Connor Bain is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, currently advising with StoneX Advisors Inc. He has four years of industry experience, including prior roles at TIAA and Capital Investment Brokerage. His background also includes positions at North Carolina State University and Robert Bosch Tool Corp. StoneX Advisors Inc. serves individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and charitable organizations with portfolio management, financial planning, and ERISA plan consulting services. The firm uses a combination of independent advisors and in-house teams, employing various managed portfolios and third-party money managers supported by advanced platforms for portfolio implementation and oversight.

Evangeline Lodwick is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 28 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 credentials. Her prior roles include positions at Valic Financial Advisors, TIAA-CREF, and Encompass Investments. 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 certain retail brokerage account holders. The firm’s services feature an integrated model linked to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, emphasizing long-term portfolio returns and consistent rebalancing within established plan lineups.

Robert Steele is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Truist and its predecessor firms since 2000. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, offering asset allocation analysis, fiduciary support, and a manager-selection program. The firm combines discretionary and non-discretionary approaches, utilizing third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools to support its investment processes.

Raymond Yackel Jr. is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Commonwealth and Diversified Wealth Strategies, LLC since 2012, and has operated the Raymond A. Yackel Agency, Inc. since 1977. Outside of advisory work, he maintains ownership of the Raymond Yackel Agency Inc., which is a non-investment related business. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors, offering a range of advisory programs and services including wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party asset managers. The firm provides operations, trading, technology, compliance, and practice-management support, enabling advisors to construct client portfolios using various securities and insurance products alongside discretionary model portfolios managed by its Investment Management and Research team.

Justin Baldwin is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with two years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. Prior to joining Empower Advisory Group, Baldwin worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Bank, NA, and has experience in both educational and retail sectors. 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 certain retail brokerage account holders. The firm’s services are integrated with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms and focus on long-term portfolio returns, annual rebalancing, and clients’ savings rates.

Kelsey Neal is a financial advisor at Commonwealth Financial Network with two years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has prior experience with BDS Financial Network and service in the Army National Guard. Neal is also the owner of Waypoint Wealth Solutions, LLC, a private entity involved in securities, advisory, and insurance business. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients. The firm provides a range of advisory programs and support services, including operations, trading, compliance, and investment management, allowing advisors to offer customized portfolio solutions under Commonwealth’s supervision.

Blair Homesley is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 36 years of industry experience. He has worked at Truist Advisory Services and Truist Investment Services since 2021, following over two decades at Bb&T Investment Services and three years at Bb&T Securities. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, utilizes third-party platforms and managers, and integrates inter-affiliate resources to support its client offerings.

Josh Vanepps is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in Troutman, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and eight years of industry experience. He previously worked at Empower Financial Services, Inc., Iredell Health System, Whole Foods, and Carolins Healthcare System. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and participants, as well as Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage clients. The firm’s integrated model combines proprietary and third-party methodologies focused on long-term portfolio returns and regular rebalancing within plan lineups selected by plan sponsors.

William Morgan Jr. is a financial advisor with LPL Financial who holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has 39 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Grove Point Advisors, LLC, Grove Point Investments, LLC, and IFG Advisory Services Inc. He serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations and is involved in local political activities and community development initiatives in North Carolina. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that offers advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm provides a range of financial planning and investment management solutions, supported by a large network of advisors and advanced operational tools.

James Magee Jr. is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edward Jones since 2013. He holds the Series 66 designation and is based in Statesville, NC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,000 advisors.

David Payne is a financial advisor at OSAIC Wealth, Inc. with 41 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 designations. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, LLC and Woodbury Financial Services. OSAIC Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual investors, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a large network of advisers and multiple advisory platforms. The firm integrates brokerage and advisory services, employing various asset allocation tools and third-party solutions to manage portfolios across a broad range of investment types.

Michael Wilson is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 19 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Mutual of Omaha, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and OneAmerica Securities. Outside of advising, he is a founder of Federal Pension and Retirement Advisors and serves as a trustee on the board of New Life Missionary Baptist Church. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management services through independent Financial Professionals, utilizing multiple platform arrangements and both proprietary and third-party model strategies.

Zachary Payne is a financial advisor at Osaic with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses. His prior work includes roles at LPL Financial and Woodbury Financial Services, and he has operated Payne Financial Consultants since 2009. In addition to advising, he owns an insurance agency focusing on fixed annuities. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a broad range of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisers, offering integrated brokerage and advisory services including financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to third-party money managers. The firm employs technology-driven portfolio construction and supports various advisory platforms and legacy programs.

Samuel Hilbish is a financial advisor with Merrill in Statesville, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 registrations and has one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Bank of America, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, and several other companies across various industries. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Kelsey Sowers is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Statesville, NC, holding the ChFC® and Series 66 designations with seven years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2018 and previously worked at Accutrak Inventory and Prestige Planners. Outside of her advisory role, she manages a rental property in Taylorsville, NC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers various advisory programs and investment solutions through a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Jennifer Lambert is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 16 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Edward Jones for 11 years before joining LPL Financial in 2021. Outside of her advisory role, she is employed in the hospitality sector in Statesville, NC, working as a server and guest services clerk. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides advisory and brokerage services through a large network of investment adviser representatives, offering a range of financial planning, portfolio management, and institutional platforms.

Joel Torres is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 14 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and Series 66 license. His prior experience includes roles at Bb&T Securities, BBTIS, and Bb&T Bank from 2011 to 2018. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Michael Baker is a CFP® with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at OSAIC since 2024. He previously worked for Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. for 12 years. Outside of his advisory role, Baker is president of Michael R Baker Insurance Agency Inc., which provides insurance sales and services. OSAIC Wealth, Inc. serves a wide range of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisers and multiple advisory platforms. The firm offers integrated brokerage and advisory services with tools for asset allocation, risk assessment, and portfolio management that include various investment vehicles and allow for discretionary or non-discretionary account management.

William Bracken is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. He has 30 years of industry experience, including over 10 years with Cambridge and more than three decades operating Bracken Financial, Inc., where he is also an independent insurance agent selling fixed annuity and long-term care products. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a wide range of clients such as individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and retirement-plan sponsors. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through independent Financial Professionals using various portfolio management strategies and platform arrangements tailored to client objectives.

Amanda York is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. She has worked at multiple Cetera entities since 2025 and previously held roles at U.S. Bank, Merrill, Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, and State Farm. Outside of finance, she works part-time as a server at a restaurant. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that supports a nationwide network of independent advisors serving individual investors, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through multiple program structures, with access to affiliated and third-party managers.