Michael Arner is a financial advisor with TLG Advisors, Inc. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 17 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Securities America Advisors, Investacorp, and Highland Brokerage Capital. Additionally, he is involved with Modern Life as a brokerage manager and wholesaler of insurance products. TLG Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm focuses on manager selection and monitoring using fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, offering services through independent advisors and a direct-to-consumer digital program called Starlight Portfolios.

Brenton Simonson is a Certified Financial Planner® with 17 years of industry experience. He currently works at Creative Planning and previously held roles at LPL Financial and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning-led investment approach focused on low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supported by a large advisory team and integrated investment infrastructure.

Chad Pannell is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with LPL Financial and Independent Advisor Alliance since 2016. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting services. The firm utilizes a network model of independent advisory representatives and combines discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management with technology platforms for account aggregation and estate planning.

Brett Oconnor is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with one year of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Fifth Third Securities since 2025, with prior roles at Fifth Third Bank, Woodforest National Bank, and Banfield Animal Hospital. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, institutions, and business entities. The firm offers investment advisory and brokerage services through various program types on the Passageway Managed Account platform, combining multiple portfolio management strategies and third-party offerings.

Karl Mount III is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. He has worked in various roles within the Bankers Life organization since 2018 and previously operated a bar and grill. In addition to his advisory duties, he recruits and trains insurance agents as a unit field trainer for Bankers Life & Casualty. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals with discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor asset allocations and manages portfolios across multiple securities, with support from affiliated broker-dealer and insurance entities.

Lauren Grames is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and five years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at LPL Financial, Mutual of Omaha, and National Life Group. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base, including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a network model of advisory representatives and combines discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management with access to third-party platforms and services.

Stuart Gardner Jr. is a CFP® professional with over 43 years of industry experience. He is currently with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and has held prior roles at Charlotte Wealth Management, LPL Financial, Securities America Advisors, Ameriprise Advisor Services, and Wells Fargo Clearing. Gardner is based in Charlotte, NC. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, wealth coaching, and retirement plan consulting through a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management strategies. The firm integrates technology platforms and a network model that includes advisory representatives dually registered with LPL Financial.

Johnny Rutledge is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and holds the Series 66 designation. He has 18 years of industry experience, including roles at LPL Financial since 2014 and Independent Advisor Alliance since 2016. Outside of his advisory work, Rutledge is a part-owner of Red Key Ventures, an entertainment business. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm provides asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting, using both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management approaches along with various analytical techniques and technology platforms.

Christopher Hassett is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (New York Life) based in Charlotte, NC. He holds the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license and has 31 years of industry experience. His prior roles include eight years with Dedicated Income Solutions and over two decades with Eagle Strategies and related New York Life entities. He serves as secretary on the Giverny Neighborhood HOA board, handling community communications. Eagle Strategies serves individual and institutional clients, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services through a large network of affiliated advisors. The firm offers multiple program types tailored to client objectives, with a notable focus on non-discretionary asset management and relationships with a broad range of institutional sponsors.

Jin Mei is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and two years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at LPL Financial, Primerica Advisors, Robeco, Franklin Templeton, and Natixis. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a broad client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm utilizes a network model of advisory representatives and provides access to various portfolio management strategies, third-party managers, and technology platforms to support client services.

Brett Sneed is a financial advisor at PNC Wealth Management with 11 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at PNC Investments since 2019. His prior experience includes roles at Allegacy Federal Credit Union, CUSO Financial Services, LP, and Edward Jones. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including a discretionary online model account available by invitation to employees. The program uses algorithm-driven risk assessments and manages portfolios with mutual funds and ETFs, relying on third-party strategists and delegates for execution and oversight.

Terry Lineberger is a CFP® with 30 years of industry experience, currently with D.A. Davidson & Co. since 2020. Prior to joining D.A. Davidson, he worked at Robert W. Baird & Co. for 11 years. He is also a co-author involved in promoting and selling books outside of his advisory role. D.A. Davidson & Co. provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a broad client base, including retirement plans, individual investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm operates under fiduciary standards and offers various advisory and planning services, distinguishing itself through municipal advising and affiliated custodial entities.

Benjamin Denning is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 22 years of industry experience. He is currently with Truist Advisory Services and has worked with several related firms, including Truist Investment Services and SunTrust Advisory Services. His career includes prior roles at Merrill and BB&T-affiliated entities. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools to support its asset allocation strategies and manager selection, offering ongoing client reviews and reporting through its affiliation with Truist Financial.

Robert Needham is a CFP® professional with 37 years of industry experience, currently serving at Truist Advisory Services. His prior experience includes roles at BB&T Bank and UBS Financial Services. Outside of financial advising, he has worked as an independent rideshare driver since 2018. Truist Advisory Services offers investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools to support its advice and provides ongoing client reviews and reporting.

Shaun Foster is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and having four years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Bankers Life & Casualty, Bankers Life Securities Inc., and ADP Inc., among others. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor asset allocations and ongoing portfolio management based on clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

Tyler Fiorenza is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with three years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Fifth Third Securities since 2022 and Fifth Third Bank since 2020, with prior experience in insurance and retail sectors. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank.

Jennifer Vaughan is a financial advisor at Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, with eight years of industry experience. She holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at Bankers Life Securities Inc. since 2017 and Bankers Life & Casualty since 2015. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, non-discretionary investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm combines fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis methods to develop tailored asset allocations, offering both wrap and non-wrap programs and working with a range of securities within customized portfolios.

Denis Moulton Jr. is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc. in Matthews, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has been with Fifth Third Securities since 2000. Fifth Third Securities provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate and business clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs and combines third-party portfolio managers, strategist portfolios, and advisor-managed sleeves, with features such as direct indexing and optional tax-overlay services.

Craig Faile is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and holds the CFP® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 29 years of industry experience, including over a decade each at Independent Advisor Alliance and LPL Financial. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, wealth coaching, and retirement plan consulting. The firm utilizes various portfolio management strategies and technology platforms to support client services and maintains a network of advisory representatives with ties to LPL Financial.

Jeffrey Gagne II is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with Series 66 credentials and a background that includes roles at Truist Investment Services and Truist Bank. Prior to entering the financial industry, he worked at Alice Jules Coffee House. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm integrates traditional research with AI-enabled tools and offers a range of services including outsourced asset management and fiduciary support.