Karie Pate Valdes is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Lakeland, FL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and having eight years of industry experience. Her work history includes roles at Primerica Advisors since 2018, Liberty Tax, Randstad Staffing USA, and the Polk County Clerk of Court. She is also involved in a wellness business as a self-employed representative and serves as CFO for Notary Service of Florida. Primerica Advisors is a sponsor and discretionary portfolio manager of a wrap-fee asset management program serving individual, corporate, and charitable clients. The firm operates at scale with nearly 3,700 advisors and approximately $15.5 billion in assets under management, delivering advisory services primarily through model-based investment strategies.

Steve Tonello is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Tampa, FL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Morgan Stanley and E*TRADE Securities LLC, as well as employment at the University of South Florida. 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 and model portfolio programs, and supports its advisors with various operational and research tools.

Tina Hicks is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates in Lakeland, Florida. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has 27 years of industry experience, including 15 years with Raymond James. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves individuals, institutional clients, charitable organizations, and municipal entities, offering financial planning, investment consulting, and institutional fiduciary services with a range of portfolio management styles and affiliated research.

Scott Nightingale is a financial advisor with Merrill in Tampa, FL, holding a Series 66 credential and seven years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill and Bank of America since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he occasionally sells and trades items on eBay to generate profit. 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Sara Oppenheimer is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Lakeland, FL, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2020, she worked at Southeastern University, SHR Human Resources, Weigand & Sons, and Omaha Sports Academy. 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 including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, supported by extensive advisor tools and a broad suite of non-advisory financial products.

Douglas Wilkinson is a CFP® professional with 15 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. since 2021 and previously held roles at First Command Financial Planning and related affiliates from 2012 to 2021. Outside of his advisory work, he owns Full Coverage Financial Planning and is an independent insurance agent. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves individual and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs through thousands of financial professionals. The firm manages a multi-billion dollar asset base and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary management across multiple platforms and custodians.

James Northrup is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works closely with clients to develop personalized wealth management strategies that align with their individual financial goals. Drawing on the investment insights of Merrill and the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America, he helps clients navigate changing market conditions. James holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned his bachelor's degree from Florida Southern College. He is committed to community engagement and participates in volunteer activities within the communities he serves. His approach emphasizes collaboration with clients to create flexible financial strategies tailored to their long-term objectives.

Stacy Obney is a financial advisor at Osaic with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Her prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and T. Rowe Price Investment Services. OSAIC Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, charities, and corporate clients. The firm employs a model-based investment approach with a variety of advisory and brokerage services delivered through a multi-advisor platform.

Darren Brewis is a financial advisor with OSAIC Wealth, Inc. in Tampa, FL, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. Prior to joining OSAIC in 2018, he worked for Signator Investors, Inc. for 23 years. Outside of his advisory role, he is owner and president of Platinum Financial Network LLC, a business involved in securities, investment advisory, and insurance services. OSAIC Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, charities, and corporate clients, offering a range of brokerage and advisory services through a multi-advisor platform. The firm’s investment approach centers on model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization, supporting both discretionary and advisor-managed strategies.

Hope Clough is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Tampa, FL, holding a Series 66 designation and 20 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2022, she worked for CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. for 17 years and has also served as a consultant for Suncoast Schools FCU since 1999. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Jonathan Pate is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. He has worked with Merrill since 2015 and is currently associated with Bank of America, N.A. since 2026. 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, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Laura Hawley is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and 43 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Allen & Company of Florida, LLC for 39 years before joining LPL Financial in 2019. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management solutions, including model portfolios and third-party asset management access.

Kenneth Dunkel is a financial advisor at Edward Jones, holding a Series 66 designation and beginning his advisory career in 2025. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he worked in roles at Smurfit Westrock, Costa Verde Imports, Nature's Way Farms, Fernlea Flowers, and Costa Farms. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management and a network of around 23,701 advisors. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary managed strategies, separately managed accounts, affiliated mutual funds, and operates under a fiduciary standard.

Katherine Mc Kinley is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 18 years of experience, currently with Ameriprise in Lakeland, FL. She has worked at Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2007. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service tailored to individuals approaching or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide written recommendations. The firm serves a broad client base and integrates advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through affiliated companies.

Nickeel Kanji is a financial advisor at Fidelity with five years of industry experience and holds the Series 66 designation. Prior to joining Fidelity, he worked at Merrill and Phelps Dunbar LLP and has a background that includes roles at the University of Central Florida. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, employing a blend of proprietary research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage a diverse range of funds and model portfolios.

Gustavo Bustamante is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Tampa, FL, holding a Series 65 designation and having 10 years of industry experience. He has been with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2021 and has also been involved with Major League Tax & Financial Planning LLC since 2007. Bustamante serves as a board member of Club Venezuela Inc., a nonprofit organization. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual and institutional clients such as pension and charitable organizations. The firm provides financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs through a large network of financial professionals and manages a multi-billion dollar asset base.

Melissa Mckinney is a financial advisor with LPL Financial and holds a Series 66 designation. She has 18 years of industry experience, including roles at LPL Financial since 2019 and Allen & Co since 2007. She also serves as a notary, dedicating a small portion of her time to this role. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management solutions through a large network of advisors and employs both proprietary and third-party strategies.

Rufus Hawkins II is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Tampa, FL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Suncoast Credit Union, CUNA Brokerage Services, Edward Jones, and Fifth Third Securities. Hawkins is also actively involved with Suncoast Credit Union in an advisory capacity. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving 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, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Zehra Candler is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Tampa, FL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 25 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at USAA Financial Advisors and Watson Capital Management. She is also involved with Candler Wealth Management, a business entity related to tax and investment purposes. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions through a broad advisory platform. The firm offers diverse financial planning and investment management solutions, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies.

Ryan Hughes is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 36 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at LPL Financial since 2018, following eight years at Invest Financial Corporation. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.