Cassandra Smith is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services. She has held roles with Members Trust Company, Secu Life Insurance Company, and State Employees’ Credit Union. In addition to her advisory work, she acts as a financial advisory services specialist with State Employees’ Credit Union. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning with a focus on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs. The firm operates as a subsidiary of State Employees’ Credit Union and manages over $3 billion in advisory assets.

Justin Dean is a financial advisor with AlphaStar Capital Management and holds a Series 65 credential. He has five years of industry experience and has been associated with AlphaStar since 2020. Dean also serves as president of Dean Financial LLC and has involvement in the sale of insurance products, including annuities and healthcare insurance. AlphaStar Capital Management manages approximately $1.84 billion in assets for a variety of clients such as individuals, trusts, small businesses, and pension plans. The firm employs both predefined model portfolios and custom strategies, utilizing quantitative analysis and tactical approaches, and provides services including portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting.

William Hudson Sr. is a financial advisor with AlphaStar Capital Management, holding a Series 65 credential and 15 years of industry experience. He has been with AlphaStar since 2011 and concurrently operates Master's Estate and Financial Inc. and Master's Estate Services Inc., both of which provide investment-related estate planning and estate planning services. AlphaStar Capital Management manages approximately $1.84 billion for a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and pension plans. The firm employs both predefined model portfolios and custom strategies that incorporate quantitative analysis and third-party research, and it also serves as a subadviser and referral agent to other investment advisers.

Eric Whitener is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with 14 years of industry experience. He has worked at Advisory Services Network since 2021 and previously spent nine years at Omni Star Financial Group. Outside of his advisory role, he is a managing member of Grayton & Jamison II LLC, which owns investment real estate, and is involved in a service company supporting his advisory practice. Advisory Services Network is an enterprise firm with approximately 208 independent advisers serving individuals, families, corporations, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and a range of investment services, managing about $8.6 billion in client assets through tailored strategies across various asset classes.

Kelly Childs is a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services with four years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked with State Employees’ Credit Union since 2009 and Members Trust Company since 2014. Outside of finance, Childs owns and operates a small business selling wildflower honey and seasonal food concessions at local festivals. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors residing in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and financial planning. The firm emphasizes a long-term, goals-based approach using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs within a credit-union ecosystem.

Catherine Zieman is a CFP® with 38 years of industry experience, currently serving at Advisory Services Network since 2019. Her prior roles include positions at Field Point Private and Neuberger Berman LLC. Outside of her advisory work, she is the managing partner of High Pointe International Equestrian Tours, a travel agency she operates as a hobby. Advisory Services Network serves individuals, families, trusts, estates, corporations, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, investment and retirement-plan consulting, and third-party manager selection through a network of independent advisers.

Caleb Rash is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and 65 licenses and with one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at SECU Brokerage Services, SECU Life Insurance Company, State Employees' Credit Union, and First Citizens Bank. He is also a Financial Advisory Services Specialist with State Employees' Credit Union and an agent with SECU Life Insurance Company. Credit Union Investment Services serves individual investors who reside in North Carolina, providing non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and financial planning with an emphasis on long-term goals and low-cost index funds. The firm operates within a credit union ecosystem as a wholly owned subsidiary of State Employees’ Credit Union.

Simon Hawkins is a financial advisor at AlphaStar Capital Management with a Series 65 credential and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Dean Financial, Aldi, and State Employees' Credit Union, as well as various positions during his academic years. AlphaStar Capital Management manages approximately $1.84 billion for a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, small businesses, and pension plans. The firm employs strategic asset allocation combined with quantitative and momentum analysis, offering both model and custom portfolio strategies along with a range of advisory and consulting services.

John Tompkins is a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Members Trust Company, SECU Life Insurance Company, SECU Brokerage Services, and State Employees' Credit Union. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in youth sports as a basketball referee and coaches the girls' basketball team at University Christian High School. Credit Union Investment Services serves individual investors and trust clients in North Carolina, providing non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, fixed-income products, and a long-term, goals-based planning approach, with adviser representatives who are salaried employees of the parent credit union.

