As a former Deputy U.S. Marshal and with a Master's degree in Financial Planning, Charlie brings decades of specialized financial experience to the private sector. His Federal Law Enforcement background gives him distinctive insight into the financial challenges and opportunities facing Federal Employees and specifically, Federal Agents. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Charlie is the Lead Financial Planner of Charles Michael Financial, a Fee-Only Financial Planning firm serving Federal Agent families nationwide. Charlie also founded and runs the MoneyArmor™ Membership at Charles Michael Financial, which focuses on financial coaching and educational resources designed specifically for Federal Agents & Heroes. As a Certified Financial Planner, Charlie follows the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. The complex knowledge required to obtain and maintain this professional designation helps Charlie develop extensive financial plans that hardworking people deserve. When he's not helping clients navigate their financial futures, Charlie embraces the "Work Optional" lifestyle by specializing in outdoor family adventures and enjoying great food and friends around the fire pit. He’s often found perfecting his ping-pong skills (where he claims an undefeated status), writing, and sharing amateur dog training tips with anyone willing to listen.

Elizabeth Donner is a financial advisor at Simplicity Wealth with 27 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera, and Diversified Retirement and Wealth. Outside of her advisory role, she is a licensed independent insurance agent providing life, health, disability, annuities, and long-term care insurance products. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, institutional investors, and other financial firms. The firm offers advisory services spanning financial planning, portfolio management, and managed account platforms, utilizing a fund-of-funds approach with ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, as well as multiple model portfolios and third-party managers.

Hallie Burris is a financial advisor at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC with one year of industry experience and a Series 65 designation. Prior to joining the firm, she worked at EY and Elliott Davis, and has experience in accounting and tax preparation. She is also involved in a seasonal CPA practice focused on tax return preparation. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides portfolio management and supervisory services to individuals, corporations, retirement and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, foundations, and charitable institutions. The firm offers a range of investment solutions including separately managed accounts, third-party asset managers, and private-label model portfolios, tailoring investment programs to client objectives, time horizons, and risk tolerances.

Michael Brennan Jr. is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 16 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at BANK of AMERICA, N.A., Merrill, Highland Capital Funds Distributor, Inc., and Bluerock Capital Markets LLC. He is also co-manager of Bass Brennan Advisory, LLC, an entity involved in facilitating the purchase of Rising Tide, Inc. Capital Investment Advisory Services provides portfolio management and supervisory services to individuals, corporations, retirement and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, foundations, and charitable institutions. The firm offers customized investment programs with a range of strategies across equities, fixed income, ETFs, and other asset classes, managing most assets on a discretionary basis.

Carter Ellis is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with 11 years of industry experience. He has worked at Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC since 2022 and previously spent eight years at Kuhn Advisors, Inc. Outside of his financial advisory work, he is a co-founder and partner of Valley Peak Tax & Accounting, providing tax preparation and business consulting services. Guardian Wealth Advisors serves individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities by offering investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services. The firm employs a systematic, quantitative approach using ETFs, mutual funds, and third-party managers, and is notable for disclosing hypothetical performance materials in its client communications.

Roy Bass is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with over 40 years of industry experience. He is currently with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC and has held roles at Cic Advisers, LLC and Charitable Management Advisors, Inc. He is also the president and owner of Strategic Asset Management Consultants, Inc. and serves as co-trustee of multiple family trusts. Capital Investment Advisory Services provides portfolio management and supervisory services to individuals, corporations, retirement and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, foundations, and charitable institutions. The firm tailors portfolios to client objectives and risk tolerance, managing the majority of assets on a discretionary basis through various investment strategies.

Richard Gardner Jr. is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 designations and 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Capital Investment Advisory Services since 2013 and has worked at Capital Investment Group Inc. since 2002. Outside of his advisory roles, he is an owner and chief investment officer of RGA Investments and also provides life, health, disability, and long-term care insurance services. Capital Investment Advisory Services offers portfolio management and supervisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable institutions. The firm customizes portfolios to clients’ objectives and risk tolerance, managing the majority of its assets on a discretionary basis and employing various investment strategies across multiple asset classes.

