Nikkita Gibson is a financial advisor at Cetera with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Deal Financial Group, Inc. and Heritage Planning Associates. Outside of finance, Gibson is an artist with over 20 years of experience and serves on the audience engagement committee at the Hickory Museum of Art, as well as on the board of the nonprofit Outright Youth. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC operates a nationwide network of independent advisors serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers diverse portfolio management options, financial planning, and access to third-party managers across multiple program structures and custodial relationships.

Steven Reese is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 20 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2006. Outside of his advisory role, Reese is involved in commercial real estate as a partner and serves as vice president of the owners association for a local property. 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 affiliated products, supported by a large national network of financial advisors and branches.

Nicholas St George is a CFP® professional with 20 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial. His prior experience includes roles at Merrill Lynch, Raymond James Financial Services, and UBS Financial Services. He operates St. George Wealth Management, LLC as part of his LPL business. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions through a broad network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to third-party asset management, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies.

Amy Lowe is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, holding a Series 66 credential and 14 years of industry experience. She worked at UBS Financial Services from 2011 to 2021 before joining Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, where she has been since 2021. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individuals and institutional clients with a wide range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm employs structured discovery conversations and proprietary planning tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Zoran Smiljanic serves as a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been active in the financial services industry since 2004, beginning his career at HSBC before joining Merrill and the Utz Keller Wealth Management Group in 2017. In his current role, Zoran works closely with clients and their families to provide integrated financial advice and both short- and long-term wealth planning. His approach emphasizes understanding each client’s goals to develop tailored strategies that offer clarity and control over their financial lives. He leverages the investment insights of Merrill and the banking services of Bank of America to address various financial needs. Zoran’s areas of expertise include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. He employs a holistic wealth management process that considers seven key life priorities: family, finances, health, home, leisure, work, and giving. This goal-based approach helps clients navigate changing life circumstances and evolving priorities. Zoran earned a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is fluent in English and Serbo-Croatian. Originally from upstate New York, he now resides in Huntersville, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and children and exploring the Lake Norman and Charlotte areas. His personal interests include basketball, boating, cooking, golfing, hiking, skiing, and tennis.

Henry Thompson IV is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and with 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2016 and also maintains a long-term association with Capital Concepts that dates back to 2004. Outside of his advisory work, he serves on the boards of the YMCA of Catawba Valley Soccer Club and SALT Block, and is a trustee of the Uncle Larry Fund private foundation. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad mix of individual and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations, by providing financial planning, ongoing investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs through a large network of financial professionals and multiple investment platforms.

Thomas Bumgarner is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 36 years of industry experience. He previously worked at VOYA Financial Advisors and has operated his own firm, Stan Bumgarner Incorporated, since 2010. He is also the owner of Stan Bumgarner Wealth Management and works as an independent insurance agent. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers.

Steven Johnson is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 26 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. since 2009. Outside of his work at Raymond James, he is the CEO of The Johnson Financial Group LLC. 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 clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting using analytical tools and supports municipal and public finance advisory services uncommon among large institutional advisors.

Brent Mcdonald is a financial advisor at Cetera with 22 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has worked at several firms, including Securities America and Investacorp, and has been a co-owner of Tar Heel Wealth Management since 2010. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a general board member for the Pregnancy Care Center of Catawba Valley and presents financial educational workshops through My Secure Advantage. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser that serves individual, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with a variety of portfolio management and financial planning services, managing over $256 billion in assets across more than 10,000 advisors.

Brandon Weiland is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Hickory, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with three years of industry experience. His background includes roles in digital marketing and law enforcement. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a broad range of investment advisory programs and affiliated financial services.

Robert Clark is a CFP® with 28 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates. He has been with Raymond James since 2013 and previously worked with Rcb Sports and the Arena Football League. Clark also serves on the finance committee of Denver United Methodist Church, where he acts as an auditor overseeing church accounts. Raymond James & Associates is a large dual-registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser with approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning and non-discretionary investment consulting supported by various portfolio management styles and firm research.

Jason Ma is a CFP® professional with 11 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. and has prior experience at JPMorgan Securities LLC, Bank of America, Merrill, and Wells Fargo Clearing. He is also involved as an associate at Williamson Wealth Group in Cornelius, NC, where he works as a wealth advisor managing client assets. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a broad client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting using analytical tools and supports municipal and public-finance work through a unique affiliation with a municipal advisor.

Ryan Mulligan is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services in Catawba, NC, holding the Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at LPL Financial LLC and Independent Financial Partners. MML Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers, offering financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars.

Tiffany Little is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Newton, North Carolina, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and three years of industry experience. Prior to rejoining Edward Jones in 2023, she worked at United Bank for 12 years. She also serves as a voter assistant for the Catawba County Board of Elections. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, access to separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm is notable for its extensive retail advisor network and additional financial services such as trust and securities-based lending.

James Collins is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Hickory, North Carolina, holding a Series 66 designation with 15 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2010. 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 advisors, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies along with affiliated mutual funds and other financial services.

Michael Macomson II is a financial advisor at Mass Mutual Investors Services with two years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations. His background includes multiple roles at MassMutual Life Insurance Company and Mass Mutual Investors Services, as well as experience in the retail and education sectors. Mass Mutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars using firm-approved analytical tools and structured, collaborative client relationships.

Kavondra Jeter is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 11 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has prior experience at Wells Fargo Clearing Services and TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning services.

Jennifer Suminguit is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Cornelius, NC, bringing 19 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009 and holds a position with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a board member for Creative Art Exchange. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning that utilizes structured discovery and firm-approved tools, serving approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Kyle Smithers is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley since 2016, including six years with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. Prior to his advisory career, he attended UNC Charlotte and worked at Tenders Fresh Food (now called PDQ). Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored financial planning and a range of advisory programs, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Donald Chapman is a financial advisor at RBC Capital Markets with 32 years of industry experience. He has been with RBC Capital Markets Corporation since 2008 and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Outside of his advisory role, he is president of Chapman & Chapman Assoc. LLC, a business involved in property ownership. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs combining discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management with financial planning and brokerage services, utilizing both in-house and third-party investment managers.