Michael Hempfling is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career in the financial services industry in 1995, initially working in securities regulatory supervision before joining Merrill Lynch. His role involves providing investment advisory services and portfolio management to individuals, families, and business owners. Michael holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation and is certified as a Senior Portfolio Advisor through Merrill Investment Advisory Program. He has also completed the Series 63 and Series 65 regulatory exams. His expertise includes retirement planning, investment strategy development, portfolio management, and wealth preservation. He earned both a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri. In addition to his professional experience, Michael is a United States Army Veteran. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, football, soccer, traveling, and watching movies.

James Egan is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Charles Schwab Bank, Charles Schwab, and TD Ameritrade in various roles since 2014. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory program and related managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to affiliated discretionary separately managed accounts and offers multi-asset model portfolios supported by centralized custody and operational capabilities.

Frederick De Groot is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Based in Houston for the past 20 years, he specializes in executive compensation, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, individual and corporate investment strategy, and tax minimization. Frederick applies a disciplined and balanced approach to portfolio management, helping clients navigate market volatility and focusing on strategies tailored to their unique financial goals. Frederick holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) certification. He earned his bachelor's degree from LaSalle University and his MBA from The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. His extensive experience includes working with corporate executives and professionals through various economic climates, emphasizing proactive communication and accountability. Outside of his professional work, Frederick enjoys reading, running, and spending time with his family. He is involved in community organizations including EYBL Basketball, The John Cooper School, Texas Torque, and The University of Chicago.

Renee Weston is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. She specializes in comprehensive wealth management and advanced planning strategies, including retirement planning, wealth transfer and legacy planning, education funding, and asset protection. Renee holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and has an educational background that includes a High School Diploma from Klein High School and an Associate's Degree from North Harris Montgomery County College. Her client focus areas encompass college education planning, equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. Outside of her professional work, Renee spends time enjoying personal interests such as camping, gardening, hiking, knitting and crocheting, music, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Timothy Wells is a financial advisor at Fidelity with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has previously worked at The Vanguard Group, Bank of Oklahoma Financial, and Wells Fargo Bank. Outside of advising, he has served as an independent contractor teaching Bible classes at Garden Oaks Church of Christ and operates a coaching and consulting business, The Infinite Executive. Fidelity Strategic Advisers LLC, where he works, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including Charitable Gift Funds and registered investment companies. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios, including model portfolios delivered to intermediary platforms.

Cassidy Wilson is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with seven years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Thrivent and its affiliated entities since 2014. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors, offering one-time or ongoing planning engagements focused on topics such as retirement, income tax, estate, and business continuation planning. The firm combines holistic, goal-based analyses with managed-account options under a consolidated billing approach, while keeping planning and portfolio management services separate.

Seth Bailey Dudley is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, he worked at Fidelity Investments and AIG Retirement Services. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applying an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Michelle Engalla is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. She has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and has been associated with Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2008. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Joshua Vessell is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he works one-on-one with clients to define their financial goals and develop portfolio strategies aimed at helping them reach those objectives. He provides ongoing advice and adjusts portfolios as clients' situations change. His areas of expertise include executive compensation, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, individual and corporate investment strategy, and retirement income. Joshua emphasizes a detailed, analytical approach to financial planning and investment management, supported by data and research, to improve client outcomes. Joshua holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. He earned a High School Diploma from The Woodlands College Park High School and attended Houston Baptist University. Outside of his professional work, Joshua enjoys cooking, running, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Janet Bryant is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 38 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016, following seven years at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. She serves as a trustee for a friend's trust in Birmingham, Michigan. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary options. The firm’s advisory process is based on investment policy statements and modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Donato Martone is a financial advisor at Merrill with eight years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Edward Jones and Bank of America. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved administratively with RCM Anesthesia LLC and is authoring a book. 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.

Braden Witham is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, he worked at Charles Schwab and has held various roles outside the financial sector. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm is notable for its work with registered investment companies, use of AI-driven methodologies, and role in developing model portfolios for Fidelity Institutional Wealth Adviser.

Diego Berrocal Dejo is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab who holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has six years of industry experience. He has worked with Charles Schwab Bank, SSB and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. since 2020, and prior to that was with Wells Fargo Clearing Services and Wells Fargo Bank. Outside of his financial advisory work, he is involved in organizing pickleball tournaments. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to affiliated discretionary separately managed accounts and offers a comprehensive model portfolio approach supported by centralized custody and operational infrastructure.

Mark Pond is a CFP® with 23 years of experience in financial advisory, currently serving at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. He previously worked at Raymond James & Associates and manages his own entities, MAP Wealth Management LLC and Pond Wealth Management. He is a volunteer member of the Finance Committee at Frassati Catholic High School in Spring, TX. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and charitable clients. The firm offers tailored non-discretionary planning and consulting using risk profiling and modeling tools and supports municipal and public-finance work through a related municipal advisor.

Lee Gibson is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 designation and 14 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cetera and its related entities since 2025 and previously spent 12 years at Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. In addition to his advisory role, Gibson is involved in manufacturing and sales of a proprietary design product under a commission agreement. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to various program structures and third-party money managers.

Kari Ruchti is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in The Woodlands, TX, and has three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, she worked in health system services and mental health organizations. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of advisory services to individuals and institutions, offering tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved planning tools and a structured discovery process. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers various advisory programs, including corporate financial planning agreements.

Valerie Avila is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with seven years of industry experience. She has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2018 and has a longer tenure with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. dating back to 2009. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through its Institutional Consulting Services program, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applying an ESG eligibility framework when recommending strategies.

Brent Mitcham is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving at Cetera. He has previously worked at Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc and operates Strategic Financial Advisors, where he provides financial planning and offers annuity and life insurance products. Mitcham is also involved in leadership and strategic planning for Mitcham Advisors LLC and acts as an insurance agent for various products. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a multi-manager platform that combines model portfolios, third-party managers, and custom strategies under various program structures and custodial relationships.

Michael Olario is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank, Bank of America, Merrill, Waddell & Reed, and Ameriprise during his career. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and an ESG eligibility framework in its investment recommendations.

Joshua Heard is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in The Woodlands, TX, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining UBS in 2021, he held positions at DS Recreational Services, Inc., Panola College, and The University of Texas at Austin. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory services, combining proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor financial plans. The firm offers a broad platform including fee-based planning, portfolio management, principal trading, and capital markets services.