Thomas Norris is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Greensboro, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Valic Financial Advisors since 2000 and also serves as a board member of Connection Valley Church, where he participates in governance discussions without financial authority. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-based individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, leveraging Envestnet UMA models and operating at scale with over 1,200 advisors.

Ralph Howell III is a financial advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC with 24 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Dmj Wealth Advisors, LLC and Proequities, Inc. Outside of his advisory role, Howell is a partner in the CPA firm DMJ & Co., PLLC, where he is in charge of the tax department. Beacon Pointe Advisors provides investment advisory and consulting services to a diverse range of clients, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a multi-manager investment approach, utilizing third-party independent managers selected through a formal due-diligence process, and offers services such as discretionary wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and outsourced CIO solutions.

Ryan Deuel is a financial advisor at Oppenheimer with 18 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LPL Financial, and Merrill. Oppenheimer serves individuals, corporations, pooled vehicles, and retirement plans, offering a variety of advisory programs including discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, consulting, and financial planning. The firm employs diverse investment approaches tailored to its programs and advisors, managing approximately $36.7 billion in assets as of the end of 2025.

Alvan Aron Jr. is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Greensboro, NC, bringing 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Valic Financial Advisors since 2002 and also holds a position as an agent with Agia, where he is involved in non-securities insurance products. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-based individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet-developed UMA models for portfolio construction.

Angela Kenan is a financial advisor with Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 35 years of industry experience. She has worked with Ameritas Advisory Services since 2021 and has been affiliated with Ameritas Life Insurance Corp and Ameritas Investment Corp since 2006. Kenan also has a longstanding role at Southeast Financial Services, Inc., where she has been involved since 1989. Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse clientele, including individuals, charitable and corporate entities, and retirement plans. The firm offers fee-based asset management, retirement-plan advisory, and fiduciary services, utilizing model portfolios, third-party sub-advisers, and custom strategies.

Jonathan Crockett is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services in Winston-Salem, NC. He has been with Truist Investment Services since 2019 and previously worked at BB&T/Truist from 2014 to 2021. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, utilizing third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools to support its investment process.

Jennifer Mccosley is a CFP® professional with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving at Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC since 2023. Prior to this, she worked at Triad Financial Advisors, Inc. for eight years. Beacon Pointe Advisors provides investment advisory and consulting services to a diverse client base, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a combination of third-party independent managers selected through a proprietary due-diligence process and offers a range of services such as discretionary wealth management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting.

Christian Blackburn is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in Greensboro, NC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 credentials and four years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management and Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, as well as prior experience in graphic design and education at the Music Academy of NC and UNCG. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and participants, leveraging an integrated model tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and savings rates through point-in-time financial plans and optional managed account solutions within plan lineups selected by plan sponsors.

James Williams is a financial advisor with Oppenheimer in Greensboro, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 45 years of industry experience. He has been with Oppenheimer & Co since 2010. Oppenheimer serves a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations, offering a range of advisory and brokerage services such as discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, consulting, and retirement services. The firm employs strategic and tactical asset allocation along with manager selection across various investment vehicles, and acts as a qualified custodian for client assets.

Paulette Mitchell is a financial advisor at Davenport & Company LLC with 22 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Davenport since 2009, following prior work at Citigroup Global Markets. Davenport & Company LLC is a privately held, employee-owned firm providing investment management and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individuals, institutions, and non-profit organizations. The firm offers a broad range of services such as asset management, financial planning, and investment banking, employing dedicated portfolio manager teams and committees to oversee investment strategies and account monitoring.

Michael Schultz is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Birmingham, AL, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 39 years of industry experience. He has been with Valic Financial Advisors since 1986 and also holds an agent position with Agia, focusing on non-securities insurance products. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-domiciled individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet UMA models for portfolio construction.

Brittnei La Rue is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. in Greensboro, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Her background includes roles at Bankers Life and Casualty, Bankers Life Securities, TD Bank, and Glens Falls National Bank. Outside of advising, she is involved with the Rotary Club of Wilmington and is a candidate for the New Hanover County School Board. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and consulting primarily for mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals. The firm focuses on customized asset allocation, periodic rebalancing, tax efficiency, and a blend of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in portfolio management.

Clarence Slaughter III is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 30 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Independent Advisor Alliance, LPL Financial, and Kersey Valley Entertainment since 2016. In addition to his advisory work, he is involved with NC Physicians Retirement Strategy. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base, including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm employs a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary management strategies supported by various analytical techniques and technology platforms, operating under a network model with strong connections to LPL Financial.

Timothy Mellon is a financial advisor with OSAIC Advisory Services, LLC, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 32 years of industry experience and has held prior roles at Triad Hybrid Solutions, Triad Advisors, Kestra Financial Services, and Green Valley Financial. Outside his advisory work, he is a managing partner at Green Valley Financial, owns Hedge Farm, LLC, and serves on the board of directors for N.C. Grange Mutual. OSAIC Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and nonprofits. The firm provides investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related services through a variety of program models, utilizing proprietary and third-party platforms.

Santos Rivera Vasquez is a financial advisor at Brookstone Capital Management LLC with a Series 65 credential and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Brookstone, he worked in various roles at Panda Express and Amerilife. Brookstone Capital Management provides fee-based asset management and financial planning services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, and other entities. The firm utilizes strategic and dynamic asset allocation models, including proprietary investment strategies and a mix of ETFs, mutual funds, and options-enhanced strategies.

John Brownlow III is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Greensboro, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Valic Financial Advisors since 1999 and also serves as an agent with Agia, focusing on non-securities insurance products. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-domiciled individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet-developed UMA models for portfolio construction and management.

Braxton Towery is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Greensboro, NC, bringing six years of industry experience. He has worked at Valic Financial Advisors since 2019 and holds a current position with Agia involving non-securities insurance products. Prior to Valic, he held roles at Cru and Vector Marketing Corporation. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-based individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet-developed UMA models for portfolio construction.

John Langley is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Winston-Salem, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 21 years of industry experience. He has worked within various Truist-affiliated entities since 2010, including Truist Investment Services and BB&T Investments. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary approaches, integrates third-party managers, and uses AI-enabled tools to support investment research and manager selection.

Victor Valentino Rodriguez is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding a Series 66 designation and 15 years of industry experience. He has been with Truist and its affiliated entities since 2015, including Bb&T Securities. Outside of advising, he is involved in real estate through ownership and management of several property-related ventures. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory solutions to individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, utilizing a blend of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Vicki Bertholomey is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. She has worked at Truist Advisory Services since 2021, with prior experience at Merrill from 2003 to 2018 and BB&T Securities. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation and investment policy analysis, plan sponsor fiduciary support, participant advice, and a manager-selection program that combines discretionary and non-discretionary approaches supported by third-party platforms and research tools.