John Watkins is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving clients in Western North Carolina. He focuses on developing personalized financial strategies designed to help clients pursue their long-term goals through tailored wealth management approaches that adapt to changing market conditions. John's expertise encompasses areas such as college education planning, corporate benefits, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, and retirement income. He applies his knowledge to assist clients across various financial aspects, including corporate executive services, divorce transition planning, and employee benefits planning. In addition to his professional work, John is active in his community, volunteering with local organizations. He has personal interests in baseball, fishing, golfing, and hunting, reflecting his engagement with the community and leisure activities. John is committed to partnering with clients one-on-one to develop strategies aligned with their individual goals.

Elizabeth Frederick is a financial advisor at Fidelity with seven years of industry experience. Her background includes roles at Merrill, Wells Fargo Clearing, Keller Williams Lake Norman Realty, and L'BRI Pure and Natural. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a blend of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to create model portfolios from mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

David Ozga is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Cornelius, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 38 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs including tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and models. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides financial plans through both direct client relationships and corporate agreements.

Christopher Rhyne is a CFP® professional with 23 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at OSAIC since 2024. He previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services and MML Investors Services, Inc. He is also involved in insurance sales through Chris Rhyne Financial Management. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charities, providing integrated brokerage, advisory, and financial planning services through a large network of affiliated advisors and multiple platforms.

Samuel Dyer is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with clients to develop strategies to pursue their financial goals by understanding what matters most to them and their families. His approach encompasses general investing, retirement planning, and preparing for unexpected financial needs. Samuel holds a Bachelor's Degree from Appalachian State University and has earned professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He provides ongoing advice and guidance tailored to clients' evolving needs.

Norris Woody Jr. is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Cornelius, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 1997, previously associated with Axa Advisors, LLC during the same period. Woody serves on the High Point University Alumni Association Board of Directors and is involved with the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity chapter at High Point University. Equitable Advisors serves individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, retirement-plan support, and access to asset management through LPL programs and third-party asset managers. The firm employs a hybrid referral and implementation model, offering both advisory and brokerage/insurance channels to implement client recommendations.

Sarah Montgomery is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. She previously worked for Truist Investment Services, Inc. for ten years before joining LPL Financial. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management along with model portfolios and research from multiple sources.

Robert Keller is a Wealth Management Advisor and partner in the Utz Keller Wealth Management Group based in Huntersville, NC, operating within Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides personalized wealth management strategies tailored to entrepreneurs, executives, retirees, business owners, and their families. Robert leverages resources from Merrill and Bank of America to deliver custom financial plans that reflect clients' unique needs and goals. Robert holds a Master’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University. He earned multiple professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). His expertise spans corporate executive services, divorce transition planning, executive and equity compensation, family wealth management, retirement planning, tax minimization, and small business strategies. Active in his community, Robert volunteers with the American Legion. Outside of work, he enjoys adventure sports, baseball, basketball, biking, billiards, football, golfing, scuba diving, skiing, and spending time with his family.

Olivia Kennedy is a Financial Advisor with the Utz Keller Wealth Management Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She supports clients in navigating complex financial decisions with clarity and transparency, offering expertise in areas such as equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, retirement income, portfolio management, tax minimization, and personal retirement planning. Olivia's approach involves comprehensive wealth management planning tailored to clients' goals and priorities. Olivia began her career in the financial services industry at Merrill in 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from the Farmer School of Business at Miami University of Ohio. She has earned professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Her work is guided by a philosophy centered on understanding what matters most to clients to add value to their lives. Outside of her professional role, Olivia is involved in her community through leadership positions with Folds of Honor Western Carolina and the Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg County. She also participates in the Lake Norman Young Professionals Group. Olivia resides in Mount Ulla with her husband, Mack, where they enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and spending time on Lake Norman, as well as caring for their farm.

Christopher Mcbride is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been a member of the Lail Watkins Group since joining Merrill in 2014. The team delivers extensive knowledge with combined decades of practical experience, focusing on service and goal-oriented strategies to build and maintain long-term relationships. Leveraging the full enterprise capabilities, they serve clients' investment and banking needs through access to Bank of America. Christopher works as a full-service planner with families possessing $250,000 or more in investible assets, covering areas from asset gathering to legacy planning. He also supports business clients in retirement planning options including 401(k) plans, cash management services, treasury functions, investment management, lending, and business transitions. His client focus areas include education planning, family wealth management strategies, employee financial health, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds a High School Diploma/GED from Summers County and has earned the professional designations Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional work, Christopher enjoys boating, bowling, golfing, pickleball, and spending time with his family.

Bret Gallin is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Denver, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network LLC since 2010. Outside of his advisory role, he also works as a part-time bartender at Levy Restaurants. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser affiliated with Wells Fargo, offering investment and fee-based financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm provides a broad planning menu tailored to clients who meet certain net-worth thresholds, covering areas such as retirement, education, risk, and wealth-transfer planning, with many services delivered through meetings and written client summary letters.

Mark Mccall is a CFA® charterholder with 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009 and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. His prior experience includes Citigroup Global Markets Inc., where he has been active since 2005. He is affiliated with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs and financial planning services. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and uses a structured planning process supported by firm-approved tools and Global Investment Committee research.

Anne Abernethy is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors with 18 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Wells Fargo in various capacities since 2009. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a part-time pastor at Bethel United Church of Christ in Hickory, NC. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network provides investment and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients, offering a broad menu of planning options tailored to clients meeting specific net-worth thresholds.

Stacie Wolfe is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 21 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors and Wells Fargo Clearing Services. She is based in Stanley, NC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a wide range of investment strategies and advisory services. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and supports its clients through a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

William Cheek is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Cornelius, NC, holding the Series 66 designation with over 15 years of prior experience at SCOR Global Life Americas Reinsurance Company. He has been with Edward Jones since 2026. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients through a large network of financial advisors and branch offices. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions under a fiduciary standard, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Robert Suddreth is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and five years of industry experience. He previously worked at The Vanguard Group, Inc. and spent nearly two decades at American Tire Distributors. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, using a blend of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and systematic methodologies to construct model portfolios from mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Tomohiko Minami is a CFP® and CFA® professional with 10 years of experience in the financial industry. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2024 and previously held positions at SunTrust Advisory Services and Suntrust Investment Services, Inc. Minami has involvement with a private wealth entity and an insurance agency in addition to his advisory role. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm provides a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including model portfolios and retirement plan consulting, supported by research from LPL Research and third-party subadvisors.

Douglas Rongo is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 25 years of industry experience. His work history includes multiple roles within Cambridge Investment Research entities and Millennium Investment and Retirement Advisors. He serves as treasurer for the Tarheel Chapter of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and retirement-plan sponsors. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent Financial Professionals, utilizing a mix of proprietary and third-party model strategies tailored to client objectives.

James Lowry serves as a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this capacity, he provides financial advice and guidance to clients, focusing on managing individual wealth and retirement benefits. He holds several professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC), reflecting his expertise in retirement planning and fiduciary responsibilities. James Lowry earned a Bachelor's Degree from Saint Thomas Aquinas College.

Jackson Bell is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with a Series 66 credential and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Edward Jones since 2021 and has prior experience including self-employment and roles outside the financial industry such as with Andy Popplin Basketball Camps and JEA Design. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, and affiliated financial products. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and operates a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.