Douglas Rongo is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 25 years of industry experience. His work history includes multiple roles within Cambridge Investment Research entities and Millennium Investment and Retirement Advisors. He serves as treasurer for the Tarheel Chapter of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and retirement-plan sponsors. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent Financial Professionals, utilizing a mix of proprietary and third-party model strategies tailored to client objectives.

Jackson Bell is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with a Series 66 credential and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Edward Jones since 2021 and has prior experience including self-employment and roles outside the financial industry such as with Andy Popplin Basketball Camps and JEA Design. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, and affiliated financial products. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and operates a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Jeffrey Almond is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Hickory, NC, with seven years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked in the mortgage industry at Movement Mortgage and W R Starkey Mortgage. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and corporate entities. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a nationwide network of financial advisors and offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies under a fiduciary standard.

William Barlow is a financial advisor at Edward Jones based in Hickory, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2025. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he was self-employed and owned an exterior house washing business for six years, as well as operating a café for three years. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets across a nationwide network of over 23,700 advisors and offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies alongside affiliated mutual funds and tax-efficient services.

Peter Livingston is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Mooresville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 38 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 1997. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Livingston Financial, a business related to his work at LPL. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services supported by research, model portfolios, and various management approaches.

David Brown is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and with 30 years of industry experience. He has worked at Raymond James Financial Services since 1999 and Peoples Bank/Peoples Investment Services since 2015. Brown also serves on the Planning Board for the City of Conover, North Carolina, and acts as trustee and executor for his late father’s estate, including managing the sale of Wilkes Broadcasting Company, a family-owned radio station. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutions. The firm emphasizes tailored, non-discretionary planning using risk profiling and analytical tools, and offers specialized programs such as SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory and municipal advisory services.

Collin Carlton is a Series 66-registered financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management, based in Hickory, NC, and has four years of industry experience. He has worked at various Thrivent entities since 2021 and has prior experience at Appalachian State University and Lowe's Home Improvement. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an ambassador for Muller Choker, an outdoor company specializing in hunting and skeet shooting equipment. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, delivering holistic, goal-based financial analyses without discretionary trading authority. The firm offers integrated planning and managed-account services, emphasizing periodic plan reviews and a broad range of financial topics.

John Tan is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Gradient Securities, LLC for 10 years and has been involved with Tkachyk Finance & Insurance Services, Inc. since 2011. Outside of his advisory work, he is a business owner of Bluesky Distillery. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, and charitable organizations through a national network. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by model portfolios and research from multiple sources.

Kaden Lail is a Financial Advisor affiliated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he provides clients with financial guidance and strategies tailored to their individual goals, including general investing, retirement planning, and preparing for unforeseen financial needs. He works closely with clients to understand their priorities and develop comprehensive plans to pursue their short-, mid-, and long-term objectives. Additionally, Kaden offers access to Bank of America specialists for services related to banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Kaden holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina System. He has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations, which reflect his commitment to professional development and expertise in retirement planning and investment advisory services. Through ongoing discussions, Kaden provides advice and guidance that adapts as clients' needs evolve, maintaining a focus on uncovering what matters most to them and their families to create effective financial strategies.

Debra Schneider is a CFP® professional with 27 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. She previously worked with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory solutions. The firm’s process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a broader investment menu that includes insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Luke Ryan is a financial advisor at Cetera with a Series 66 designation. He has recent experience with David E. Looper & Company, Inc., and multiple roles at Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. Ryan’s background includes work in construction and self-employment prior to entering the advisory field. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts through a nationwide network of more than 10,000 advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services, featuring multi-manager platform options and a suite of affiliated partners supporting diverse investment strategies.

Roy Boone is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Mooresville, North Carolina, holding a Series 66 designation with 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2008. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a trustee managing family tree farms in Mooresville. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary managed solutions and tax-efficient services.

Sandra Austin is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 21 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation for 10 years prior to joining Cambridge in 2021. Outside of her advisory role, she is also an independent insurance agent. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, retirement plan advisory, and financial wellness services through a network of independent professionals using a variety of portfolio management and platform options.

Tiffany Hart is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with five years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Raymond James Financial and its affiliated firms since 2022, in addition to prior roles at Peoples Bank and OneMan Financial. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm uses tailored, non-discretionary planning and analytical tools to support client goals and offers unique programs such as municipal advisory services and SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory & Consulting Services.

Charlene Meadows is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 20 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley for eight years. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies and an IRS-qualified Charitable Gift Fund. The firm combines fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to deliver model portfolios and manages oversight and governance for its advised funds.

Ann Watson is a financial advisor at Merrill with 32 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has been with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since 2009. 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 serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering model-based and discretionary strategies constructed by internal Chief Investment Office teams and third-party style managers.

Kelle Huffman is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 13 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2019, she worked at Sagepoint Financial, Inc. and SunTrust advisory firms. She is also a notary public in the State of North Carolina. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services, providing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and model portfolios.

Charles Benway is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, Benway serves as an ordained minister and pastor, performs Christian counseling and ceremonies, acts as a church elder, and is president of the West Point Society of Western North Carolina. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm focuses on holistic, goal-based planning across multiple financial topics and offers an option to combine planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing arrangement.

Kelly Jones is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Hickory, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. She has been with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2008. Jones serves on the Board of Directors for the Catawba Medical Foundation, a nonprofit supporting the Catawba Valley Health System. Thrivent Investment Management offers Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm focuses on holistic, goal-based planning across a range of topics and allows integration with managed-account programs while maintaining separate planning and investment services.

Richard Buchanan IV is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Hickory, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he was self-employed for three years and previously worked at Granite Hardwoods, Inc. for twelve years. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers goal-based, holistic planning that covers a wide range of financial topics without managing client portfolios directly.