Laura Olney is a CFP® with six years of industry experience currently with Tru Independence Asset Management, LLC in Charlotte, NC. Her prior experience includes roles at Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade. Tru Independence Asset Management, LLC provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and pension consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and other institutional and business clients. The firm manages approximately $336.9 million in client assets and employs a mix of active and passive strategies, utilizing independent managers, third-party sub-advisors, and digital platforms to construct diversified portfolios.

Antonio Burkett is a CFP® with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Aspire Private Capital since 2018. He previously worked at LPL Financial LLC and Morton Malloy Realty. Aspire Private Capital is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $510 million for individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm provides investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and selective tax consulting, often utilizing third-party sub-advisers and model portfolios through the GeoWealth platform.

Sean Casullo is a CFP® professional with five years of industry experience. He has worked at Crown Wealth Group LLC since 2022 and previously spent eleven years at Sanderson Wealth Management, LLC. Casullo is based in Charlotte, NC. Crown Wealth Group LLC serves individual and high-net-worth clients with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm employs a goals-based investment process using diversified, low-cost ETFs and mutual funds, supported by an Investment Committee to tailor portfolios according to documented objectives and risk tolerances.

Jesse Wideman Jr. is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with eight years of industry experience. He joined Zenith Wealth Partners in 2025 after roles at Facet Wealth and The Vanguard Group. Wideman’s background includes time as a full-time parent prior to returning to the advisory field. Zenith Wealth Partners provides wealth planning and investment management services to individuals, small businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm employs both active and passive investment strategies and offers a range of services including financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, and business advisory support.

Victoria Waldman is a CFP® professional with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Tru Independence Asset Management, LLC in Charlotte, NC. Her prior experience includes roles at The Vanguard Group, UBS Financial Services, and the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She is also involved with YellowWood Wealth Solutions, an advisory business associated with her current firm. Tru Independence Asset Management provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and pension consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm utilizes a combination of active and passive strategies across multiple asset classes and integrates independent managers, third-party sub-advisors, and digital platforms to construct diversified portfolios.

Don Stamas is a CFP® professional at Defender Capital with 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Defender Capital since 2013 and also manages D.J.S. Investments, LLC, a real estate investment and management company. Defender Capital provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, private funds, and corporate clients. The firm employs a customized, discretionary investment approach focused on fundamental analysis and primarily recommends exchange-traded equity securities using both long- and short-term strategies.

Alexander Hill is a CFA® charterholder with 13 years of industry experience. He has worked at Linden Thomas Advisory Services, LLC since 2018 and previously spent three years at Wells Fargo Advisors. Hill holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Linden Thomas Advisory Services, LLC manages approximately $1.77 billion and provides wealth management services to individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs a globally diversified investment approach based on modern portfolio theory and offers proprietary index-enhanced portfolios, serving a large client base through both discretionary and non-discretionary programs.

Tyler Kolbenschlag is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with 11 years of industry experience. He has worked at Crown Wealth Group LLC since 2018 and previously held roles at GCG Wealth Management and Questar Asset Management. Outside of his advisory work, Tyler is a licensed real estate broker and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Crown Wealth Group LLC serves individual and high-net-worth clients with portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning, including Personal CFO support and estate-planning facilitation. The firm employs a goals-based investment process using an Investment Committee and offers a range of asset classes, including low-cost ETFs and mutual funds, with additional services such as insurance and real estate brokerage through affiliated entities.

Jamie Esler is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving at Sparta Wealth Partners. Prior to joining Sparta Wealth Partners, he worked at High Flows Capital Group LLC for eight years and has held roles at Capital Management Group of Washington D.C., Bank of America, N.A., and Merrill. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Sparta Wealth Partners provides advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and ERISA retirement-plan advisory services, utilizing a mix of fundamental and technical analysis alongside third-party managers and model-based strategies.

Cade Vela is a financial advisor at WestEnd Advisors, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials with two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Victory Capital Services, Inc. and Ally Financial, as well as academic positions at Davidson College and West Forsyth High School. WestEnd Advisors is an SEC-registered investment adviser offering discretionary portfolio management and third-party ETF model strategies to a diverse client base, including individuals, institutions, and government entities. The firm employs a macro-driven investment process and serves as a model provider within the Victory Capital family.

