Christopher Merchant is a CFP® professional with 17 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network and Hunt Country Wealth Management, where he is also an owner. Merchant has previously worked at firms including Securities America Advisors, LPL Financial, and Middleburg Bank. He is the author of two books, *On Investing Well – The Elements of Good Investing* and *On Retiring Well – The Guidebook for Retirement Planning over 50*. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their retail and institutional clients. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs and services, supporting affiliated advisors with operations, trading, technology, investment management, compliance, and practice-management resources.

Judy Baker is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Edward Jones for two years. Prior to her financial services career, she spent over 30 years at Shentel. 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 clients. The firm offers integrated services tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, emphasizing long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing.

Bret Hrbek is a CFP® and ChFC® with 25 years of industry experience, currently with Edward Jones since 2000. He serves as chairman of the Finance Committee at Front Royal United Methodist Church and holds board positions with the Front Royal Rotary Club and the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation, where he chairs the Investment Advisory Committee. Additionally, he is a partner in OnionHill, LLC, a retail business producing Christmas ornaments representing Front Royal. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a wide range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large national network of advisors.

Roy Ruble is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Integrated Wealth Management, Mutual Service Corporation, FSC Securities Corporation, and Capitol Wealth Management. In addition to his advisory work, he provides tax return preparation and bookkeeping services to individuals and self-employed professionals. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting advisors with a range of strategic and tactical investment options.

Mary Ervin is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Winchester, VA, holding a Series 66 designation and having nine years of industry experience. She has worked at Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2017. Prior to that, she was employed at Lifetime Fitness for one year. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, providing tailored financial planning and managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. Its financial planning process uses firm-approved tools and models but does not include individual security recommendations as part of standalone planning services.

Julie Wise is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 10 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing for eight years before joining Edward Jones in 2023. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million clients, including individual, institutional, and charitable organizations. 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.

Karis Holnagel Frey is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Winchester, VA, holding a Series 66 designation with 1 year of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2010. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a nationwide network of over 23,700 financial advisors.

Jay Smith is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Winchester, VA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and having 33 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. since 1992. Outside of his advisory role, Smith serves as President and CEO of Catch and Unleash Productions Inc, a faith-based concert ministry, and has participated as a corner and track marshal at various motorcycle racing events including Daytona and MotoAmerica. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory and investment solutions, supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Jennifer Mc Donald is a financial advisor at Osaic Wealth with 20 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked previously at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, Truist Advisory Services, and BB&T. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as vice-chair and board member of the Winchester Medical Foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization. Osaic Wealth serves a diverse range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a large network of advisers and advisory platforms. The firm combines brokerage and investment advisory services with financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to various third-party money managers, utilizing asset-allocation tools and risk assessments to construct diversified portfolios.

Elaine Miller is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 48 years of industry experience. Her previous roles include positions at Momentum Independent Network Inc., Capitol Securities Management, Inc., Anderson & Strudwick, Incorporated, A&S Capital Advisors, Inc., and Morgan Stanley DW Inc. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, supported by extensive technology and a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Jason Williams is a financial advisor at Ameriprise Financial Services LLC with 18 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at several firms, including Truist Advisory Services and BB&T Investment Services. Williams serves on the boards of Victory Church and NW Works and participates in finance and community committees in Winchester, VA. Ameriprise Financial Services is a diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning that focuses on reliable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies through a collaborative, non-discretionary process.

Sharayah Reed is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 11 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank since 2020. Prior to that, she was employed by Wells Fargo in various capacities from 2012 to 2019. Outside of her advisory role, Reed works part-time as a delivery driver for DoorDash. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients. The firm provides tailored financial planning and manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Emma Stone is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with one year of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked in education and hospitality sectors. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth households. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management and offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies through a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Raleigh Kraft is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 44 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at firms including Wells Fargo Advisors, H. Beck, Inc., and Oppenheimer. Outside of advisory work, Kraft manages a farming operation. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services through its extensive network of investment adviser representatives, utilizing various investment strategies and technological tools.

Evan Garfola is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with six years of industry experience. He is currently with Edward Jones, where he has worked since 2019, and previously held roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and several other organizations. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a broad range of investment advisory programs and maintaining a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Justin Baker is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, with eight years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2017 and previously worked for Comfort Inn/Hilton Garden Inn (The Aikens Group) from 2014 to 2017. 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 is known for its large network of financial advisors and branch offices, offering a range of advisory services including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds under a fiduciary standard.

Stuart Freakley is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Strasburg, VA, possessing three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2023, he worked at Shentel for nine years. He serves as a board member of the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital Foundation in Woodstock, VA. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million clients, including individual and institutional investors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, operating under a fiduciary standard with a nationwide network of approximately 23,700 financial advisors.

Jason Thackston is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 20 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2014. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients with a variety of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process supported by firm-approved tools and the insights of its Global Investment Committee.

John Sichenze II is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 35 years of industry experience. He has worked with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2015 and with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide array of advisory programs to individuals and institutions, including tailored financial planning and estate planning strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides structured financial planning using firm-approved tools and modeling techniques.

Charles Ellison is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 21 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2009, including a role at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2015. Outside of his advisory work, he serves on the investment oversight committee for Braddock Street United Methodist Church in Virginia. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a broad range of advisory and financial planning services to individual and institutional clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm emphasizes structured financial planning supported by proprietary tools and offers diversified investment programs.