Ernest Ceccato Jr. is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Founders Financial Alliance and LPL Financial since 2015. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs an evidence-based investment process using ETFs, third-party managers, and regular portfolio monitoring, and offers a flat-fee family-office style program combining management, planning, and tax analysis.

Louis Wetmore is a financial advisor at Advisory Services Network with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Omnistar Financial Group for 11 years before joining his current firm in 2021. Outside of financial advising, he is a certified court mediator operating a sole proprietorship under Wetmore Mediation. Advisory Services Network serves individuals, families, corporations, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans through a network of over 200 independent advisers. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting, managing approximately $8.6 billion in client assets with a range of investment strategies and implementation options.

Douglas Beam is a financial advisor at Creative Financial Designs, Inc. in Morganton, NC, with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at LPL Financial, LLC. Beam is also involved in independent insurance sales. Creative Financial Designs serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients with a range of investment management and financial planning services, employing asset-class model allocations and multiple risk objectives supported by an Executive Investment Committee.

Douglas Frye is a financial advisor with Hornor, Townsend & Kent, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Brookstone Capital Management and Spinnaker Financial, Inc. Frye is also involved in personal finance education through his ownership and hosting of TheMoneyClassroom.com, a platform that generates social media content on financial topics. Hornor, Townsend & Kent serves individuals, trusts, businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans with advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm operates both advisory and broker-dealer services, offering a comprehensive platform that includes access to third-party asset managers and both discretionary and non-discretionary account options.

Amanda Rembert is a financial advisor at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. with six years of industry experience. She previously worked at Stifel and Wells Fargo Clearing. Rembert serves as a board member for the Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry and Ashure Ministry, participating in charitable fundraising efforts. She also owns and manages Merriments, LLC, a small event space rental business. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a broad client base that includes individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and institutions. The firm offers a range of fee-based wrap programs, financial planning, retirement consulting, and investment management services, using strategies managed internally, by advisors, and third parties.

Kathy White is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 22 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at various Truist-affiliated firms since 2006. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools to manage client portfolios and oversee investment selections.

Cameron Wood is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with a Series 66 credential and approximately one year of industry experience. Before joining Empower Advisory Group, he held roles at TD Bank, MWA Financial Services Inc., Modern Woodmen of America, and Maine State Credit Union. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and retail brokerage account holders. The firm’s integrated service model focuses on long-term portfolio returns, annual rebalancing, and clients’ savings rates within plan lineups chosen by plan sponsors.

Daniel Collinson is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Morganton, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. He has worked with various Truist entities since 2004. Outside of his advisory role, he manages a rental property in Charlotte, NC. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary and non-discretionary manager arrangements and integrates affiliate resources to deliver its investment solutions.

James Gowen is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and over 20 years of industry experience. He has worked with Truist Advisory Services and related entities since 2018, following earlier roles at BB&T Investments. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Propst Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department. Truist Advisory Services offers investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, utilizing a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting supported by third-party platforms and AI-enhanced research.

Thomas Rembert IV is a financial advisor with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 19 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Benjamin F. Edwards, he worked at Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc, Wells Fargo Clearing, and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tempore for the Town of Maiden, North Carolina. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutions. The firm offers a range of investment solutions through fee-based wrap programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and investment management, supported by an internal trading desk and monitored by an Investment Strategy Committee.

Neil Ramirez is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with Equity Services, Inc. in Hickory, NC, beginning his industry career in 2025. Prior to entering finance, he spent five years with Major League Baseball. Neil is involved with Elite Performance Wealth Management LLC as an owner. Equity Services, Inc., doing business as ESI Financial Advisors, provides financial planning, consulting, and asset management services to individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers multiple advisory platforms, frequently utilizing third-party asset managers and combines long-term strategies with options for shorter-term trading and specialized instruments.