Robert Wagler is a financial advisor at Reliant Investment Partners, LLC with 16 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and Emerald Investment Partners, LLC prior to joining Reliant in 2018. Reliant Investment Partners provides discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm manages over 600 accounts with a mix of active and passive strategies, coordinating with outside professionals on estate and tax planning matters.

Timothy Hicks is a CFP® professional with 10 years of industry experience. He is a principal at Hicks Financial Partners, LLC, where he has worked since 2021, following prior roles at Garrett Investment Advisors, Ameriprise Financial Services, and Securities America. Hicks Financial Partners serves individual clients, including high-net-worth households, and small businesses, offering discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm emphasizes passively managed portfolios using index funds and ETFs, supplemented by fundamental and technical analysis, while also providing tax preparation, estate-planning support, and business consulting services.

Douglas Lynam is a financial advisor at Course Management Investment Advisors, LLC with eight years of industry experience. He holds the Series 65 designation and previously worked at LongView Asset Management LLC and operated his own advisory firms. Outside of his advisory work, he is an author and public speaker, dedicating approximately 35% of his time to these activities. Course Management Investment Advisors, LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm employs a multi-faceted investment approach combining fundamental, technical, cyclical, and economic analysis, utilizing a range of asset classes and derivatives-based strategies.

I founded Golden Pine Advisory with the vision of transforming the financial planning process to a smarter, simpler and more efficient system. I chose to shift the focus of my firm away from the product sales approach that is commonly found in the industry and instead placed a focus on providing a client-friendly process with custom tailored financial plans and fee-only advice at a more affordable cost. I was born an entrepreneur with a strong interest in technology and finance. Before college, I started and successfully ran my own computer build and repair business. I continued these interests after graduating Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in business from North Carolina State University. I began my career as a financial and accounting analyst at one of the largest mortgage banks in the Southeast. After this experience, I ultimately knew that I wanted to work directly with clients and establish life-long relationships, so I completed my training and began working for a large brokerage firm in 2008. I acquired the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ designation in 2008 and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification in 2013. I grew up in a small town in North Carolina, just outside of Pinehurst, where I later married my beautiful high school sweetheart in 2008. Together, we are blessed with an amazing daughter, as well as twin boys and our energetic Australian Shepherd. Family holds a special place in my heart, and I cherish every moment making memories with them. In my free time, you can find me indulging in my passions for traveling, fishing, boating, and everything related to NC State Athletics – Go Pack! Alongside my dedication to smarter, client-friendly financial planning at Golden Pine Advisory, I wholeheartedly pursue my passion for giving back to the community through volunteer leadership, committee services and nonprofit board involvement. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to empower individuals on their unique financial journeys.

Brian Macintosh is a financial advisor at Course Management Investment Advisors, LLC with 12 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Prior to joining Course Management Investment Advisors in 2020, he worked at LPL Financial LLC from 2016 to 2020. Macintosh is also a professional golfer with Callaway Golf, a role he has held since 2009. Course Management Investment Advisors provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and pension/profit-sharing plans. The firm employs a multi-method investment process and incorporates complex option-based strategies, including buffer ETFs and structured products, within their discretionary management approach.

Albert Chen is a CFP® with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Course Management Investment Advisors, LLC since 2020. He previously worked at LPL Financial and Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialists. Outside of his advisory role, Chen is co-owner of a commercial real estate portfolio specializing in retail office space. Course Management Investment Advisors provides portfolio management and financial planning for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and pension/profit-sharing plans. The firm employs a multi-method investment process and offers strategies including derivatives and option-based products, managing accounts primarily on a discretionary basis.

John Hutchinson is a financial advisor with Reliant Investment Partners, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 29 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Reliant in 2018, he worked at Wells Fargo Advisors and Wells Fargo Clearing. He serves as the mayor of Rockingham, NC, and occasionally performs minor legal work related to wills and powers of attorney. Reliant Investment Partners provides discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm manages approximately $234.8 million across more than 600 accounts, employing both passive and active strategies with regular portfolio reviews and coordination with outside legal and tax professionals.

Adam Wachob is a Series 65-licensed advisor with Pace Financial Advisors in Southern Pines, NC. He has a military background with 22 years of service in the US Army and has experience at Duke University prior to joining Pace in 2026. Pace Financial Advisors is an SEC-registered firm serving individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and business entities with discretionary wealth management, portfolio management, and financial planning services. The firm manages diversified portfolios and offers both ongoing and standalone planning engagements without imposing a firm-wide account minimum.

Thomas Laming is a financial advisor at Normandy Investment Advisors with 23 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Normandy since 2022 following a retirement period from 2016 to 2022. Normandy Investment Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and other entities by providing personalized wealth management, financial planning, and discretionary portfolio management. The firm employs a blended active/passive investment approach within an asset-allocation framework based on Modern Portfolio Theory and uses a range of securities including equities, fixed income, mutual funds, ETFs, and options strategies for income and hedging.

