Tim Wepner is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Newton, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 35 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wachovia Securities, Inc. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a broker-dealer and registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of financial planning and investment services, with tailored recommendations developed using proprietary research and planning tools.

Kevin Butler is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 28 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2010 and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and is based in Woodland Hills, CA. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including financial planning that utilizes firm-approved tools and models to support structured planning conversations.

Michael Baker is a CFP® professional with 27 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at OSAIC since 2024 and previously spent 12 years with Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. Baker is president of Michael R Baker Insurance Agency Inc, which provides insurance sales and service. OSAIC Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, charities, and corporations. The firm offers brokerage and advisory services through multiple platforms, emphasizing model-based asset allocation, portfolio optimization, and a range of managed account strategies.

Jeffery Franklin is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in Family Wealth Management Strategies, Personal Retirement Planning, Small Business Strategies, and Retirement Income. He works with clients, families, and businesses to develop personalized financial strategies tailored to their long-term goals. Jeffery holds a Bachelor's Degree from Western Carolina University and an MBA from Lenoir-Rhyne University. He carries the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. His approach involves providing detailed analysis and appropriate solutions while nurturing long-term relationships to help clients navigate key financial moments. Outside of his professional role, Jeffery is involved in community organizations such as Samaritan's Purse - Helene Recovery and Speedway Children's Charities. He enjoys fishing, hunting, pickleball, spending time with his family, maintaining classic Ford vehicles, and attending car shows.

Chadwick Carlson is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over 17 years of experience in helping clients navigate their financial goals through personalized guidance. He specializes in a range of areas including college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, sports and entertainment, tax minimization, and retirement income. Chadwick holds a Bachelor's Degree from Lafayette College and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Throughout his career, he has supported individuals and families in building, managing, and protecting their wealth across various life stages and market conditions, emphasizing trust and long-term relationships. His approach focuses on connecting all aspects of a client’s financial life to prioritize and pursue the goals that matter most to them. Outside of work, Chadwick lives on a ranch in Olin, North Carolina, where he values the balance of hard work and quiet country life. He enjoys fishing, golfing, horseback riding, skiing, volleyball, and spending time with his family, which remains central to his personal and professional life. His background as a college football player contributes to his disciplined and persevering approach in financial advising.

Stephen Paavola is a Client Experience Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he works with clients to understand their current financial situations and introduces solutions available through Merrill and Bank of America. He aims to empower clients with knowledge and tools to manage their financial lives effectively. Stephen holds a Bachelor's Degree from Concordia University - Wisconsin and a Master's Degree from Columbus State University. His approach focuses on helping clients uncover what matters to them and their families to develop strategies aligned with their financial goals.

Natalie Klopfer is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked for Vanguard for five years. Thrivent Investment Management offers Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, providing goal-based financial planning without discretionary trading authority. The firm integrates planning with managed account programs under a consolidated billing option while maintaining planning and implementation as separate services.

Robert Fincher is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Hickory, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 25 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Sagepoint Financial, Resource Partners, Raymond James Financial Services, and UBS Financial Services. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides a range of services including financial planning, wrap and model portfolio programs, third-party asset management access, and institutional platforms, supported by a network of investment adviser representatives who utilize various investment strategies and operational tools.

Loren Westerfield is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Hickory, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of experience at the firm. His prior roles include positions at InfoStride and the United Service Organizations (USO). Westerfield also spent time engaged with the We the Veterans Foundation and completed full-time education at Liberty University. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

James Lalor is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with Merrill in Denver, NC, with 14 years of industry experience. He has worked at both Merrill and Bank of America since 2012. Lalor is also an inactive Ready Reserve Captain in the United States Marine Corps. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of individual, institutional, and charitable clients.

William Bracken is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 30 years of industry experience, including over 10 years with Cambridge and more than 30 years as owner of Bracken Financial, where he also operates as an independent insurance agent selling fixed annuity and long-term care products. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad mix of individual and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs through a large network of financial professionals.

Tara Hicks is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and having eight years of industry experience. She has been with Thrivent Investment Management since 2016 and at Thrivent Financial since 2017. Outside of her advisory role, she manages rental properties. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of Financial Advisors. The firm offers holistic, goal-based planning across various financial topics, with services available on a one-time or ongoing basis, separate from managed-account programs.

Heath Prior is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors who holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 19 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation for 13 years before joining Cambridge in 2022. He is also the president and owner of Prior Wealth Planning, a separate business entity. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, and charitable organizations by providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm offers a range of account platforms and proprietary model strategies supported by a large network of financial professionals.

Edwin Gresham is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 23 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. since 2012. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. offers financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm uses tailored, non-discretionary planning and analytical tools to support client goals and provides a range of advisory programs and consulting services.

Brandon Schlesinger is a Private Wealth Advisor and Managing Director with Merrill Private Wealth Management. He joined The Oberheide-Schlesinger Group in 2007 following the completion of an intensive wealth management analyst program. In his role, Brandon leads the group's efforts in third-party asset manager selection, due diligence, and performance measurement, in addition to overseeing operational and compliance matters for the team. Prior to his current position, Brandon was a Senior Vice President and Alternative Investments Director at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematical economics from DePaul University and maintains several FINRA licenses including Series 7, 66, 3, and 31. Brandon also holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations.

Bryce Moritz is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mathematics with a minor in Business Administration from Clemson University. Bryce grew up in northern Maryland and has a background that includes a variety of family experiences. Bryce specializes in creating personalized financial plans that address clients' unique goals, including college education planning, family wealth management, retirement income strategies, and legacy planning. He emphasizes tax minimization strategies and aims to develop tailored and adaptable plans that grow with his clients' needs. In addition to holding the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations, Bryce enjoys sports such as basketball, chess, football, golfing, and tennis, as well as watching movies. His approach involves understanding what matters to clients and their families to assist in pursuing their financial objectives.

William Dagit Jr. is a financial advisor with OSAIC Wealth, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. He has worked previously at Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. and Lakeside Financial Services, LLC, where he also serves as a managing member. In addition to his advisory roles, he operates a sole proprietorship providing tax consultation and preparation services. OSAIC Wealth serves a broad mix of retail and institutional clients, offering both brokerage and advisory services through a multi-advisor platform. The firm’s investment approach emphasizes model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization, with a range of programs including comprehensive financial planning, advisor-managed portfolios, and third-party money manager options.

Sarah Frimel is a financial advisor at Merrill with 11 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill since 2011. Sarah has a beneficial interest in a family-owned real estate LLC but does not have an active role in its operations. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Kimberly Kaylor is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 17 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at LPL Financial for 11 years. Kaylor is also involved with Williamson Wealth Group, a support company based in Cornelius, NC. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and employs analytical tools to illustrate potential outcomes, supporting clients through advisory programs and a broad advisor network.

Paul Collins is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at PNC Wealth Management, LPL Financial, and Riggs Securities. He is based in Cornelius, North Carolina. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery conversations and advanced modeling tools. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and serves clients through both direct and employer-based financial planning agreements.