Jason Knight is a CFP® professional with 27 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2011 and previously spent ten years at Charles Schwab. Knight provides investment advisory services through Great Valley Advisor Group, LLC. Great Valley Advisor Group is an SEC-registered, multi-team investment adviser serving individuals—including high-net-worth clients—retirement plans, trusts, and other entities. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing a combination of in-house strategies and third-party managers.

Kenneth Duncan is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 credentials and offering 30 years of industry experience. His prior roles include various positions at PNC Bank and its affiliates. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to a range of clients including individuals, trusts, municipalities, and institutions, using global multi-asset class model portfolios that combine fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis.

John Palko is a CFP® professional with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC since 2018. He previously worked at Bb&T Securities, LLC from 2013 to 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he is a general board member of the Matthews Area Chamber of Commerce. Capital Investment Advisory Services provides portfolio management and supervisory services to individuals, corporations, retirement plans, trusts, estates, foundations, and charitable institutions. The firm offers customized investment solutions through separately managed accounts, third-party asset managers, and financial planning services, managing most assets on a discretionary basis.

Robert Falconer is a financial advisor at Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with five years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at LPL Financial, MML Investors Services, Mass Mutual Life Insurance, and involvement with golf-related companies such as Titleist Golf Company and Eastward Ho Golf Club. Guardian Wealth Advisors serves individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities by providing investment advisory, portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a mix of fundamental and technical analysis within a systematic, quantitative framework and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary management.

Bryan Dearolf is a CFP® and ChFC® with three years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Mariner Independent in Raleigh, NC. Prior to joining Mariner Platform Solutions, he worked at Abundant Life Financial and CWM, LLC. He served in various capacities with the U.S. Navy from 2011 to 2023. Outside of financial advising, he teaches personal finance at Cary Christina School. 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 a range of financial planning and investment management services supported by in-house and third-party resources, with access to alternative investments and affiliated business solutions.

Trevor Nace is a financial advisor at SageSpring Wealth Partners in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 65 designation. Although new to the financial advisory industry, he has prior experience with firms such as Collector's Edge Minerals, Science Trends LLC, Forbes Media LLC, and Shell Exploration & Production Company. He has been involved with Science Trends LLC since 2019. SageSpring Wealth Partners manages approximately $8.5 billion for over 11,500 clients, serving a wide range of individual and institutional clients. The firm offers customized portfolios using fundamental and technical analysis, and provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and third-party manager oversight.

Phillip Neuhart is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 19 years of industry experience. He has been with First Citizens Asset Management since 2017 and also maintains roles with First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Investor Services. In addition to his advisory duties, he serves as a Portfolio Strategist for Institutional Business within his firm. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to a range of clients including individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, and municipalities. The firm offers global multi-asset class model portfolios through various implementation frameworks, combining fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis with strategic asset allocation and ongoing risk management.

Evan Lockwood is a financial advisor at Arkadios Wealth Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with four years of industry experience. Before joining Arkadios in 2022, he served in the Army National Guard for 11 years and worked with the Baltimore City Police Department for four years. He is also involved in tax planning and preparation through his roles as Head of the Tax Division at Proximity Financial Partners and Proximity Tax Strategies, where he provides services to both internal and external clients. Arkadios Wealth Advisors is an SEC-registered, multi-team firm serving individuals, trusts, businesses, and retirement plans with customized investment plans based on client risk profiles. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, offering various portfolio management options including internally managed accounts and third-party solutions.

Matthew Vaughan is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 19 years of industry experience. He has worked at Capital Investment Advisory Services and Capital Investment Brokerage since 2020, and previously was with Acorn Financial Advisory Services and The Strategic Financial Alliance from 2015 to 2020. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in fixed insurance sales as an agent. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers personalized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, or centrally managed private-label model portfolios, utilizing a mix of analytical methods and ongoing portfolio reviews.

