Thomas Hamilton is a financial advisor with Hobart Wealth in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 14 years of industry experience. He has worked at Hobart Private Capital since 2018, following positions at PNC Investments and SCOTTRADE. Hobart Wealth is an SEC-registered advisory firm with a team of eight advisors managing approximately $430 million. The firm serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, trusts, and estates, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting through tailored portfolios and a variety of analytical methods and implementation strategies.

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.

Aaron Salter is a financial advisor at Cornerstone Wealth Planning in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at Asset Dedication since 2017 and has been with Cornerstone Planning, LLC since 2015. His role at Asset Dedication involves acting as a solicitor related to third-party investment management services for Cornerstone clients. Cornerstone Wealth Planning manages approximately $373 million on a discretionary basis and offers portfolio management alongside financial planning services for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and small business owners. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory and fundamental analysis, incorporating third-party sub-advisers and providing flexible planning options including in-house tax preparation and structured educational 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.

Phillip Smiley is a financial advisor at Burkett Financial Services, LLC with 26 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked for Westminster Financial Securities for 15 years. Outside of his advisory role, he is a partner in the real estate company Prorentals, LLC. Burkett Financial Services advises individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and retirement plans, managing approximately $573 million across 476 client relationships. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan consulting, with investment strategies primarily focused on mutual funds, ETFs, and fixed income instruments, supported by a five-advisor investment committee and a close affiliation with an accounting firm providing integrated tax-planning support.

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.

Kevin Johnson is a financial advisor at Cornerstone Wealth Planning in Charlotte, NC. He holds a Series 65 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Cornerstone Wealth Planning, he was involved with Redeemer Presbyterian Church San Diego and Bridge Church San Diego. Cornerstone Wealth Planning provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and small business owners. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory and fundamental analysis, offering flexible planning options and in-house tax preparation services.

Gavin Finnical is a CFP® professional with two years of industry experience, currently serving at Linden Thomas Advisory Services, LLC. His prior roles include positions at Park Avenue Securities, Guardian Life Insurance Company, and Equitable Advisors, among others. Before entering financial services, he worked in brewing and hospitality industries. Linden Thomas Advisory Services provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement plan services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs a modern portfolio theory-based investment approach with globally diversified allocations and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary management through separately managed accounts and proprietary enhanced-index portfolios.

Dustin Waide is a CFP® with 23 years of industry experience and has been with Laurel Wealth Advisors, LLC since 2010. He is based in Charlotte, NC. Outside of his advisory role, he is a member of Mortimer Enterprises, a real estate ownership vehicle related to office space leased to Laurel Wealth Advisors. Laurel Wealth Advisors provides investment advice and portfolio management to individuals, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm uses fundamental analysis to customize portfolios according to client goals and risk tolerance, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary asset management alongside financial planning services.

Taylor Funke is a financial advisor at Blue Financial in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Blue Financial, Funke worked at Oakwood Capital Securities, 49 Wealth Management, and Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investment. Funke has also been involved with North Meets South Lacrosse, LLC. Blue Wealth Inc. serves individual clients, small businesses, trusts, estates, and high-net-worth individuals, providing discretionary asset management and financial planning. The firm employs a long-term investment approach based on documented goals and risk tolerances while avoiding margin, short sales, and derivatives.

William King II is a CFP® with 12 years of experience in financial advising, currently affiliated with CORE Advisory Group. He has previously worked with LPL Financial and Independent Advisor Alliance. Outside of his advisory roles, he is involved with CORE Tax Advisors, providing tax preparation and accounting services. CORE Advisory Group serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, corporations, and charitable organizations with discretionary asset management and financial planning. The firm manages approximately $338 million across 1,141 clients and utilizes a combination of proprietary model portfolios and multiple platform solutions to deliver tailored investment strategies.

Scott Drake is a Series 65-licensed advisor at Crown Wealth Group LLC in Charlotte, NC, with 1 year of industry experience. He previously worked at Wells Fargo for 22 years. Crown Wealth Group LLC serves individual and high-net-worth clients with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm uses a goals-based investment process with tailored asset allocation and model portfolios, focusing on low-cost, diversified ETFs and mutual funds, while offering additional services including estate planning facilitation and executive compensation planning.

Tyler Weaver is a CFP® professional with six years of industry experience, currently serving at Alpha Financial Advisors, LLC since 2017. Prior to joining the firm, he spent time traveling extensively and attended Virginia Tech from 2012 to 2016. Alpha Financial Advisors is a team of eight advisors managing approximately $503 million in client assets. The firm provides comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to individuals, families, trusts, estates, small businesses, and certain retirement plans, typically using strategic asset allocation with no-load mutual funds and ETFs.

Joseph Giordano is a financial advisor with CORE Advisory Group in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, Edward Jones, and Park Avenue Securities. Outside of advisory work, he is employed at Novant Health and has experience with Guardian Life Insurance Company. CORE Advisory Group serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, corporations, and charitable organizations with discretionary asset management and financial planning services. The firm manages approximately $338 million for over 1,100 clients through a team of ten advisors, providing portfolio management using proprietary model portfolios alongside multiple third-party platforms.

John Waddill is a financial advisor at Laurel Wealth Advisors, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Park National Bank and Ridgetop Research LLC. Laurel Wealth Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and business entities with discretionary and non-discretionary asset management and financial planning. The firm manages nearly $1 billion in client assets through a team of seven advisors, tailoring investment programs based on clients’ goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.

Justin Pierce is a financial advisor with Fortress Financial Solutions, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at Fortress Financial Solutions since 2019 and previously held roles at Brokers International Financial Services, LLC, Nova Financial & Insurance Services, and Zimmer. In addition to his advisory work, Mr. Pierce is the owner of Triumph Enterprises, LLC, which offers life insurance and fixed annuity products through Federal Employee Benefits Advisors, LLC. Fortress Financial Solutions, LLC is a fee-only, SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals across wealth levels, business owners, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm uses an in-house Investment Committee to develop model portfolios based on fundamental, technical, and charting analysis, offering various investment approaches including long-term buy-and-hold and impact/ESG investing.

David Miller is a financial advisor at Auctus Advisors LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Auctus Advisors since 2017, following prior roles at M Holdings Securities and MBL Advisors Inc. Miller serves on the advisory board of Natixis and is Chair of the Investment Committee on the Board of Trustees at Pfeiffer University, where he assists with financial and operational decisions. Auctus Advisors provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and pension consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm employs a goals-based investment process with comprehensive planning and Monte Carlo simulations, blending strategic and tactical asset allocation, and may utilize third-party managers in client portfolios.

Sara Jean Veatch is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Oakworth Asset Management, LLC. She previously worked at Suntrust Advisory Services, Inc and TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC. In addition to her advisory role, she is also a client advisor at Oakworth Capital Bank. Oakworth Asset Management provides financial planning, consulting, and discretionary wealth and portfolio management to individuals, high net worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm employs a top-down, macro-driven investment approach and utilizes a variety of investment vehicles, including mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, and alternative investments.

Randolph Nash is a financial advisor at Capital Advisers, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, with 49 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked with Cic Advisers, LLC, Capital Advisers, Inc., and Capital Investment Group, Inc. He is also an insurance agent for non-variable insurance policies and owns Steele Creek Capital, LLC. Capital Advisers serves individual and institutional clients by providing discretionary portfolio management and customized investment solutions across traditional and alternative asset classes. The firm employs an independent, open-architecture investment approach focused on asset allocation, monitoring portfolios regularly for efficiency and risk.