Steven Grubner is a financial advisor at Arkadios Wealth Advisors with 10 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Kalos Capital from 2015 to 2022 before joining Arkadios Capital. He is treasurer of the Rotary District 7680 - Charlotte South Club. Arkadios Wealth Advisors provides investment and wealth management services to individuals, trusts, businesses, and retirement plans through a variety of programs including advisor-managed accounts, wrap programs, and access to third-party money managers. The firm supports advisors with an internal portfolio team and offers diverse investment strategies along with retirement plan consulting and comprehensive portfolio reporting.

Anthony Bridges is a financial advisor at Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors, LLC with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Mass Mutual Investors Services and MassMutual Life Insurance Company. Prior to his financial services career, he was involved in education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Richard J. Reynolds High School. Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, families, retirement plans, institutions, and nonprofits. The firm provides financial planning, investment management, and consulting services, managing approximately $12 billion in assets while integrating wealth management with coordinated tax and accounting services through its affiliation with a national professional services firm.

Philip Brody is a financial advisor at CWA Asset Management Group in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials with 20 years of industry experience. He has been with CWA Asset Management Group since 2014. CWA Asset Management Group is a multi-team registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth families, trusts, foundations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and other institutional clients. The firm utilizes proprietary model portfolios developed by an in-house research team and emphasizes global diversification, tax-aware strategies, and advanced technologies such as AI in its investment process.

Jordan Hanson is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at Ritholtz Wealth Management since 2024 and previously spent nine years at HCR Wealth Advisors. Ritholtz Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients by providing portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and college financial planning. The firm employs a goal-based investment process focused on asset allocation and behavioral finance, utilizing diversified, low-cost ETFs and tactical strategies, alongside digital platforms for portfolio implementation and management.

Michael Baker is a CFP® and Series 65-licensed financial advisor with 15 years of industry experience. He is currently with Advisory Alpha, LLC and has previously worked at Planners Alliance LLC, Vertex Capital Advisors, and AlphaStar Capital Management. In addition to his advisory work, he owns The Wealth Technique, LLC, through which he provides financial education and public speaking. Advisory Alpha serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and specialty solutions such as retirement plan services and donor-advised fund offerings. The firm also acts as a subadvisor or co-advisor for other registered investment advisors, managing a diverse range of managed portfolio series with a discretionary investment approach.

I believe financial planning should feel personal, practical, and empowering, not overwhelming. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with a Ph.D. in Personal Financial Planning, I combine deep academic knowledge with years of real-world advisory experience to help individuals and families make smart, confident financial decisions. On top of that, I value my relationship with my clients. Over the years, I’ve guided professionals, and families through life’s most important financial milestones, planning for retirement, funding education, managing investments, or navigating complex transitions. My approach is grounded in research, but always tailored to your unique goals and values. I take the time to listen, simplify the complex, and create strategies that bring both clarity and peace of mind. Beyond my advisory work, I serve as a professor of finance and associate dean at Winthrop University. Teaching and research keep me sharp, ensuring that the guidance I provide my clients is rooted not just in practice, but also in the latest financial insights. When I’m not working with clients or teaching, you can usually find me on the tennis court, traveling with my family, or enjoying time outdoors.

Joseph Roseman Jr. is a financial advisor at Simplicity Wealth with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining Simplicity Wealth, he worked at Retirement Capital Planners, O'Dell, Winkfield, Roseman & Shipp, and Corecap Advisors. Outside of advising, he co-hosts webinars with Medicaid Success, a nationwide Medicaid planning service. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, institutional investors, and other financial firms. The firm uses a fund-of-funds approach with ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, offering model portfolios and independent manager options, along with technology and operational support for advisers.

Haad Majied is a CFP® with 18 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC since 2018. Prior to this, he worked at Fidelity Investments for six years. Outside of advisory work, he is the owner and CEO of Majied Properties LLC and is involved in life insurance sales through Majied Financial Group, LLC. Stratos Wealth Advisors serves a diverse clientele including individuals, corporations, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering investment management, financial planning, and insurance consulting through a network of investment advisory representatives. The firm uses a combination of bespoke and model portfolios and maintains relationships with affiliated and third-party subadvisers and custodians to deliver its services.

Mark Rothwell is a CFP® professional with three years of industry experience, currently serving at ValMark Advisers, Inc. He previously worked at State Street Corporation for eight years and has held a COO and Director of Financial Planning role at Scott Jones Financial since 2021. ValMark Advisers provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, plan sponsors, and institutional clients through a network of approximately 280 investment advisory representatives. The firm offers diversified, goal-based model portfolios primarily using mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party managers, supported by proprietary platforms and a range of advisory and sub-advisory services.

