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.

Patrick Simpkins is a financial advisor at Arkadios Wealth Advisors with 28 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and has worked at Arkadios since 2019, following eight years at Triad Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the board of 127 Haven, a nonprofit focused on building a school in Uganda. Arkadios Wealth Advisors is an SEC-registered, multi-team firm that serves individuals, trusts, businesses, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers customized investment plans utilizing various portfolio management strategies and combines fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor solutions to client risk profiles.

Tyler Brown is a CFP® with 18 years of industry experience currently serving at RFG Advisory, LLC since 2025. He previously worked at Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C, Fisher Investments, and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC. Brown is the owner and founder of Turnpoint Wealth, a separate advisory and insurance activity. RFG Advisory is a multi-team registered investment adviser with approximately 178 advisors managing about $8 billion for over 17,000 clients, including individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, alternative investments, and annuity management, employing both actively managed and passive strategies with a focus on risk management.

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.

Nicholas Livecchi is a CFP® professional with 15 years of industry experience. He is currently affiliated with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC and LPL Financial, LLC, having previously worked at Bank of America and Merrill Lynch. Outside of his advisory roles, he is the author of "Finding the 'Right Fit' Financial Advisor." Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs an evidence-based investment approach using ETFs, third-party managers, and portfolio monitoring, and offers a family-office style program that integrates multiple advisory services under a flat fee arrangement.

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.

John Whaley is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has held concurrent roles at SECU Life Insurance Company, Members Trust Company, SECU Brokerage Services, and State Employees' Credit Union since 2006. Whaley serves as Secretary and Chief Operating Officer at SECU Life Insurance Company and as a Trust Representative at Members Trust Company. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, fixed-income products, and a goals-based, long-term planning approach, with salaried advisers employed by the parent credit union.

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® with 40 years of industry experience, currently serving at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Raleigh, NC. He has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 1992 and Financial Resource Management, Inc. since 1987. Outside of his advisory work, he is the author of a book titled *In His Grip*, which he has been involved with 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 customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, employing a variety of analytical methods and conducting at least quarterly reviews.

James Sloop is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Founders Financial Alliance since 2015 and also maintains an affiliation with LPL Financial since 2014. Outside of his advisory work, he creates content focused on electronic entertainment for platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs an evidence-based investment process using ETFs, third-party managers, and regular portfolio monitoring, and offers a flat-fee family-office style program that integrates multiple advisory services.

Thaddeus Yasunaga is a CFA® charterholder with 10 years of industry experience. He currently works at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc., having joined the firm and its affiliated First Citizens Bank in 2024. His prior experience includes roles at PNC Bank and Busey Capital Management, Inc., where he worked for a decade. First Citizens Asset Management provides investment advisory and sub-advisory services to individuals, trusts, corporations, institutional accounts, and municipal entities. The firm manages multi-asset global portfolios using a combination of quantitative and qualitative criteria, serving clients through a platform of 33 advisors.

Logan Price is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving at Credit Union Investment Services. He has held positions at State Employees’ Credit Union since 2009 and Secu Life Insurance Company since 2014. Outside of his financial services roles, he serves as a poll worker for the Wake County Board of Elections. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, providing non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes a goals-based, long-term approach using low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, with salaried advisers who provide recommendations while clients retain final decision authority.

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.

Kevin Furr is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 11 years of industry experience. He is currently with Credit Union Investment Services and holds roles at SECU Life Insurance Company and SECU Brokerage Services. His prior experience includes positions at Charles Schwab, PNC Investments, and First Citizens Investor Services. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors residing in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and retirement planning. The firm emphasizes a goals-based, long-term investment approach using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs within a credit-union ecosystem.

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.