Derek Hughes is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, with 11 years of industry experience. He is the sole advisor at Hughes & Company Investment Advisory, LLC, where he has worked since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he supervises substation engineering at Georgia Transmission Corporation. Hughes & Company Investment Advisory provides financial planning and investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, estates, trusts, and businesses. The firm employs a passive investment approach primarily using index mutual funds and ETFs, and typically manages client portfolios through third-party managers while conducting regular due diligence.

Jason Culp is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at BrightEdge Wealth Management in Marietta, GA. He has been with Pragmatic Financial Strategies since 2012, where his work has included tax and financial advice as well as estate, income tax, and insurance planning for individuals and small businesses. BrightEdge Wealth Management provides financial planning, retirement-plan consulting, tax planning, and investment advice to individuals, families, and businesses. The firm operates as a fee-only advisor, emphasizing strategic asset allocation and diversification through fundamental and technical analysis, and offers flexible billing arrangements tailored to client needs.

John Miller is the sole advisor at Provident Capital Group, L.P., an independent firm based in Mableton, GA. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 19 years of industry experience, including prior roles at Bank of America, Merrill, and Resonant Brands LLC. In addition to his advisory work, Mr. Miller is a licensed insurance agent in Georgia, though his insurance activities represent less than 5% of his professional time. Provident Capital Group provides ongoing investment management and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and small businesses. The firm emphasizes long-term asset allocation with continuous portfolio management, incorporating fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, and utilizes third-party investment platforms for trade execution and account management.

Charles Lassiter is a CFP® professional and founder of Lassiter Financial Advisors, LLC in Marietta, GA, with 15 years of industry experience. He has led his independent advisory firm since 2010, having transitioned the majority of his prior client base to the new practice at its inception. Lassiter Financial Advisors, LLC provides financial planning and consulting services to individuals, trusts, and estates, focusing on recommending and monitoring third-party money managers. The firm serves primarily high-net-worth clients by evaluating manager firms, recommending allocations, and reviewing performance without exercising direct portfolio management.

Jeffrey Payne, Jr., CFP® is the sole advisor at Payne Financial Management, L.L.C. in Kennesaw, GA, with 22 years of industry experience. He has led his firm since 1999, holding the CFP® designation and Series 65 license. Payne Financial Management, L.L.C. serves individual clients, focusing on those planning for, transitioning into, or already in retirement. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services tailored to each client’s goals and risk tolerance, with an emphasis on client education and regular portfolio reviews.

Christopher Brown is the sole advisor at Brown Capital Advisors, LLC in Marietta, GA, holding a Series 66 designation with 11 years of industry experience. He previously worked at LPL Financial LLC and Hennsler Financial before founding his current firm in 2018. Brown Capital Advisors provides discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and CFO advisory services primarily to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and entrepreneurs or small-business owners. The firm manages approximately $16.7 million across about 20 client relationships, emphasizing fundamental analysis, asset allocation, diversification, and risk management, with the use of equities, ETFs, and select alternative investments. Its CFO advisory services to small businesses, combined with a willingness to utilize derivatives and complex investment vehicles, distinguish its offerings from many independent advisory firms.

Robert Samsel is a financial advisor at Fortress Capital with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 65 designation and has worked at several companies, including Colgate Palmolive and Zep. Outside of advising, he is involved with Top Tier Trees, a separate business activity. Fortress Capital provides discretionary portfolio management primarily for high-net-worth individuals and entities, focusing on long-term capital growth through concentrated equity portfolios. The firm employs a performance-based compensation model for qualified clients and also offers limited financial planning reviews for employer-sponsored retirement accounts.

Jamar Bates is a financial advisor with Bates Financial Group, LLC in Smyrna, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 13 years of industry experience. He has led Bates Financial Group since 2014. Outside of advisory services, he is involved with Bates Realty Group, Inc., which engages in residential and commercial real estate brokerage. Bates Financial Group provides financial planning, consulting, and educational seminars to a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm integrates advisory services with brokerage, insurance, and mortgage offerings, relying on third-party managers for investment guidance and emphasizing strategic and tactical asset allocation approaches.

James Durden Jr. is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with Edward Wealth Partners in Lithia Springs, GA. He has been with Edward Wealth Partners since 2025 and has over a decade of experience with Edward Financial Group, where he is also an owner and insurance agent. Edward Wealth Partners is an investment manager offering discretionary and non-discretionary asset management and consulting services, with a focus on retirement-plan work. The firm combines direct portfolio management with third-party manager recommendations and provides plan-sponsor fiduciary services as well as participant education.

Aaron Gaines is a CFP® and Series 66 holder with 10 years of experience in financial services. He currently leads Gaines Capital Management, an independent firm based in Smyrna, GA, and has prior experience with Edward Jones and multiple advisory firms since 2016. Gaines also operates an affiliated insurance agency, GCM Wealthshield LLC, providing a range of insurance products. Gaines Capital Management offers financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and small businesses. The firm employs fundamental analysis and strategic asset allocation with ETFs and individual equities, focusing on long-term holdings, and provides customized solutions including options and private equity for qualified clients.

Clark Jeffries is the sole advisor at Jeffries Wealth Management in Marietta, GA, holding a Series 65 credential with three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Orion Advisor Solutions and HiddenLevers. Jeffries Wealth Management provides financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan rollover advice to individual clients as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and other business or charitable entities. The firm emphasizes broad asset-class diversification and uses tax-aware techniques, third-party sub-advisers, and may allocate assets to private and alternative investment funds, operating with a boutique, adviser-driven model.