Tony Mcneill is a financial advisor with Chelsea Advisory Services, Inc. holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Chelsea Financial Services since 2019 and previously held positions at Royal Alliance Associates and John Hancock SII. He also operates McNeill Financial Services, a separate business. Chelsea Advisory Services provides financial planning, investment advisory, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, and corporate entities. The firm follows a fundamental, long-term investment approach, managing diversified portfolios primarily on a discretionary basis while offering periodic compliance and portfolio reviews.

Adam Buchanan is a financial advisor with Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Avantax Advisory Services, HPG Wealthcare Advisors, and 1st Global Advisors. He is a partner at EisnerAmper, focusing on tax and accounting. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company serves individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and diversification, using both discretionary and non-discretionary management strategies supported by third-party independent managers and technology platforms.

Charles Mc Callum III is a CFP® with 28 years of industry experience. He is currently affiliated with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. and First Citizens Delaware Trust Company. His prior roles include positions at BB&T Securities, Truist Investment Services, and SunTrust Investment Services. He serves on the board of SVB Wealth and First Citizens Asset Management, attending quarterly meetings and supporting business activities. First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and municipal clients. The firm constructs global multi-asset class portfolios using a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis, with continuous model monitoring and formal quarterly board reviews.

Robert Oakes is a financial advisor with Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company in Raleigh, NC, holding CFP® and PFS™ designations and bringing 10 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Dai Securities LLC, Avantax Investment Services, and Dunn, Dunn & Oakes, CPAs PLLC. He serves on the boards of Johnston Health UNC Hospital and UNC Rex Healthcare. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company advises individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, providing financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $5 billion in client assets and incorporates asset allocation, diversification, and third-party managers in its investment approach.

Timothy Naylor is a financial advisor at Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Avantax Advisory Services and 1ST Global Capital Corp. Outside of advisory work, he is a partner at EisnerAmper, focusing on tax and accounting services. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company serves individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, providing financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and diversification, using both discretionary and non-discretionary management with third-party independent managers and model portfolios.

Brent Ciliano is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. He holds the CFA® designation and Series 66 license and has 26 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers LP and Congress Capital Partners, LLP, and he currently serves on the board of directors at First Citizens Asset Management. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and public entities. The firm constructs global multi-asset class model portfolios using fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis, with investment management generally offered on a discretionary basis.

Francis Thomas is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 26 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Rising Tide, Inc. and Capital Investment Group, Inc., alongside operating his own insurance agency, F. Michael Thomas & Associates, since 1985. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC offers investment advisory and supervisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an individualized process and a range of analytical methods to manage portfolios through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, or private-label model portfolios.

Jonathan Denton is a financial advisor at Strategic Blueprint, LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Cornerstone Wealth Management and The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. since 2014. Strategic Blueprint, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm delivers customized, goal-based strategies through asset allocation, portfolio design, and manager selection, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary management along with financial planning and educational programs.

Jason Shutts is a financial advisor with The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining The Strategic Financial Alliance, he worked at Bowers Private Wealth Management. Outside of advising, he is involved in providing tax preparation and filing services for family and a small group of friends and supports remote tax and tech assistance for TurboTax users through a business process outsourcing role. The Strategic Financial Alliance serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business clients. The firm offers portfolio management, third-party manager selection, financial planning, and consulting, implementing customized strategies through various programs and co-advisory relationships.

Benjamin Ingram is a financial advisor at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked previously at LPL Financial and Cuna Mutual Group. First Citizens Asset Management provides investment advisory and sub‑advisory services to individuals, trusts, corporations, institutional accounts, and municipal entities. The firm manages approximately $167 million on a discretionary basis through a multi‑team platform and constructs global, multi‑asset model portfolios using a combination of quantitative and qualitative criteria.

David Wahlen is a financial advisor with Merit Financial Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at CapFinancial Partners LLC (CAPTRUST) and Hatteras Funds. Outside of his advisory duties, he serves as a consultant sharing his expertise on the competitive landscape and key trends of the RIA industry with several third-party research firms. Merit Financial Group is a multi-team SEC-registered advisory firm serving individual investors, employer-sponsored retirement plans, ESOPs, and other institutional clients. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing a centrally managed investment approach with customizable model portfolios overseen by an internal investment committee.