Phillip Contacos is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Mooresville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 35 years of industry experience. His career includes ten years at Wells Fargo Clearing and seven years at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC prior to his current role. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser that serves individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of investment and financial planning services, utilizing Wells Fargo's research and planning tools to develop tailored recommendations.

Katie Goforth is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Newton, North Carolina, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and having 21 years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2004. Outside her advisory role, she is a member-owner of an LLC for investment property ownership. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with over $1 trillion in assets under management. The firm provides a range of investment advisory programs and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,000 financial advisors.

Bernard Sandler is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Cornelius, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 40 years of industry experience. He has worked with Morgan Stanley Private Bank since 2015 and has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. Prior to this, he was associated with Citigroup Global Markets beginning in 2006. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery processes and firm-approved tools, with approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets under management.

Daniel Sexton is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on connecting all aspects of clients' financial lives to help prioritize and pursue their most important goals. His approach involves creating flexible wealth management strategies that adapt to changing market conditions, providing access to Merrill's investment insights and Bank of America's banking and lending solutions. Daniel's areas of expertise include family wealth management strategies, employee financial health, legacy planning, LGBT wealth planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, and retirement income. He holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Committed to the Merrill tradition of community involvement, Daniel volunteers with organizations in his community. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys football, spending time with his family, and watching movies.

Matthew Short is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and beginning his advisory career in 2025. Prior to joining LPL Financial, he worked in various roles including positions at Cove Church and Cellulose Solutions. LPL Financial is a national SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and consulting services supported by extensive research and model portfolios.

Lynn Bowser is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services and holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. She has 10 years of industry experience, including prior roles at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company and Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. Outside of her advisory work, she is a founding partner of Elevate Strategy & Consulting, a coaching and mentoring business for professionals. Mass Mutual Investors Services is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser providing financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes collaborative, goal-based planning using firm-approved analytical tools and offers a range of investment and educational programs.

Nicolas Gilliam is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Mooresville, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its related entities since 2006. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in managing practice operations as COO of Brightstead Management LLC and pursues art as an artist with Creative Dimensions. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning through its Premier Retirement Income service. The firm’s approach includes detailed written recommendations and annual reviews focused on income reliability and tax-aware withdrawal strategies, supported by proprietary research and third-party data.

Jesse Burns is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity, a position he has held since 2026. He has accumulated extensive experience in financial advisory and investment management roles, including previous positions as an Investment Management Consultant I, II, and III at Fidelity Investments from 2021 to 2026. Prior to that, Jesse worked as a Financial Advisor at PNC from 2019 to 2021 and as a Private Client Banker at Chase from 2017 to 2019. He began his career in the financial services industry as a Retirement Service Representative at Charles Schwab from 2016 to 2017. Jesse's approach to financial planning emphasizes tailoring strategies to meet individual client needs and fostering understanding and comfort throughout the process. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys boating, camping, football, golf, and traveling.

Michael Webber is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously spent seven years with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Webber serves as a trustee for a family trust. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm that provides investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm combines research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources with diversification principles and modern portfolio theory in its investment approach.

Tamara Sheline is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Cornelius, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. She has worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009 and at Citigroup Global Markets since 1981. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer providing a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutions. The firm offers tailored financial planning services and manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Matthew Durnan is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with eight years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2022, with prior experience at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2015. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors. The firm combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Robert Chester is a financial advisor at Mass Mutual Investors Services with 40 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. His prior roles include seven years at Allstate Financial Advisors, LLC and over a decade operating The Chester Agency. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as an insurance broker for Sentinel Health Solutions Inc., focusing on health and Medicare. Mass Mutual Investors Services is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm uses detailed client data and analytical tools to deliver written recommendations within annual planning engagements, offering a range of event-driven and specialized planning programs.

De Wayne Venzen is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Mooresville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he serves in the U.S. Army Reserve and is also involved in music. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, supported by a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Christopher Bice is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 26 years of industry experience. His prior roles include 14 years at Sagepoint Financial, Inc. and one year at OSAIC. He is also a head coach at Brawley IB Middle School. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations through a large national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm provides a range of advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services with access to model portfolios, third-party research, and various portfolio management strategies.

Michael Pappas is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with five years of industry experience. He previously worked at Vanguard Advisers and affiliated Vanguard entities for five years. Outside of his advisory roles, he was involved with At The Neck Apparel from 2020 to 2023. Charles Schwab serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and related managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to affiliated discretionary strategies and offers a centralized operational structure.

Michael Klenck is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 32 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at VOYA Financial Advisors and Retirement Income Advisors, Inc. He also operates REH Wealth, a financial services business, and works as an independent insurance agent specializing in fixed insurance products. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves a broad client base including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services through a multi-manager platform supporting various investment strategies and program structures.

James Fill is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works closely with clients to develop personalized financial strategies tailored to their individual goals, focusing on a collaborative approach that considers each client's full financial picture, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and long-term objectives. James has expertise in corporate executive services, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University. In addition to his professional work, James participates in community volunteer activities in line with Merrill’s tradition. His personal interests include baseball, basketball, football, golfing, pickleball, and spending time with his family.

Brent Reynolds is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 designation, with seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Edward Jones since 2018 and previously spent five years at Verizon Wireless. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management through a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors and offers a range of advisory and investment solutions including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Steven Looser is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2008 and holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. He operates under the business name The Looser Financial Group. 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 a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, providing both discretionary and non-discretionary management alongside model portfolios and research support.

Teresa Chapman is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 32 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at UBS Financial Services from 2016 to 2021. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by structured discovery tools and proprietary investment models.