Kathleen Scharl is the principal advisor at Scharl Advisory Services, Inc. in Durham, NC, holding CFP® and Series 63 designations with 23 years of industry experience. She has led her independent practice since 1989. Outside of advising, she is involved in tax preparation, bookkeeping, and small business consulting through Scharl & Associates, Inc., primarily during tax season. Scharl Advisory Services, Inc. provides fee-only financial planning and investment management to individuals and small businesses, focusing on retirement, tax, cash-flow, education funding, and estate planning. The firm employs a strategic, core-and-satellite asset allocation using no-load or low-load funds, and operates on fixed and hourly fees rather than asset-based charges.

Lisa Hodges is a financial advisor at Shift to Impact with six years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has worked in marketing consulting and advisory services prior to her current role. Hodges leads Shift to Impact, an independent firm based in Durham, NC. Shift to Impact is a fee-only financial planning firm serving individuals and families who seek to align their finances with social justice and environmental values. The firm emphasizes values-based investing and offers comprehensive planning, guidance on charitable giving and employee benefits, as well as educational workshops and speaking events, without managing client portfolios or exercising trading discretion.

Kent Fisher is a CFP®, CFA®, and Series 63 licensed advisor with 16 years of industry experience. He currently leads Southern Investment Management Collective LLC, an independent firm he joined in 2023. Previously, he worked at Mutual Advisors, LLC and Old Peak Finance. Southern Investment Management Collective provides portfolio management and investment advice to individual and high-net-worth clients, tailoring strategies based on each client’s goals, tax situation, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The firm uses a combination of fundamental analysis, quantitative techniques, and modern portfolio theory to construct diversified portfolios and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary services.

Shrey Patel is a CFA® charterholder and the sole advisor at Ataraxis Capital, LLC in Durham, NC, with experience beginning in 2016 across several firms including Boyer Value Group and Thor Equities Group. He currently holds a salaried position as a senior investment analyst at Thor Equities Group, where he performs research and analysis. Ataraxis Capital provides discretionary and non-discretionary asset management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, utilizing a multi-method investment approach that includes fundamental and technical analysis, options, and margin. The firm manages approximately $840,000 in assets across two client accounts and offers performance-based fee arrangements for qualified clients.

Curtis Byrd is a financial advisor at Onyx Wealth Management, LLC in Durham, NC, holding the CFP® and Series 66 designations with 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Hamilton Point Investment Advisors, Hilltop Wealth Advisors, Fulbright Financial Consulting, and Mass Mutual Investors Services. Onyx Wealth Management provides discretionary asset management and comprehensive financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, non-profits, small businesses, and estates. The firm combines fundamental security analysis with modern portfolio theory to construct diversified portfolios, offering regular account reviews and ongoing planning consultations.

Mary Macdonald is the sole advisor at Personal Path Financial Planning in Hillsborough, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses with 10 years of industry experience. She has operated her own advisory practice since 2017. Personal Path Financial Planning offers fee-only financial planning and investment consultation to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm provides non-discretionary advice focused on long-term, goals-based strategies using primarily low-cost index funds and ETFs, and delivers services on an hourly or fixed-fee basis without taking custody of client assets.

Thomas Sikes III is a CFP® professional with 19 years of industry experience. He has been the sole advisor at WanderWealth Inc., an independent firm based in Hillsborough, NC, since 2006. Outside of his advisory practice, he operates Traveltirement LLC, an educational and media business focused on long-term travel and retirement planning in Italy and France. WanderWealth Inc. provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services primarily to individuals and couples, with a specialization in serving Americans retiring to or residing in France. The firm employs a passive, asset-allocation strategy using model portfolios primarily composed of ETFs and direct index portfolios for eligible clients.

Nahnsan Guseh is a financial advisor with Capital Solutions Advisors, LLC in Durham, NC, holding a Series 65 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to founding Capital Solutions Advisors in 2023, Nahnsan has held roles at Intuitive Surgical, where he currently works as a data scientist, as well as positions with Swing Low Sweet Chariot, LLC, NSG Solutions, LLC, and the U.S. EPA. He combines his advisory work with ongoing employment in the medical device and renewable energy sectors. Capital Solutions Advisors, LLC serves primarily individual clients, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and consulting. The firm employs a diverse investment approach incorporating fundamental, technical, charting, and cyclical analysis, with strategies that include options and hedged-equity, and also provides a paid educational digital magazine as an ancillary service.

Michael Brannock is a financial advisor at Bryant & Brannock, LLC in Durham, NC, with 28 years of industry experience. He has been with Bryant & Brannock since 2010 and previously worked at H. Beck, Inc. from 2010 to 2017. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and is also licensed to sell life and long-term care insurance, occasionally providing insurance quotes as part of his financial planning services. Bryant & Brannock serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, offering pension consulting, financial planning, general consulting, and portfolio management. The firm employs both fundamental and technical analysis with a range of investment strategies, managing a mix of discretionary and non-discretionary accounts.

