Lewis Kayes is a CFA® charterholder with 19 years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Cary Street Partners, having joined the firm in 2026. Prior to this, he worked at Exencial Wealth Advisors for three years and at Willingdon Wealth Management Inc. for 17 years. Cary Street Partners provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm utilizes a broad investment menu and proprietary strategies, serving both retail and specialized institutional niches such as state and municipal government entities.

Leslie Moise is a financial advisor with Arete Wealth Advisors, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 20 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Arete Wealth Management LLC in 2022, Leslie worked at National Securities Corp for 11 years. Outside of investment advising, Leslie is the owner and president of LIANMAC, Inc., a small accounting and tax-related business. Arete Wealth Advisors provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm primarily manages assets on a discretionary basis using both advisor-driven and proprietary model allocations, and integrates with affiliated financial businesses and product channels.

Thomas Braun is a financial advisor at Gradient Investments, LLC with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Goldenguard Wealth Management, GoldenGuard Financial, Thrivent Investment Management, and Worth Financial Group. He is also the owner of GoldenGuard Financial, an insurance services business based in Matthews, NC. Gradient Investments, LLC provides discretionary investment management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, institutions, and various entities. The firm uses a proprietary Wright Investment Strategies framework and offers a variety of model and custom portfolios managed on a discretionary basis.

Christopher Elliotte is a Series 65 credentialed advisor with 16 years of industry experience, currently with Colony Family Offices, LLC since 2014. He is based in Charlotte, NC and is part of a team of six advisors at the firm. Colony Family Offices provides comprehensive wealth management and financial planning primarily to ultra-high-net-worth families, managing approximately $3.32 billion in discretionary assets. The firm employs a priorities-based, customized planning approach combining passive and active investment strategies, and utilizes third-party managers alongside independent research to support client portfolios.

Lance Bryan is a financial advisor at Cary Street Partners with 22 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Matrix Private Capital Group, Neuberger Berman, and Ameriprise. Cary Street Partners provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of investment options and proprietary strategies, serving notable institutional niches such as state and municipal government entities and insurance company clients.

John Bly is a financial advisor with Aprio Wealth Management, LLC in Matthews, NC, holding a Series 66 license and bringing 16 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Aprio Advisory Group and Aprio Risk Management since 2019, as well as prior experience at HK Financial Services, Proequities Inc, and L B & A, CPA, PLLC. Bly is also a partner at a CPA firm and is involved in insurance sales. Aprio Wealth Management provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm focuses on tailored portfolio management, financial planning, and uses a combination of asset allocation, specialist sub-advisers, and various investment strategies to help preserve clients’ purchasing power over the long term.

Lamaar Steadman is a financial advisor at Gradient Investments, LLC with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and has worked at Civitas Financial LLC and Gradient Advisors LLC prior to his current roles. Steadman is also involved in insurance sales and investment advisory through American Insurance Marketing Solutions. Gradient Investments, LLC provides discretionary investment management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, institutions, and other entities using a proprietary investment framework. The firm offers a variety of portfolios, including strategic, tactical, private wealth, and tax-aware strategies, managing assets on a fee-only basis without serving as custodian.

Katrina Hayes is a CFP® professional with 25 years of industry experience. She has worked at Prospera Financial Services since 2013, following roles at TCA Financial Group and Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of her advisory work, she is active in community and professional organizations, including serving as Chair of the Charlotte chapter of Ellevate, a global professional networking association, and holding leadership roles in a local nonprofit wine tasting social club. Prospera Financial Services is a multi-team advisory firm with 271 advisors and approximately $14.4 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and other entities, offering financial planning and portfolio management through multiple advisory programs and platforms.

William Etheridge Jr. is a financial advisor at Hilltop Securities Inc. with 38 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at RBC Capital Markets Corporation for 17 years. Hilltop Securities Inc. provides brokerage, investment advisory, and retirement-plan consulting services to individuals, corporations, nonprofits, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $2.25 billion in assets and offers a range of portfolio management programs supported by an open-architecture platform and a variety of investment strategies.

Melissa Boyer is a CFP® professional with 25 years of industry experience, currently serving at Modera Wealth Management, LLC since 2020. Her prior experience includes roles at Keatley Wealth Management, LLC, LPL Financial, LLC, and MSI Financial Services, Inc. Modera Wealth Management provides wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, corporations, and plan sponsors. The firm employs a diversified asset allocation strategy based on Modern Portfolio Theory and integrates investment management with accounting, tax, and business coaching services.