Michele Poirier is a financial advisor with The Moorings Group, LLC in Atlanta, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 22 years of industry experience. She has been with The Moorings Group since 2003. The Moorings Group provides discretionary portfolio management and sub-advisory services to a range of clients, including high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, and institutional accounts. The firm focuses on actively managed, customized fixed-income portfolios with an emphasis on municipal securities and employs a formalized process with designated benchmarks and multi-level municipal credit analysis.

Ryan Moledor is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with 23 years of industry experience. He has worked at Krm Capital Management since 2004. Outside of his advisory work, he is also a licensed real estate agent. Parrish Capital, LLC is a small SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals, nonprofit endowments, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a fundamental research-driven approach to portfolio management, offering diversified allocations through mutual funds, ETFs, fixed income, and proprietary stock models, while integrating ongoing financial planning tailored to client goals.

As a life-long learner with great curiosity, I've seen a lot over the years and learned what works and what doesn’t. My experience led me to join a long-time friend to build a firm that is mission-driven…not profit-driven. A prior mentor would often say, “Always do what’s right, and everything else will work itself out.” That stuck with me and it still (along with my faith) guides me today. Now, we're working to redefine wealth management. We help families and individuals gain clarity and empower them to live their best life. Ultimately, life isn't about the money...it's about the journey, the memories you create, and the legacy you leave behind. Everyone deserves to live their best life! Sampling of how we help families and individuals (we do much more): - Clarify what's important (life goals, decisions, priorities, etc.) - Build for retirement (using 401(k)s, IRAs, HSAs, etc.) - How to tax efficiently produce income in retirement - Invest wisely using low cost, tax-efficient funds - Coordinate with CPA on tax saving ideas and opportunities - Coordinate with attorney on estate planning - Integrate charitable planning with the investments and tax planning - Protect your assets and income through insurance planning (note: we don't sell insurance) - Fund current or future education for children/grandchildren - Review company benefits during open enrollment I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional. I'm also a member of the Investments & Wealth Institute and hold the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation, completing the program administered by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. I also received training at the Kinder Institute of Life Planning, which has given me the tools to have much more meaningful conversations about life goals with the families I serve. I am a 2018 graduate of the Catholic Charities Atlanta Leadership program and a 2019 graduate of the Philanthropic Advisor Leadership Institute, led by the three Balser Professional Advisors Council partnership organizations: the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, and the United Way of Greater Atlanta. In my personal time, I enjoy being with my kids, dating my wife, working our farm, dabbling in woodworking, hiking, learning new things, and singing in my church choir. Favorite quote: "When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier." - Roy E. Disney What is a problem in the industry that you want to fix? How firms view their clients as "numbers". Some firms refer to their client as "A, B, or C" clients while others reference the portfolio size (a "$5 million client" as an example). I want the industry to stop putting dollar signs above clients' heads. A client is a "who" not a "what". Advisors should be here to serve people, and our industry (and clients) will thrive once we embrace life-centered planning over asset-centered planning. What are the values that drive you? I value faith, integrity, family, and service. To learn more, visit: https://journeybeyondwealth.com/the-jbw-difference/who-we-are

Marvin Riddle is a financial advisor at REV Capital, LLC with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously operated Riddle Law Group, LLC for eight years. His background includes work as a licensed attorney, although he no longer practices law. REV Capital serves individual clients, including both high-net-worth and non-HNW households, providing portfolio management and financial planning services. The firm employs a tailored investment approach based on client objectives and risk tolerance, utilizing various strategies and conducting regular account reviews.

Evan Fricks is a financial advisor at MasterPlan Retirement Consultants with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been involved in the insurance business through his role at Fricks and Associates, Inc. prior to and concurrent with his advisory work. Previously, he worked in the coffee industry with Charter Coffeehouse and Blue Bottle. MasterPlan Retirement Consultants provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services, often acting as a limited-scope ERISA 3(21) fiduciary. The firm employs tactical and strategic asset allocation strategies and frequently utilizes third-party managers and sub-advisors to implement client investment programs while maintaining oversight.

Larry Burnette is a CFP® with seven years of experience at Hanover Advisors, Inc, located in Marietta, GA. He has over three decades of industry experience, including prior roles at American Portfolio Financial Services and Provident Mutual. Burnette also serves as president of Hanover Financial Services, Inc., a life insurance business. Hanover Advisors serves individual clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and pension consulting, managing approximately $353 million in assets with a focus on customized portfolios using fundamental analysis, Modern Portfolio Theory, and a range of trading strategies.

Graham Wickham is a financial advisor at Wickham Financial & Insurance Services with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked in various capacities at firms including Carter Terry & Company Inc. and The Wickham Agency Inc., the latter of which he took over from his father and continues to operate as an independent insurance agency offering commercial and personal lines of insurance. Wickham Financial Group provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as retirement plan consulting to employer plan sponsors. The firm manages approximately $193 million in assets and employs a mix of fundamental, technical, quantitative, and sector analysis to construct individualized portfolios, with a majority of assets managed on a non-discretionary basis.

Mark Fricks is a financial advisor with MasterPlan Retirement Consultants in Marietta, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Gradient Investments, LLC and Masterplan Tax Services, Inc., and has operated Fricks and Associates, Inc. since 2010. Outside of advisory services, he is involved in fixed insurance and precious metals sales. MasterPlan Retirement Consultants provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services, including acting as a limited-scope ERISA 3(21) fiduciary. The firm employs tactical and strategic asset allocation and coordinates with third-party managers and sub-advisors to implement client investment programs while maintaining oversight.

Connie Partridge is a financial advisor with The Moorings Group, LLC in Atlanta, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. She has been with The Moorings Group since 2003. The Moorings Group provides discretionary portfolio management and sub-advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, foundations, municipalities, and other business entities. The firm specializes in actively managed, customized fixed-income portfolios with a primary focus on municipal securities and manages a limited number of balanced portfolios.