William Rainwater is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently with United Brokerage Services, Inc. He previously worked at The Vanguard Group, Inc. for 10 years and held roles at Truist Advisory Services, Inc. and Truist Investment Services, Inc. Rainwater also has experience outside finance, having owned and managed a rental property. United Brokerage Services, Inc. provides investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses, offering various managed account programs through its clearing relationship with Wells Fargo Clearing Services. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation, use of mutual funds and ETFs, and tax-aware overlays in its investment process.

Aaron Olson is a financial advisor with Belpointe Asset Management LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 20 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Purpose Comprehensive Wealth Management, Mutual Advisors, Wells Fargo Clearing, and U.S. Bancorp Investments. Belpointe Asset Management is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 160 advisors managing more than $7.5 billion for individuals, corporations, trusts, and other advisers. The firm offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting with customized portfolios and a variety of advisory and administrative services.

John Lindros is a financial advisor at Composition Wealth, LLC with 35 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has worked at firms including Miracle Mile Advisors, Equity Services, National Life Group, and Guardian Life Insurance of America. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved in insurance sales, dedicating approximately 10% of his time to this activity. Composition Wealth provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a primarily long-term investment approach centered on low-cost, diversified mutual funds and ETFs, supplemented by individual securities and alternative investments, and manages approximately $9.47 billion in discretionary assets.

Anthony Hinds Fritz is a CFP® and ChFC® with 16 years of industry experience. He has been with IP Financial Advisory Services LLC since 2019 and also maintains roles at Innovation Partners LLC and as an independent life insurance agent. Fritz serves as a board member of the Financial Planning Association of Central New York and is the committee chair for the ALS Association. IP Financial Advisory Services primarily serves individual retail clients, focusing on customized portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm provides a range of services including discretionary portfolio management and access to third-party investment advisors, with an emphasis on non-high-net-worth individuals.

Mario Brown is a financial advisor at IP Financial Advisory Services LLC with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at several firms including VALIC Financial Advisors, Merrill, and New York Life. Outside of his advisory role, Brown serves as a non-commissioned officer in the Army Reserve and teaches business-related courses at Valencia College. IP Financial Advisory Services LLC primarily serves individual retail clients, focusing on non-high-net-worth investors and retirement plan participants. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services, utilizing a range of analytical approaches and discretionary management strategies, including access to third-party managers.

Gregory James is a CFP® professional with 24 years of industry experience, currently serving at Modera Wealth Management, LLC since 2023. Prior to joining Modera, he spent 22 years at Parsec Financial Management, Inc. He is also a part-owner of a yacht charter company, Lisky LLC, which is unrelated to his investment work. Modera Wealth Management provides fiduciary, fee-only advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an allocation-driven investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing diversified portfolios and a range of strategies including independent managers and optional ESG integration.

Timothy Graham is a financial advisor with Private Client Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 21 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Alphastar Capital Management and LPL Financial. Private Client Services is a multi-team SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals, families, high-net-worth clients, and various institutions. The firm employs a structured discovery and risk-profiling process to develop investment strategies and offers multiple implementation platforms, managing approximately $1.05 billion across more than 3,200 client accounts.

Carter Otey is a financial advisor at Modera Wealth Management, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 designation. He has experience working at Forvis Mazars and a background in education from Liberty University and Cannon School. Modera Wealth Management serves individuals, trusts, corporations, and plan sponsors with wealth management, portfolio management, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a diversified asset allocation strategy based on Modern Portfolio Theory and integrates investment management with accounting, tax, and business coaching services.

Sam Merrill is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Truist Bank and The Reynolds and Reynolds Company. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Treasurer for North Carolina Little League District 3, managing funds for seven local leagues and related tournaments. 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 manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Kelly Lauterjung is a CFP® professional with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at D.A. Davidson & Co. since 2020. Prior to joining the firm, she worked at Robert W. Baird for five years. Outside of her advisory role, she is a co-author and promotes sales of books unrelated to investment activities. D.A. Davidson & Co. provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including retirement plans, individual investors, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm operates under fiduciary standards and offers services such as ERISA retirement plan advisory, comprehensive financial planning, and a Private Wealth program for clients with net worth exceeding $20 million.

Albert Grenert Jr. is a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott with 33 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing, Wells Fargo Advisors, and Ameriprise Financial Services. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, offering brokerage services, financial planning, and advisory programs.