Austin Poythress is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 10 years of industry experience. He has worked with Equitable Advisors since 2016 and was previously with AXA Advisors, LLC. He also operates a business under the name Legacy Wealth Strategies. Equitable Advisors serves a broad client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement consulting, and various asset-management programs, utilizing both proprietary and third-party investment solutions delivered through a large network of Investment Adviser Representatives.

Meralyn Ratnasekera is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Her prior work includes roles at First Citizens Investor Services, First Horizon Bank, and SunTrust Bank. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, wrap-fee programs, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and employs over 14,000 financial advisors, offering both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Matthew Wallace is a Benefits & Planning Consultant with the Executive Services team at Fidelity Investments. In his current role, he supports Executive Planning Consultants by meeting with clients to help them understand and maximize their employer-sponsored benefits, including 401(k) plans, pension benefits, and company stock programs. Matthew has been with Fidelity Investments since 2022, beginning his tenure as a Workplace Planning Consultant III before transitioning to his current position in 2026. His work focuses on providing education and guidance regarding available benefits, answering client questions, and assisting clients in making informed decisions to maximize the value of their benefits. Outside of his professional role, Matthew enjoys bowling, spending time with pets, snowboarding, and traveling.

Jovana Romero Hernandez is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Bank of America and Merrill. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm offering investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and provides both brokerage and advisory solutions, utilizing research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Christopher Griffith is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 23 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2007 and previously spent four years at Ameriprise. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in non-variable insurance products including life, health, disability, and fixed annuities. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management services, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies, supported by advanced advisor tools.

Cory Wessel is a financial advisor at Robert W. Baird & Co. with 15 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Robert W. Baird since 2018 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. He holds a Series 66 designation. Wessel is part of The DDK Group within Robert W. Baird’s Private Wealth Management practice, which serves individuals, families, pensions, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The group offers a range of consulting and portfolio services tailored to client goals and risk tolerances, including discretionary and non-discretionary management, separately managed accounts, and overlay strategies.

Trang Pham is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2024, Pham worked at Truist, Citibank, and HD Bank. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment menu offerings.

Steven Megaloudis is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked with Wells Fargo Bank NA since 2014. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Jessica Lamb is a financial advisor at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors with 21 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked for Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation for nine years. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as president of a business involved in insurance, benefits, and human resources. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and trusts, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services. The firm employs a range of investment strategies supported by proprietary and third-party models, with flexibility in custody arrangements and discretionary authority.

Thomas Wilson is a CFP® and Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Raleigh, NC, where he has worked since 2019. He has six years of industry experience and holds leadership roles outside of finance, including CEO of Iceberg Entertainment, an entertainment and speaking business, and CVO/CEO of Mogul Vision, a marketing and business development firm. Wilson is also associated with G & W Trucking, although he currently does not perform active duties there. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory and investment programs. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and operates through a large network of advisors and branches across the United States.

Angela Goins is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with nine years of industry experience. She previously worked at The Carolinas Financial Network for three years before joining Edward Jones in 2017. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management.

Parker Szarek is a financial advisor at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors with a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Cambridge, he worked in various roles including positions at SportsMedia Technology and Troxler Electronic Laboratories. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad client base, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, retirement plan advisory, and financial-wellness services through a network of independent Financial Professionals and employs a range of investment approaches including proprietary and third-party model strategies.

Katherine Anders is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors. She has held roles at Vesta Wealth Advisors and Principal Life Insurance, among others. Anders is also active as an insurance agent with various independent companies through Vesta Wealth Advisors. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and trusts, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services. The firm offers tailored investment strategies via multiple platform arrangements and maintains proprietary and unaffiliated model strategies.

Eric Wellford is a Benefits & Planning Consultant in Executive Services. He provides benefits guidance and planning support for executives. Eric has been with Fidelity Investments since 2021, starting as a Workplace Planning Consultant I-3 before becoming a Benefits & Planning Consultant in 2026. In his personal time, Eric enjoys art, camping, hiking, photography, and traveling.

James Hoke is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management, where he has worked since 2015. He has 10 years of industry experience and serves as a board member for several local organizations, including the Kenly Area Chamber of Commerce, the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, and the Johnston County Tourism Authority. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits, offering holistic, goal-based financial planning that covers a wide range of topics without direct portfolio management or discretionary trading authority.

Tyler Lindsey is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked at Lindsey, Lindsey & Mueller CPA’s, where he provided tax preparation services. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and trusts, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory through a network of independent Financial Professionals. The firm provides a range of investment solutions, including proprietary and third-party model strategies, with flexible custody and platform arrangements tailored to client objectives.

Nichola Agins is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 25 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Bank of America and Merrill Lynch. Raymond James & Associates is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and municipal entities. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment consulting services, utilizing multiple portfolio management styles supported by in-house research and affiliated sub-advisers.

James Forrester is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates, holding a Series 66 credential and over 20 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James & Associates since 2015. Outside of advising, he owns a commercial fishing boat and is a one-third owner of a water disaster mitigation equipment sales and leasing business. He also serves as president of the board for Pine Knoll Townes Phase 1. Raymond James & Associates is a large dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser overseeing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering a range of financial planning, investment consulting, and institutional fiduciary services.

Luke Hopkins is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Mass Mutual Investors Services and First Command Advisory Services. Outside of his advisory role, he holds a 25% ownership interest in Legacy Vault App LLC, a marketing-related business. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, wrap-fee programs, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages roughly $671 billion in assets and employs over 14,000 financial advisors, offering both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research and analytics.

Scott Blanchard is a financial advisor with LPL Financial and holds a Series 66 designation. He has worked in the financial services industry since 2024, including roles at Charles Schwab, Osaic, and Steward Wealth Strategies. His background also includes experience outside finance, such as working in the restaurant industry and at an educational institution. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of advisors and integrated financial activities.