Elizabeth Donner is a financial advisor with Simplicity Wealth in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 27 years of industry experience. Her prior work includes a long tenure at Cetera Advisor Networks LLC from 2002 to 2023, along with roles at Cetera and Diversified Retirement and Wealth. She is also a licensed insurance agent involved in selling various insurance products and conducting social security analysis. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, corporate and institutional investors, and other financial firms. The firm employs a fund-of-funds investment approach using ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, offering model portfolios with ongoing monitoring and rebalancing, alongside technology and operational services for other advisers.

Joseph Fox is a CFP® and CFA® with 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. since 2007. The firm provides discretionary investment management and advisory services to individuals, pooled investment vehicles, pensions, trusts, non-profits, and governmental entities. Franklin Street Advisors employs an open-architecture approach combining in-house management with external managers, guided by a quarterly Investment Policy Committee and a disciplined manager-research process.

Hallie Burris is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Greensboro, NC. She has experience working at EY and Clemson University prior to joining her current firm. Outside of advisory work, she operates a seasonal CPA practice focused on tax return preparation. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, employing a range of analytical methods and conducting at least quarterly portfolio reviews.

Michael Brennan Jr. is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 16 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at BANK of AMERICA, N.A., Merrill, Highland Capital Funds Distributor, Inc., and Bluerock Capital Markets LLC. He is also co-manager of Bass Brennan Advisory, LLC, an entity involved in facilitating the purchase of Rising Tide, Inc. Capital Investment Advisory Services provides portfolio management and supervisory services to individuals, corporations, retirement and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, foundations, and charitable institutions. The firm offers customized investment programs with a range of strategies across equities, fixed income, ETFs, and other asset classes, managing most assets on a discretionary basis.

Colin Bates is a financial advisor at Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. in Chapel Hill, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with seven years of industry experience. He has been with Franklin Street Advisors since 2016. Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. provides discretionary investment management and advisory services to individuals, pooled investment vehicles, pensions, trusts, non-profits, and governmental entities. The firm employs an open-architecture approach combining in-house and external managers, offering strategic asset allocation models and bespoke mandates, and serves as adviser to several private “Manager of Managers” funds.

Peter Simms is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 11 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Credit Union Investment Services, SeCU Life Insurance Company, and Members Trust Company since 2014 and 2015 respectively. Outside of advisory roles, he serves as a life insurance agent at SeCU Life Insurance Company and a trust representative at Members Trust Company. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves 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.

Ryan Walton is a CFP® with four years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC. He has been affiliated with Credit Union Investment Services and SECU Brokerage Services since 2022 and has worked with State Employees' Credit Union since 2018. Prior to that, he gained experience at Radeas Labs and North Carolina State University. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors residing in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and financial planning. The firm focuses on long-term, goals-based advice using low-cost index mutual funds and ETFs, operating within a credit union ecosystem as a wholly owned subsidiary of State Employees’ Credit Union.

Kara Bullock is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Cary, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and with one year of industry experience. She previously worked at Fidelity Investments and Praus Dentistry and currently provides financial advisory services for State Employees' Credit Union and SECU Life Insurance Company. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors who are residents of North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and retirement planning. The firm’s approach emphasizes long-term, goals-based advice using mostly no-load, low-cost index mutual funds and ETFs within a credit union ecosystem.

Carter Ellis is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with 10 years of industry experience. He is currently with Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC and previously worked at Kuhn Advisors, Inc. for eight years. Outside of his advisory role, he co-founded and serves as a partner and tax preparer at Valley Peak Tax & Accounting, providing tax preparation and business consulting services. Guardian Wealth Advisors offers investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services to individuals, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm uses a systematic approach incorporating fundamental and technical analysis, with portfolios primarily constructed from mutual funds and ETFs, and employs both discretionary and non-discretionary management strategies.

William Bowers is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, where he has worked since 2010. He has 24 years of industry experience. Outside of his advisory role, he is also an agent for fixed insurance products and owns Bowers Advisory Inc, a financial planning business. The Strategic Financial Alliance provides advisory services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and other entities, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party managers. The firm operates multiple portfolio programs and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches.

