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.

Charles Mc Callum III is a CFP® with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. He previously held roles at Truist Advisory Services, Truist Investment Services, BB&T Securities, and SunTrust. He serves on the boards of SVB Wealth and First Citizens Asset Management. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, municipalities, and institutions, offering a range of multi-asset class portfolios monitored regularly by its board.

Todd Zempel is a financial advisor at Summit Financial, LLC with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Gordon Asset Management, LLC for twelve years. Outside of his advisory work, he is a co-managing member of Z & M Real Estate Holdings, LLC. Summit Financial, LLC is a multi-team advisory firm with over 200 advisors serving approximately 17,800 clients. The firm offers both discretionary and consultative investment management services, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and access to alternative investments.

William Brisard is a financial advisor at Diversified, LLC with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, and Legacy Capital Advisors, LLC. Diversified, LLC provides financial planning and portfolio management to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm uses a comprehensive planning process with tailored portfolio strategies and leverages third-party managers and platforms, offering both automated and manual portfolio oversight.

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.

Brent Ciliano is a CFA® charterholder with 26 years of industry experience. He is currently affiliated with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. and serves as a supervisory principal at SVB Wealth, a wholly owned subsidiary of First Citizens Bank. Brent also serves on the board of directors for First Citizens Asset Management, focusing on portfolio construction and investment selection. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to a range of clients, including individuals, trusts, municipalities, and institutions. The firm offers multi-asset class portfolios using fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis, with an emphasis on strategic asset allocation and risk management.

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 with Strategic Blueprint, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Cornerstone Wealth Management and The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. since 2014. Strategic Blueprint, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers customized, goal-based investment strategies and a range of services including portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and educational programs.

Joshua Davis is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC, bringing 12 years of industry experience. He has held roles at State Employees' Credit Union since 2008 and has been affiliated with Credit Union Investment Services and related entities since 2013. Davis also serves as a Financial Advisory Services District Manager at State Employees' Credit Union and acts as a trust representative for Members Trust Company. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves North Carolina residents, focusing on individual investors and trust clients. The firm offers non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning, recommending low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, with a goals-based, long-term approach.

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.

Kathleen Villegas is a CFP® professional with eight years of industry experience. She currently works at Root Financial Partners and previously held roles at Ellevest and Old Peak Finance LLC. Prior to her financial advisory career, she worked at Duke University. Root Financial Partners provides investment management and comprehensive financial planning to individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and retirement plans. The firm emphasizes broadly diversified, passive portfolios tailored to client goals and offers specialized strategies when appropriate, along with educational programming and separate paid online academies.

Benjamin Ingram is a financial advisor at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked previously at LPL Financial and Cuna Mutual Group. First Citizens Asset Management provides investment advisory and sub‑advisory services to individuals, trusts, corporations, institutional accounts, and municipal entities. The firm manages approximately $167 million on a discretionary basis through a multi‑team platform and constructs global, multi‑asset model portfolios using a combination of quantitative and qualitative criteria.

Arron Brisard is a financial advisor at Diversified, LLC with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has previously worked at firms including Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, Legacy Capital Advisors, and LPL Financial. Brisard is also a partner at Legacy Capital Advisors, where he engages in wealth planning, financial planning, retirement planning, and investment management. Diversified, LLC serves a broad client base including individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, third-party managers, and a variety of platforms such as Zoe Financial.

Jo Beth Mullens is a financial advisor at Verity Asset Management with two years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 credential and has worked in tax services as a tax analyst for H&R Block. Verity Asset Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individual, corporate, institutional clients, and other advisers. The firm employs a model-driven investment process focused on tactical asset allocation across diverse asset classes and offers discretionary portfolio management, retirement-plan advisory, and financial planning services.

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.

Terrence Donoghue is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 46 years of industry experience. He has worked at Founders Financial Alliance and LPL Financial since 2016, following a decade at INVEST Financial Corp. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs an evidence-based investment process using ETFs, third-party managers, and regular portfolio monitoring, and offers a family-office style program under a flat fee arrangement.

Lawrence Mcmanus Jr. is a CFP® professional with 22 years of industry experience, currently serving at Modern Wealth Management, LLC since 2024. His prior roles include positions at Advisory Services Network, LLC and Team Wealth Planning and Management, Inc. He serves as treasurer and finance chair on the board of directors for Carol Woods Retirement Community and holds board roles with County Hall Insurance Company. Modern Wealth Management provides investment advisory and integrated planning services to individuals, trusts, pension and retirement plans, charitable organizations, broker-dealers, and corporations. The firm employs a centralized portfolio management model supported by an Investment Committee and offers a range of services including discretionary investment management, modular financial planning, tax and estate planning, and ERISA plan services.

Gordon Wegwart is a financial advisor at Verity Asset Management with 43 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Verity Asset Management, Inc. and related entities since 1996. Wegwart serves as an officer and director of Verity Financial Group, an insurance agency, and is a board member of PlanScope360, LLC, which focuses on retirement plan governance and administration. Verity Asset Management is a multi-team SEC-registered advisory firm with 53 advisors overseeing approximately $1.15 billion. The firm serves individuals, retirement plan sponsors and participants, institutional clients, and other advisers, employing a largely model-based investment process that includes internally managed specialty strategies and third-party manager models.

Michael De Camillis is a financial advisor at Verity Asset Management with 22 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked with multiple firms, including The Leaders Group DBA Simplicity Investments and Tidewater Financial Group of NC. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in sales and marketing roles related to health and insurance products through several business activities. Verity Asset Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with discretionary portfolio management, retirement-plan advisory, and financial planning. The firm uses a model-driven investment process focused on tactical asset allocation across diverse asset classes and offers both internally managed and third-party manager models.

Donald Parrott is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 1996. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the committee for the Presbyterian Endowment Trust at First Presbyterian Church in Gastonia and is an advisory board member for Gaston Skills, Inc., a nonprofit supporting employment for mentally and physically challenged individuals. 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, and private-label model portfolios, using a mix of analytical methods and ongoing monitoring.