Joseph Fox is a CFP® and CFA® with 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. since 2007. The firm provides discretionary investment management and advisory services to individuals, pooled investment vehicles, pensions, trusts, non-profits, and governmental entities. Franklin Street Advisors employs an open-architecture approach combining in-house management with external managers, guided by a quarterly Investment Policy Committee and a disciplined manager-research process.

Ralph Aiello is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Founders Financial Alliance since 2017 and previously held roles at WealthPLAN Partners and LPL Financial LLC. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs an evidence-based investment process using ETFs, third-party managers, and ongoing portfolio monitoring, and offers a family-office style program under a flat fee arrangement.

Hallie Burris is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Greensboro, NC. She has experience working at EY and Clemson University prior to joining her current firm. Outside of advisory work, she operates a seasonal CPA practice focused on tax return preparation. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, employing a range of analytical methods and conducting at least quarterly portfolio reviews.

Benjamin Foreman is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and eight years of industry experience. He has worked with Members Trust Company since 2019 and has been affiliated with State Employees' Credit Union and its related entities since 2014. Foreman also serves as a financial advisory services specialist and life insurance agent for State Employees' Credit Union and its affiliates. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, mostly index-based mutual funds and ETFs, with salaried advisers who provide recommendations while clients retain final decision authority.

Michael Brennan Jr. is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 16 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at BANK of AMERICA, N.A., Merrill, Highland Capital Funds Distributor, Inc., and Bluerock Capital Markets LLC. He is also co-manager of Bass Brennan Advisory, LLC, an entity involved in facilitating the purchase of Rising Tide, Inc. Capital Investment Advisory Services provides portfolio management and supervisory services to individuals, corporations, retirement and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, foundations, and charitable institutions. The firm offers customized investment programs with a range of strategies across equities, fixed income, ETFs, and other asset classes, managing most assets on a discretionary basis.

Colin Bates is a financial advisor at Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. in Chapel Hill, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with seven years of industry experience. He has been with Franklin Street Advisors since 2016. Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. provides discretionary investment management and advisory services to individuals, pooled investment vehicles, pensions, trusts, non-profits, and governmental entities. The firm employs an open-architecture approach combining in-house and external managers, offering strategic asset allocation models and bespoke mandates, and serves as adviser to several private “Manager of Managers” funds.

Don Rudolph is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC, holding Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and 29 years of industry experience. He has been with Founders Financial Alliance and LPL Financial LLC since 2016. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs an evidence-based investment process using ETFs, third-party managers, and regular portfolio monitoring, and offers a family-office style program called FlatFeeCIO that combines management, planning, and tax analysis under a flat fee.

Kamisha Aileen Mcknight is a financial advisor at Good Life Advisors, LLC with two years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at firms including LPL Financial and Fidelity Investments. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved with Zest Cafe & Home Art. Good Life Advisors provides investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services to a diverse client base including individuals, families, business entities, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a team-based approach and multiple analytical methods to tailor advice and manage portfolios aligned with clients’ objectives and risk tolerances.

Carter Ellis is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with 10 years of industry experience. He is currently with Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC and previously worked at Kuhn Advisors, Inc. for eight years. Outside of his advisory role, he co-founded and serves as a partner and tax preparer at Valley Peak Tax & Accounting, providing tax preparation and business consulting services. Guardian Wealth Advisors offers investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services to individuals, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm uses a systematic approach incorporating fundamental and technical analysis, with portfolios primarily constructed from mutual funds and ETFs, and employs both discretionary and non-discretionary management strategies.

William Bowers is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, where he has worked since 2010. He has 24 years of industry experience. Outside of his advisory role, he is also an agent for fixed insurance products and owns Bowers Advisory Inc, a financial planning business. The Strategic Financial Alliance provides advisory services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and other entities, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party managers. The firm operates multiple portfolio programs and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches.

Cynthia White is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 20 years of industry experience. She has worked with various entities affiliated with First Citizens since 2019, as well as previous experience with BB&T from 2008 to 2019. Cynthia serves on the Halifax Community College Foundation Board and its Finance Board committee. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to a range of clients including individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and public institutions. The firm offers multi-asset class portfolios implemented through funds, ETFs, and income-oriented strategies, combining fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis, and emphasizes discretionary management with strategic asset allocation and manager research.

William Blackwood is a financial advisor at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, with 18 years of industry experience. He has been with First Citizens Bank and its affiliated entities since 1989, holding roles at First Citizens Investor Services since 2013 and First Citizens Asset Management since 2017. 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 through a multi-team platform of 33 advisors, offering global multi-asset model portfolios with dynamic asset allocation and discretionary management.

Jeffrey Talley is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Founders Financial Alliance, Founders Wealth Advisors, and LPL Financial since 2016. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary, fee-based investment management and financial planning for individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate retirement plans. The firm employs an evidence-based investment approach tailored to clients' goals and risk tolerances, combining asset allocation, rebalancing, and various strategies alongside third-party manager solutions.

Roy Bass is a CFP® with 40 years of experience in the financial industry. He is currently with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC and has held roles at Cic Advisers, LLC, Charitable Management Advisors, Inc., Capital Investment Brokerage, Inc., and Strategic Asset Management Consultants, Inc. He is president and owner of Strategic Asset Management Consultants, Inc. and serves as co-trustee for multiple trusts. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, with ongoing monitoring and quarterly reviews.

Richard Gardner Jr. is a financial advisor at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 designations and has been with Capital Investment Advisory Services since 2013. Gardner is also the owner and Chief Investment Officer of RGA Investments. Capital Investment Advisory Services provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, employing a range of analytical methods and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Orlando Rosario is a financial advisor with Seacrest Wealth Management, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 21 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at firms including Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors and Advised Assets Groups, LLC. Seacrest Wealth Management is a multi-advisor SEC-registered firm offering wealth management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm employs a long-term investment approach using fundamental and technical analysis across various asset classes and offers specialized services such as divorce financial mediation and consulting on variable annuities and employer-sponsored plans.

John Billiter is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Founders Financial Alliance and LPL Financial since 2020 and previously spent nine years with UBS Financial Services. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Elite Wealth Management, LLC, an entity established for business and tax purposes. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs an evidence-based investment process using ETFs, third-party managers, and ongoing portfolio monitoring, and offers a family-office style program that integrates multiple advisory services under a flat fee.

Benjamin Brooks III is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC and Capital Investment Group, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 34 years of industry experience and has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 2001 and Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC since 2013. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, with ongoing monitoring and a mix of analytical methods.

Christopher Demetropoulos is a financial advisor at Modern Wealth Management, LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked previously at Advisory Services Network, LFM Wealth Management, Team Wealth Investments, and Trillium Asset Management, LLC. He serves on the advisory board for First in Families of North Carolina. Modern Wealth Management, LLC is a multi-team SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $10.9 billion in assets. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and related services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and institutional clients, employing a centralized investment committee and a combination of model portfolios, third-party managers, and tactical adjustments.

Patrick Simpkins is a financial advisor at Arkadios Wealth Advisors with 28 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and has worked at Arkadios since 2019, following eight years at Triad Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the board of 127 Haven, a nonprofit focused on building a school in Uganda. Arkadios Wealth Advisors is an SEC-registered, multi-team firm that serves individuals, trusts, businesses, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers customized investment plans utilizing various portfolio management strategies and combines fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor solutions to client risk profiles.