Emily Mullahey is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 11 years of industry experience. She has been affiliated with Credit Union Investment Services since 2015 and also works with Members Trust Company and SeCU Life Insurance Company. Outside of her advisory work, she is involved in direct sales of beauty and cosmetic products through Young Living. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily North Carolina residents with non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and financial planning, emphasizing long-term goals-based strategies using primarily low-cost index mutual funds and ETFs within a credit union ecosystem.

Cynthia White is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 20 years of industry experience. She has worked with various entities affiliated with First Citizens since 2019, as well as previous experience with BB&T from 2008 to 2019. Cynthia serves on the Halifax Community College Foundation Board and its Finance Board committee. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to a range of clients including individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and public institutions. The firm offers multi-asset class portfolios implemented through funds, ETFs, and income-oriented strategies, combining fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis, and emphasizes discretionary management with strategic asset allocation and manager research.

William Blackwood is a financial advisor at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, with 18 years of industry experience. He has been with First Citizens Bank and its affiliated entities since 1989, holding roles at First Citizens Investor Services since 2013 and First Citizens Asset Management since 2017. 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 through a multi-team platform of 33 advisors, offering global multi-asset model portfolios with dynamic asset allocation and discretionary management.

Roy Bass is a CFP® with 40 years of experience in the financial industry. He is currently with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC and has held roles at Cic Advisers, LLC, Charitable Management Advisors, Inc., Capital Investment Brokerage, Inc., and Strategic Asset Management Consultants, Inc. He is president and owner of Strategic Asset Management Consultants, Inc. and serves as co-trustee for multiple trusts. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, with ongoing monitoring and quarterly reviews.

Richard Gardner Jr. is a financial advisor at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 designations and has been with Capital Investment Advisory Services since 2013. Gardner is also the owner and Chief Investment Officer of RGA Investments. Capital Investment Advisory Services provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, employing a range of analytical methods and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Matthew Schanz is a CFP® professional with 12 years of experience in financial advising. He is currently with Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company in Raleigh, NC. His prior roles include positions at Avantax Investment Services, HPG Wealthcare Advisors, and 1st Global Advisors. Schanz is also active as a licensed insurance agent, focusing on fixed insurance and annuity sales. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company serves individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm manages approximately $5 billion in client assets and employs a diversified investment approach using both discretionary and non-discretionary management with third-party independent managers and model portfolios.

Benjamin Brooks III is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC and Capital Investment Group, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 34 years of industry experience and has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 2001 and Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC since 2013. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, with ongoing monitoring and a mix of analytical methods.

Christopher Demetropoulos is a financial advisor at Modern Wealth Management, LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked previously at Advisory Services Network, LFM Wealth Management, Team Wealth Investments, and Trillium Asset Management, LLC. He serves on the advisory board for First in Families of North Carolina. Modern Wealth Management, LLC is a multi-team SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $10.9 billion in assets. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and related services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and institutional clients, employing a centralized investment committee and a combination of model portfolios, third-party managers, and tactical adjustments.

Patrick Simpkins is a financial advisor at Arkadios Wealth Advisors with 28 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and has worked at Arkadios since 2019, following eight years at Triad Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the board of 127 Haven, a nonprofit focused on building a school in Uganda. Arkadios Wealth Advisors is an SEC-registered, multi-team firm that serves individuals, trusts, businesses, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers customized investment plans utilizing various portfolio management strategies and combines fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor solutions to client risk profiles.

Tyler Brown is a CFP® with 18 years of industry experience currently serving at RFG Advisory, LLC since 2025. He previously worked at Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C, Fisher Investments, and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC. Brown is the owner and founder of Turnpoint Wealth, a separate advisory and insurance activity. RFG Advisory is a multi-team registered investment adviser with approximately 178 advisors managing about $8 billion for over 17,000 clients, including individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, alternative investments, and annuity management, employing both actively managed and passive strategies with a focus on risk management.