Zachary O'Brien is a CFP® with 17 years of experience in financial advisory services. He has worked at Crown Wealth Group LLC since 2020 and previously spent 11 years with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management Inc. O'Brien serves as a board member for several nonprofit organizations, including the LLK Foundation, Ducks Unlimited Davie County, and the Winston Chamber of Commerce, where he leads a leads group and participates in community events. Crown Wealth Group LLC provides portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a goals-based investment process with documented Investment Policy Statements and offers personalized services such as estate-planning facilitation, executive compensation planning, and concierge lifestyle support.

William Sugg IV is a CFP® professional with 25 years of experience, currently serving at Laurel Wealth Advisors, LLC in Charlotte, NC. He has worked at APW Capital, Inc. for 14 years and has been with Laurel Wealth Advisors since 2007. Outside of advisory work, Sugg is involved in several investment ventures focused on real estate and early-stage electric vehicle and battery storage companies. Laurel Wealth Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and business entities, providing discretionary and non-discretionary asset management alongside financial planning. The firm manages nearly $1 billion in client assets with a team of seven advisors, offering customized investment programs based on fundamental analysis and regular portfolio reviews.

Walker Shelton is a CFP® with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving at Verum Partners LLC since 2023. He previously worked at Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC and Carolinas Investment Consulting LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he assists a CPA firm in Charlotte, NC, during tax season. Verum Partners LLC provides customized wealth management and discretionary portfolio management services for high net worth individuals, families, trusts, and estates. The firm sponsors a wrap fee program that combines advisory and securities transaction services and offers access to independent portfolio managers.

John Carlson is a financial advisor at WestEnd Advisors, LLC with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has previously worked at Victory Capital Services, Inc and State Street Global Advisors entities. WestEnd Advisors provides discretionary portfolio management and third-party ETF model strategies to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and government entities. The firm employs a macro-driven investment process and operates as an autonomous Victory Capital franchise, managing significant regulatory and advisory assets across multiple programs.

Charles Doran is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with one year of industry experience. He is currently with Verum Partners LLC in Charlotte, NC, where he has worked since 2024. Prior to joining Verum Partners, he was employed at Bank of America from 2021 to 2024 and has experience in hospitality and education sectors. Verum Partners LLC provides customized wealth management and discretionary portfolio management services for high net worth individuals, families, trusts, and estates. The firm sponsors a wrap fee program that combines advisory and securities transaction services, employs independent portfolio managers, and maintains institutional relationships with Schwab and Fidelity for research and technology support.

John Kernodle is a financial advisor at Strathmore Capital Advisors with 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Strathmore Capital Advisors since 2005 and holds the Series 65 designation. Strathmore Capital Advisors serves individuals, trusts, endowments, and participant-directed retirement plans through discretionary portfolio management and goals-based financial planning. The firm emphasizes an asset-allocation-driven investment approach using mutual funds and ETFs, incorporating technology for client service and offering distinctive services such as a securities-backed lending strategy and integrated tax preparation.

Melissa Wall is a CFP® with nine years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Providence Capital Advisors, LLC. She previously worked at Bank of America for thirteen years. Outside of her advisory role, she operates a seasonal tax preparation and schedule fee business. Providence Capital Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and integrated financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and small businesses. The firm employs fundamental security selection combined with technical and cyclical analysis across various strategy sleeves, including Core Equity, Diversified Income, and Covered Call programs, and incorporates derivatives and margin transactions in some strategies.

Heather Fowler is a financial advisor at A4 Wealth Advisors LLC with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has prior work experience at Thrive Mortgage and Covius Services LLC. Outside of advising, she owns HeatherGrown, LLC, where she teaches yoga and assists with plant sales. A4 Wealth Advisors LLC provides personalized financial planning, investment management, and referrals to third-party money managers for individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm integrates in-house advice with sub-advisors and co-advisor models, incorporating alternative investments and offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management.

Chandler Smith is a financial advisor with Four Financial Management in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. He also provides administrative support to independent investment advisor firms and assists with tax preparation through Four Financial Tax Services. Additionally, he is an author with a home-based writing activity. Four Financial Management serves individual investors, non-profits, trusts, retirement plans, and business entities, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and customized investment strategies, managing accounts on a discretionary basis and utilizing both proprietary tools and third-party model portfolios.

Jared Mccutcheon is a financial advisor at Cannon Advisors in Charlotte, NC, with 11 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at firms including Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, and Quasar Distributors, LLC. Cannon Advisors provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and limited consulting services to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a variety of analytical approaches and investment strategies, including alternatives and options trading, and manages approximately $181.6 million across about 228 client accounts.