Daniel Schmitz is a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at The Vanguard Group, Inc., Kingdom Building Holdings LLC, Grayley Co., and Lincoln Charter School. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a wide range of clients including individuals, families, trusts, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, offering brokerage, financial planning, consulting, and multiple wrap/advisory programs.

Robert Eberhardt is a CFP® with over 31 years of industry experience, currently serving at Principal Financial Services since 2011. Based in Denver, NC, he holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Outside of his advisory role, he is president and owner of Safe Self Storage, LLC, where he manages accounting and marketing for two self-storage locations. Principal Financial Services provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, and access to third-party money manager solutions under various advisory and promoter arrangements.

Tonya Guffey is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with two years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Fifth Third Securities since 2022, as well as at Fifth Third Bank since 2018. Prior to that, she was employed at PNC Bank from 2015 to 2018. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors through its Passageway Managed Account Program. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account options and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank.

Kathy Kuczenski is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with eight years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Truist Advisory Services since 2018, including time with Bbtis and Lincoln County Schools. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools to support its advisory process and offers ongoing reviews and reporting for its clients.

Matthew Fortenberry is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Prudential-related firms, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, and AXA Advisors. Equitable Advisors serves individual clients—including both non‑high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals—along with pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and various asset management programs, utilizing a range of third-party asset managers and proprietary advisory models.

Candance Heavner is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Lincolnton, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with three years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2020, following a decade at Lineberger's Cattle Company. Outside of finance, she is involved with Copper Hill Entertainment in Culver City, CA. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs and investment solutions, supported by a nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Mitchell Harris is a Certified Financial Planner® with 25 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial since 2013. His prior roles include positions at Uvest Financial Services Group, Inc. and Ameriprise Advisor Services, Inc. He is also commissioned as a notary public. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions, offering a range of advisory and brokerage services including financial planning and institutional investment platforms.

Matthew Foster is a financial advisor at Mass Mutual Investors Services with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at MML Investors Services, LLC since 2020. Prior roles include positions at Mass Mutual Life Insurance Co, Advantage Waypoint, and Cabarrus County Schools. He is also the owner of Elite Equity LLC, an entity used for pass-through compensation. Mass Mutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers collaborative, annual financial planning engagements supported by firm-approved analytical tools, along with various specialized planning programs.

Patrick Wittekind is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 38 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC for 22 years and has been self-employed for over two decades. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a trustee for his own defined benefit and 401(k) retirement plans. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary advisory services and supports its large network with advanced planning tools and specialized programs such as municipal advisory and SIMPLE IRA Employer Consulting Services.

David Balok is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Denver, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and offering 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Linsco/Private Ledger Corp., now part of LPL Financial, since 2006. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser providing advisory and brokerage services through a large network of investment adviser representatives. The firm serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions with a range of financial planning and investment management solutions.

Mark Kuznitz is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 33 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and previously worked at Bank of America and Merrill from 2009 to 2023. Kuznitz is based in Denver, NC. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeted at individuals approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide customized, non-discretionary recommendations supported by a centralized consulting team.

Henry Wepner is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with nine years of industry experience, currently with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2023. He previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing from 2016 to 2023. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Treasurer for the Newton Depot Authority in Newton, NC, where he participates in financial oversight, event planning, and community projects. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of financial planning services tailored to clients who meet a net-worth threshold, utilizing Wells Fargo’s research and planning tools to develop personalized recommendations delivered through meetings and written summaries.

Joseph Reimels is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 46 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp for 16 years and Hornor, Townsend & Kent, LLC for six years. He holds a Series 63 designation. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in non-variable insurance activities. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of services including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, utilizing a large network of advisors and advanced operational tools.

Jeffrey Basik is a financial advisor at Cetera with 38 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has been with Cetera Advisors LLC since 2013 and recently joined Cetera in 2024. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as treasurer for the nonprofit Haven of Hope International, is a board member and finance chair for Hope Seeds, and chairs the finance and missions teams at Tree of Life Church. He is also involved in various community organizations including the US Military Academy Selection Board. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser that serves individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services using multi-manager platforms with discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

Sarah White is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with nine years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Edward Jones since 2019. Prior to that, she was employed at Bank of America and Merrill from 2014 to 2019. She is also a member of the Board of Elections in the City of Lenoir. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and corporate entities. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, operating under a fiduciary standard with a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Melissa Spivey is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. in Lincolnton, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. She has been with Raymond James since 2000 and has owned an online clothing boutique, Divas & Dimples, since 2012, which she maintains as a potential opportunity for her daughters. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individual, high-net-worth, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm uses tailored, non-discretionary planning and analytical tools to align investment strategies with client goals while supporting municipal and public finance work through affiliated advisory programs.

Michael Bowen is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Lincolnton, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2002. Bowen is involved with the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a wide range of advisory programs and investment solutions. The firm is notable for its extensive network of financial advisors and branch offices and offers services including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Ryan Spleet is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Newton, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2008. Outside of his advisory role, he volunteers as a football coach. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on comprehensive, goal-based financial planning without discretionary portfolio management. The firm offers integrated planning and managed-account services under a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan.”

Tim Wepner is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Newton, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 35 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wachovia Securities, Inc. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a broker-dealer and registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of financial planning and investment services, with tailored recommendations developed using proprietary research and planning tools.

Michael Baker is a CFP® professional with 27 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at OSAIC since 2024 and previously spent 12 years with Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. Baker is president of Michael R Baker Insurance Agency Inc, which provides insurance sales and service. OSAIC Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, charities, and corporations. The firm offers brokerage and advisory services through multiple platforms, emphasizing model-based asset allocation, portfolio optimization, and a range of managed account strategies.