David Mc Bride is a financial advisor with Merrill based in Chapel Hill, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill and Bank of America, N.A., he held positions at several firms including ChannelAdvisor and National Coating & Supplies. He was previously the owner of Quality Steel Structure LLC, a business focused on metal building sales and installation, which he is in the process of closing. Merrill, along 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 a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies tailored to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Michael ODowd is a Benefits & Planning Consultant specializing in Executive Services at Fidelity Investments. In this role, he partners with executives to help them understand their employer benefits and develop solid plans to work toward their financial goals. Michael has held multiple positions at Fidelity Investments, including Benefits & Planning Consultant since 2025, Workplace Planning Consultant from 2022 to 2025, College Planning Specialist in 2022, and Customer Relationship Advocate from 2021 to 2022. His experience spans various aspects of financial planning and client relationship management. Outside of his professional work, Michael enjoys activities such as beach outings, bowling, comedy, hiking, movies, and outdoor adventures.

Autumn Yamamura is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 30 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2016 and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2009. She is based in Chapel Hill, NC. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients by offering a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides both direct and employer-sponsored financial planning services.

Joshua Spear is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2024. He has accumulated seven years of experience in the financial services industry, previously serving as an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2024, a Wealth Advisor at Level Four Advisory Services from 2022 to 2023, and a Relationship Banker at Southern Bank and Trust from 2018 to 2022. Joshua focuses on creating an open and comfortable environment to discuss clients' financial goals. He emphasizes understanding each client's personal story to develop tailored financial strategies that empower informed decision-making toward financial success and security. Outside of his professional career, Joshua enjoys camping, comedy, golf, skiing, traveling, and volunteering.

Jessica Standifer is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and having 24 years of industry experience. She has worked with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2015 and with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2009. She serves as a representative for the NC State Student Aid Association. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutions, including tailored financial planning and estate planning services. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process supported by firm-approved tools and research.

Kelly Meshaw is a financial advisor at Robert Baird & Co. with five years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Baird since 2018. Prior to joining Baird, she was with Mosaic Capital and Palladium Healthcare, and has also been involved in community volunteering. She is part of The DDK Group, a team within Baird’s Private Wealth Management practice that serves individuals, families, pensions, corporations, and charitable organizations. The group provides tailored financial planning and portfolio management services, utilizing a range of investment strategies and manager options.

Cynda Beauchamp is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Durham, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 15 years at Edward Jones and a total of five years of industry experience. She is involved as a member and common board member in LLC holding companies 8RCH LLC and 8 Rivers Capital, LLC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large network of advisors and branch offices.

Curtis Conover is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services with 24 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with UBS since 2001. UBS Financial Services Inc. serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients with brokerage and investment advisory offerings, including financial planning and portfolio management. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services and provides access to proprietary research and capital markets solutions.

Keith Minton is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Chapel Hill, NC, with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2012. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Douglas Dickerson is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 designation with six years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2019 and previously worked at AARP from 2011 to 2019. He is involved with the Woman's Club of Raleigh and has received an honorarium from Duke University. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs with a nationwide network of over 23,700 financial advisors and 15,000 branch offices.

Laura Horvath is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 19 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Morgan Stanley and its Private Bank since 2011. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, she provides advisory services within a large institutional firm. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a broad range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, emphasizing tailored financial planning and the use of firm-approved tools and methodologies such as Monte Carlo simulations and Secular Return Estimates. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides services both directly and through Corporate Financial Planning agreements.

Kendall Thomason is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 66 license, and has eight years of industry experience. Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2025, Kendall worked seven years at Edward Jones. Outside of his advisory role, he has a part ownership interest in a rental home in Oak Island, North Carolina. 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.

Tatum Amato is a financial advisor with Fidelity, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, they worked at Heidrick & Struggles and have also held positions in education and nonprofit organizations. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, employing a blend of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage diversified model portfolios.

Ryan Kasten is a financial advisor with MML Investors Services, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Park Avenue Securities LLC and Guardian Life Insurance Co of America. Kasten is based in Hillsborough, NC. MML Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser subsidiary of MassMutual that provides financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers annual financial planning engagements supported by firm-approved analytical tools and a variety of investment strategies, with optional implementation through separate brokerage or insurance arrangements.

Maliik Marcin is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he collaborates with clients and Financial Consultants to develop tailored financial plans that address the unique needs of individuals and their families. He has been in this role since 2024. Prior to this, Maliik worked as a Relationship Manager at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2024 and served as a High Net-Worth Associate at the same firm from 2022 to 2023. He began his financial advisory career as an Associate Wealth Management Advisor at Northwestern Mutual from 2019 to 2022. Maliik's professional experience includes working closely with clients to manage wealth and develop strategic financial planning. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he has interests in concerts, fitness, football, music, social events with friends, and pets.

Bret Bledsoe is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Chapel Hill, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 12 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Bank of America, and Merrill. Outside of financial advising, he is a partner at Goosey’s Books LLC, a retail and online bookstore in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, providing tailored financial planning and a variety of advisory programs. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process that includes advanced modeling tools.

Pamela Parker is a financial advisor at Merrill with 28 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has been with Merrill since 2009. Prior to Merrill, she worked at Bank of America, N.A., where she remains associated. 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 a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions, with account administration and custody support.

Zachery Ruetsch is an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2025. Prior to this role, he served as an Investment Solutions Representative II at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2025 and worked as a Financial Service Representative at Merrill from 2020 to 2021. He holds an Arkansas Insurance License. Zachery focuses on helping individuals and families build a confident financial future by developing personalized strategies aligned with their goals and values. He emphasizes building lasting relationships based on trust and genuine understanding as the foundation of effective financial guidance. Outside of his professional work, Zachery has personal interests that include fitness, food, golf, movies, outdoor adventures, and pets.

Emily Crum is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Durham, NC, where she has worked since 2020. She has six years of industry experience and previously held roles at Alamance Community College, ecoAmerica, and the University of North Carolina. 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, supported by a large network of more than 23,700 financial advisors nationwide.

Eddie Ramirez is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Stifel, West Bend Insurance, and EatStreet. Ramirez serves as a board member for Zero Dark Birdie, a nonprofit organization supporting veterans with mental health issues through golf and related therapies. 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 uses research and analytics to support a diversified investment approach and provides both brokerage and advisory solutions.