Richard Vert Jr. is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 26 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015, with prior roles at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and Citigroup Global Markets. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients by offering a variety of advisory programs and tailored financial planning services. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools and scenario modeling as part of its financial planning process.

Kelly Kreis is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing nine years of industry experience. She has worked with Thrivent Financial and Wells Fargo in various capacities since 2013. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering comprehensive goal-based financial analyses and planning without discretionary trading authority. The firm integrates planning with managed-account programs through its WealthPlan option while maintaining separate services.

Nicholas Mamakos is currently serving as a Branch Leader at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2025. In this role, he leads a team that prioritizes building relationships and assisting clients, reflecting his longstanding focus in the financial services industry. Prior to his current role, Nicholas was a Registered Team Manager at Merrill from 2018 to 2025. His career has been centered on fostering strong client relationships and supporting his team in delivering financial services aligned with these values.

Biodun Ayo Durojaiye is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Frederick, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 10 years of industry experience. He has been with Primerica Advisors since 2015 and has worked with Primerica Financial Services since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Vice President of the AWE Descendants Union of North in Damascus, MD. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, offering model-delivery strategies and limited separately managed account options to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm uses an independent due-diligence process to select asset managers and employs a tiered wrap-fee structure rather than fixed fees.

Brady Allen is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Stifel Independent Advisors and participation in the Fulbright Program. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and institutions, providing financial planning, broker-dealer services, insurance distribution, and access to third-party asset management programs. The firm operates as both an SEC-registered investment adviser and a broker-dealer, utilizing a variety of sponsored programs and third-party managers to deliver its services.

Gaurika Kapoor is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 10 years of industry experience. She has worked at Bank of America, Merrill, and T. Rowe Price Investment Services. Outside of her advisory role, she is a co-owner of a family business called Gaurika Sood. Merrill, along 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, and various institutional investors.

Ye Zang is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing nine years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cetera in 2025, Ye was associated with Avantax Advisory Services and Avantax Investment Services. She is also the owner and sole proprietor of Elizabeth Ye Zang, CPA, LLC, which provides tax preparation and accounting services. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform that includes discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers, managing over $256 billion in assets across more than 10,000 advisors.

Jared Vance is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with six years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2017 and previously at Pessin Katz Law PA. Outside of his advisory role, Jared serves on the IAABO Board 214 in Frederick County, Maryland, a recreational labor/service organization. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a broad range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, focusing on tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and methodologies.

Kimberly Friedman is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 17 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked for Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. for 13 years. Kimberly is also a licensed notary. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, combining model portfolios, third-party research, and technology-driven strategies to meet diverse client needs.

Stuart Fishbein is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Rockville, MD, holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015 and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a wide range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured financial planning process supported by firm-approved tools and market scenario modeling.

Pamela Willison is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with six years of experience at Thrivent Investment Management. Prior to joining Thrivent, she was a manager in business consulting, focusing on project management and human resources software implementation. She also has experience teaching in the Baltimore County Public Schools. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers holistic, goal-based planning on a range of topics and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing approach called “WealthPlan.”

David Cooper is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Eldersburg, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 12 years of industry experience. He has worked with PFS Investments Inc. and Primerica Financial Services since 2013 and has previous experience with Carroll County Government. His business activities include sales of loan products and home security services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors manages a wrap-fee asset management program serving individual, corporate, and charitable clients, utilizing model-delivery strategies created by unaffiliated asset managers and supported by Pershing custody and BNY Mellon Advisors. The firm operates at scale with thousands of advisors and offices, primarily focusing on individual investors rather than institutional clients.

Lionel Desbordes II is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Edward Jones since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the Board of Trustees for Glenelg Country School in Ellicott City, MD. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, with over $1 trillion in assets under management supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,700 advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, investment strategies, and affiliated solutions under a fiduciary standard.

Thomas Lane is a financial advisor with Stifel who holds Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and has 42 years of industry experience. He has been with Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc since 2012. Stifel serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, institutional clients, charitable organizations, and municipal entities, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm’s investment approach relies on proprietary capital market assumptions and probabilistic modeling developed by its Investment Strategy Group, supporting client decisions through financial planning and asset allocation guidance.

Richard Nisson Jr. is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with six years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Edward Jones since 2019. His prior work includes a position at Solar Energy Services and experience in the hospitality sector. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Regina Clayton is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 32 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked for American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. for 21 years. Clayton also provides fee-based advisory services through American Portfolios Advisors, dedicating approximately 10 hours per month to this activity. OSAIC serves a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering integrated brokerage and advisory services across multiple platforms. The firm utilizes asset-allocation tools, risk-tolerance assessments, and third-party manager access to construct diversified portfolios managed on discretionary or non-discretionary bases.

Rongxia Zhu is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 20 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Truist Investment Services and Globalink Securities. She is currently based in Kensington, MD. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through its Wealth Advisors. The firm combines institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Connor Walsh is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Ellicott City, MD, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Ameriprise since 2020 and is involved in Business Networking International, where he is set to become chapter president in November. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning that includes written Recommendation Reports and ongoing advice focused on income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Christina Marsalek is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Crofton, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and 27 years of industry experience. She has been with Primerica Advisors since 1998 and with Primerica Financial Services since 1995. In addition to her advisory role, she is involved in the sale of loan products and home security and automation services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors offers discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-delivery strategies and discretionary separately managed accounts. The firm curates third-party asset managers and uses a tiered wrap fee structure, providing portfolio management focused on retail investors rather than institutional plans.

Alexander Villegas is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2017 and previously worked at Hood College and Carroll County Ag Center. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network. The firm offers financial planning, advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management with access to model portfolios and research from various sources.