Conrad Phillips is a financial advisor at A4 Wealth Advisors LLC with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Alphastar Capital Management LLC and Tactical Investment Advisors, LLC. In addition to his advisory role, he operates a life and health insurance agency as a sole proprietor. A4 Wealth Advisors LLC provides personalized financial planning and investment management services to individuals, retirement and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm combines in-house advice with sub-advisors and co-advisor models, incorporating alternative investments and maintaining active oversight of these holdings.

Jennifer Friedland is a financial advisor at WestEnd Advisors, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 15 years of industry experience. She has been with WestEnd Advisors since 2011. WestEnd Advisors is an SEC-registered investment adviser that provides discretionary portfolio management and third-party ETF model strategies to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, government entities, and corporations. The firm employs a macro-driven investment process, focusing on sector and equity selection based on broad economic trends, and operates as an autonomous investment franchise under Victory Capital.

Andrea Kovacs is a financial advisor at CORE Advisory Group in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with four years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Securities, Merrill Lynch, and Bank of America, as well as a period at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. CORE Advisory Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $297 million in assets with a team of ten advisors, offering discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting through a variety of investment strategies and platform solutions.

Lori Copeland is a financial advisor at Sparta Wealth Partners in Charlotte, NC, with five years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including LPL Financial, SilverRock Wealth Partners, and The Morgan Companies. Prior to her advisory career, she spent nine years as a homemaker. Sparta Wealth Partners serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and retirement plans, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and ERISA retirement-plan advisory services. The firm employs a combination of fundamental and technical analysis and collaborates with Independent Managers to support client investment strategies.

John Balcerzak is a CFP® professional with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving at A4 Wealth Advisors LLC. He has held roles at multiple firms including Gradient Investments, Formulafolio Investments, and High Tech Lending. Outside of advisory work, he is involved with Sunset Cove Enterprises LLC, focusing on land development and investor relations. A4 Wealth Advisors LLC provides personalized financial planning and investment management to individuals, retirement and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm integrates in-house advice with sub-advisors and co-advisor models, emphasizing alternative investments and maintaining insurance-related business activities as part of its operating approach.

Jamie Bigsby is a CFP® with 22 years of experience in the financial industry. He currently works at Glassy Mountain Advisors, Inc. and previously held roles at PNC and The Vanguard Group, Inc. Outside of finance, Jamie owns SouthPark Mahjong, a business focused on mahjong instruction, event planning, and design. Glassy Mountain Advisors provides wealth management services primarily to high-net-worth individuals and institutions, using a value-oriented, fundamentals-based investment approach with discretionary portfolio management and integrated financial planning offered at no extra cost to clients.

Taylor Wade is a CFP® professional with 11 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently affiliated with MBL Advisors, where he has worked since 2021. His prior experience includes roles at Wells Fargo Advisors and The American College of Financial Services. MBL Wealth serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans with discretionary and non-discretionary wealth management, comprehensive financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm’s investment approach is goals-based and emphasizes diversified, long-term asset allocation using macro, fundamental, and technical analysis along with modern portfolio theory.

Jonathan Dry is a CFP® professional with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at MBL Advisors in Charlotte, NC. His prior experience includes roles at Bank of America and Merrill Lynch. Outside of his advisory work, he serves on the advisory boards of several companies, including RiceWrap Foods Corporation, Sheets Laundry Club, and BatteryXchange, providing strategic and growth guidance. MBL Wealth (MBL Advisors) offers discretionary and non-discretionary wealth management, comprehensive financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, businesses, charitable organizations, and qualified retirement plans. The firm employs a goals-based, broadly diversified investment approach incorporating macroeconomic, fundamental, and technical analysis, managing over $1.14 billion in discretionary assets through a team of ten advisors.

Andrew Tudor is a CFP® professional with nine years of experience in wealth management. He is currently with Zenith Wealth Partners, where he has worked since 2024, following roles at Alchemist Wealth, LLC and Northwestern Mutual. Tudor participates in the Vanta Investment Group, dedicating part of his time to organizing and overseeing its activities. Zenith Wealth Partners serves individuals, small businesses, and charitable organizations with wealth planning, investment management, and business advisory services. The firm employs both active and passive investment strategies and offers educational events, independent manager due diligence, and unique client engagement methods.

Grace Klopstad is a financial advisor with WestEnd Advisors, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Principal Asset Management, Principal Securities, and Victory Capital Services. She is also affiliated with Principal Global Investors, LLC where she performs certain functions. WestEnd Advisors is an SEC-registered investment adviser that provides discretionary portfolio management and third-party ETF model strategies to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, government entities, and corporations. The firm’s macro-driven investment process emphasizes sector and large-cap equity allocation based on broad economic analysis and operates as an autonomous Victory Capital investment franchise while leveraging affiliate support services.

