and principal-level registrations. Toepel Investment Counsel, Inc. provides portfolio advisory and management services to individuals, trusts, qualified retirement plans, pension and profit-sharing plans, and corporations. The firm offers discretionary and nondiscretionary account management, focusing on after-tax, after-inflation returns across broad asset classes, and uses both active management and market index funds or ETFs where appropriate.

Alexander Morrow is a CFP® with eight years of experience in the financial services industry. He is the sole advisor at Faire Capital Group, an independent registered investment adviser based in Gig Harbor, WA. His prior work includes roles at KPMG, CPWM, and involvement with private investment entities such as APAM, LLC and Faire Capital Partners, LLC, where he manages private funds. Faire Capital Group primarily serves individual clients, providing portfolio management and financial planning services. The firm also sponsors and manages private investment partnerships, offering clients access to pooled vehicles not commonly available through typical independent advisers.

Eric Turloff is a CFA® charterholder with 25 years of industry experience. He is the principal of Turloff Financial Consulting, where he has worked since 1998. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved in tax preparation services. He is a part of Eagle Harbor Asset Management, Inc., a firm that provides discretionary portfolio management to individuals, high net worth clients, and trusts. The firm focuses on tailored asset allocation and primarily uses individual stocks and bonds, combining fundamental and technical analysis in its investment approach.

Erik Schei is a CFA® charterholder with 19 years of industry experience. He is a financial advisor at Gates Pass Advisors, LLC, where he has worked since 2019. His prior experience includes roles at Aria Wealth Management, Sowell Management Services, Omniscient Holdings, and Concert Wealth Management. Outside of his advisory work, he owns a consulting business, SVGRP, LLC, based in Bainbridge Island, Washington. Gates Pass Advisors provides comprehensive financial planning and wealth management services to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm emphasizes asset allocation, diversification, and tax-aware portfolio construction, often implementing client portfolios through third-party independent managers and pooled investment vehicles accessed via a turn-key asset management platform.

Andrew Thibeault Jr. is a CFP® professional with 30 years of experience in financial advising, currently with Conestoga Wealth Partners in Gig Harbor, WA. He has previously worked at Commonwealth Financial Network and Wells Fargo Advisors. Thibeault also serves as a FINRA arbitrator in non-public dispute resolution. Conestoga Wealth Partners is a team-based firm serving clients with comprehensive wealth management services.

Willard Bollenbach IV is a CFA® charterholder with two years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Agate Pass Investment, LLC. His prior experience includes six years at Foresight Global Investors and four years at Credit Suisse Asset Management. Agate Pass Investment Management serves individual investors, trusts, foundations, and endowments, managing approximately $336 million in discretionary assets. The firm employs a long-term, low-turnover investment approach focused on quality and growth at a reasonable price, primarily using individual stocks and investment-grade bonds, and is notable for its use of borrowing within separately managed accounts.

Daniel Rutter is a CFA® charterholder with 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Agate Pass Investment Management, LLC since 2018 and previously worked at United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC from 2012 to 2018. He is based in Bainbridge Island, WA. Agate Pass Investment Management serves individual investors, trusts, foundations, and endowments, managing approximately $336 million across about 124 discretionary client accounts. The firm focuses on quality and growth at a reasonable price through fundamental research and builds diversified portfolios primarily composed of individual stocks and investment-grade short-to-intermediate bonds, with a long-term, low-turnover investment approach.

Charles Cutter is a financial advisor at Briarwood Financial with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Equitable Advisors, LLC. Outside of financial advising, he is involved as a business development analyst at Relevant Concepts Marketing Group, a marketing company. Briarwood Financial Planning provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning primarily to individual clients with modest assets. The firm combines passive portfolio construction with fundamental and cyclical analysis, offers tax and accounting services alongside investment advice, and serves employer-sponsored retirement plans through fiduciary management and educational programs.

Thomas Zebroski is a CFP® professional with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving at Meridian Wealth Management. He previously worked at Columbia River Advisors and Central Washington University. In addition to his advisory role, he holds an insurance license, though he spends less than 1% of his time on insurance-related activities. Meridian Wealth Management serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional entities, offering investment management, financial planning, consulting, and pension services. The firm emphasizes diversified asset allocation across traditional and alternative asset classes, with a small team structure managing a concentrated client base.

John Grubbs is a financial advisor at Meridian Wealth Management with 23 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Meridian since 2016, following a four-year tenure at Columbia River Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, Mr. Grubbs serves as President of Sprout, SPC, an organization providing financial education to both nonprofit and for-profit entities, and acts as Treasurer of Grace Road Church. Meridian Wealth Management serves individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients with a focus on diversified asset allocation across traditional and alternative investments. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, consulting, and pension services, employing a customized approach that includes the use of ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities.