James Matthews is a CFP® professional with 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Primerica Advisors and has previously worked at Aon Hewitt Financial Advisors LLC and Guardian Life Insurance Company. Matthews is involved in writing for his firm and serves on the Peer Review Board for the Journal of Financial Planning. Primerica Advisors serves a broad retail client base, offering brokerage and advisory services along with financial planning, retirement-plan consulting, and business consulting. The firm employs a variety of investment strategies through proprietary and third-party models and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary account management.

Taylor Bryant is a Series 66-licensed advisor with 15 years of industry experience. He is currently with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and also provides administrative support to Charlotte Wealth Management, LLC, an independent investment advisor firm separate from LPL Financial. Prior to his current roles, he worked at LPL Financial for 10 years. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a network model with a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, utilizing various analytical techniques and technology platforms to support client needs.

Michael Porter is a CFP® professional with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. since 2017. He has a long-standing career with Bankers Life and its affiliates dating back to 2004, where he also supervises a team of insurance agents. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser that primarily serves mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor asset allocations and portfolio management aligned with clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

John Hall is a financial advisor with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 18 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, and Carroll Financial Associates Inc. He operates out of Charlotte, NC. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a strategic investment process combining passive and active management, supported by an internal Investment Committee and multiple program offerings.

Sarah Le Phew is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with 12 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. She has worked at Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC and Wealth Enhancement Group since 2021, following prior roles at Carroll Financial Associates Inc. and Lephew Financial Services, Inc. She is based in Rock Hill, SC. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise advisory firm that serves a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a strategic investment approach combining passive and active management, guided by an internal Investment Committee, and offers a range of financial planning, asset management, and specialized consulting services.

Michael Thompson is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors based in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has worked at Park Avenue Securities since 2012 and has been affiliated with Guardian Life Insurance Co. since 2001. Outside of his work with Guardian, he operates Thompson Planning Group Insurance, focusing on the sale of traditional insurance products. Park Avenue Securities serves a diverse retail client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers both brokerage and advisory services, employing a range of proprietary and third-party investment strategies and supporting various account-level features such as lending solutions and tax-harvesting.

Joshua Griffin is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services who holds a Series 66 designation and has 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at Truist Advisory Services and its affiliated entities since 2016. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation and investment policy analysis, plan sponsor fiduciary support, participant advice, and a manager-selection program implemented through a mix of discretionary and non-discretionary arrangements.

Emanuel Thomason is a financial advisor with Equity Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 13 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at National Life Group, Edward Jones, Thrivent Financial, and LPL Financial. Equity Services, Inc., operating as ESI Financial Advisors, provides financial planning, consulting, and asset management services to individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers multiple advisory platforms and combines long-term investment strategies with options for shorter-term trading, managing both discretionary and non-discretionary assets through a network of investment adviser representatives.

Christopher Prevette is a CFA® charterholder with four years of industry experience. He is currently with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, where he has worked for five years. Prior to that, he spent eighteen years at Wells Fargo Bank and one year at Principal Financial Group. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as the treasurer on the board of the Charlotte Carolinas Rugby Club, a nonprofit focused on youth and community outreach. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting through discretionary and non-discretionary management, utilizing various portfolio strategies and technology platforms.

Thomas Pfaff is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 12 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bb&T Securities, LLC and BB&T Investments. He has been with Truist Advisory Services since 2021. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools, to deliver and oversee its investment strategies.

Gary Spencer is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with a Series 66 credential and two years of industry experience. He has worked at Truist Advisory Services and Truist Investment Services since 2023 and previously was associated with Baldwin Risk Partners. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation and investment policy analysis, plan sponsor fiduciary support, and a manager‑selection program through third‑party managers, utilizing a combination of discretionary and non‑discretionary approaches supported by AI-enabled research tools.

William Crocker is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Lockton Investment Advisors, Lockton Companies, and Lockton Financial Advisors from 2014 to 2021. Crocker is based in Indian Land, South Carolina. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $217 billion in client assets and employs a financial planning–led investment process that combines low-cost indexing with supplemental strategies, supported by a large advisory team and integrated investment infrastructure.

Matthew Kalajian is a CFP® with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott since 2006. He is based in Charlotte, NC, and holds a Series 63 license. Outside of his advisory role, Kalajian is involved in community organizations, serving on the boards of the Charlotte Economics Club and Camp Rockmont. 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, offering brokerage services, financial planning, and advisory programs through a combination of in-house and third-party portfolio management.

Bradford Brinkley is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 credential and 18 years with the firm. He has experience as an insurance agent selling life and health insurance, including Medicare Supplement and annuity products. Bankers Life Advisory Services provides discretionary portfolio management and investment consulting primarily to mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals, focusing on customized asset allocation, tax efficiency, and a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to guide investment decisions.

David Johnson is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 13 years of industry experience. He has worked with Eagle Strategies and New York Life Insurance Company since 2013. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors, defined contribution and defined benefit plans, and charitable and corporate clients. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services through a large network of affiliated advisers, focusing largely on non-discretionary assets and tailored recommendations aligned with client objectives and plan sponsor criteria.

Eric Dade is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. based in Charlotte, NC. He holds the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 66 licenses, and has 22 years of industry experience. In addition to advising his own clients, he manages other agents in his role as Unit Sales Manager at Bankers Life and Casualty Company. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. primarily serves mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to develop tailored asset allocations and provide ongoing portfolio management aligned with clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

Stephen Kanode is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and seven years of industry experience. He has worked with Bankers Life and its affiliated entities since 2016 and also serves as an insurance agent, assisting clients with Medicare options, long-term care planning, final expense insurance, and annuities. Bankers Life Advisory Services provides discretionary portfolio management and investment consulting primarily to mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals. The firm’s approach emphasizes customized asset allocation, tax efficiency, and a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to guide portfolio management.

Thi Le Tram Hoang is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having four years of industry experience. She has worked at Eagle Strategies LLC and Sen Vang Wealth Strategies LLC, and previously operated a nail spa. Hoang is also engaged as an insurance broker for non-registered products. Eagle Strategies serves individual and institutional clients by providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services through a large network of advisors. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs with a focus on tailored recommendations, managing a majority of its assets on a non-discretionary basis.

Blake Bishop is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and two years of industry experience. He has worked at Hamilton Henry Wealth Strategies, LLC, Eagle Strategies, NYLIFE Securities LLC, and New York Life since 2023. Prior to his financial career, he was employed at DuckWorth's Grill and Taphouse and has experience in education at Appalachian State University and Providence Highschool. Eagle Strategies serves individual and institutional clients by providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services through a large network of affiliated advisers. The firm offers a variety of programs tailored to client and plan sponsor needs, with a significant portion of assets managed on a non-discretionary basis.

Tony Montini is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 21 years of industry experience. He has worked with Park Avenue Securities and Guardian Life Insurance Company since 2011. Montini is also licensed for insurance sales with multiple carriers. Park Avenue Securities serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients, offering both brokerage and advisory services alongside financial planning and retirement consulting. The firm utilizes a range of investment strategies through proprietary and third-party managers, supporting various account types and lending solutions.