Samuel Moran is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. Before joining Vanguard in 2026, he worked for 20 years at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. He serves as an executor and holds power of attorney for his father in Prescott, AZ. Vanguard Advisers provides both automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models to create personalized portfolios largely composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering various customization options and tax-aware features.

Lisa Riter is a CFP® professional with 31 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC. She has worked with Vanguard and its affiliates since 1998. In addition to her advisory role, she is the owner of Blue Sky Properties LLC, a real estate business based in Asheville, NC. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach and manages portfolios primarily using Vanguard funds and ETFs, combining scale and digital delivery with personalized asset allocation strategies.

Douglas Robertson is a financial advisor with LPL Financial and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 17 years of industry experience, including roles at Truliant Federal Credit Union and Cuna Brokerage Services. Robertson is also involved with Truliant Financial Advisors in connection with his LPL business. LPL Financial is a national broker‑dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm provides a range of advisory services including financial planning, model portfolios, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Kristen Thomas is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with nine years of industry experience. She is currently affiliated with Cetera and also serves as a financial professional at Paved Wealth Partners, LLC. In addition to her advisory work, she operates a small gardening consulting business called Southern Rooted Gardens. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationwide SEC-registered adviser that serves individual, retirement, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a large network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services, utilizing a multi-manager platform with access to affiliated and third-party money managers.

Phillip Turner is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with The Vanguard Group since 2013 and was self-employed from 2018 to 2020. Turner holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios constructed largely from Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering a range of customization options including ESG preferences.

Nicholas Caropreso is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Mooresville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation. He joined Edward Jones in 2026 and has prior professional experience at Lowe's Companies Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, and Pinnacle Foods. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Jeb Milam is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers based in Charlotte, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has seven years of industry experience, including a 30-year tenure at Wells Fargo Advisors and Wells Fargo Clearing Services. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach featuring proprietary asset allocation models and predominantly constructs portfolios from Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Scott Atkinson is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing Services and LPL Financial. He is also an employee of The Vanguard Group, Inc. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice through its digital and personal advisor services, primarily serving retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach to construct portfolios mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering various customization options and managing a large client base through a combination of technology and team support.

James Tapp II is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations. The firm offers a wide range of advisory services, including financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and investment management, supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Jesse Riley is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Concord, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. He has one year of industry experience and has been with Wells Fargo Bank and its affiliates since 2012. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services. The firm’s approach is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options in its investment menus.

Thomas Sparkman is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding CFP® and Series 63 credentials and nine years of industry experience. He has been with The Vanguard Group, Inc. since 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he participates in healthcare training webinars as a demonstration patient and contributes as a focus group participant in multiple marketing research firms. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach to asset allocation, primarily using Vanguard funds and ETFs, and manages a large client base through its digital platform and team servicing model.

Patrick Nielsen is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Mooresville, NC, holding CFP® and Series 66 credentials and seven years of industry experience. Before joining Edward Jones in 2018, he worked for twelve years at Lowe's Companies, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he owns and operates a self-publishing business through which he writes fiction. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm is notable for its large network of financial advisors and branch offices, as well as its affiliated capabilities beyond advisory services.

Jake Rothert is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. He has been with Vanguard since 2021, including roles at Vanguard Advisers, Vanguard Marketing Corporation, and The Vanguard Group. Outside of advising, he has been involved with CharBar7 since 2015. Vanguard Advisers serves retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans through a combination of automated and human-supported investment advice, utilizing a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with personalized asset allocations primarily composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs. The firm manages a large client base with over 2,200 advisors, emphasizing digital delivery and a team servicing model.

Thomas Druckenbrod is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management who specializes in retirement income and wealth management planning. With over 19 years of experience in the financial services industry, he focuses on helping individuals set realistic financial goals and develop outcome-oriented strategies using Merrill's customized advice and Bank of America Global Research. Thomas holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has earned multiple professional designations, including Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). His client focus areas include college education planning, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, special needs planning strategies, women and wealth, and retirement income. In addition to his professional work, Thomas is involved in his community as a church volunteer. Outside of work, his personal interests include adventure sports, chess, fishing, ice skating, table tennis, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Gordon Hasslinger is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and various mortgage and resource companies. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach, primarily constructing portfolios from Vanguard funds and ETFs, and manages a large client base through its digital platform and team servicing model.

Jaime Bell is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Brookstone Capital Management and H.E. Scheil & Associates, Inc. Bell is based in Charlotte, NC. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice through its Vanguard Digital Advisor and Vanguard Personal Advisor services, primarily serving retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios constructed mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs, emphasizing customization and tax-aware strategies.

Natasha Rufino Da Silva is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving the Suburban Philadelphia market. She is recognized as Merrill’s only African American advisor in the region and collaborates with an award-winning team that includes partners with over 40 years of experience. Drawing upon her athletic background, Natasha applies a disciplined and focused approach to her work with high net worth families and individuals. Her expertise spans advising medical professionals, athletes, business owners, and affluent families on various aspects of financial life, including wealth growth and preservation, retirement planning, managing new wealth, and tax minimization. Natasha emphasizes personalized strategies tailored to each client’s unique financial goals and has a commitment to educating her community on financial literacy, especially empowering Philadelphia’s youth. Natasha holds a Bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s University and completed an Accredited Certificate Program at Temple University. She carries several professional designations, including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). She is involved with community organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Tri State Black Men in Medicine. Fluent in English and Yoruba, Natasha focuses on clear communication to help clients understand financial strategies and market conditions.

David Torres is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has previously worked at E*TRADE Securities LLC and TIAA-CREF. Outside of his advisory work, he owns an e-commerce business, GroovyCoconut, Inc. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs and financial planning services to individuals and institutional clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm uses structured planning tools and investment modeling as part of its advisory process.

Christian Burns is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with eight years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2017 and previously worked six years at the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina, Inc. He serves on the Development Committee of the Cornelius Arts Center, where he contributes to training board members on major gifts and may collaborate with board members on donor meetings. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large network of financial advisors and branch offices. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and affiliated investment products under a fiduciary standard.

Jon Neely is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. Outside of his advisory role, he contributes as a blogger providing information for boating enthusiasts and works as a ghostwriter for non-investment topics. Vanguard Advisers offers automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models to create personalized asset allocations and manages portfolios constructed mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs.