Michael Sterling is a financial advisor with OSAIC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and possessing 34 years of industry experience. He has previously worked with FSC Securities Corporation for 31 years and has been a partner at Banyan, Rock and Talent Insurance Agency since 1995. Outside of advising, he is involved in managing a partnership and serves as president/CEO of his financial planning firm. OSAIC Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and charitable investors. The firm provides integrated brokerage and advisory services, using asset-allocation tools and multiple investment platforms to tailor portfolios across various asset classes.

Zachary Merritt is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. He has previously worked at several financial firms including Lincoln Financial Securities, Bank of America, and Merrill Lynch. Outside of his advisory role, Merritt assists with family business consulting and serves as a Notary Public. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management services to individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a range of advisory models and third-party asset managers to deliver tailored investment solutions.

Alexanderia Moore is a financial advisor with Merrill holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. She has previously worked at Western Carolina University and Bank of America. Moore has created a business entity named Great Moorening LLC, but it is currently inactive. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations with model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Ryder Seiz is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Equitable Advisors in 2023, his work history includes roles at DoorDash and UNC Aquatics. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The firm utilizes a range of advisory models implemented by third-party sponsors and offers access to mutual funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts, and select alternative investments.

Maria Williams is a CFP® professional with 17 years of industry experience. She has worked at Edward Jones since 2021 and previously held positions at Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors and Fidelity Investments. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Matthew Szymanski is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since beginning his career at Merrill Lynch in 2003, he has provided traditional financial advice and guidance as well as built and managed custom investment strategies. His approach includes selecting from a wide range of Merrill model portfolios and third-party investment options, with the ability to manage strategies on a discretionary basis for clients participating in the firm's Investment Advisory Program. Matthew holds several professional designations, including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Vanderbilt University and completed his secondary education at St Joseph's Collegiate Institute. Matthew, along with his wife Emily and their son Barrett, reside in downtown Raleigh and are actively involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2023, Matthew was named to Forbes' "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list, a recognition developed by SHOOK Research based on factors such as industry experience, credentials, client retention, and firm nominations.

Andrew Blanchard is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Raleigh, NC, with two years of industry experience. Prior to his financial advisory role, he served nine years in the U.S. Air Force and was a homemaker for five years. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved as an actor represented by a talent agency and serves as a board member for the Apex Public School Foundation. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering comprehensive financial planning focused on goals such as retirement, tax, estate, and special needs planning. The firm combines planning with managed-account programs under consolidated billing while maintaining separate planning and investment services.

Melinda Poulton is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with four years of industry experience. She has worked at Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management since 2022. Outside of her advisory role, she acts as a brand ambassador for nutritional supplements and wellness products in a limited capacity. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on holistic, goal-based analyses across various financial planning topics. The firm offers a planning service separate from portfolio management and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account programs under consolidated billing.

Anna Hartwell is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Sagepoint Financial, Inc. and Pruco Securities LLC. In addition to her advisory role, Hartwell serves as a House Director at NC State University, managing residential student housing. OSAIC serves a broad range of clients, including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering integrated brokerage, advisory services, and access to multiple investment platforms. The firm utilizes asset-allocation tools and risk-tolerance assessments to construct diversified portfolios that incorporate various asset classes and provide discretionary and non-discretionary management options.

Mauriel Vega is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 66 and Series 63 credentials and 14 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cambridge in 2021, Vega worked at BridgeLight Financial Advisors from 2015 to 2021. Outside of advisory work, Vega is involved in retail sales and distribution through CAFE REBELDE and operates as an independent insurance agent. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is an SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, retirement plan advisory, and financial-wellness services through a network of independent financial professionals, utilizing a range of portfolio management strategies and platform arrangements.

Daniel Griffith is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and based in Raleigh, NC. He has been with LPL Financial since 2026 and previously held roles at Osaic, Samaritan's Purse, and Liberty University, among others. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a broad range of investment options and utilizes various operational and research tools to support its network of over 22,800 advisors managing more than $819 billion in discretionary assets.

Kent Thompson is a financial advisor at OSAIC based in Raleigh, NC, with 40 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at OSAIC since 2018, following five years at Jhfn Sii. Thompson serves as secretary on the board of the Wake County Estate Planning Council, a charitable organization. OSAIC serves a broad mix of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisors and offers integrated brokerage and investment advisory services, financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to third-party money managers and wrap programs. The firm uses asset-allocation tools, risk-tolerance questionnaires, and automated rebalancing to construct diversified portfolios, and supports a wide range of account types and investment strategies.

Crystal Dempsey is a CFP® and Series 66 licensed financial advisor with 14 years of experience, currently practicing at Edward Jones in Garner, NC since 2012. She has been with Edward Jones throughout her advisory career. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and supports a large national network of advisors and branch offices.

Shawn Ingram is a Planning Consultant who assists clients in achieving their financial goals by collaborating with them to create actionable and accessible financial plans. He currently works at Fidelity Investments, where he has held several roles since 2023. His positions have included Investment Solutions Representative, High Net Worth Associate, and Customer Relationship Advocate, reflecting his experience in various aspects of client relationship management and investment solutions within the firm.

Parker Tanner is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Equitable Advisors in 2025, he worked at Lowe's Home Improvement in various roles. Equitable Advisors serves individuals across wealth levels, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients by providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management programs. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and offers a range of third-party advisory models, focusing on personalized risk assessment and matching clients to suitable investment solutions.

Joshua De Leon is an International Wealth Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides wealth management strategies to individuals, families, and businesses, focusing on legacy planning and addressing the complexities of the global financial environment. Joshua works to develop comprehensive strategies aligned with clients’ short- and long-term financial objectives. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. Joshua is fluent in English and Spanish and holds professional designations including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Through his role, he leverages the investment resources of Merrill and the banking capabilities of Bank of America to help clients manage various aspects of their financial futures.

Philip Nation is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC. He holds CFP® and ChFC® designations and has 39 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2024, he worked for Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. for 19 years. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, with advice delivered primarily by investment adviser representatives who use a range of discretionary and non-discretionary strategies.

Andrew Rose is a CFP® with 18 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at OSAIC since 2018. His prior experience includes roles at SII and multiple divisions of Northwestern Mutual from 2007 to 2017. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as Vice President of a homeowners association and is involved with several insurance brokerage activities. OSAIC Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory services and uses various tools and third-party platforms to construct and manage portfolios tailored to clients’ needs.

Rushil Patel is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC. He holds the Series 66 designation and has experience working at firms including Northern Trust, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and AXA Advisors. Patel is also involved with Peak Shift Holdings, LLC. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management services to a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a range of advisory programs and third-party managers to tailor investment solutions based on client risk tolerance and objectives.

Calvin Dunham is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with Series 66 registration and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Equitable Advisors, he held various roles in the food service industry and worked at East Carolina University. Equitable Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations with financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management programs. The firm utilizes a range of advisory models and third-party managers to deliver customized investment solutions.