Stephen Thacker is a financial advisor at Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC with 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Verdence since 2017 and previously worked at Hightower Advisors from 2015 to 2017. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Verdence Capital Advisors serves a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, business entities, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a variety of investment strategies based on fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis and offers specialized teams for family office services, sports and entertainment clients, and sub-advisory consulting.

Noah Akers is a financial advisor with Arkadios Wealth Advisors and holds a Series 66 designation. He has two years of industry experience and serves as a managing partner of Daniel Alan LLC, a tax preparation and accounting firm. Arkadios Wealth Advisors is a multi-team SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals, trusts, businesses, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers customized investment plans implemented through various account types and combines fundamental, technical, and cyclical investment analysis.

Kelly Wright is a financial advisor at Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC with 14 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and Series 63 designations and previously worked at Congress Wealth Management LLC and Pinnacle Advisory Group, Inc. He serves on the board of directors for the Financial Planning Association of Maryland. Verdence Capital Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individuals, businesses, and trusts, and offers specialized services such as family office support and sports and entertainment advisory. The firm uses a combined fundamental, technical, and cyclical investment process and provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and sub-advisory solutions.

Ben Johnson is a financial advisor at Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC with a Series 65 license and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Verdence, he worked at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Baltimore County Public Schools. Verdence Capital Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, pension plans, trusts, and independent advisers. The firm employs a multi-faceted investment approach combining fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to manage portfolios across various vehicles and provides specialized services such as family office, sports and entertainment advisory, and OCIO sub-advisory solutions.

Leo Kelly IV is a financial advisor at Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC with two years of industry experience. He previously worked at T. Rowe Price for three years and has academic experience at Wake Forest University and Benson University Center. Verdence Capital Advisors serves a diverse client base including individual investors of varying net worth, businesses, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and independent advisers. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and financial planning through specialized teams with expertise in family office services, sports and entertainment advisory, OCIO/sub-advisory solutions, and consulting engagements.

Colin Rafferty is a financial advisor at Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC with six years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Robert Half International. Outside of finance, he works as an Uber Eats driver. Verdence Capital Advisors serves individual clients, businesses, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and independent advisers. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to manage portfolios across various investment vehicles and offers specialized services including family office support, sports and entertainment advisory, OCIO/sub-advisory solutions, and consulting.

Cameron Leydig is a Series 65-licensed advisor at Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC with three years of industry experience. His background includes roles in diverse sectors such as sports, hospitality, and education, including positions at the Baltimore Ravens and Stevenson University. Verdence Capital Advisors serves a broad client base including individuals, businesses, pension plans, and trusts, offering discretionary portfolio management and financial planning through specialized teams focused on family office services, sports and entertainment advisory, OCIO/sub‑advisory solutions, and standalone consulting. The firm combines fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to manage portfolios across various investment vehicles and provides OCIO services and research support to other registered advisers.

Thomas Clark Jr. is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and previously worked at Lockton Companies in various capacities from 2006 to 2021. Outside of his advisory role, he consults on software through a separate business, Benetic. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach that emphasizes low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies for long-term goals, supplemented by direct indexing, tax-loss harvesting, and selective private market exposure.

Matthew Rodgville is a financial advisor at CWM, LLC with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential. His prior work includes roles at Jacob William Advisory, Assured Partners, and Gorfine, Schiller & Gardyn. He also worked with the Tulane University Athletic Department. CWM, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth families, foundations, endowments, corporations, and institutions through a network of over 600 advisors. The firm employs discretionary management using model portfolios overseen by an internal Investment Committee, combining fundamental and technical analysis with third-party sub-advisors and customization tools.

Jay Schuman is a CFP® professional with 18 years of industry experience, currently serving at Focus Partners Wealth, LLC. His career includes roles at The Colony Group, Connectus Wealth, Horan Capital Management, and T. Rowe Price Advisory Services. Focus Partners Wealth, LLC provides wealth management and advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth families, family offices, and institutional clients. The firm employs a long-term, tax- and fee-sensitive investment approach that combines active and passive strategies within an enhanced open architecture framework.

