Mark Thomas is a financial advisor at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Cambridge Investment Research, OneAmerica Securities, and W&S Brokerage Services. Thomas serves as a board member for Cabarrus Area Crime Stoppers and is a commissioned notary public. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base that includes 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 professionals, utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies across various platform arrangements.

William Rankin is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Concord, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and 15 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Robinhood Financial, Equitable Advisors, and MassMutual. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on holistic, goal-based financial analyses without discretionary trading authority. The firm offers planning engagements as either one-time or ongoing relationships and combines planning with managed-account programs through a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan.”

Stephen Kidd is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Salisbury, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services for 12 years and Edward Jones for 4 years. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions through a broad network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Gregory Powell is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with experience beginning in 2026. Prior to joining Thrivent, he worked in motorsports, including positions at Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering one-time or ongoing financial planning without discretionary trading authority. The firm focuses on holistic, goal-based analyses and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account programs under a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan.”

Chase Weichman is the Vice President and Executive Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2023. He works closely with executive clients to optimize their benefits and develop comprehensive wealth planning strategies across multiple areas. Chase has been with Fidelity Investments since 2019, progressing through roles including Workplace Planning Consultant and Benefits Planning Consultant. Prior to that, he was a Financial Professional at AXA Advisors from 2017 to 2019. He holds a California Insurance License to support his work. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Chase engages in camping, fitness, football, social events with friends, and traveling.

Sheryl Johnson is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 63 designation and over 40 years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial since 1986, with a brief tenure at SCF Securities and SCF Investment Advisors. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in managing the Skorpik Johnson Farm in South Dakota. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and model portfolio programs, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives and advanced operational tools.

Phillip Contacos is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors in Mooresville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 35 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing for 10 years before joining Wells Fargo Advisors in 2026. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network serves individuals, trusts, and institutional clients by providing investment and fee-based financial planning services, offering a broad range of planning options that address various client needs. The firm integrates advisory services with other financial product sales and referral channels, utilizing proprietary research and planning tools to tailor recommendations.

Jason Holt is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Linsco Private Ledger Corp since 2001. Outside of his advisory role, he is also an independent insurance agent specializing in fixed insurance products. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of services including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting advisors with technology and a broad suite of financial products.

Matthew Short is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Mooresville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Mutual of America Securities LLC, Mutual Of America Life Company, and LPL Financial LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he has experience with Cove Church and Cellulose Solutions. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of investment solutions, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies.

Nicolas Gilliam is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2006. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as COO of Brightstead Management LLC and is also an artist involved with Creative Dimensions. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving both individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning services that focus on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies. The firm’s approach integrates investment research and algorithmic tools within a defined product ecosystem.

Jeffery Mingo is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. His career background includes positions at The Vanguard Group, Robinhood Financial, MassMutual, and TIAA, among others. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC, where he works, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, employing a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage a broad range of investment products.

Stephen Smith is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Concord, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 15 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously at Wachovia Bank, N.A. since 2001. Outside of his financial advisory role, Smith serves as an umpire for local recreational baseball leagues. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm providing investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Raif Todd is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Salisbury, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and having 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he is co-president of a family rental property business in Monterey, California. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment options supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Stephanie Houghton is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2023, she worked at Kidd Financial Investments with Ameriprise Financial and has experience in education and the wine industry. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions through a large network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management solutions, including model portfolios and institutional platforms.

De Wayne Venzen is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Mooresville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he serves in the U.S. Army Reserve and is also involved in music. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, supported by a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Christopher Bice is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Mooresville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 27 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at SagePoint Financial, OSAIC, UBS Financial Services, and other firms. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a head coach for middle school sports. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a broad range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Caroline Collins is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with nine years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Edward Jones since 2001. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of investment strategies and advisory services supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Daniel Richardson is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management in Concord, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has professional experience at Lincoln Financial and Liberty Life Assurance prior to joining Thrivent. Richardson has been with Thrivent and its affiliated entities since 2025. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers holistic, goal-based financial planning covering a wide range of topics and combines planning with managed-account programs under a consolidated billing arrangement called “WealthPlan,” while maintaining separation between planning and portfolio management.

Steven Looser is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Davidson, North Carolina. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 24 years of industry experience, including over a decade with LPL Financial and a year at Edward Jones. Looser operates under the DBA The Looser Financial Group. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, supported by its extensive network of investment adviser representatives.

Vachel Pennebaker is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Mooresville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and three years of industry experience. His career includes roles at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Florida Financial Advisors. Prior to entering the financial industry, he held various positions in retail and service businesses. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through its Institutional Consulting Services program, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applying an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.