Edward Watkins is a financial advisor with IFG Advisory, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 43 years of industry experience, including long tenures at Minnesota Life, Delta Financial Inc., and his own firm, Edward Watkins & Associates, Inc. Watkins has also worked at Securities America Advisors and LPL Financial. IFG Advisory, LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and retirement plans, employing a diversified investment approach that includes portfolio management, third-party model portfolios, and management of held-away assets. The firm also offers specialized services such as real-estate-related planning and retirement plan consulting.

Laurice Rhem is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc., holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. Prior to joining First Citizens, Rhem spent 13 years at LPL Financial Services. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to a range of clients including individuals, trusts, municipalities, and institutions. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation and manager research through global multi-asset class model portfolios implemented with funds, ETFs, and income-oriented strategies.

Michael Tove is a financial advisor with Corecap Advisors in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 10 years of industry experience. He has been the president and owner of Affordable Insurance Network, Inc. since 1998 and is involved in film production through Emerald Oak Productions, LLC. Corecap Advisors serves individuals, self-directed retirement plans, and institutional clients, offering discretionary investment management, financial planning, and access to third-party sub-advisors. The firm employs a relationship-oriented, long-term investment approach focused on mutual funds, ETFs, individual equities, and bonds.

Jennifer Bradley is a financial advisor with Arkadios Wealth Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 65 credential and one year of industry experience. She is also the owner and founder of Bradley Law Firm, PLLC dba Triangle Smart Divorce, where she oversees legal operations and serves as CFO. Additionally, Jennifer manages a solar power company, Stitch Power, LLC. Arkadios Wealth Advisors serves individuals, trusts, businesses, and retirement plans with investment and wealth management services, offering customized investment plans supported by an internal portfolio team and access to third-party money managers. The firm’s integrated operating model includes advisor-managed accounts, a bundled wrap program, and fiduciary services for retirement plans.

Christian Keedy is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC since 2022. His prior roles include positions at Aptus Capital Advisors, LLC and Gordon Asset Management. Outside of his advisory work, he is president of CDK Capital Corp. Guardian Wealth Advisors provides investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm employs a systematic investment approach using mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, options, and equities, combining fundamental and technical analysis to manage portfolios.

Heather Lawton is a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services with 11 years of industry experience. She holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked with Members Trust Company and various entities affiliated with State Employees' Credit Union, including serving as a Financial Advisory Services District Manager. Lawton also acts as an agent for SECU Life Insurance Company. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors who reside in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and retirement and financial planning. The firm operates within a credit union ecosystem and emphasizes a goals-based, long-term investment approach using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs.

John Hawkins is a financial advisor at United Brokerage Services, Inc. with six years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at FTB Advisors, PNC Bank, and Edward Jones. United Brokerage Services, Inc. provides investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, small businesses, and retirement plans. The firm offers a range of managed account programs emphasizing strategic and tactical asset allocation, use of mutual funds and ETFs, and incorporates tax-aware strategies when appropriate.

Ricky Whitley is a CFP® with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. since 2026. He has been affiliated with First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Investor Services since 2011. Whitley also teaches financial planning concepts at the Trust Advisors Institute through Campbell University. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, municipalities, and institutions. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation and multi-asset class portfolio construction using a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis.

Josh Newman is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and five years of industry experience. He previously worked at Wells Fargo Bank for 16 years before joining First Citizens. Outside of his advisory role, he manages a long-term rental condominium property. First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. provides model-based sub-advisory services and direct investment advisory to individuals, trusts, municipalities, and institutions, offering global multi-asset class model portfolios that emphasize strategic asset allocation, manager research, and risk control.

Carlton Blanton is a CFP® with 26 years of industry experience, currently serving at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC. He has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 2000. In addition to his advisory role, he is an insurance agent with Blanton Financial Group and has ownership in BHK Investments, LLC. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, utilizing a variety of analytical methods and ongoing portfolio reviews.

Robert Malone III is a financial advisor with Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company based in Raleigh, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 24 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked at firms including Avantax Advisory Services and HPG WealthCare Advisors. He is also a partner at EisnerAmper, where he is involved in tax and accounting services. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company serves individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities by providing financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and diversification, utilizing third-party managers and technology platforms to support client financial planning and account administration.

Katherine Gagner is a financial advisor at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, with six years of industry experience. Her background includes roles at Wells Fargo Bank and Wells Fargo Clearing Services prior to joining First Citizens. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and public entities. The firm utilizes a strategic, multi-asset class approach combining fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis across various investment frameworks.

Muhammad Dahnoun is a financial advisor at RFG Advisory, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining RFG Advisory, he worked at John Deere and has an academic affiliation with North Carolina State University. RFG Advisory is a multi-team registered investment adviser with approximately 178 advisors managing about $8 billion for more than 17,000 clients. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, retirement plans, and institutional accounts using a mix of actively managed and passive strategies, tax-aware approaches, and alternative investments.

Steven Katzenstein is a financial advisor with Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company based in Raleigh, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 31 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Avantax Advisory Services, HPG Wealthcare Advisors, and 1st Global Advisors. Katzenstein is also licensed as an insurance agent with involvement in fixed insurance and annuity sales. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company serves individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and diversification, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches and third-party technology platforms.

Billy Grissom III is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with five years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at PKS Investments, LPL Financial, Orion Talent, and served in the United States Marine Corps. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion with 144 advisors and over 14,000 clients. The firm serves individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and institutions, employing a long-term, diversified investment approach through customizable model portfolios and a combination of mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, and third-party managers.

Ibraheem Ahmad Amin is a financial advisor at RFG Advisory, LLC with one year of industry experience. He previously worked at Crescent Private Wealth and Edward Jones, and has held roles outside of finance in the construction industry and at Anwar Al-Quds. RFG Advisory is a multi-team registered investment adviser with approximately 178 advisors managing about $8 billion for over 17,000 clients. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to various investment strategies including actively managed and passive models, alternative investments, and annuity management.

Brett Dysart is a financial advisor with Strategic Blueprint, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has worked with Strategic Blueprint since 2019 and has been associated with Cornerstone Wealth Management, LLC and The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. since 2008. Outside of his advisory roles, Dysart owns Cameo Design, LLC, a real estate remodeling and consulting business. Strategic Blueprint, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers customized, goal-based strategies through portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, family office services, and a subscription advisory program, with a distinctive emphasis on client education and a formal flat-fee subscription advisory model.

Dylan Stroud is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Curi Capital, LLC. He previously worked at BBR Partners and Simon Quick Advisors, LLC. Curi Capital is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $11.6 billion in assets, serving individuals, retirement plans, institutions, mutual funds, private funds, and family offices. The firm employs a long-term, fundamental investment approach with a mix of proprietary strategies and third-party managers, and offers specialized services including a subscription education product for medical professionals.

Richard Mc Elroy is a financial advisor at Kingswood Wealth Advisors, LLC with 28 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Glenwood Financial Partners LLC, Eudaimonia Partners, LLC, and Great Lakes and Atlantic Wealth Management. Kingswood Wealth Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plan sponsors, and institutions. The firm provides portfolio management, financial planning, ERISA plan advisory, and consulting services, operating an open-architecture platform and integrating insurance-linked account management alongside third-party managers and sub-advisors.

Marvin Musselwhite is a financial advisor at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC with five years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Capital Investment Advisory Services and Capital Investment Group since 2020. Prior to his advisory career, he held roles at McConnell Golf, DICK's Sporting Goods, and North Carolina State University. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, employing a variety of analytical methods and ongoing portfolio reviews.