Gavin Speck is a financial advisor at SEIA with a Series 66 credential and has recently begun his career in the industry. His work history includes positions at SES LLC and SEIA LLC since 2024, following his time as a student. SEIA serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, retirement plans, and institutional and charitable entities through a multi-team advisory platform with approximately 140 advisors. The firm’s investment approach blends strategic macro asset allocation with tactical adjustments, supported by both discretionary and non-discretionary management, and offers a range of financial planning and consulting services.

Trevor Nace is a financial advisor at SageSpring Wealth Partners in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 65 designation. Although new to the financial advisory industry, he has prior experience with firms such as Collector's Edge Minerals, Science Trends LLC, Forbes Media LLC, and Shell Exploration & Production Company. He has been involved with Science Trends LLC since 2019. SageSpring Wealth Partners manages approximately $8.5 billion for over 11,500 clients, serving a wide range of individual and institutional clients. The firm offers customized portfolios using fundamental and technical analysis, and provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and third-party manager oversight.

Phillip Neuhart is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 19 years of industry experience. He has been with First Citizens Asset Management since 2017 and also maintains roles with First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Investor Services. In addition to his advisory duties, he serves as a Portfolio Strategist for Institutional Business within his firm. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to a range of clients including individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, and municipalities. The firm offers global multi-asset class model portfolios through various implementation frameworks, combining fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis with strategic asset allocation and ongoing risk management.

Charles Mahaffey is a financial advisor at Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Franklin Street Advisors since 2010. Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. provides discretionary investment management and advisory services to a range of clients including individuals, pooled investment vehicles, pensions, trusts, non-profits, and governmental entities. The firm employs an open-architecture approach that combines in-house management with external managers, guided by a quarterly Investment Policy Committee and a disciplined manager-research process.

Evan Lockwood is a financial advisor with Arkadios Wealth Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and three years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he served in the Army National Guard for 11 years and worked with the Baltimore City Police Department. Outside of advising, he leads the tax division at Proximity Financial Partners and Proximity Tax Strategies, providing tax planning and preparation services. Arkadios Wealth Advisors offers investment and wealth management services to individuals, trusts, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs a combination of advisor-managed accounts, third-party money managers, and an internal portfolio team that supports discretionary account management through fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis.

Matthew Vaughan is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 19 years of industry experience. He has worked at Capital Investment Advisory Services and Capital Investment Brokerage since 2020, and previously was with Acorn Financial Advisory Services and The Strategic Financial Alliance from 2015 to 2020. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in fixed insurance sales as an agent. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers personalized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, or centrally managed private-label model portfolios, utilizing a mix of analytical methods and ongoing portfolio reviews.

Adam Buchanan is a financial advisor with Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Avantax Advisory Services, HPG Wealthcare Advisors, and 1st Global Advisors. He is a partner at EisnerAmper, focusing on tax and accounting. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company serves individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and diversification, using both discretionary and non-discretionary management strategies supported by third-party independent managers and technology platforms.

Ahmad Quqa is a financial advisor with RFG Advisory, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones for seven years and FA Invest for four years. He is also the founder and owner of Crescent Private Wealth and serves as an agent for Financial Independence Group, LLC. RFG Advisory is a multi-team registered investment adviser with approximately 178 advisors managing around $8 billion for over 17,000 clients, including individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm employs a combination of actively managed and passive ETF/mutual fund models, direct indexing, and tax-aware strategies with a focus on risk management.

Charles Mc Callum III is a CFP® with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. He previously held roles at Truist Advisory Services, Truist Investment Services, BB&T Securities, and SunTrust. He serves on the boards of SVB Wealth and First Citizens Asset Management. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, municipalities, and institutions, offering a range of multi-asset class portfolios monitored regularly by its board.

Robert Oakes is a financial advisor with Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company in Raleigh, NC. He holds the CFP® and PFS™ designations and has nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Avantax Investment Services and Hughes, Pittman & Gupton, LLP. He serves on the boards of Johnston Health and UNC Rex Healthcare. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company advises individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and diversification, managing approximately $5 billion in client assets through a multi-team approach.

