Eric Wellford is a Benefits & Planning Consultant in Executive Services. He provides benefits guidance and planning support for executives. Eric has been with Fidelity Investments since 2021, starting as a Workplace Planning Consultant I-3 before becoming a Benefits & Planning Consultant in 2026. In his personal time, Eric enjoys art, camping, hiking, photography, and traveling.

James Hoke is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management, where he has worked since 2015. He has 10 years of industry experience and serves as a board member for several local organizations, including the Kenly Area Chamber of Commerce, the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, and the Johnston County Tourism Authority. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits, offering holistic, goal-based financial planning that covers a wide range of topics without direct portfolio management or discretionary trading authority.

Scott Macdonald is a financial advisor with Merrill in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2003. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member for the Middle Creek High School Stampede Club, where he coordinates monthly meetings to support the school's athletics program. Merrill serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional investors, offering managed account programs, discretionary portfolio management, and brokerage services. The firm’s investment approach includes multiple strategy types and emphasizes tax-efficient solutions, supported by its integration with Bank of America affiliates and capital markets capabilities.

Lyben Hizkias is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill and Bank of America, Hizkias worked at Fidelity Investments and held roles in various companies, including Akula Security and Conquer Strategic Marketing. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers, serving individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients.

Quinn Angel is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Quinn has worked at Merrill since 2022 and has a diverse background including roles in education and retail. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

James Forrester is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates, holding a Series 66 credential and over 20 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James & Associates since 2015. Outside of advising, he owns a commercial fishing boat and is a one-third owner of a water disaster mitigation equipment sales and leasing business. He also serves as president of the board for Pine Knoll Townes Phase 1. Raymond James & Associates is a large dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser overseeing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering a range of financial planning, investment consulting, and institutional fiduciary services.

Scott Blanchard is a financial advisor with LPL Financial and holds a Series 66 designation. He has worked in the financial services industry since 2024, including roles at Charles Schwab, Osaic, and Steward Wealth Strategies. His background also includes experience outside finance, such as working in the restaurant industry and at an educational institution. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of advisors and integrated financial activities.

R. Grove Jr. is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 32 years of experience. He specializes in working with a select number of high-net-worth families and businesses, developing, executing, and tracking sophisticated financial management and portfolio strategies. His approach combines investment management with personalized financial services to help clients achieve financial security by simplifying complex financial landscapes. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina and is a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® designee. Grove takes a goals-based approach to wealth management that integrates his team's certifications with detailed knowledge of each client's family priorities and resources to design customized strategies. His areas of client focus include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and socially responsible, values-based, and ESG investing. Outside of his professional duties, Grove lives in Cary, NC with his wife and has three adult children. He enjoys golfing, running, and spending time with his family. He is the co-founder and Vice President of The Continuous Blessings Foundation and has served on the finance committee at his church, as a board member for the Y Guides of the Triangle, and Life Experiences, Inc.

Jordan Sellers is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and having three years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Fidelity Investments and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. He is also the owner of SELLERS Foundation LLC, a non-operating entity currently in the process of dissolution. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, utilizing a combination of quantitative asset-allocation models and centralized due diligence. The firm delivers services on a non-discretionary basis and applies an ESG eligibility framework in its investment recommendations.

Austin Harris is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. based in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and 15 years of industry experience. He has worked at Raymond James since 2020 and previously was with Bb&T Securities and Scott & Stringfellow. Harris is also an insurance agent with Towne Insurance, focusing on non-variable insurance products. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary investment consulting and supports a large network of advisors, with specialized services in municipal finance and SIMPLE IRA employer advisory programs.

Cecilia Garcia Leija is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. She previously worked at Carolina Country Club and the Wake County District Attorney’s Office. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Brock Adams is a financial advisor at Merrill based in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. His prior work history includes roles at Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Modern Woodmen Of America, Footlocker, UPS, and Verizon. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Grayson Clements is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and 0 years of industry experience. He has held positions at Bank of America and Merrill since 2026 and previously worked in various roles including at Townsquare Interactive and Mythic. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a wide range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional accounts.

Benjamin Woodard Jr. is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 52 years of industry experience, including 27 years at Equitable Advisors and 21 years at Axa Advisors, LLC. He is also approved to conduct insurance business with carriers outside of the Equitable network. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and a range of asset-management programs through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives, utilizing both in-house and third-party investment solutions.

Michael Sterling is a financial advisor with OSAIC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and possessing 34 years of industry experience. He has previously worked with FSC Securities Corporation for 31 years and has been a partner at Banyan, Rock and Talent Insurance Agency since 1995. Outside of advising, he is involved in managing a partnership and serves as president/CEO of his financial planning firm. OSAIC Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and charitable investors. The firm provides integrated brokerage and advisory services, using asset-allocation tools and multiple investment platforms to tailor portfolios across various asset classes.

Zachary Merritt is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. He has previously worked at several financial firms including Lincoln Financial Securities, Bank of America, and Merrill Lynch. Outside of his advisory role, Merritt assists with family business consulting and serves as a Notary Public. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management services to individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a range of advisory models and third-party asset managers to deliver tailored investment solutions.

Alexanderia Moore is a financial advisor with Merrill holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. She has previously worked at Western Carolina University and Bank of America. Moore has created a business entity named Great Moorening LLC, but it is currently inactive. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations with model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Ryder Seiz is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Equitable Advisors in 2023, his work history includes roles at DoorDash and UNC Aquatics. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The firm utilizes a range of advisory models implemented by third-party sponsors and offers access to mutual funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts, and select alternative investments.

Maria Williams is a CFP® professional with 17 years of industry experience. She has worked at Edward Jones since 2021 and previously held positions at Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors and Fidelity Investments. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Matthew Szymanski is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since beginning his career at Merrill Lynch in 2003, he has provided traditional financial advice and guidance as well as built and managed custom investment strategies. His approach includes selecting from a wide range of Merrill model portfolios and third-party investment options, with the ability to manage strategies on a discretionary basis for clients participating in the firm's Investment Advisory Program. Matthew holds several professional designations, including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Vanderbilt University and completed his secondary education at St Joseph's Collegiate Institute. Matthew, along with his wife Emily and their son Barrett, reside in downtown Raleigh and are actively involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2023, Matthew was named to Forbes' "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list, a recognition developed by SHOOK Research based on factors such as industry experience, credentials, client retention, and firm nominations.