Bryan Dearolf is a CFP® and ChFC® with three years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Mariner Independent in Raleigh, NC. Prior to joining Mariner Platform Solutions, he worked at Abundant Life Financial and CWM, LLC. He served in various capacities with the U.S. Navy from 2011 to 2023. Outside of financial advising, he teaches personal finance at Cary Christina School. Mariner Independent serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management services supported by in-house and third-party resources, with access to alternative investments and affiliated business solutions.

Antonio Navarro is a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at SECU Life Insurance Company and SECU Brokerage Services since 2022, alongside his ongoing role at State Employees' Credit Union since 2015. Navarro also serves as an agent with SECU Life Insurance Company. Credit Union Investment Services serves residents of North Carolina, primarily individual investors and some trust clients, offering non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning focused on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs. The firm operates as a subsidiary of State Employees’ Credit Union and manages over $3 billion in non-discretionary advisory assets.

Trevor Nace is a financial advisor at SageSpring Wealth Partners in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 65 designation. Although new to the financial advisory industry, he has prior experience with firms such as Collector's Edge Minerals, Science Trends LLC, Forbes Media LLC, and Shell Exploration & Production Company. He has been involved with Science Trends LLC since 2019. SageSpring Wealth Partners manages approximately $8.5 billion for over 11,500 clients, serving a wide range of individual and institutional clients. The firm offers customized portfolios using fundamental and technical analysis, and provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and third-party manager oversight.

Matthew Vaughan is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 19 years of industry experience. He has worked at Capital Investment Advisory Services and Capital Investment Brokerage since 2020, and previously was with Acorn Financial Advisory Services and The Strategic Financial Alliance from 2015 to 2020. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in fixed insurance sales as an agent. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers personalized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, or centrally managed private-label model portfolios, utilizing a mix of analytical methods and ongoing portfolio reviews.

Tony Mcneill is a financial advisor with Chelsea Advisory Services, Inc. holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Chelsea Financial Services since 2019 and previously held positions at Royal Alliance Associates and John Hancock SII. He also operates McNeill Financial Services, a separate business. Chelsea Advisory Services provides financial planning, investment advisory, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, and corporate entities. The firm follows a fundamental, long-term investment approach, managing diversified portfolios primarily on a discretionary basis while offering periodic compliance and portfolio reviews.

Adam Buchanan is a financial advisor with Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Avantax Advisory Services, HPG Wealthcare Advisors, and 1st Global Advisors. He is a partner at EisnerAmper, focusing on tax and accounting. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company serves individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and diversification, using both discretionary and non-discretionary management strategies supported by third-party independent managers and technology platforms.

Ahmad Quqa is a financial advisor with RFG Advisory, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones for seven years and FA Invest for four years. He is also the founder and owner of Crescent Private Wealth and serves as an agent for Financial Independence Group, LLC. RFG Advisory is a multi-team registered investment adviser with approximately 178 advisors managing around $8 billion for over 17,000 clients, including individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm employs a combination of actively managed and passive ETF/mutual fund models, direct indexing, and tax-aware strategies with a focus on risk management.

Benjamin Van Troost is a financial advisor at Good Life Advisors, LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses. His prior work includes roles at Prudential Insurance Company of America, Consolidated Planning, and Citadel Financial Planning. Outside of finance, Van Troost has experience in the craft beverage industry with Tapline Craft Beer & Wine and Oaklyn Springs Brewery. Good Life Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser managing approximately $4.35 billion in assets for individuals, business entities, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers tailored portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to third-party managers, utilizing a combination of direct management, model portfolios, and technology-driven solutions.

Lauren Medlin is a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services with 15 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked with Secu Life Insurance Company, Members Trust Company, and State Employees' Credit Union. Medlin also serves as a Financial Advisory Services District Manager at State Employees' Credit Union. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, and its advisors are salaried employees of the parent credit union.

