Benjamin Birken is a CFP® with 18 years of industry experience, currently serving as the principal advisor at Pisces Financial Advisors, LLC in Chapel Hill, NC. He previously worked at Woodward Financial Advisors, Inc. for 12 years and holds a leadership role at Holistiplan, LLC, a financial services software company, where he is Vice-President for Customer Success and Engagement. Pisces Financial Advisors provides comprehensive financial planning and discretionary investment management to individuals, families, high-net-worth clients, and small businesses. The firm’s investment approach focuses on strategic asset allocation using low-cost, diversified mutual funds and ETFs with attention to diversification, cost control, and tax efficiency.

Christopher Harp is the sole advisor at CH Capital Management, an independent registered investment adviser based in Chapel Hill, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 22 years of industry experience, having led CH Capital Management since 2010. CH Capital Management provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services to individuals, families, trusts, endowments, charitable organizations, and pension or profit-sharing plans. The firm typically serves clients with substantial assets and combines a solo advisor model with institutional-style client relationships, outsourcing operational functions to third-party providers.

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® with 20 years of industry experience and the principal of WanderWealth Inc., an independent advisory firm based in Hillsborough, NC. He has operated WanderWealth since 2006. Outside of his advisory work, he runs Traveltirement LLC, an online education and media business focused on retirement planning and long-term travel to Italy and France. WanderWealth Inc. provides discretionary investment management and financial planning primarily for individuals and couples, specializing in clients planning to retire in or already residing in France. The firm employs a passive, asset-allocation strategy using ETFs and direct index portfolios tailored to the tax circumstances of French residents, and it serves a modest client base with a fee structure that accommodates clients without managed assets.

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.

Ryan Glover is a CFP® with 18 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Tarheel Advisors, LLC since 2009. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, he holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Tarheel Advisors provides discretionary wealth management and comprehensive financial planning to individuals, families, trusts, retirement plan sponsors, non-profits, and corporations. The firm emphasizes customized portfolios with diversification and risk management, and it also offers retirement plan consulting and business advisory services.

Karin Bryant is a financial advisor at Bryant & Brannock, LLC in Durham, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with eight years of industry experience. She has been with Bryant & Brannock since 2017 and previously spent 14 years as a homemaker. Bryant & Brannock, LLC serves individuals (including high-net-worth clients), pension and profit-sharing plans, and corporate clients by providing pension consulting, financial planning, general consulting, and portfolio management services. The firm combines fundamental and technical analysis with long- and short-term trading and options strategies, guided by written Investment Policy Statements.

Martin Sather is a financial advisor with Boundary Street Partners LP in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and offering 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Boundary Street Partners since 2015 and previously held positions at Morgan Stanley and Merrill. Boundary Street Partners LP provides discretionary investment management and retirement plan consulting to individuals, high net worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and manages a private fund. The firm employs an active global value-investing approach guided by fundamental, in-house research and utilizes a range of strategies including long-term holdings, shorter-term trades, options, short sales, and limited derivatives use.

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.

Cooper Taylor is a CFA® charterholder with one year of experience at Sounding Line Wealth Management, LLC. Prior to founding Sounding Line, he worked four years at Salem Investment Counselors, Inc., and held investment roles at the University of Michigan Investment Office and Indiana University. Sounding Line Wealth Management is an independent registered investment adviser providing discretionary portfolio management services primarily to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a blended investment approach that integrates various analytical methods and offers individualized portfolio management with accounts custodied at Schwab Institutional.

Aidis Zunde is a financial advisor with Zak Investment Management Company, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Zak Investment Management since 2008 and concurrently serves as a senior consultant for Whitney, Bradley & Brown, providing defense consulting in support of the Department of Defense’s Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization. Zak Investment Management Company provides discretionary investment advisory and portfolio management services to individuals, trusts, estates, foundations, and charitable organizations. The firm employs fundamental analysis and active allocation strategies across various asset classes, managing accounts primarily on a discretionary basis with a focus on ongoing monitoring and rebalancing.

Douglas Amis is a CFP® professional at Cardinal Retirement Planning, Inc. in Durham, NC, with 14 years of industry experience. He has held roles at several firms, including William B. Clark, CFP CPA, and owns Damis, Inc., where he is involved in fixed insurance sales. Amis also serves as a board member of the Durham Community Land Trustees, a local nonprofit organization. Cardinal Retirement Planning, Inc. provides financial planning, portfolio management, and econometric consulting primarily for pre-retirees, retirees, high-net-worth individuals, businesses, and nonprofits. The firm integrates macroeconomic analysis with quantitative models and fundamental research to develop benchmark-based portfolios and offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary asset management services, including retirement plan 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 12 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and co-owns a marketing company, Third Wheel Media, which he has been involved with since 2014. Prior to his role at Rosewood, Stillman has worked at Carolina Wealth Stewards, LLC and AE Wealth Management, LLC. Rosewood Wealth Management serves individual clients and families, focusing on retirement planning and income needs. The firm combines financial planning, portfolio implementation through third-party managers, insurance product sales, and tax preparation and bookkeeping services.