Matthew Scott is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group in Hoover, AL, with one year of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at Regions Bank, The Piedmont Group, and other firms. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily for employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and participants, as well as retail brokerage clients. The firm offers integrated services that focus on long-term portfolio returns, annual rebalancing, and clients’ savings rates within plan lineups selected by sponsors.

Tyler Hill is a financial advisor with AE Wealth Management, LLC in Birmingham, AL, holding a Series 65 designation and six years of industry experience. He has worked with AE Wealth Management since 2018 and operates Hill Wealth Management DBA Freedom Financial Group, where he is also involved in insurance sales. AE Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, trusts, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers a platform-centered approach that integrates model portfolios, discretionary asset management, and financial planning services.

Kevin Held is a CFP® and ChFC® with 30 years of industry experience, currently serving at Kestra Advisory since 2016. He has been affiliated with Kestra Investment Services, LLC since 2008. Additionally, he owns a business focused on selling and servicing insurance products to individuals and group policyholders. Kestra Advisory Services provides investment advisory and retirement-plan consulting to plan sponsors, institutional clients, and individuals. The firm offers services including fiduciary consulting, plan design, and employee education, managing approximately $79.8 billion in assets and serving a diverse client base that includes sovereign wealth funds.

Dustin Ward is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management, holding a Series 66 designation and 13 years of industry experience. Prior to joining PNC Investments LLC in 2024, he worked eight years combined at Bank of America and Merrill. He serves as a committee member for the charitable organization Delta Waterfowl, supporting fundraising and event activities. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an online discretionary model account available by invitation to employees. The firm employs approved model strategies with automated portfolio management and focuses on mutual funds and ETFs.

Jeffery Ruffin is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in Birmingham, AL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and nine years of industry experience. He has worked at Principal Securities Inc., Principal Life Insurance Company, BBVA Securities Inc., and other financial firms. Outside of advising, he assists with tax preparation for a family business during tax season. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, offering direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager solutions.

Wendy Fricks is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management in Birmingham, AL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Simplicity Wealth, LLC, Front Page Financial Advisors, and Dempsey Lord Smith, LLC. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an invitation-only, digital discretionary model account pilot for PNC employees that uses algorithmic risk assessment and available investment strategies implemented via mutual funds and ETFs.

Danielle Pittler is a financial advisor at AE Wealth Management, LLC with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Freedom Financial Group, Broad Financial, and Mazza and More among other firms. AE Wealth Management offers fee-based portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting to a varied client base including individual households, corporations, trusts, and ERISA plan sponsors. The firm utilizes discretionary model portfolios and a range of investment strategies, serving over 127,000 clients with a platform-focused approach.

Gerald Wolsfelt is an investment advisor representative at Kestra Advisory with 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Kestra Advisory since 2016, and is also associated with Kestra Investment Services, LLC and Clark Associates since 2009. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a member of the Canterbury UMC Counseling Committee, a community and charitable organization. Kestra Advisory Services provides investment advisory and retirement-plan consulting to plan sponsors along with a diverse range of institutional and individual clients. The firm offers fiduciary consulting, plan-level investment advice, and utilizes multiple management platforms and third-party solutions to support its services.

Valerie Leonard is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network in Birmingham, AL, holding a Series 66 designation and 21 years of industry experience. She has been with Commonwealth since 2007 and previously worked at EverThrive Financial Group and Grinkmeyer and Leonard Wealth Management. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved as Secretary and part owner of Shutterluxe, Inc., a window treatment services company. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of nearly 3,000 advisors, providing advisory programs, technology, investment management, and compliance support. The firm offers various discretionary model portfolios and program structures, enabling advisors to construct client portfolios from a broad range of securities and insurance products.

