Michael Jones is a financial advisor at Silver Oak Securities, Inc. with 18 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Big Rock Wealth Advisors, Cantella and Co., Inc., and Edward Jones. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as an assistant baseball coach for Walter M Williams High School. Silver Oak Securities, Inc. serves a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, corporations, and trusts, managing approximately $2.4 billion in discretionary assets. The firm offers multiple advisory programs tailored to client objectives, with a focus on discretionary investment management and automated model-based portfolio implementation.

Aaron Smith is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 15 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Cardinal Financial, LLC for eight years before joining his current firm in 2021. Outside of his advisory role, he is a co-owner of a real estate group involved in non-investment-related activities. 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 tailored investment programs with a range of strategies and typically manages assets on a discretionary basis.

George Schopper is a financial advisor at Momentum Independent Network Inc. with 53 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Momentum Independent Network since 2010. Momentum Independent Network serves a diverse client base including individual, high-net-worth, charitable, corporate, institutional, and banking/thrift clients. The firm offers investment advisory programs, managed accounts, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing a platform model with third-party managers and integration with Hilltop affiliates for municipal bond strategies and cash management features.

James Kenerly is a ChFC® with 20 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with M HOLDINGS SECURITIES, Inc. since 2006. He also serves as Chief Operating Officer at Plybon and Associates, Inc. Outside of his financial advisory roles, he writes and publishes children's books under Rascal Books. M HOLDINGS SECURITIES, Inc. serves individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and other entities through a nationwide network of independent Member Firms and Financial Professionals, offering a broad range of advisory and brokerage services including discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, retirement plan consulting, and insurance advisory.

Douglas Everett is a financial advisor with Integrity Advisory Solutions, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and two years of industry experience. He is also the owner of Pit Bull Crew, LLC, an insurance and securities business through which he sells life, health, and long-term care insurance while providing wealth management services. Additionally, he refers clients to an online estate planning system as an implementation specialist with Integrated Trust Systems. Integrity Advisory Solutions serves individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and other business clients through a network of about 100 independent advisors, managing approximately $1.1 billion in client assets. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, sub-advisory services, and client referrals, utilizing a range of analytical and asset-allocation strategies supported by third-party platforms.

Robert Plybon is a financial advisor with M HOLDINGS SECURITIES, Inc. in Greensboro, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 50 years of industry experience. He has been with M HOLDINGS SECURITIES since 2004 and has operated Plybon & Associates since 1972. Outside of advising, he serves on the Board of Trustees at East Carolina University, chairing the Facilities and Finance Committee. M HOLDINGS SECURITIES, Inc. serves individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and businesses through a nationwide network of independent firms and professionals. The firm offers a broad range of advisory and brokerage services, including discretionary investment management, retirement plan consulting, financial planning, and insurance advisory, combining in-house portfolio management with oversight of third-party sub-advisors.

Jason Cook is a financial advisor with Berthel, Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc. He holds the CFP® designation and has 25 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at BFC Planning, Inc., Stokes, Cook & Associates, and involvement with the Graham Area Business Association and Graham Fire Department. Outside of advising, Cook has volunteered as a firefighter and participates in charitable organizations such as the Burlington Shrine Club and Bingham Masonic Lodge. Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm manages approximately $906 million in client assets and offers a range of investment platforms, including discretionary and non-discretionary management, with services tailored to client needs.

Shineece Sellars is a financial advisor at IP Financial Advisory Services LLC with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Her work history includes roles at Keller Williams, Mueller Reports, and The Prudential Insurance Company of America. Outside of advisory work, she serves as Executive Director of the African American Cultural Arts & History Center and is involved with other nonprofit organizations and real estate activities. IP Financial Advisory Services primarily serves individual retail clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, managed account programs, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm focuses on customized portfolio construction and monitoring, often using discretionary authority, and provides access to third-party investment advisors alongside traditional advisory services.

Samantha Mcdevitt is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 12 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Truist Advisory Services and affiliated firms since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she is a member of S Enterprises LLC, where she is involved in farming, livestock, and photography activities. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, utilizing third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools in its manager selection and oversight processes.

Jacob Cortes is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Empower in 2026, he worked at Fidelity Investments for five years and has experience in technology and retail sectors. He also spent three years at the Baha'i World Center. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily for employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, delivering services through an integrated platform connected to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative systems. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing within plan lineups selected by plan sponsors.

