Pledger Monk III is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined Merrill in 1997 and began his career in the wealth management and financial advisory industry in 1994. His focus is on connecting all aspects of clients' financial lives to help prioritize and pursue their most important goals. Pledger and his team specialize in providing comprehensive investment and wealth management services to individuals and families. He holds multiple professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Chartered Financial Analyst®, Certified Investment Management Analyst®, and Certified Private Wealth Advisor®, among others. He earned his bachelor's degree from Hendrix College and his MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Pledger lives in Roland, Arkansas, with his wife Jennifer and their six children.

Juan Morales is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 14 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has been with Morgan Stanley and its Private Bank division since 2016. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual 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 planning process supported by firm-approved tools and market analysis.

Taylor Byrd is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Little Rock, AR, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ameriprise in 2021, Taylor worked at Apple Inc. from 2017 to 2021 and has experience in retail and academic settings. Outside of finance, Taylor owns an Etsy shop specializing in crochet toys. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on clients approaching or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, providing customized, non-discretionary recommendations that integrate tax-efficient strategies and asset management. The firm combines research-driven modeling and algorithmic tools overseen by a dedicated team to support its advisory approach.

Jennifer Key is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 12 years of industry experience and holds the Series 66 designation. Prior to joining Raymond James, she worked at Morgan Stanley from 2015 to 2021. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, providing financial planning, non-discretionary investment consulting, and specialized municipal advisory services.

Lisa Rabatin is a CFP® professional with 42 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial. She has worked at Simmons Bank and previously spent 11 years with Simmons First Investment Group, Inc. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, with access to various model portfolios and research resources.

Stephen Wheetley is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Little Rock, AR, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he owns a liquor store called Toddy Shop. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients by offering a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning and estate planning strategies. The firm utilizes structured planning tools and investment modeling techniques to support clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Amy Waychoff is a financial advisor with Merrill in Little Rock, Arkansas, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2002. Outside of her advisory role, she is a co-owner of a family rental property. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Joe Locke is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, holding CFP®, Series 63, and Series 65 designations and bringing 39 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley and its Private Bank division since 2016. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning and estate strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured financial planning process supported by proprietary tools and modeling techniques.

Janice Simmons is a financial advisor at Merrill with 25 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Merrill since 2009, with prior experience at Bank of America dating back to 1993. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary strategies developed by internal and third-party managers.

Kelly Journey is a CFP® professional with 24 years of experience in financial advising, currently serving clients at Edward Jones since 2002. Based in Little Rock, AR, Journey holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm with over four million individual and institutional clients and approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Hatim Smouni is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on developing personalized wealth management strategies tailored to the unique financial situations and goals of his clients. His expertise includes college education planning, corporate executive services, employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, and special needs planning strategies. Born and raised in Morocco, Hatim moved to the United States in 1994 to further his education. He holds a high school diploma from Lycee Moulay Idriss I Casablanca, a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Arkansas, and a master's degree from the College for Financial Planning. He has earned multiple professional designations, including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Hatim is actively involved in his community, serving on the boards of the Arkansas Children Hospital PAC and the Winthrop P Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS. He volunteers with the Arkansas Foodbank and the UAMS Cancer Institute. Outside of work, he enjoys dancing, soccer, tennis, surfing, traveling, watching movies, and spending time with his wife Alex, a tax attorney, and their two children.

Krista Messer Ferguson is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with Cetera in Little Rock, Arkansas, and has two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cetera, she worked at Avantax Advisory Services for one year and has held a senior tax manager role at Landmark PLC, CPAs since 2016. She serves as the treasurer on the board of a local non-profit elementary school, Central AR Montessori, Inc. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that supports a network of over 10,000 independent advisors serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services, utilizing a multi-manager platform that includes model portfolios, third-party managers, and bespoke strategies.

Ryan Bartholomew is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Little Rock, Arkansas, holding a Series 66 designation and 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2005. Outside of advisory work, he is a minority owner of Oak Tree Premier Management Services, LLC, which provides administrative support. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service tailored for individuals approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets, combining research and modeling to deliver non-discretionary, tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm provides a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of large institutional firms.

Charles Gaba is a financial advisor with Merrill in Little Rock, Arkansas, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, focusing on regional economic and community development. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Ashley Moore is a financial advisor with Merrill in Little Rock, AR, holding a Series 66 designation and over 21 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2004 and joined Bank of America, N.A. in 2025. Outside of her advisory work, she serves as a trustee for a fiduciary entity in Little Rock, dedicating some time to that role each month. Merrill serves a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional clients, offering managed account programs, discretionary portfolio management, and brokerage services. The firm’s investment management includes a variety of program strategies with advisor or client discretion and emphasizes tax-focused capabilities within a platform integrated with Bank of America affiliates.

Anna Jeter is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 16 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with LPL Financial since 2009. Outside of her advisory role, she co-owns two small businesses, Shady Grove Pecans and Georgetown Antiques. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, institutions, and charitable organizations through a national network of advisers. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary management, model portfolios, and retirement plan consulting.

Judy Busbey is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 40 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include seven years at Wells Fargo Advisors and three years at Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of her advisory work, she holds ownership interests in several wealth management entities and is vice president of a homeowners association in Little Rock, AR. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary management, model portfolios, and retirement plan consulting, supported by research from LPL Research and third-party subadvisors.

Michael Weatherford is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Jacksonville, AR, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Meadors, Adams & Lee and BancorpSouth Insurance Services Inc. 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 strategies, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Hector Felix is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management, based in Little Rock, AR. He has 10 years of industry experience, all with Thrivent since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member for the City Church Network of Arkansas, a relational network of churches. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on comprehensive, goal-based financial planning without discretionary trading authority. The firm emphasizes holistic analyses and offers an integrated option to combine planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing system.

Derek Shelton is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Little Rock, AR, holding a Series 66 credential and bringing 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Thrivent since 2014 and with THRIVENT Financial since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, Shelton serves as a Beautification Committee Member for Keep Little Rock Beautiful, engaging in community cleanups and local beautification efforts. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm focuses on goal-based planning across a broad range of financial topics while keeping planning services separate from managed-account programs.