James Newman is a CFP® with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Ascentis Independent Advisors, LLC. His prior roles include positions at ORG Partners, Ameriprise, and UBS. Ascentis Independent Advisors is a multi-team SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and corporate clients. The firm offers comprehensive portfolio management and financial planning, utilizing a range of public and private securities and a distinctive Private Direct Investments program for select clients.

Connor Crayne is a financial advisor at Modera Wealth Management, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Modera in 2026, he was associated with Trinity Wealth Securities, LLC and Florida Financial Advisors DBA Tristate Financial Advisors. He also served nine years in the U.S. Navy and was involved briefly with Hatch Homes, LLC. Modera Wealth Management provides wealth management, portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, corporations, and plan sponsors. The firm employs diversified asset allocation based on Modern Portfolio Theory and combines investment management with in-house accounting and tax capabilities, serving over 100 advisors and managing roughly $17.7 billion in regulatory assets.

Wesley Hodges is a financial advisor at OneAscent Financial Services LLC with 11 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked previously at Securities America Advisors and Securities America, Inc. Hodges is also a licensed insurance agent who occasionally sells term life insurance for client convenience and holds an ownership position in Pure Tax LLC. OneAscent Financial Services LLC is a multi-team registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and institutions through multiple advisory teams. The firm offers a range of asset management and financial planning services utilizing individualized asset-allocation strategies and model-based platforms, with additional services including outsourced CIO, CCO support, and donor-advised fund technology.

Clinton Townsend is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 65 license, with 7 years of industry experience. He is currently with Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc., where he has worked since 2023, following a seven-year tenure at Laurel Wealth Advisors, LLC. Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. is a family-owned, SEC-registered investment adviser managing over $4.6 billion for individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and investment-company clients. The firm focuses on strategic asset allocation, diversification, and long-term holdings, offering discretionary portfolio management and managed-account services, including sub-advisory roles for mutual funds.

Kenneth Samuelson Jr. is a financial advisor with ValMark Advisers, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses, with 40 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Kestra Investment Services, American Financial Management Group, and IFG/Russell Advisors. He is owner and president of The Morehead Group, Inc., an insurance sales and consulting business, and serves as chairman of the Charlotte Estate Planning Council. ValMark Advisers, Inc. provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, plan sponsors, and institutions through a network of approximately 280 advisors. The firm emphasizes diversified, goal-based portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party managers, supported by proprietary platforms and a range of advisory and sub-advisory services.

Wales Dixon IV is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Principal Life Insurance Company and Principal Financial Services, as well as positions outside the financial industry. Dixon also provides one-on-one investment advice to retirement plan participants as a Retirement Consultant. Principal Advised Services delivers investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering a combination of non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary investment management program supported by proprietary models and third-party methodology.

Barrett Gray is a financial advisor at Earned Wealth Advisors, LLC with two years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Dimensional Fund Advisors and Choreo, LLC. Earned Wealth Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, with a focus on doctors, dentists, and their practices. The firm offers financial planning, discretionary wealth management, and retirement-plan advisory services, utilizing independent investment managers and model portfolios guided by an internal Investment Strategy Committee and third-party consultants.

Matthew Pratt is a ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with 21 years of industry experience, currently serving at Arkadios Wealth Advisors since 2020. He previously worked at Triad Advisors, Inc. from 2014 to 2020. Pratt is also involved in financial services through his roles in Thompson Pratt Capital Management, LLC, and Pratt Investments, LLC. Arkadios Wealth Advisors provides investment and wealth management services to individuals, trusts, businesses, and retirement plans, utilizing a variety of managed accounts, third-party money managers, and financial planning. The firm supports advisors with an internal portfolio team and offers an integrated operating model combining advisory services, brokerage execution, and portfolio management.

Sean Bandazian is a financial advisor at Cornerstone Wealth with 12 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Alphastar Capital Management, The Leaders Group, Inc., and LPL Financial. He has been with Cornerstone Wealth Group, LLC since 2020. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, plan sponsors, other advisers, and corporations. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related services, using model-based portfolios that include ETFs, mutual funds, equities, bonds, and alternative investments where appropriate.

Paxton Wood is a financial advisor with USAA Investment Services Company, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 12 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Ally Invest Advisors, Ally Invest Securities LLC, and The Vanguard Group. He also holds director-level roles in business line risk at Ally Invest Advisors and Ally Bank, assisting with third-party risk management and new product assessment. USAA Investment Services Company provides retirement-focused advice and referral services primarily to USAA members and individual investors, offering a Retirement Income Strategy Report and facilitating referrals to third-party broker-dealers and advisers. The firm operates mainly as a referral intermediary without managing client assets or charging percentage-of-assets fees.

