Brant Spesshardt is a CFP® professional with 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2026, following three years at OSAIC and 23 years at FSC Securities. Outside of his advisory role, he is a partner at Banyan Rock and Talent Insurance Agency, where he assists in overseeing the agency. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a nationwide network of investment adviser representatives. The firm provides a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and consulting services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches supported by research and technology.

Melissa Hasty is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 9 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Her prior work includes roles at Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC and Madison Property Management Solutions. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including discretionary portfolio management, fund advisory, and model portfolio delivery. The firm employs a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction across a broad investable universe.

Russell Emrath is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Apex, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated firms since 2008. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets, providing detailed written Recommendation Reports that cover income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis, delivering personalized, algorithm-assisted recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Brian Shobert is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Wells Fargo in various capacities since 2009. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as a FINRA arbitrator, assisting in dispute resolution. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser that provides investment and fee-based financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of planning services utilizing proprietary research and tools, with advisors delivering tailored recommendations on a discrete engagement basis.

Gavin Dabkowski is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, he spent four years at Clemson University and thirteen years with Peters Township School District. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to diverse clients, including retail and institutional investors. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage a range of portfolios, including multi-manager and fund-of-funds structures.

Jonathan Foley is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and was previously with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as trustee and holds power of attorney for his mother's trust in Raleigh, NC. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s IPS-driven advisory process incorporates modern portfolio theory and includes a broad range of investment options, such as insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Keith Jackson is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with six years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2021, with prior experience at Wells Fargo Bank and Wells Fargo Clearing Services. Outside of his advisory roles, he has been involved with TAK30V3RMUSIC from 2020 to 2024. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, focusing on asset-allocation advice, manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm integrates quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework in its investment recommendations.

Drew Steffens is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been serving clients since 1994. He specializes in building long-term relationships with high net worth families and focuses on restricted and concentrated stock strategies, investment manager due diligence, and asset allocation modeling. Drew's client services include Corporate Executive Services, Family Wealth Management Strategies, Legacy Planning, Liquidity Management, Managing New Wealth, and Portfolio Management Services. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Dartmouth College and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Over his career, Drew has been recognized with multiple industry honors, including being named to the Barron's Top 1000 and Top 1200 Advisor lists during the early 2010s, as well as repeated appearances on the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors and Wealth Management Teams lists throughout the 2020s. Drew has contributed to the community through his service on various boards, including the Montessori School of Raleigh Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2005, the North Carolina Symphony Foundation Board from 1998 to 2004, the North Ridge Country Club Board of Governors from 2017 to 2019, and the Old Chatham Board of Directors beginning in 2025. He resides in Raleigh with his wife and four children, and in his personal time he enjoys drawing/sketching, golfing, reading, and spending time with his family.

Johnaustin Chapman is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with Edward Jones in Chapel Hill, NC, where he has worked since 2013. He has 12 years of industry experience and is a founding partner of Chapman & One, a market research firm that provides insights on competition, pricing, and opportunities for start-up clients. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs, discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, and affiliated investment products through a nationwide network of advisors.

Dustin Hall is a CFP® professional with 22 years of industry experience, currently with LPL Financial since 2008. He holds a Series 66 license and operates out of Cary, NC. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved with Hall & Burns Tax Management, LLC, providing tax preparation services. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a nationwide network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary management, model portfolios, and retirement plan consulting.

Jason Kristof is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. He previously worked at Merrill from 2014 to 2021 and has been with Raymond James since 2021. Outside of his advisory role, he works as a product specialist at Audi Cary. Raymond James & Associates is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base, offering financial planning and investment consulting through various programs, with a non-discretionary approach that involves tailored planning and a range of portfolio management styles.

Matthew Savidge is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with two years of industry experience. He has previously worked in property management at Mid America Apartments and Greystar. Based in Raleigh, NC, Savidge holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides written recommendation reports and ongoing retirement income planning focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Geoffrey Bell is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 2005, where he works with executives and families to manage wealth, focusing on complex multi-generational needs. His role involves wealth forecasting, portfolio management, analytics, and performance reviews. Geoffrey also assists clients with developing restricted-stock award strategies, including Rule 10b5-1 programs and other Rule 144 issues, as well as facilitating family meetings concerning intergenerational wealth transfers. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Geoffrey earned bachelor's degrees in economics and management and society from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He currently serves as corporate secretary for the Research Triangle Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors. Outside of his professional career, Geoffrey enjoys outdoor activities including soccer, mountain biking, golf, skiing, and skydiving. He lives in Cary, North Carolina, with his wife and their four children.

Elizabeth Scott is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and three years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Modern Woodmen of America and Guaranteed Rate. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through its Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers for a range of individual, institutional, and charitable clients.

William Stephens is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with clients to develop personalized wealth management strategies that connect all aspects of their financial lives, helping them prioritize and pursue the goals that matter most to them. His areas of expertise include family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. William holds professional designations such as Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from East Carolina University. Outside of his professional pursuits, William enjoys adventure sports, fishing, football, hunting, pickleball, surfing, and spending time with his family.

Frederick Cutter IV is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has previously worked at Edward Jones, Cetera Advisors LLC, and FWC Financial. Cutter is also involved with FWC Financial LLC in a non-investment-related capacity outside of his advisory role. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary management, model portfolios, and retirement plan consulting.

Hudson Wilson is a financial advisor with Fidelity Investments based in Durham, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and seven years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at MML Investors Services, Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company, and Northwestern Mutual. He is part of Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company that provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a blend of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction.

Donna Alston is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, she worked at Jazz Pharmaceuticals and Biogen. Outside of her advisory role, she manages a rental property leased to a family member, overseeing homeowners association matters. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies. The firm is notable for its extensive network of advisors and branches, as well as its affiliated services such as a trust company and proprietary mutual funds.

David Vaikness is a financial advisor at LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license with 27 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at CITIGROUP, Wells Fargo, BancWest Investment Services, and First Horizon Advisors. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including retirement plan consulting and brokerage services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by proprietary and third-party research.

Ryan Mcdonald is a financial advisor at Fidelity with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Fidelity Investments since 2022. Prior to his current role, his work experience includes positions in retail and food service industries. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, employing a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm is noted for its use of systematic methodologies, AI-enhanced research, and its advisory role to multiple registered investment companies.