Matthew Schanz is a CFP® professional with 12 years of experience in financial advising. He is currently with Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company in Raleigh, NC. His prior roles include positions at Avantax Investment Services, HPG Wealthcare Advisors, and 1st Global Advisors. Schanz is also active as a licensed insurance agent, focusing on fixed insurance and annuity sales. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company serves individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm manages approximately $5 billion in client assets and employs a diversified investment approach using both discretionary and non-discretionary management with third-party independent managers and model portfolios.

Benjamin Brooks III is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC and Capital Investment Group, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 34 years of industry experience and has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 2001 and Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC since 2013. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, with ongoing monitoring and a mix of analytical methods.

Bowman Nicholson is a CFP® with 14 years of experience, currently serving at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC since 2016. He is also a bassist in musical bands, an activity unrelated to his investment work. Capital Investment Advisory Services provides portfolio management and supervisory services to individuals, corporations, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable institutions. The firm offers customized portfolios using a variety of analysis methods and investment strategies, managing the majority of its assets on a discretionary basis.

Jared Miller is a financial advisor at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior work history includes roles in various sectors such as education and management but no previous advisory positions. Capital Investment Advisory Services provides portfolio management and supervisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, retirement and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, foundations, and charitable institutions. The firm offers customized portfolios using multiple methods of analysis and manages the vast majority of its assets on a discretionary basis.

Danielle Bailey is a financial advisor at Balentine in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 65 credential and with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Balentine, she held positions at Envestnet and Blackened Kraken, as well as roles at East Carolina University. Balentine serves entrepreneurs, families, high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and institutional clients, providing wealth management, financial planning, investment management, family office services, and business advisory support. The firm follows a risk-based investment approach utilizing a combination of active and passive strategies, third-party managers, and a model-driven Global Tactical Asset Allocation program.

Eric Le is a CFA® charterholder with two years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company in Raleigh, NC. Prior to joining Prosperity, he held roles at Dai Securities LLC and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company serves individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities by providing financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm manages approximately $5 billion in client assets and employs a multi-team approach emphasizing asset allocation and diversification, utilizing third-party managers and technology platforms to support client service.

Madison Held is a Series 65 licensed financial advisor with five years of industry experience. He is currently associated with Nelson Wealth Management, LLC and Mariner Platform Solutions since 2022. Prior to this, he worked at AdvicePeriod, LLC and Nelson Financial Partners, LLC. Mariner Independent serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, tax support, insurance solutions, and access to alternative investments through a network of 119 advisers using both model and customized portfolios.

Matthew James is a financial advisor at Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC in Durham, NC, with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and has prior experience at Brighton Jones and other organizations including the National Taxpayers Union Foundation and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Guardian Wealth Advisors provides investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, retirement plans, and institutional entities. The firm employs a systematic investment approach using mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, options, and equities, combining fundamental and technical analysis to manage portfolios.

Eugene Thompson IV is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Capital Investment Advisory Services and its affiliate Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 2014. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of services including separately managed accounts, referrals to third-party managers, private-label model portfolios, and financial planning, with an individualized investment process and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

George Hicks is a CFP® professional with 41 years of industry experience. He has worked with Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 1992 and Financial Resource Management, Inc. since 1987. Outside of his advisory roles, he is the author of the book *In His Grip*, which he has been marketing since 2014. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides portfolio management and supervisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a variety of investment solutions, tailoring portfolios to client objectives and managing most assets on a discretionary basis.

Ralph Powell is a financial advisor with Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has worked at Vanderbilt Financial Group and previously spent over two decades at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as an advisor for Atmos Aviation, LLC. Consolidated Portfolio Review serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering managed accounts, model portfolios, financial planning, and access to third-party advisors. The firm’s approach combines strategic asset allocation with fundamental and technical analysis, supporting both in-house and independent advisor-managed portfolios.

Marshall Brannock is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently a financial advisor at Balentine since 2021. He previously worked at The Vanguard Group for six years and was self-employed for one year in 2018. Balentine serves entrepreneurs, families, high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and institutional clients, offering comprehensive wealth management, financial planning, investment management, and business advisory services. The firm’s investment approach is risk-based, combines active and passive strategies, and includes a model-driven Global Tactical Asset Allocation program for institutional mandates.

Matthew West is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. He has worked at Capital Investment Advisory Services and affiliated firms since 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a financial analyst in ventures and acquisitions for Liberty Senior Living and manages a consulting firm focused on finance and real estate projects. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, using a variety of analytical methods and ongoing portfolio monitoring.