Derek Hernquist is a financial advisor at Aptus Capital Advisors, LLC with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Aptus since 2018. Prior to that, he worked at Strategic Index Advisors and Adhesion Wealth Advisor Solutions. Aptus Capital Advisors manages approximately $14.47 billion on a discretionary basis and provides advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and registered investment companies. The firm employs primarily ETF-based strategies using both technical and fundamental analysis and offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services.

John Helmers is a financial advisor at 49 Financial in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 credential. He has one year of experience in the industry and previously worked at Forward Wealth Management, Rinse N Repeat, and Aptive. Outside of advisory roles, he is also a licensed fixed insurance agent. 49 Financial serves individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals and retirement plans, offering comprehensive financial planning, advanced planning, and investment management. The firm utilizes a disciplined, long-term diversified asset allocation strategy and provides tiered fractional family office services.

Michael Komara is a financial advisor at Blueprint Financial Advisors with 32 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and securities licenses Series 65 and Series 63. His prior roles include positions at Solas Wealth, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and MKD Wealth Coaches, LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as treasurer and board member for Grow Holdings, an affiliate of Grow Church, where he reviews investment accounts for policy compliance. Blueprint Financial Advisors is a multi-advisor firm offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, trusts, pension plans, and nonprofit entities. The firm employs a strategic-and-tactical investment approach based on price-driven trend-following and momentum rules, managing approximately $1.4 billion in client assets.

Audrey Blanke is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with nine years of industry experience. She is currently with Choreo, LLC and has previously worked at firms including Robert W. Baird and ATLATL Advisers. Choreo provides investment and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, family offices, endowments, and corporate clients. The firm focuses on strategic asset allocation and diversified model portfolios, managing assets through separately managed accounts, registered and private funds, and specialized consulting services.

Marcus Anderson is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with 22 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merit Financial Advisors since 2016 and previously at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and LPL Financial, LLC. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 260 advisors serving approximately 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach overseen by an internal committee, allowing advisors to customize portfolios using fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis methods.

Edward Wood III is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 28 years of industry experience. He is currently with Cornerstone Wealth Group LLC, where he has worked since 2018, and has held positions at several firms including Mutual Securities, Inc., Cornerstone Financial Partners, Inc., and LPL Financial. Wood is also involved in insurance-related activities through Cornerstone Risk Management Advisors, LLC. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, employer plan sponsors, advisers, and corporations. The firm provides comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing model-based portfolios that include ETFs, mutual funds, equities, bonds, and alternative investments when appropriate.

Jennifer Muckley is a CFP® certificant with six years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Bragg Financial Advisors Inc since 2018. Prior to joining Bragg, she worked for three years at Wells Fargo Bank dba Abbott Downing. Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. is a family-owned SEC-registered investment adviser managing over $4.6 billion for individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and investment-company clients. The firm focuses on strategic asset allocation with broad diversification and periodic rebalancing, offering discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and managed-account services.

Jeremy Fisher is a financial advisor at Choreo, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with RSM US Wealth Management LLC since 2012. Choreo provides investment and advisory services to a diverse client base including individual investors, family offices, endowments, foundations, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation and diversified model portfolios managed by a centralized team and overseen by an Investment Committee.

Isaiah Smith II is a financial advisor with Integrity Advisory Solutions, holding Series 63 and 65 licenses and bringing 11 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Integrity Advisory Solutions in 2025, he worked at AlphaStar Capital Management, LLC for five years and Regal Investment Advisors LLC for four years. He also serves as Senior Vice President of Annuity Sales at The Assurance Group, where he is involved in training and mentoring agents. Integrity Advisory Solutions serves individual, trust, estate, corporate, and business clients through a network of approximately 100 independent advisors, managing about $1.1 billion in client assets. The firm offers a range of services including portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and uses both fundamental and technical analysis supported by various asset allocation strategies and third-party platforms.

Michael Ziemer is a CFP® professional with 23 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has worked at Modera Wealth Management, LLC since 2023 and previously spent 19 years at Parsec Financial Management, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a board member for Ziemer Funeral Homes. Modera Wealth Management, LLC provides fiduciary, fee-only advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an allocation-driven investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory and offers a range of services including portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, financial planning, and tax-related services.