Karin Bryant is a financial advisor at Bryant & Brannock, LLC in Durham, NC, holding a Series 65 credential with seven years of industry experience. She has been with Bryant & Brannock since 2017 and was previously a homemaker for 14 years. Bryant & Brannock provides advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, offering financial planning, pension consulting, and portfolio management. The firm employs both fundamental and technical analysis, including options strategies, and manages a substantial portion of non-discretionary accounts while providing investment policy statements and monitoring.

Martin Sather is a financial advisor at Boundary Street Partners LP in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses with 15 years of industry experience. He has been with Boundary Street Partners since 2015. Boundary Street Partners LP provides discretionary investment management and retirement plan consulting to individuals, high net worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and a private fund. The firm employs an active global value-investing approach based on fundamental research and offers a range of strategies including long-term holdings, options, short sales, and limited use of derivatives.

Michael Troy Jr. is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license, with 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Red Reef Advisors LLC since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he holds an ownership interest in Troy Enterprises, where he advises on operational and strategic matters. Red Reef Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, and various institutional entities, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services. The firm employs a client-specific investment process utilizing a broad range of analytical methods and investment instruments, including alternative and private-market vehicles alongside active trading techniques.

Aidis Zunde is a financial advisor at Zak Investment Management Company, LLC with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Zak Investment Management since 2008. In addition to his advisory role, Zunde serves as a senior consultant for Whitney, Bradley & Brown, supporting a Department of Defense organization focused on countering improvised explosive devices. Zak Investment Management Company, LLC provides discretionary investment advisory and portfolio management services to individuals, trusts, estates, foundations, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a fundamental analysis approach across multiple asset classes and incorporates both long-term and trading strategies, managing a limited number of client accounts on a fee-only basis.

Douglas Amis is a CFP® with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving at Cardinal Retirement Planning, Inc. He has held roles at multiple firms including William B. Clark, CFP CPA, and Damis, Inc., where he is an owner and insurance agent. Amis is also a board member of the Durham Community Land Trustees, a local nonprofit organization. Cardinal Retirement Planning serves pre-retirees, retirees, high-net-worth individuals, businesses, and nonprofits, providing financial planning, portfolio management, and consulting services. The firm employs a top-down investment approach that integrates quantitative models with fundamental and technical analysis, offering both discretionary and client-directed account management.

Eric Sobocinski is a financial advisor at Amphora Wealth Management, LLC with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has served as Owner and President of Kylix Management, Inc., providing management services and insurance sales. Additionally, he is Of Counsel at Walker, Lambe, PLLC, a law firm, and Vice President & Counsel at Turner-Gary Sports, Inc., a firm representing athletes and coaches. Amphora Wealth Management serves individuals, charitable organizations, and retirement plans by providing investment management, financial planning, pension consulting, and specialized services such as divorce consulting and estate-plan analysis. The firm employs an evidence- and risk-based investment approach with diversified portfolios and offers educational seminars alongside ongoing portfolio monitoring.

John Stillman is a financial advisor at Rosewood Wealth Management with 11 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been involved with Carolina Wealth Stewards, LLC since 2015. Outside of advisory work, he is co-owner of a marketing company, Third Wheel Media, which he founded in 2014. Rosewood Wealth Management serves individual clients and families focusing on retirement planning and income needs. The firm combines financial planning with portfolio implementation through third-party managers and model portfolios, alongside licensed insurance sales and in-house tax and bookkeeping services.

Richard Frazier is a CFP® professional with 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Frazier Financial Consultants, LLC since 2003. The firm provides personalized financial planning and investment management to individuals, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. Frazier Financial Consultants employs a strategic asset allocation approach using a core-and-satellite structure with passive index funds and ETFs complemented by selective active funds, offering globally diversified portfolios and integrated tax and estate planning services.

Seth Cogswell is a financial advisor at AspenTree Capital Corporation with 12 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been the founder and portfolio manager of Running Oak Capital LLC since 2012. Cogswell dedicates significant time to Running Oak Capital, providing portfolio management and overseeing its operations. AspenTree Capital Corporation manages individualized equity portfolios for individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm’s investment approach focuses on option-based strategies, including covered call writing and selective put sales, using fundamental and technical analysis to tailor risk and premium-generating trades for each client.

William Bryant is a CFP® with 25 years of industry experience. He has been a principal at Bryant & Brannock, LLC since 2008 and previously worked at H. Beck, Inc. from 2008 to 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he is the owner of Harvey Bryant Music & Art, where he creates and sells original compositions and artwork. Bryant & Brannock provides advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities. The firm offers a range of services including pension consulting, financial planning, and portfolio management, utilizing both fundamental and technical analysis with an emphasis on options strategies.

Jacob Yocco is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience and serves as an advisor at Cardinal Retirement Planning, Inc. He has worked at Cardinal Retirement Planning since 2018 and is also affiliated with Damis, Inc., where he spends approximately 10% of his time as an insurance agent. Additionally, he serves as treasurer for the Pi Lambda Phi Omega Beta Alumni Association, managing the organization’s finances. Cardinal Retirement Planning works primarily with pre-retirees and retirees, high-net-worth individuals, businesses, and non-profits, offering financial planning, discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, and specialized services including econometric consulting and ERISA plan advisory. The firm uses a top-down investment approach with proprietary, simulation-based models combined with fundamental and technical analysis, employing a range of strategies in separately managed accounts.