James Ferguson is a CFP® with 17 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently an advisor at Schwab Wealth Advisory, where he has worked since 2026. His prior experience includes roles at Roan Capital Partners, Cetera Advisor Networks, and various other firms dating back to 2006. Schwab Wealth Advisory serves clients enrolled in the Schwab Wealth Advisory program and certain Charles Schwab & Co.-referred clients, providing non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice, financial planning, and wealth management consultations. The firm’s approach is based on Schwab’s asset-allocation models and internal research tools, with advice tailored to client goals and risk tolerance.

Mary Davis is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with three years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation. Her prior work includes roles at Tony Silvagni Surf School and Carrigan Farms. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools while offering services through the Envestnet platform and partnering with Envestnet Retirement Solutions for retirement plans.

James Baugh is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Wells Fargo and J.P. Morgan, spanning from 2013 to the present. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools to support asset allocation, manager selection, and ongoing client reviews.

Jerry Carpenter Jr. is a financial advisor with Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 39 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameritas Advisory Services since 2021 and has over a decade of experience with Ameritas Investment Corp and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. Carpenter is also the owner of a family timber farm, Carpenter Timber LLC, overseeing tree planting and future harvests. Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm utilizes a combination of model portfolios, mutual funds, ETFs, and individual securities, offering a range of program platforms and leveraging third-party technology and managers to customize investment solutions.

Kristen Gurney is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management in Clover, SC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing nine years of industry experience. She has worked with PNC Investments since 2016, following three years at TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through various model-based programs, including an invitation-only digital discretionary model portfolio that uses approved strategies implemented via mutual funds and ETFs with annual rebalancing.

Michael Conerly is a CFA® charterholder with five years of industry experience. He is currently with Savant Wealth Management and previously worked at Exencial Wealth Advisors, Wells Fargo, and Columbia Threadneedle. Savant Wealth Management serves individuals, families, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and high-net-worth clients with comprehensive wealth management, portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and family office services. The firm employs a combination of evidence-based, model-driven asset allocation and actively managed strategies across various asset classes, supported by in-house accounting, legal, and trust services.

Dean Diamond is a financial advisor at Equity Services, Inc. with 24 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including National Life Group and Eagle Strategies (NY Life). Outside of his advisory role, he serves as chapter chair of the Wrestlers in Business Network in Charlotte, NC. Equity Services, Inc., doing business as ESI Financial Advisors, provides financial planning, consulting, and asset management services to individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers multiple advisory platforms and utilizes third-party asset managers, combining long-term strategies with options for shorter-term trading and specialized instruments.

Mac Kowaleski is a financial advisor at Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with three years of industry experience. He has worked with firms including Hamilton Henry Wealth Strategies LLC, NYLIFE Securities LLC, and New York Life. Kowaleski previously owned a raw materials sales business, which is now dormant. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional clients, and retirement plans, providing financial planning, investment management, and advisory services. The firm employs multiple program types and primarily manages assets on a non-discretionary basis within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.

Braxton Barber is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Charlotte, NC. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Eagle Strategies, Barber was associated with NYLife Securities LLC and New York Life Insurance Company. Outside of his financial career, he has been involved with the United States Golf Association (USGA). Eagle Strategies serves a broad mix of individual and institutional clients, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services through a large network of affiliated investment adviser representatives. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and manages the majority of its assets on a non-discretionary basis.

Conor Cetola is a financial advisor at Schwab Wealth Advisory, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with three years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Fidelity Investments and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. prior to joining Schwab Wealth Advisory. Schwab Wealth Advisory provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice, financial planning, and wealth management consultations primarily to clients enrolled in the Schwab Wealth Advisory program or referred by Charles Schwab & Co., focusing on asset allocation and investment selection guided by internal research tools and standardized models.

Paul Goetz III is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and two years of industry experience. His previous roles include positions at LPL Financial, R.J. Schrift Private Asset Management, and Armfield Wealth. Outside of financial services, he owns PGM Detailing, a home-based business. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base, including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering services such as asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a network model with advisory representatives providing both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, utilizing a variety of investment strategies and technology platforms.

Gregory Beck is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 10 years of industry experience. He worked at TIAA and TIAA-CREF from 2014 to 2022 before joining Wells Fargo Clearing in 2022. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary investment advice. The firm’s process is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Sulayman Nyang Jr. is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a mentor and business coach for at-risk young adults and holds positions on several nonprofit and advisory boards related to business coaching, education, and community initiatives. 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. The firm is notable for its extensive advisor network, comprehensive service offerings, and fiduciary standard of care.

Andrew King is a financial advisor with Osaic Wealth in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 16 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Metlife Securities, Mass Mutual, Sii, and Osaic since 2018. King serves as Vice President on the board of The Gary Hammond Scholarship Foundation, assisting with event coordination. Osaic Wealth serves a diverse client base including retail investors, retirement plans, charities, and corporations, offering brokerage and advisory services through a multi-advisor platform. The firm’s investment approach focuses on model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization, supported by various tools and discretionary strategies, and is notable for its scale, affiliate network, and recent consolidation activity.

Heidi Johnson is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, and has 23 years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm combines research and analytics with both brokerage and advisory solutions, managing approximately $671 billion in assets through a network of over 14,000 financial advisors.

Michael Williams is a Series 66 registered advisor with Thrivent Investment Management, based in Charlotte, NC. He has 21 years of industry experience and has been with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2004. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering holistic, goal-based financial plans that cover various topics such as retirement, tax, estate, and special needs planning. The firm combines planning with managed-account programs under a consolidated billing option while maintaining separate services.

Chirag Patel is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and 11 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously with First Clearing starting in 2013. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm providing investment advisory services, financial planning, wrap‑fee programs, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third parties.

Ashley Alexander is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with nine years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at The Vanguard Group since 2017. Outside of her advisory role, she is the owner of Alexanders BBQ LLC, a restaurant based in Charlotte, NC. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach to asset allocation, utilizing proprietary models and offering portfolios largely composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Nicholas Cicci is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously spent time at Federated Securities Corp. and Federated Investment Counseling in 2010. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets through more than 14,000 financial advisors and offers a range of brokerage and advisory solutions.

David Mc Donald is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Gastonia, NC, where he has worked since 2019. He has seven years of industry experience. Outside of advising, he has been affiliated with the Gastonia Grizzlies since 2014 and has occasionally driven for Uber. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.