Chayne Riggs is a CFP® and ChFC® with 10 years of industry experience. He is currently with Base Wealth Management and has prior work history at CJC Wealth Management LLC, Eagle Strategies LLC, NYLIFE Securities LLC, New York Life Insurance Co., and Fidelity Investments. Outside of his advisory role, Riggs is a licensed insurance agent. Base Wealth Management is a team-based registered investment adviser managing approximately $326 million for individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers fee-based discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services, utilizing a tactical allocation strategy informed by fundamental analysis and also incorporates third-party money managers and platforms for certain clients.

Thomas Walters II is a financial advisor with Level Four Advisory Services and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 30 years of industry experience, including long tenures at Mid Atlantic Securities, Inc. and Blanchard I Granville. Walters also teaches investment classes at South Piedmont Community College and Guilford Technical Community College. Level Four Advisory Services is an SEC-registered enterprise investment adviser managing approximately $5.32 billion across 115 advisors and serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. The firm offers fee-only financial planning, discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, and retirement plan advisory services, utilizing model portfolios developed internally or through appointed sub-advisers.

Daniel Baugher is a financial advisor at Fiduciary Financial Advisors with a Series 65 credential and no prior industry experience. He has served in the US Army Special Forces since 2010. Fiduciary Financial Advisors provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, legacy position management, and retirement services to individuals, families, trusts, retirement plans, corporations, and charitable foundations. The firm combines strategic asset allocation with tactical adjustments and multiple analysis methods, and offers individual professional trustee services as well as access to private and non-liquid alternative funds.

Thomas Walters III is a financial advisor at Level Four Advisory Services with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Level Four Financial, LLC, Mid-Atlantic Securities, Inc., and Liberty University. Level Four Advisory Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $6.5 billion and serves individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and municipal entities. The firm offers financial planning, asset and portfolio management, retirement-plan consulting, and introduces clients to third-party money managers and wrap-fee programs.

Sydney Dugan is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Sanford, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and four years of industry experience. She has worked at Credit Union Investment Services, SECU Brokerage Services, SECU Life Insurance Company, and State Employees' Credit Union, where she provides financial advisory services to eligible members. Dugan also serves as a trust representative at Members Trust Company. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors residing in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and retirement planning with a focus on low-cost mutual funds and ETFs. The firm operates within a credit-union ecosystem and emphasizes goals-based, long-term investment strategies without commission-based compensation for its representatives.

Crystal White is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 22 years of industry experience. She has worked concurrently with State Employees' Credit Union since 1993 and serves as a Financial Advisory Services Specialist. Additionally, she acts as a Trust Representative for Members Trust Company and an agent for Secu Life Insurance Company. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors who are residents of North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and retirement and financial planning. The firm emphasizes a long-term, goals-based approach using mostly no-load, low-cost index mutual funds and ETFs, with investment representatives who are salaried employees of the parent credit union.

Jeffrey Kittrell is a CFP® with nine years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Modera Wealth Management, LLC since 2023. He previously worked at Parsec Financial Management for six years and spent thirteen years at Community One Bank, NA. Modera Wealth Management provides wealth management, portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, corporations, and plan sponsors. The firm employs a diversified asset allocation strategy based on Modern Portfolio Theory and offers integrated accounting and tax services alongside investment management.

Jacob Lawson is a financial advisor at Founders Financial Alliance, LLC with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation. Prior to joining Founders Financial Alliance, he worked at Cornerstone Wealth Advisors and has experience in the restaurant industry. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary, fee-based investment management and financial planning to individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate retirement plans. The firm uses an evidence-based investment approach tailored to client goals and risk tolerances, and offers additional services such as retirement plan consulting and a FlatFeeCIO program that includes family-office style coordination and ETF model portfolios.

James Parrish Jr. is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 13 years of industry experience. He has worked at State Employees' Credit Union since 2009 and holds roles with Members Trust Company and Secu Life Insurance Company. Parrish also serves as a financial advisory services specialist at State Employees' Credit Union, providing financial services to eligible members. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, with salaried advisers and client-controlled implementation of recommendations.

Preston Mokris is a financial advisor with Concorde Asset Management, LLC in Pinehurst, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Concorde since 2015 and manages business activities related to 1031 exchanges into Delaware Statutory Trusts through his personal LLC. Mokris is also a part owner of two mobile home parks and a vacation rental property, where he participates in high-level operations. Concorde Asset Management provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and access to third-party asset management programs for a diverse client base, including individuals, corporate and charitable clients, and retirement plans. The firm emphasizes individualized asset allocation and model-based portfolio construction, utilizing both in-house and external strategists, and offers alternative investment products alongside traditional portfolios.

Melanie Leahy is a CFP® and Series 66 licensed advisor with 13 years of industry experience. She is currently with Sound Income Strategies, LLC and previously worked at Granville Wealth Management, Inc., Mid Atlantic Securities, Inc., and Granville Financial, Inc. In addition to her advisory role, she is involved in fixed insurance and Medicare supplement sales through Pinehurst Wealth. Sound Income Strategies, LLC manages approximately $4.0 billion in assets and serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm emphasizes fixed-income analysis alongside equity review and offers customized managed portfolios, financial planning, and sub-advisory services.