Denise Johnson is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and 21 years of industry experience. She has worked with Eagle Strategies since 2011 and maintains long-standing roles with Nylife Securities Inc and New York Life Insurance Company. Outside of advisory work, she serves as a Notary Public. Eagle Strategies provides financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, defined contribution and benefit plans, and charitable and corporate clients, with a focus on tailored solutions and non-discretionary asset management.

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® with 43 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC. He has held roles at Charlotte Wealth Management, LLC and LPL Financial. Gardner also serves as an agent of record for 1st Atlantic Brokerage, engaging in non-variable insurance activities. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing services such as asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm utilizes a network model combining independent advisory representatives with access to third-party managers, technology platforms, and brokerage services through 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 and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Mei has one year of industry experience, with previous roles at LPL Financial, Primerica, Robeco, Franklin Templeton, and Natixis. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm provides asset management, financial planning, wealth coaching, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing various portfolio management strategies and technology platforms to support clients’ financial goals.

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 financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 22 years of industry experience and a Series 66 designation. He has worked with several affiliated firms, including Truist Investment Services and SunTrust Advisory Services. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting and uses AI-enabled tools and inter-affiliate resources to support manager selection and ongoing portfolio oversight.

Robert Needham is a CFP® professional with 37 years of experience in financial advisory roles. He is currently with Truist Advisory Services and has previously worked at firms including Wells Fargo Advisors, UBS Financial Services, and BB&T Bank. Outside of his advisory work, he has experience as an independent rideshare driver. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, utilizing a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Shaun Foster is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has four years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Total Quality Logistics, ADP Inc, and Brighthouse Financial. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, consulting, and retirement plan services. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor asset allocations and portfolio management aligned with 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 with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has eight years of industry experience. Jennifer has been associated with 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 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 various securities with periodic reviews and rebalancing.

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.