Robert Oakes is a financial advisor with Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company in Raleigh, NC. He holds the CFP® and PFS™ designations and has nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Avantax Investment Services and Hughes, Pittman & Gupton, LLP. He serves on the boards of Johnston Health and UNC Rex Healthcare. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company advises individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and diversification, managing approximately $5 billion in client assets through a multi-team approach.

Matthew Horne is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has three years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Credit Union Investment Services, SECU Life Insurance Company, SECU Brokerage Services, and State Employees' Credit Union since 2014. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, fixed-income products, and a goals-based, long-term planning approach, with investment adviser representatives as salaried employees of the parent credit union.

Timothy Naylor is a financial advisor at Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Avantax Advisory Services and 1ST Global Capital Corp. Outside of advisory work, he is a partner at EisnerAmper, focusing on tax and accounting services. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company serves individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, providing financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and diversification, using both discretionary and non-discretionary management with third-party independent managers and model portfolios.

Jalyn Thorpe is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and bringing three years of industry experience. She has worked in various roles within the credit union and financial services sector, including positions at State Employees' Credit Union, SECU Life Insurance Company, and Members Trust Company. Thorpe also served as a financial advisory services specialist and life insurance agent, providing financial services and life insurance to credit union members. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves North Carolina residents, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and retirement planning. The firm focuses on long-term, goals-based advice using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, and operates within a credit union ecosystem as a subsidiary of State Employees’ Credit Union.

Katherine Eaker is a financial advisor at Capital Analysts with two years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked with Lincoln Investment and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved as a sales assistant at FFG Companies, where she is studying for the SIE and Series 7 exams. Capital Analysts serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, trusts, and corporate clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management through a variety of programs and emphasizes a fiduciary role with automated rebalancing and tax-aware options.

Francis Thomas is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 26 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Rising Tide, Inc. and Capital Investment Group, Inc., alongside operating his own insurance agency, F. Michael Thomas & Associates, since 1985. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC offers investment advisory and supervisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an individualized process and a range of analytical methods to manage portfolios through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, or private-label model portfolios.

Jonathan Denton is a financial advisor at Strategic Blueprint, LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Cornerstone Wealth Management and The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. since 2014. Strategic Blueprint, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm delivers customized, goal-based strategies through asset allocation, portfolio design, and manager selection, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary management along with financial planning and educational programs.

Jason Shutts is a financial advisor with The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining The Strategic Financial Alliance, he worked at Bowers Private Wealth Management. Outside of advising, he is involved in providing tax preparation and filing services for family and a small group of friends and supports remote tax and tech assistance for TurboTax users through a business process outsourcing role. The Strategic Financial Alliance serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business clients. The firm offers portfolio management, third-party manager selection, financial planning, and consulting, implementing customized strategies through various programs and co-advisory relationships.

David Wahlen is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors in Raleigh, NC, with 10 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at CapFinancial Partners LLC (CAPTRUST) and Hatteras Funds. Outside of his advisory role, Wahlen serves as a consultant for several third-party research firms, providing expertise on the competitive landscape and trends within the RIA industry. Merit Financial Group, LLC manages approximately $10.6 billion and serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and modular sleeves, overseen by a central Investment Management team and Investment Committee, while allowing advisors to customize portfolios on various platforms.

Joseph Bowman is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and four years of industry experience. He has worked with Members Trust Company, SECU Life Insurance Company, SECU Brokerage Services, and State Employees' Credit Union. Outside of his financial roles, Bowman manages Bear Branch Farm, a local grocery and woodworking business selling produce and handmade items at farmer's markets. Credit Union Investment Services serves individual investors and trust clients in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management and retirement planning with a focus on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs. The firm emphasizes a goals-based, long-term planning approach and employs salaried advisers who provide recommendations while clients retain final decision-making authority.

Darlene Scoggins is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 14 years of industry experience. She has worked with Members Trust Company, Secu Life Insurance Company, Secu Brokerage Services, and State Employees' Credit Union since 2010. Outside of her financial services roles, she operates a small arts and crafts business. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, providing non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm focuses on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs alongside fixed-income products, emphasizing a goals-based, long-term planning approach.