James Brookshire is a financial advisor at Robert W. Baird & Co. with two years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked previously at Apex Systems and Speckled Trout. He is part of The DDK Group within Robert W. Baird’s Private Wealth Management department, which serves individuals, corporate and business clients, pensions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and a range of advisory services combining manager-traded and model-traded strategies, with an emphasis on internal research and ongoing manager monitoring.

David Vance is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab in Asheville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 registrations and with 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Charles Schwab since 1995 and Charles Schwab Bank since 2005. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm operates a large-scale, integrated platform combining non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to affiliated discretionary separately managed accounts and offers a formal alternative-investment onboarding process.

Deborah Mclaughlin is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Lakeland, FL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. She has been with Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management since 2015. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering goal-based financial planning and analysis without discretionary trading authority. The firm allows clients to combine planning with managed-account services while keeping these functions separate.

Kelcey Geisendorfer is a financial advisor with Merrill in Asheville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill in 2025, Kelcey worked at Bank of America and has experience in roles at Branscome Inc. and Darden Restaurants. Kelcey also assists with bookkeeping and payroll for a family-owned general contracting business. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Kelly Roark is a CFP® professional with 26 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors. Her career includes roles at Commonwealth Financial Network and LPL Financial, as well as ownership of Paragon Financial, where she also serves as Co-Trustee of the firm’s 401(k) plan. She is a board member and treasurer of The Franklin School of Innovation, a local charter school. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through a network of independent professionals, utilizing multiple custody arrangements and a range of portfolio management strategies, including proprietary models under the Founders Gate Capital brand.

Mark Green is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 34 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. Prior to that, he was with Citigroup Global Markets. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process supported by firm-approved tools and modeling techniques.

Keith Moore is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Asheville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he worked at Glatfelter Industries and UPM Raflatac for a combined 18 years. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management and offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Lisa Green is a CFP® professional with 17 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Asheville, NC. She has been with Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2017. Outside of her advisory role, she participates on the investment committee of Pisgah Legal Services, a nonprofit organization based in Asheville. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutions, providing tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and a structured discovery process. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides services that include both direct individual plans and corporate financial planning agreements.

Robert Ferguson is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with two years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked for 25 years at the United States Probation Office. 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 incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

John Wedthoff is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on helping clients develop personalized financial strategies by considering factors such as risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs. His client focus areas include education planning, equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, small business strategies, sports and entertainment, and retirement income. John is a native of Asheville, North Carolina, and holds a Bachelor's Degree from Western Carolina University, an Associate's Degree from Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College, and a High School Diploma from Asheville High School. He has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is committed to financial literacy, teaching local high schools and community centers about the financial world. Outside of his professional work, John grew up playing soccer with ABYSA, HFC, and Asheville High School. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Asheville Buncombe Adult Soccer Association (ABASA). Additionally, he has a background in culinary arts, having graduated from AB-Tech's culinary school and managed multiple restaurants as a chef in the area. John lives in North Asheville with his wife, Elena, and daughter, Vica.

Frank Tinsley is a financial advisor at Merrill with 12 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Merrill since 2013. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary strategies managed by internal CIO teams and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Thorsten Path is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Asheville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 10 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2016 and previously worked at Uber for one year. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Carlos Fonseca is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Asheville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he is the sole proprietor of Libertas Investments LLC, an investment and real estate business based in Asheville. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs structured planning tools such as Monte Carlo simulations and Secular Return Estimates from its Global Investment Committee.

Chris Amys is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at Raymond James since 2018 and previously spent seven years with Wells Fargo Advisors. Amys is also a partner at Elk Mountain Wealth Partners in Asheville, NC. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutions. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and uses analytical tools to support client decision-making while maintaining specialized services such as municipal advisory and SIMPLE IRA consulting.

Luke Mc Kelvy is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He worked at Commonwealth Financial Network for 12 years before joining Raymond James in 2025. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as acting trustee and power of attorney for a family trust. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and charitable clients. The firm employs a non-discretionary approach tailored to client goals, utilizing analytical tools and supports municipal and public finance through a unique municipal advisor affiliation.

Oscar Starnes IV is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016, following three years at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as chair of the investment committee for Pisgah Legal Services and is a board member of the Lake Summit Property Owners Association. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s IPS-driven advisory process is based on modern portfolio theory and includes a broad range of investment options, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Joshua Hix is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Asheville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, including over a decade at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an executor on an estate in North Carolina. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutions. The firm provides tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery conversations and firm-approved tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Frankie Adkins is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Asheville, NC, holding CFP®, ChFC®, and Series 66 credentials with seven years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2018, Frankie worked at Outdoorsy and Allergan. Outside of advising, Frankie operates an RV rental business in Asheville. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors.

Laurie Gerdy is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 19 years of industry experience, currently with Ameriprise in Weaverville, NC. She has worked at Ameriprise and Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. since 2015. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

John Rinker is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services with 42 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS since 2003 and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Outside of his advisory role, he is a partner in a dietary supplement drink business. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings that include financial planning, portfolio management, and distribution of mutual funds and alternative products. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services and incorporates proprietary research and model-based asset allocations in its advisory approach.