Timothy Naylor is a financial advisor at Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Avantax Advisory Services and 1ST Global Capital Corp. Outside of advisory work, he is a partner at EisnerAmper, focusing on tax and accounting services. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company serves individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, providing financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and diversification, using both discretionary and non-discretionary management with third-party independent managers and model portfolios.

Brent Ciliano is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. He holds the CFA® designation and Series 66 license and has 26 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers LP and Congress Capital Partners, LLP, and he currently serves on the board of directors at First Citizens Asset Management. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and public entities. The firm constructs global multi-asset class model portfolios using fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis, with investment management generally offered on a discretionary basis.

Francis Thomas is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 26 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Rising Tide, Inc. and Capital Investment Group, Inc., alongside operating his own insurance agency, F. Michael Thomas & Associates, since 1985. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC offers investment advisory and supervisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an individualized process and a range of analytical methods to manage portfolios through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, or private-label model portfolios.

Jonathan Denton is a financial advisor at Strategic Blueprint, LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Cornerstone Wealth Management and The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. since 2014. Strategic Blueprint, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm delivers customized, goal-based strategies through asset allocation, portfolio design, and manager selection, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary management along with financial planning and educational programs.

Jason Shutts is a financial advisor with The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining The Strategic Financial Alliance, he worked at Bowers Private Wealth Management. Outside of advising, he is involved in providing tax preparation and filing services for family and a small group of friends and supports remote tax and tech assistance for TurboTax users through a business process outsourcing role. The Strategic Financial Alliance serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business clients. The firm offers portfolio management, third-party manager selection, financial planning, and consulting, implementing customized strategies through various programs and co-advisory relationships.

Benjamin Ingram is a financial advisor at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked previously at LPL Financial and Cuna Mutual Group. 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 on a discretionary basis through a multi‑team platform and constructs global, multi‑asset model portfolios using a combination of quantitative and qualitative criteria.

David Wahlen is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 11 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, CapFinancial Partners LLC (CAPTRUST), CapFinancial Securities LLC, and Hatteras Funds. He also serves as an expert consultant for several third-party research firms, providing insights on the competitive landscape and trends in the RIA industry. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 260 advisors serving around 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth management services and employs a long-term, diversified investment approach supported by an internal Investment Management team and committee.

Thomas Corenevsky is a financial advisor at Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC with 33 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses. Prior to joining Wealthcare Advisory Partners in 2021, he worked at LPL Financial for 18 years. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC manages approximately $6 billion in client assets through a team of over 150 advisors, serving individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm combines a goals-based, client-centered planning process with an evidence-based investment framework that includes proprietary quantitative measures and access to alternative and private placement investments.

Evan Kramlich is a financial advisor at Redhawk Wealth Advisors, Inc. in Cary, NC, with 14 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 credential and previously worked for Axa Advisors, LLC from 2011 to 2017. Outside of advisory work, he is also licensed as an insurance agent with various carriers. Redhawk Wealth Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth families, estates, trusts, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a strategic and tactical asset allocation approach across multiple asset classes and supports multi-generational wealth needs, separately managed accounts, and educational seminars.

Lawrence Mcmanus Jr. is a CFP® professional with 22 years of industry experience, currently serving at Modern Wealth Management, LLC since 2024. His prior roles include positions at Advisory Services Network, LLC and Team Wealth Planning and Management, Inc. He serves as treasurer and finance chair on the board of directors for Carol Woods Retirement Community and holds board roles with County Hall Insurance Company. Modern Wealth Management provides investment advisory and integrated planning services to individuals, trusts, pension and retirement plans, charitable organizations, broker-dealers, and corporations. The firm employs a centralized portfolio management model supported by an Investment Committee and offers a range of services including discretionary investment management, modular financial planning, tax and estate planning, and ERISA plan services.