Christian Burns is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with eight years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2017 and previously worked six years at the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina, Inc. He serves on the Development Committee of the Cornelius Arts Center, where he contributes to training board members on major gifts and may collaborate with board members on donor meetings. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large network of financial advisors and branch offices. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and affiliated investment products under a fiduciary standard.

Kirk Messick is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked since 2012. He began his career in the financial services industry in 2006 with Wachovia Securities. Kirk holds professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned his high school diploma from West Iredell High School. With over sixteen years of experience, Kirk focuses on goal setting and retirement planning, specializing in consolidation and distribution of retirement and pension plans. He employs Goals Based Wealth Management, creating personalized strategies to help clients pursue their financial goals through a structured process of defining objectives and implementing solutions. His approach emphasizes putting the client's interests first and building trust through integrity and hard work. Outside of his professional role, Kirk participates in community activities such as coaching the All Pro Dads Odell Elementary Chapter and serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America. His personal interests include hiking, spending time with his family, and watching movies.

Mark Kuznitz is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 33 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and previously worked at Bank of America and Merrill from 2009 to 2023. Kuznitz is based in Denver, NC. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeted at individuals approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide customized, non-discretionary recommendations supported by a centralized consulting team.

William Haugen is a CFP® credentialed financial advisor with 56 years of industry experience, currently with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. He previously worked at Wachovia Securities, Inc. from 2001 to 2002. Haugen serves as a board member of the Downtown Development Association of Morganton, NC. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm providing investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of brokerage and advisory solutions backed by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

John Shaffer is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Corpay and Wells Fargo Advisors. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with investment options that include insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Thomas Francomano is a financial advisor at Merrill with the Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill and Bank of America since 2018 and also works as a coach for True Lacrosse. Merrill provides managed account services through its Select Portfolio Solutions Program, serving individual investors, high-net-worth clients, and various institutional accounts using model-based and discretionary strategies developed by internal and third-party teams.

Paul Jackson is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 28 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley and its Private Bank division since 2009. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. 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.

Eileen Stoner is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 29 years of industry experience. She has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2021, following a decade at UBS Financial Services. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and emphasizes a structured financial planning process supported by firm-approved tools and scenario modeling.

Edie Kijesky is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and bringing eight years of industry experience. Her work history includes multiple roles at Primerica Advisors since 2018 and prior experience at Sourcepoint/ISGN and Ocwen. She is involved in part-time activities related to sales of loan products, home security referrals, and other home services outside her advisory role. Primerica Advisors sponsors a wrap-fee asset management program serving individual, corporate, and charitable clients, employing model-delivery strategies managed by third-party asset managers. The firm supports a large network of advisors and focuses on discretionary portfolio management without serving institutional pension or profit-sharing plans.

Christine Sowell is currently the Vice President and Wealth Planner at Fidelity Investments, a position she has held since 2024. In this role, she engages with clients to develop, support, and advise them throughout their financial journeys, aiming to provide confidence, insight, and direction to their financial health. Prior to her current role, Christine served as a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2019 to 2024. She also has experience as a Senior Manager in Assurance at Ernst & Young LLP from 2005 to 2013. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Christine's interests include family activities, hiking, military service, parenthood, soccer, and traveling.

Krista Thurmond is a financial advisor at Robert W. Baird & Co. with Series 66 credentials and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Baird, she worked at Hopewell Academy and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. She has also been involved with Soccer Shots of Greater Charlotte. The DDK Group, part of Baird’s Private Wealth Management department, serves individuals, corporate clients, pensions, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and brokerage services. Baird employs a range of strategies including SMA programs, tax management, and unified fee arrangements, supported by internal research and investment professional oversight.

Jeffrey Karp is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Mooresville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 32 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2005 and previously held roles at Mony Securities Corporation and Trusted Securities Advisors Corp. He also operates Karp Financial Strategies, Inc., a DBA through which he sells fixed annuities and various types of non-variable insurance products. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a broad range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Jonathan Boone is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Mooresville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked at Panera Bread and was a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, affiliated mutual funds, and tax-efficient services. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and operates a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Robert Carrington II is a financial advisor at Primerica Advisors with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Primerica Advisors since 2020. Prior to this, he was employed at Medi Weightloss and ECPI University, among other roles. Outside of advising, he is involved in sales of loan products and home-related services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-delivery strategies and a limited selection of separately managed accounts. The firm uses third-party asset managers and offers a tiered wrap-fee structure, focusing on curated investment models rather than institutional portfolio management.

Charles Thompson is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has been affiliated with Raymond James Financial and its services since 2000. Thompson also owns and operates a real estate brokerage license in North Carolina. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base that includes individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting using analytical tools and supports both retail and institutional clients through a broad network of advisors.

Warren Williams is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Mooresville, NC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2008. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Mason Hardy is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments. He focuses on collaborating with clients to develop personalized financial plans that align with their individual goals. Mason's approach involves understanding each client's unique situation to create effective and manageable strategies for pursuing their financial objectives. He has accumulated experience through various roles at Fidelity Investments, including Planning Consultant, Investment Consultant, Relationship Manager, and High Net Worth Associate, covering the period from 2022 to the present. Prior to joining Fidelity, Mason worked as a Financial Professional at Equitable Advisors in 2021.

Karen Anderson is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She joined Merrill in 2004, bringing over 20 years of executive sales, marketing, and business development experience from her previous roles at a major consumer products company and a start-up. Karen works closely with a select group of clients, often including multiple generations of the same family, to coordinate all aspects of their financial lives. She focuses on preparing clients for future uncertainties as well as financial opportunities, offering services ranging from income planning strategies to transferring wealth and financial education for the next generations. Karen's expertise encompasses executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, small business strategies, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan and has earned professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Karen is also affiliated with professional organizations such as NextUp and Procter & Gamble Alumni. Outside of her professional duties, Karen is involved in community organizations including The First Tee of Greater Charlotte, the University of Michigan Alumni Association - Charlotte, and the Women's Impact Fund in Charlotte. She lives in Lake Norman with her husband and two daughters, and her personal interests include golf, health and wellness, and community service.

Michael Bird is a financial advisor with Merrill in Cornelius, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill and Bank of America since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he maintains a rental property where he manages tenant relations. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Nicole Mccoy is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 28 years of industry experience. Her career includes nearly two decades at Wachovia Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Clearing. She works with Pinnacle Asset Management in a non-investment capacity, referring clients and collaborating with partners. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse clientele, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors. The firm uses analytical tools and tailored advisory programs, with notable offerings in municipal finance and SIMPLE IRA employer advisory services.