Phillipe Toupin is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Aprio Wealth Management, LLC. His prior experience includes roles at Jones Gregg Financial, LLC and Business Acquisition & Merger Associates. He is also an insurance agent with Aprio Risk Management, LLC. Aprio Wealth Management offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services to individuals, qualified retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm emphasizes tailored portfolios based on client objectives and risk tolerance, using a mix of asset classes and specialized strategies, and is part of a broader Aprio group that integrates tax, accounting, and benefit consulting services.

Jacob Chandler is a financial advisor at Inspire Advisors, LLC with 19 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Inspire Advisors since 2019, previously spending over a decade at Ameriprise Financial Services. Outside of advising, he is the owner and director of JKC Consulting Inc. and serves as a fund manager for the Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF. Inspire Advisors, LLC manages approximately $1.33 billion in discretionary assets and serves individual, high-net-worth, institutional, charitable, and brokerage clients. The firm incorporates Biblically Responsible Investing using proprietary scoring tools and employs a combination of fundamental, technical, quantitative analysis, and modern portfolio theory to develop portfolios.

Cooper Courtney is a CFP® professional at Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors, LLC with two years of industry experience, including his current role beginning in 2024. Prior to joining the firm, he was a student from 2016 to 2024. Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors provides financial planning, investment management, and consulting services to individuals, families, retirement plans, institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The firm employs a customized investment approach that combines active and passive strategies within an integrated service model alongside tax, accounting, and family-office services offered by its parent firm.

William Richmond is a financial advisor at Cary Street Partners with 36 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley, Raymond James & Associates, Credit Suisse Securities, and Luxe Lifestyle Magazine. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Cary Street Partners offers discretionary and non‑discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm employs a broad investment menu and proprietary strategies through its affiliated asset manager, serving niche institutional clients such as state and municipal government entities and insurance companies.

William Newton Jr. is a CFP® with 24 years of industry experience, currently serving at Archer Investment Corporation since 2011. He also operates Newton Wealth Management and has been a CPA since 1976. His additional business activities include involvement in fixed insurance, life, and annuities. Archer Investment Corporation provides investment management primarily to individual clients, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth investors, offering services through separately managed accounts and proprietary mutual funds. The firm employs a multi-branch, independent-contractor model and manages approximately $1.01 billion in discretionary assets.

Roy Mattox is a financial advisor at Exodus Wealth, LLC with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Integrated Financial Strategies, LLC, Uwharrie Investment Advisors, and Darvas Investment Management LLC. Before his advisory career, Mattox was a self-employed trader for 18 years. Exodus Wealth serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and pension/profit-sharing plans by providing asset management, financial planning, consulting, and referrals to third-party money managers. The firm emphasizes tailored portfolio supervision using a range of investment strategies and conducts regular due diligence on recommended managers.

Janet Correll is a financial advisor at Arkadios Wealth Advisors with 10 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked with Kalos Capital and SouthPark Capital. In addition to her advisory role, she serves as President and Directing Member of Janet Long LLC, providing independent investment advisory services. Arkadios Wealth Advisors offers investment and wealth management services to individuals, trusts, businesses, and retirement plans through a combination of advisor-managed accounts, wrap programs, third-party money managers, and financial planning. The firm’s integrated operating model includes an in-house portfolio team that supports advisors with model strategies and trade execution across various asset classes.

Tammy Le June is a financial advisor at Modera Wealth Management, LLC with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Parsec Financial and the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston. Modera Wealth Management provides fiduciary, fee-only advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an allocation-driven investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing diversified portfolios of mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, and selected alternative strategies tailored to client objectives and risk tolerance.

James Hardison IV is a financial advisor at Stephens with 46 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Stephens since 2010. Prior to that, he spent 30 years at Citigroup Global Markets and 17 years at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Hardison serves on the board and finance committee of the Ronald McDonald House of Winston Salem. Stephens is a multi-team investment adviser with approximately 243 advisors and about $18 billion in assets under management. The firm serves individuals—including high-net-worth clients—retirement plans, foundations, corporations, and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory, brokerage, investment banking, and research services.

Matthew Mc Nabb is a financial advisor with IP Financial Advisory Services LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Innovation Partners LLC, The Vanguard Group, Inc., Park Avenue Securities, and Guardian Life Insurance. IP Financial Advisory Services LLC primarily serves individual retail clients, focusing on comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services. The firm employs a range of analytical approaches and offers personalized portfolio construction with discretionary management, catering mainly to non–high-net-worth investors and retirement plan participants.