Toni Hill is a financial advisor with AE Wealth Management, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and 13 years of industry experience. She has worked at AE Wealth Management since 2017 and previously spent five years with Global Financial Private Capital. In addition, she owns and operates Hill Wealth Management Dba Freedom Financial Group, where she is involved in insurance sales. AE Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, trusts, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers a platform-centered approach with model portfolio solutions, discretionary asset management, financial planning, and consulting services.

Howard Bailey is a financial advisor at AE Wealth Management, LLC with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has over 35 years of experience, including running Bailey Insurance & Investments and prior work at Neil Bailey Insurance. Bailey is also the owner of an insurance sales business. AE Wealth Management provides fee-based portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, trusts, and ERISA plan sponsors. The firm emphasizes discretionary model portfolios and supports third-party RIAs through sub-advisory and model-licensing services.

Jason Mcdowell is a financial advisor with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc., holding Series 63 and 66 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing, Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as an executor for a family estate. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients through over 500 advisors. The firm provides a range of services including wrap-fee advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, investment management, brokerage services, and certain merger and acquisition advisory services.

Cary Guffey is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management in Birmingham, AL, holding a Series 66 designation and 26 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Merrill, Colonial Asset Management Inc, Lanark Financial, Inc., and PNC Investments since 2012. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an invitation-only digital offering that utilizes algorithm-driven portfolio selection and third-party managed model strategies primarily composed of mutual funds and ETFs.

Zeeshan Ali is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing Services, Advised Assets Group, and GWFS Equities. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as certain IRA and retail brokerage account holders. The firm’s approach emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing through an integrated model tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms.

Gregory Glynn is a financial advisor at First Command Advisory Services with seven years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 designations. His prior work includes roles at First Command Insurance Services and Brokerage Services, as well as positions outside the financial industry at Ashley Macs, Sams Club, and Publix. First Command Advisory Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporate, and charitable clients, with a focus on active-duty service members and their families. The firm offers financial planning and multiple wrap-fee asset management programs managed centrally by an Investment Management Team and Wealth Portfolio Managers.

Jon Dixon is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Group, LLC in Birmingham, AL. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 22 years of industry experience, including prior roles at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., RFG Advisory, LLC, and Securities America Advisors, Inc. He is also an independent contractor providing financial coaching through Ramsey Master Financial Coach, offering guidance on financial independence and debt management. Independent Financial Group, LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and corporate plans. The firm uses a combination of strategic asset allocation and multi-manager portfolios across various risk profiles, offering both advisory and brokerage services through platforms like AccessPoint and Schwab CAM.

Robert Little is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in Birmingham, AL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Principal Securities and Principal Life Insurance since 2017 and held prior roles at Hornor Townsend & Kent Inc and Penn Mutual. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and active-duty military personnel. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager asset allocation and separately managed account solutions.

Robert Buchanan Jr. is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Birmingham, AL, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has worked at Valic Financial Advisors since 2007 and is also an agent with Agia, involved in non-securities insurance products. Valic Financial Advisors serves mainly U.S. individuals, including high net worth clients and employer-sponsored retirement participants, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and discretionary unified managed accounts through a large network of advisors. The firm manages approximately $29.2 billion and combines a broker-dealer structure with centralized technology and model solutions.

Mike Priestley is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in Birmingham, AL, holding Series 63 and 65 licenses and bringing 44 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Principal Securities Inc, Principal Life Insurance Company, TPC Benefits, and prior positions at MML Investors Services, Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company, and ProEquities. He also owns The Priestley Company, a C corporation focused on group benefits. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and active-duty U.S. military personnel abroad. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager programs under various advisory and promoter arrangements.

Matthew Mcdowell is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Birmingham, AL, holding the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has nine years of industry experience and has worked with Guardian Life Insurance Company and Park Avenue Securities. He serves as president of the Greater Crestwood neighborhood association. Park Avenue Securities LLC serves a diverse retail client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients, offering brokerage and advisory services along with financial and business consulting. The firm employs a range of proprietary and third-party investment strategies and supports various account-level services such as lending solutions and donor-advised funds.