Brooks Riley is a financial advisor at GRP Retirement Planning with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has held roles at AlphaStar Capital Management, Advisory Alpha, and Greene Point Partners. Outside of his advisory work, he provides business consulting focused on practice management and marketing strategy. GRP Retirement Planning is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $155 million for individuals, high-net-worth clients, businesses, non-profits, and municipal entities. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party sub-advisors, tailoring advice based on client objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Frederick Porter is a CFA® charterholder with 18 years of industry experience. He has been with WestEnd Advisors, LLC since 2008. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management and third-party ETF model strategies to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, government entities, and corporations. WestEnd's investment process is macro-driven, combining quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify economically favorable sectors and securities, and it operates as an autonomous franchise under Victory Capital while serving as a notable model provider in the advisory industry.

Charles Teden is a financial advisor at Alpha Omega Wealth Management, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 10 years of industry experience. He worked at Davenport & Company LLC from 2008 to 2018 before joining Alpha Omega Investment Advisors, where he has been since 2018. Alpha Omega Wealth Management serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and retirement plan sponsors, offering investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and family-office style services. The firm’s approach includes fundamental analysis, use of options and derivatives, and allocation to various investment vehicles, supported by AI tools and a documented strategy uncommon among similarly sized advisory teams.

Andrew Kelleher is a financial advisor with Aptus Financial, LLC and holds a Series 65 designation. He has been with Aptus Financial since 2026 and has previous experience working at Summit Coffee. Aptus Financial provides flat-fee financial planning and advisory services primarily to individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, serving early-career professionals, medical and dental residents, and small business owners. The firm emphasizes passive, long-term asset allocation with low-cost index funds and ETFs, focusing on client education rather than discretionary portfolio management.

Jennifer Fuller is a financial advisor at Defender Capital with Series 65 and Series 63 licenses. She joined the firm in 2025 and has experience at TIAA and Tiaa, as well as roles outside finance including positions at Trader Joe's and involvement with Advantage Living and The Charlotte Church. She has worked in both advisory and community settings. Defender Capital serves individual and high-net-worth investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm employs fundamental analysis and custom portfolio management using exchange-traded equities and tailored strategies to meet client objectives and risk tolerance.

Kaylynne Willis is a financial advisor at A4 Wealth Advisors LLC with six years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. She has worked at several firms including Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Foster Financial Group, and Valic Financial Advisors. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in equine therapy as a PEMF specialist and serves on the board of a nonprofit organization called Unique World Gifts. A4 Wealth Advisors serves individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, managing approximately $214 million. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management, using a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis implemented through direct management and sub-advisors, with an emphasis on due diligence and oversight of alternative investments.

Brian Ager is a financial advisor at Verum Partners LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 designation. He has one year of industry experience, with prior roles at Yellow Ventures and Sands Investment Group. Outside of finance, he was involved with Queen Anne Spirits & Wine from 2023 to 2025. Verum Partners provides customized wealth management and discretionary portfolio management services for high net worth individuals, families, trusts, and estates. The firm sponsors a wrap fee program and supplements its offerings with access to independent portfolio managers, using client goals and risk tolerance to develop tailored investment strategies.

Nick Stockdale is a financial advisor at Linden Thomas Advisory Services, LLC with 11 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked previously at The Vanguard Group, Inc and Adhesion Wealth. Outside of his advisory role, he owns RockBox Fitness, a franchise specializing in boxing-based fitness classes. Linden Thomas Advisory Services provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement plan services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs a diversified investment approach based on modern portfolio theory, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management through separately managed accounts and proprietary index programs.

James Baynard is a CFA® charterholder with five years of industry experience. He is currently with Novare Capital Management in Charlotte, NC, where he has worked since 2023. Prior to that, he held roles at Kudu Investment Management, JPMorgan Chase Bank, and GE Capital. Baynard also engages in independent consulting related to GP stakes through expert network firms. Novare Capital Management is a wealth management firm with 18 advisors managing approximately $1.9 billion for individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and financial institutions. The firm provides comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management using proprietary strategies and employs both artificial intelligence tools and human oversight in investment decisions.

Greg Derderian is a financial advisor with Capitalwize, LLC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 12 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Strategic Advisers, LLC and Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC, and also has experience as a senior recruiter with Talent Retriever LLC. Capitalwize is a fee-only financial planning firm that serves individuals and business entities with a focus on non–high-net-worth clients. The firm offers a range of advisory engagements, including one-time planning and extended programs, and conducts group educational seminars and alumni events.