James Ryan is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with SunTrust entities since 2014, including SunTrust Advisory Services and SunTrust Investment Services. Ryan serves on the board of the Ulman Foundation, where he organizes events and volunteers to support young cancer patients and their families. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation, fiduciary support, and manager selection programs, utilizing a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary strategies supported by inter-affiliate resources and AI-enabled research.

Stephen Norris Jr. is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 14 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Primerica Advisors in Edgewater, MD. His prior work includes roles at Park Avenue Securities and Guardian Life Insurance Company dating back to 2011. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Towson Chamber of Commerce. Primerica Advisors serves a broad retail client base, offering brokerage and advisory services along with financial and business consulting. The firm employs a mix of proprietary and third-party investment strategies and supports a range of account-level services including lending solutions and donor-advised funds.

Christopher Knox is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services and holds Series 63, 65, and 66 credentials. He has 16 years of industry experience, including prior roles at Wells Fargo and its affiliates from 2014 to 2021. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a wrestling coach for Calvert Hall College High School. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by AI-enabled research tools and integrated inter-affiliate services.

Sean Kelly is a ChFC® with 40 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Integrity Alliance, LLC. He has worked at Integrity Alliance since 2025 and previously held roles at Lion Street Advisors, Lion Street Financial, and Kestra Financial Services. Kelly serves as a board member of the Baltimore Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and is President-Elect of the Baltimore Estate Planning Council for 2025-2026. Integrity Alliance is a large advisory network with over 300 independent advisors managing approximately $5.4 billion in client assets. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and third-party manager referrals to a diverse client base, including individual investors, corporations, and qualified retirement plans.

Danielle Szikman is a Series 65-licensed advisor with Mariner, where she has worked since 2026. Prior to joining Mariner, she held roles at T. Rowe Price and Allegis Group. She has experience connected to University of Maryland Hillel and involvement with educational institutions. Mariner serves a broad mix of clients, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations, offering investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and coordinated tax and family office services. The firm utilizes discretionary, customized portfolios supported by in-house research and third-party managers, with a notable integration of tax and accounting services uncommon for firms of its size.

Laurence Seiden is a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott with 22 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP®, ChFC®, and Series 66 credentials. His prior experience includes roles at Goldman Sachs / United Capital Financial Advisers, Girard Securities, and Cetera Advisor Networks LLC. He serves on the External Affairs Committee of the Maryland Center for History and Culture. Janney Montgomery Scott is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, families, trusts, estates, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and municipal clients, offering a range of brokerage, financial planning, and advisory services.

Gordon Smith is a financial advisor at Primerica Advisors with 40 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® and Series 63 designations. His career includes roles at Park Avenue Securities and Guardian Life Insurance Company. Smith is also involved in insurance sales. Park Avenue Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers both brokerage and advisory services, utilizing a range of proprietary and third-party investment strategies and programs.

Gennadiy Todd is a CFP® and Series 65-licensed financial advisor with seven years of industry experience. He is currently with Focus Partners Wealth, LLC, having previously worked at The Colony Group, Verdence Capital Advisors, and Buttonwood Financial Advisors. Outside of finance, he was involved with Fashion Your Way for five years. Focus Partners Wealth serves individuals, high-net-worth families, family offices, and institutional clients with a broad range of wealth management and advisory services. The firm employs a long-term, tax- and fee-sensitive investment approach that combines active and passive strategies, third-party managers, and private funds under an enhanced open architecture framework.

Jennifer Hoffman is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with one year of industry experience. She holds the Series 65 designation and previously worked at Lockton Investment Advisors, LLC for five years. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, trusts, foundations, and corporations. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach that integrates low-cost indexing, buy-and-hold strategies, and selective private market exposure while managing approximately $295.6 billion in client assets.

Brian Rubin is a financial advisor with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. in Timonium, MD. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 22 years of industry experience, including 13 years with Benjamin F. Edwards. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as the Personal Representative for the Estate of Keith A. Rubin. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations through fee-based wrap programs, financial planning, and investment management consulting. The firm offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary strategies monitored by an Investment Strategy Committee and provides custody, clearance, and trading services alongside its advisory offerings.