Edward Wood III is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 28 years of industry experience. He is currently with Cornerstone Wealth Group LLC, where he has worked since 2018, and has held positions at several firms including Mutual Securities, Inc., Cornerstone Financial Partners, Inc., and LPL Financial. Wood is also involved in insurance-related activities through Cornerstone Risk Management Advisors, LLC. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, employer plan sponsors, advisers, and corporations. The firm provides comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing model-based portfolios that include ETFs, mutual funds, equities, bonds, and alternative investments when appropriate.

Jennifer Muckley is a CFP® certificant with six years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Bragg Financial Advisors Inc since 2018. Prior to joining Bragg, she worked for three years at Wells Fargo Bank dba Abbott Downing. Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. is a family-owned SEC-registered investment adviser managing over $4.6 billion for individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and investment-company clients. The firm focuses on strategic asset allocation with broad diversification and periodic rebalancing, offering discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and managed-account services.

Kamden Gaines is a financial advisor at Ally Invest Advisors with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Ernst & Young LLP and The Vanguard Group, Inc. Gaines supports both Ally Invest Securities and Ally Invest Advisors as Director of Client Services, overseeing customer support for self-directed and advisory clients. Ally Invest Advisors provides discretionary portfolio management primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients through web-based and virtual solutions, offering ETF-based Robo Portfolios and advisor-delivered Personal Advice services. The firm uses model portfolios based on Modern Portfolio Theory with multiple risk tiers and focuses on retail and high-net-worth individuals.

Jeremy Fisher is a financial advisor at Choreo, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with RSM US Wealth Management LLC since 2012. Choreo provides investment and advisory services to a diverse client base including individual investors, family offices, endowments, foundations, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation and diversified model portfolios managed by a centralized team and overseen by an Investment Committee.

Isaiah Smith II is a financial advisor with Integrity Advisory Solutions, holding Series 63 and 65 licenses and bringing 11 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Integrity Advisory Solutions in 2025, he worked at AlphaStar Capital Management, LLC for five years and Regal Investment Advisors LLC for four years. He also serves as Senior Vice President of Annuity Sales at The Assurance Group, where he is involved in training and mentoring agents. Integrity Advisory Solutions serves individual, trust, estate, corporate, and business clients through a network of approximately 100 independent advisors, managing about $1.1 billion in client assets. The firm offers a range of services including portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and uses both fundamental and technical analysis supported by various asset allocation strategies and third-party platforms.

Michael Ames is a financial advisor at StoneX Advisors Inc. with 15 years of industry experience. He has worked at StoneX Advisors since 2020, following roles at Fifth Third Securities and Truist Investment Services. Ames is also involved in insurance sales as an agent with Synergy Insurance Group and Buckhead Brokerage Group. StoneX Advisors serves individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services through a combination of independent advisors and an in-house Private Client Group. The firm utilizes a variety of strategies and platforms to support customized investment solutions.

Andrea Pine is a financial advisor with Cornerstone Wealth, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and 17 years of industry experience. She has worked at Mutual Securities, Inc. since 2017 and at Cornerstone Financial Partners since 2014, with prior experience at LPL Financial from 2013 to 2017. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, employer plan sponsors, other advisers, and corporations. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related services, implementing model-based portfolios with a mix of ETFs, mutual funds, equities, bonds, and alternative investments when appropriate.

Matthew Sandberg is a CFP® professional with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving at Cornerstone Wealth Group since 2017. His prior roles include positions at Mutual Securities, Inc., Cornerstone Financial Partners, and LPL Financial, LLC. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, employer plan sponsors, other advisers, and corporations. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related services, employing model-based portfolios guided by an investment committee and providing both discretionary and non-discretionary solutions.

Sarah Khan is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Ally Invest Advisors in Charlotte, NC, where she has worked since 2021. She has five years of industry experience, including six years at Grant Thornton prior to joining Ally Invest. Khan also holds a regulatory oversight role supporting compliance functions across Ally Invest Advisors and Ally Invest Securities. Ally Invest Advisors serves a broad retail client base with discretionary portfolio management that combines automated and advisor-led services. The firm employs a model-driven investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing ETFs across multiple risk tiers and strategy variants while integrating digital tools for portfolio management and reporting.

