John Philpott is a financial advisor with Aspire Private Capital and holds a Series 65 designation. He has 16 years of industry experience, including five years at Global Financial Private Capital. Outside of financial advising, he owns and brokers real estate through Pier 28 Realty and serves as president of Estate and Retirement Consultants, which offers fixed life and annuity products. Aspire Private Capital manages approximately $510 million for individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis across various asset classes and often employing third-party sub-advisers.

Alixandria Tucci is a CFP® with 11 years of experience in financial advising. She currently works at PCM Encore, LLC and has previously been with Q3 Advisors, Facet Wealth, Vanguard, and the NC YMCA. Outside of financial services, she operated Queen City Pet Sitting for six years. PCM Encore serves a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, trusts, and organizations, providing wealth management, family office services, and retirement plan advisory. The firm focuses on diversified, long-term portfolio construction using primarily passive, low-cost funds and applies tax-aware strategies where appropriate.

Cory Esposito is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with eight years of industry experience. He is currently with A4 Wealth Advisors LLC in Huntersville, NC, where he has worked since 2025. His prior experience includes roles at LPL Financial and UBS Financial Services Inc. A4 Wealth Advisors is a team-based registered investment adviser managing approximately $265 million for around 600 clients. The firm offers personalized financial planning, portfolio management, and access to third-party money managers, combining in-house management with sub-advisors and conducting regular client reviews.

William Pierce is a financial advisor with MBL Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 48 years of industry experience. He has worked at MBL Wealth since 2025 and is also president of TPG Consulting, LLC, where he consults and sells insurance and investment products. MBL Wealth provides 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 and utilizes third-party models and research providers to support portfolio management and integrated planning services for its clients.

Jessica Carnes is a financial advisor with Worth Advisors in Charlotte, NC. She holds a Series 66 designation and has 14 years of industry experience, including 10 years at Worth Financial Advisory Group, LLC. Worth Advisors provides fee-based financial planning and portfolio management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, businesses, qualified retirement plans, and other advisers. The firm is known for its CoachNetWorth platform serving college coaches and integrates tax and bookkeeping support through collaboration with accounting professionals.

Garrison Mc Afee is a financial advisor at Laurel Wealth Advisors, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with less than one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Laurel Wealth Advisors, his background includes roles at Recreational Equipment, Inc., LPL Financial, and several educational institutions including the University of Florida and Clarence High School. Laurel Wealth Advisors provides investment advice and portfolio management to individuals, charitable organizations, and business entities, tailoring strategies based on client goals and risk tolerance. The firm integrates fundamental analysis and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary asset management alongside financial planning services without a separate charge.

Sophie Young is a CFP® professional with five years of experience at Novare Capital Management and a total of eight years in the financial industry. She previously worked at Wells Fargo Private Bank and Ameriprise Financial Services and has a background that includes five years at Green Valley Country Club. Novare Capital Management is an SEC-registered wealth management firm with a team of 18 advisors managing approximately $1.9 billion for a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and financial institutions. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management services, using proprietary investment strategies and AI tools to support decision-making alongside human oversight.

Steven Lindgren is a financial advisor with Crown Wealth Group LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 15 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Crown Wealth Group in 2019, he worked at Questar Capital & Asset Management and Questar Asset Management. He serves on the board of the Charlotte Economics Club, contributing to the sponsorships committee. Crown Wealth Group LLC provides portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, using a goals-based investment process that incorporates diversified ETFs, mutual funds, and other asset classes tailored through an Investment Committee.

Theodora Mbuyu is a financial advisor at Wilson Wealth Management Group, L.L.C. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with one year of industry experience. Her prior roles include work with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Teach for America, reflecting a background in nonprofit and educational settings. Wilson Wealth Management Group is a team-based RIA serving high-income and high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, and early-career investors. The firm employs a combination of model and customized portfolios using technical analysis alongside passive ETF allocations, and offers financial planning, estate planning coordination, and insurance and annuity solutions.

Oliver Cross III is a financial advisor at Verum Partners LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 16 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Carolinas Investment Consulting LLC for nine years before joining Verum Partners. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a volunteer committee member for The Corners Society and Davidson College, both nonprofit organizations. Verum Partners provides customized wealth management services primarily to high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, and estates. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and financial planning, often engaging Independent Managers while maintaining oversight and direct client access to its portfolio managers.