Joanna Smith is a CFP® with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving at Kestra Advisory since 2018. Her prior roles include positions at Securities Service Network and Rather & Kittrell, Inc. She also holds roles supporting retirement plan clients through meeting preparation and financial planning activities. Kestra Advisory Services provides investment advisory and retirement-plan consulting to a diverse client base, including institutional and individual investors, offering services such as fiduciary consulting, plan design, and employee education.

David Dupont is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Greensboro, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Valic Financial Advisors since 1997 and also serves as an agent offering non-securities insurance products through Agia since 2022. Valic Financial Advisors serves primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients, as well as employer-sponsored retirement participants. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services utilizing discretionary unified managed accounts and overlay strategies, supported by a large network of investment advisor representatives.

Mallory Storrie is a financial advisor at Commonwealth Financial Network with one year of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation. Her background includes roles at Crossbridge Financial Group and Commonwealth Financial Network. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,900 advisors and managing about $212.7 billion in client assets. The firm offers a broad adviser-support platform with managed-account programs, access to third-party asset managers, retirement and plan consulting, and custody/clearing services.

Joseph Birch is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in Haw River, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and six years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Fidelity Brokerage Services and Fidelity Investments, as well as self-employment as a day trader. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to certain retail brokerage clients. The firm’s services are integrated with Empower’s administrative platforms and emphasize long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing.

Madison Dunn is a financial advisor with Transamerica Retirement Advisors, LLC, holding a Series 66 credential and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Transamerica, Madison worked at Powell Wealth, Nuveen Asset Management, and Ameriprise Financial. Madison's background also includes roles outside of finance, such as working with Bernhardt Furniture and coaching gymnastics. Transamerica Retirement Advisors serves participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans and IRA owners, offering programs that emphasize asset allocation, contribution guidance, and retirement age planning. The firm uses Morningstar Investment Management’s proprietary tools for portfolio construction and operates at scale with a large client base focused primarily on non-discretionary assets.

Roy Greer is a CFP® with 35 years of industry experience, currently serving at Kestra Advisory since 2016. He has been affiliated with Kestra Investment Services and INVEST Financial Corporation for over a decade and nearly two decades respectively. Greer is the owner of Gate City Advisors, an investment advisory firm, and Gate City Insurance, which offers fixed annuities and life insurance. Kestra Advisory Services provides investment advisory and retirement-plan consulting to institutional and individual clients, including plan sponsors. The firm offers a range of services such as fiduciary consulting, plan design, vendor benchmarking, and manages approximately $79.8 billion in assets, serving clients including sovereign wealth funds and offering multiple management platforms.

Brasco Van Niekerk is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with two years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and has previous experience with Cetera Wealth Services, Paradigm Financial, and LPL Financial. Outside of his advisory role, he works as a sales associate at Golf Galaxy. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with existing relationships through TIAA-administered retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, and small retirement plans. The firm offers both point-in-time planning and ongoing portfolio management with a fiduciary standard, operating within a vertically integrated group that includes affiliated funds.

Joseph Vartanian is an Investment Advisor Representative with Kestra Advisory Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Kestra Advisory since 2016 and also serves as an advisor at Gate City Advisors, where he is associated with the book "The Retirement Income Toolkit." Outside of his advisory roles, he is a partner at Gate City Property Group, a real estate business in Greensboro, NC. Kestra Advisory Services provides investment advisory and retirement-plan consulting to a diverse client base, including plan sponsors, institutional investors, and individuals. The firm offers a range of services such as fiduciary consulting, plan design, and investment advice, supporting complex products and discretionary trading within its supervisory framework.

Cynthia Reavis is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Burlington, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 10 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Mass Mutual Investors Services, MassMutual Life Insurance Co, Merrill, and other firms. Outside of her advisory work, she is also an agent for non-securities insurance products. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-domiciled individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet-developed UMA models for portfolio construction.

Robert Nocera is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) and holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. He has 15 years of industry experience, including roles at New York Life Insurance Company since 2010. Nocera’s current focus is with Eagle Strategies and Nylife Securities LLC, where he has worked since 2022. Eagle Strategies serves both individual and institutional clients by providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm offers multiple program types and emphasizes tailored recommendations, managing a significant portion of assets on a non-discretionary basis.