Orlando Ricci is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and six years of industry experience. He has worked at Principal Life Insurance Company, Principal Securities Inc., and New York Life, among others. Outside of finance, Ricci officiates high school wrestling in North Carolina and South Carolina and has published two novels, with a third in progress. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary investment management program. The firm integrates third-party tools and proprietary models, benefiting from its affiliation with the Principal Financial Group family.

Katherine Burak is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Choreo, LLC. Her prior roles include positions at Vanguard Marketing Corporation and Cleary University. Choreo serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, family offices, and institutional clients. The firm’s investment process emphasizes strategic asset allocation combined with quantitative screening and due diligence, implementing portfolios through a variety of managed accounts and specialized advisory services.

Brett Shanklin is a financial advisor at Principal Advised Services with a Series 66 credential and two years of industry experience. He has held roles at several Principal Financial Group affiliates, including Principal Bank, Principal Life Insurance Company, and Principal Securities, Inc. Prior to joining Principal, his work experience spans multiple industries including banking and staffing. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, combining third-party methodologies with proprietary models. The firm leverages its affiliation with Principal Financial Group to offer a range of advisory services and investment products supported by dedicated governance and supervision.

Lauren Martinez is a financial advisor at Choreo, LLC with nine years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has previously worked at Verum Partners LLC, Novare Capital Management, LLC, and Staton Financial Advisors, LLC. Choreo serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, family offices, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, endowments, and institutional clients. The firm employs a quantitative and committee-approved investment process, offering a broad range of services such as portfolio management, wealth management consulting, outsourced CIO, and retirement plan consulting.

Carolyn Balzano is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC since 2021. She previously worked at Fifth Third Bank from 2014 to 2021. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC is a multi-team registered investment adviser managing approximately $7.8 billion in discretionary assets for a range of clients, including individuals, trusts, pension plans, charitable organizations, and institutional investors. The firm provides portfolio management, financial planning, and access to alternative investments, leveraging both in-house resources and third-party managers within an integrated framework affiliated with Fifth Third Bank.

Brandon Shephard is a financial advisor with Ally Invest Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, PNC, and Wells Fargo Clearing Services. Outside of finance, he has been involved with YES I CAN BASKETBALL since 2005. Ally Invest Advisors serves a broad retail client base, offering discretionary portfolio management through automated and advisor-led services. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing ETF-based model portfolios across various risk tiers with automated allocation and rebalancing.

Arron Price is a financial advisor at AlphaStar Capital Management with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and serves as the COO of Financial Independence Group, where he oversees the strategic direction of operations and technology. AlphaStar Capital Management manages approximately $1.84 billion for a diverse client base, including individuals, trusts, estates, and institutions. The firm offers both predefined model portfolios and customized strategies, employing a quantitative and tactical investment approach that incorporates third-party research and momentum evaluation.

Anthony Montanari is a financial advisor at Prospera Financial Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, with 27 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Capital Guardian Wealth Management, Citigroup Global Markets, and Prudential Equity Group. Montanari is a Series 63 and Series 65 license holder. Prospera Financial Services is a multi-team advisory firm with 271 advisors managing approximately $14.4 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and access to multiple advisory programs and platforms.

Jonathan Heim is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and four years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Principal Financial Services and Principal Life Insurance Company. He also has experience in the parking management sector and the mortgage industry through Angel Oak Home Loans. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary wrap-fee investment management program. The firm integrates third-party tools and proprietary models and benefits from its affiliation with Principal Financial Group entities, providing access to a range of proprietary financial products.

Eric Housman is a CFP® with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC since 2020. He previously worked at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. and Fifth Third, accumulating over two decades of experience within the Fifth Third organization. Outside of his advisory role, he is an owner and landlord of a rental property in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, and access to separately managed accounts for a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, pension plans, charitable organizations, governmental entities, and institutional investors. The firm employs tailored strategic asset allocation frameworks and typically manages portfolios on a discretionary basis, utilizing both affiliated and third-party managers.

Thomas Worth III is a CFP® certificant with 16 years of industry experience. He is currently with Ascentis Independent Advisors, LLC and has previously worked at ORG Partner's LLC, Defender Capital, Kestra Investment Services, LLC, and Wells Fargo Clearing. He has also served as a Personal CFO since 2013. Ascentis Independent Advisors serves individuals, trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, providing asset management, comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a mix of discretionary management, third-party managers, and platform solutions, including a Private Direct Investments program for illiquid private funds.