John Frechette is a CFP® affiliated with Foundry Financial LLC and has one year of industry experience. Before joining Foundry Financial in 2025, he worked at the Trust Company of the South, Huber Engineered Woods, Lowe's Companies, Inc., and Caterpillar. Foundry Financial provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, and pension consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and charitable organizations. The firm employs risk-based, diversified portfolios across various asset types with adviser-held discretion focused on long-term allocation and client coaching.

William Morton is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 12 years of industry experience. He is currently with MBL Advisors and MBL Wealth, where he has worked since 2018 and 2019, respectively. Prior to that, he held roles at Bank of America and Merrill Lynch. Outside of his advisory work, he serves on the board of directors for E. Dillon & Co., a family-owned limestone quarry. MBL Wealth provides discretionary and non-discretionary wealth management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, businesses, charitable organizations, and qualified retirement plans. The firm manages over $1.14 billion in discretionary assets across a team of ten advisers and employs a goals-based, diversified investment approach incorporating macroeconomic, fundamental, and technical analysis.

Jaime Guevara is a financial advisor at Aspire Private Capital with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Aspire since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he works as a freelance English-Spanish interpreter for state and federal agencies. Aspire Private Capital is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $510 million for individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and tax services, commonly employing third-party sub-advisers and model solutions to serve its clients.

Marsha Thorne is a financial advisor at Worth Advisors in Charlotte, NC, with 24 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and previously worked at Morgan Stanley and First Citizens. Worth Advisors is a fee-based financial planning and investment management firm serving individuals, including high-net-worth clients, college coaches, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm’s portfolios are constructed using ETFs and no-load index mutual funds, with an option for third-party money managers under ongoing oversight.

Emma Mooney is a financial advisor at Verum Partners LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Verum Partners in 2026, she worked at Dimensional Fund Advisors, L.P. and Elliott Davis. Outside of finance, she has experience working with Pure Barre Columbia and the University of South Carolina. Verum Partners provides customized wealth management services primarily to high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, and estates. The firm combines discretionary portfolio management with financial planning and frequently engages independent managers while maintaining oversight and direct client access to portfolio managers.

George Acheampong is a financial advisor at Capitalwize, LLC with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at firms including Wells Fargo and Gradient Investments, LLC. Outside of advisory services, he is President of Acheampong Enterprises, LLC, which sells digital financial education resources and apparel promoting wealth building for minorities. Capitalwize, LLC provides fee-only financial planning and portfolio management primarily to non-high-net-worth individuals and business entities. The firm emphasizes a documented client profile and risk tolerance through a financial audit and intake interview, often delegating portfolio management to third-party managers and digital platforms while retaining discretionary authority.

Trenton Derrick is a financial advisor at Aspire Private Capital with nine years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and previously worked at Vanguard Group and 7 Mile Advisors. He also leads Derrick Financial Solutions, LLC, which provides insurance, annuity sales, and financial planning services. Aspire Private Capital manages approximately $510 million for individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and tax consulting, utilizing a mix of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis across various asset classes.

Austin Tilles is a CFA® charterholder with six years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Verum Partners LLC in Charlotte, NC. His prior experience includes roles at The Vanguard Group and self-employment. Verum Partners provides customized wealth management services primarily to high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, and estates. The firm employs a wrap-fee program with discretionary portfolio management and financial planning, often incorporating independent managers while maintaining direct oversight and client access to their portfolio managers.

Zachary Spainhour is a CFP® professional with six years of industry experience, currently advising at A4 Wealth Advisors LLC in Huntersville, NC. His background includes roles at Highland Capital Group and LPL Financial, and he is also the managing member of Spainhour Tax Prep, LLC, a seasonal tax preparation business. A4 Wealth Advisors is a team-based registered investment adviser managing approximately $265 million for around 600 clients. The firm offers personalized financial planning, discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, and integrates alternative investments into client allocations, while providing regular reviews and educational seminars.

William Kernodle is a financial advisor at Strathmore Capital Advisors with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Strathmore Capital since 2009. Strathmore Capital Advisors serves individuals, trusts, endowments, and participant-directed retirement plans with discretionary portfolio management and ongoing, goals-based financial planning. The firm employs an asset-allocation driven investment approach focused on mutual funds and ETFs, complemented by technology tools for client service and an integrated offering that includes tax preparation and a securities-backed lending strategy.