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.

Michael Krisko is a CFP® professional with 23 years of industry experience, currently advising clients at Commonwealth Financial Network since 2013. He also spent a year at Ameriprise in 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he owns Michael Krisko, Inc., which conducts securities and insurance business. 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 over $212 billion in client assets. The firm offers a wide range of managed-account programs, third-party asset manager access, and custody services, supporting both individual and institutional clients.

John Netherton is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 11 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Truist Advisory Services since 2016 and Truist Investment Services since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in agricultural activities through his sole proprietorship, Netherton Outdoors, which includes farming mushrooms and harvesting honey. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary approaches, supported by third-party platforms and manager arrangements, with an emphasis on inter-affiliate integration.

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.

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.

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.

Susan Finley is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding a Series 66 designation and 10 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. and has been involved with the National Network of Digital Schools since 2014. Outside of her advisory role, she operates as a wedding minister and officiant through Weddings by Susan and serves as a substitute musician and preacher with Mt. Hope United Church of Christ. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients. The firm provides a range of advisory programs and back-office support, including investment management, compliance, and technology, allowing advisors discretion in portfolio construction alongside managed model portfolios.

Gabriel Lindeen is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 24 years of industry experience. He has worked with various Truist entities since 2010, including Truist Investment Services and Truist Bank. Truist Advisory Services offers investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary manager relationships and integrates affiliate services to deliver comprehensive investment solutions.

Matthew Mclean is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 24 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2011. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as treasurer and board member for Vineland Station and as treasurer for the campaign of Jess Hill, Clerk of Court of Columbus County, NC. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, institutions, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including retirement plan consulting and model portfolio management supported by LPL Research and third-party subadvisors.

John Grissom Jr. is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and 23 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2007 and is also a partner in a traditional accounting firm. Additionally, he serves as a trustee for two family trusts in a fiduciary capacity. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by in-house and third-party research.

Doug Wegman is the Vice President and Executive Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2026. He has been with Fidelity Investments since 2020, progressing through roles including Executive Planning Consultant, Benefits & Planning Consultant, Non-Qualified Plan Services Lead, and Defined Contributions Representative. Doug specializes in executive financial life planning, focusing on complex areas such as equity compensation and deferred pay. He emphasizes a planning-first approach starting with workplace benefits and aims to develop personalized strategies tailored to clients' goals. He holds a California Insurance License. Outside of his professional role, Doug enjoys camping, golf, outdoor adventures, and spending time with his pets.

Roland Raffanti III is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Mebane, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2015. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on clients approaching or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver non-discretionary, written Recommendation Reports. As a large institutional firm, Ameriprise provides a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through affiliated companies.

Malphus Gaines is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 41 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016, following six years at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he is an owner of a rental property in Greensboro, NC. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advice. The firm’s IPS-driven process incorporates modern portfolio theory and includes a broad range of investment options, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Nicklaus Parker is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Mebane, NC, and has two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he worked at Boston Consulting Group and held roles at Emory University and the PGA Tour. He also spent a decade with Fox Sports Carolinas. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of investment strategies, tax-efficient services, and affiliated capabilities. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and operates a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Kevin Tennyson is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 29 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2022, he worked at Cuna Mutual Insurance Society and Cuna Brokerage Services, Inc. for a combined 19 years. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of advisors. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary management, supported by research and model portfolios from various sources.

James Fleming is a Series 66–licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Burlington, NC. He began his financial advisory career in 2025, including a position at Betty Andrews Investment Management/LPL prior to joining Edward Jones. Outside of his advisory work, he has been involved with the Figure Eight Island Yacht Club. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of investment strategies and advisory services, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Alec Lloyd is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Burlington, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2024, he worked at Worldwide Golf Shops and Global Value Commerce. LPL Financial serves a wide range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers diverse advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management alongside research from multiple sources.

Mackenzie Crawford is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Mebane, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and eight years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked with several organizations including Serco, Inc. and West Genesee School District. He is a co-owner of Why-Am-I Cattle Company, LLC, a non-investment related business based in Burlington, NC. Primerica Advisors sponsors a wrap-fee asset management program serving individual, corporate, and charitable clients. The firm uses model-based investment strategies managed by third-party asset managers and supports trade execution and custody through Pershing, focusing primarily on individual investors rather than institutional or pension clients.

Chase Hickok is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he worked at Boston Consulting Group for three years and has held positions in realty and marketing. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of investment strategies and advisory services supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.