Brian Kurtzer is a financial advisor at Verity Asset Management in Durham, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 21 years of industry experience. He has worked at Verity Asset Management since 2011 and previously at Verity Financial Group starting in 2004. Verity Asset Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser that provides discretionary portfolio management, model portfolio services, retirement-plan advisory, and financial planning to individual, corporate, institutional clients, and other registered investment advisers. The firm employs a model-driven investment process emphasizing tactical asset allocation across multiple asset classes and offers both internally managed and third-party manager models.

Arthur Pittman is a financial advisor at Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company with 21 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at several firms including Avantax Investment Services and HPG Wealthcare Advisors. Pittman is also involved in fixed insurance and annuity sales and provides consulting services through Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LP. 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 employs a diversified investment approach, utilizing third-party managers and technology platforms to support clients and manages approximately $5 billion in assets.

Todd Young is a financial advisor at Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. in Chapel Hill, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at KDI Capital Partners LLC and Echelon Point Advisors, LLC before joining Franklin Street Advisors. 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, guided by a quarterly Investment Policy Committee and a disciplined manager-research process.

Melissa Phillippi is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with 18 years of industry experience. She has worked at Balentine since 2026 and previously was employed at Highspring and Performance Culture/Workdove. Phillippi is based in Raleigh, NC. Balentine serves entrepreneurs, families, high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and institutional clients with wealth management, financial planning, investment management, family office services, and business advisory support. The firm uses a risk-based investment process that incorporates active and passive strategies, third-party managers, and a model-driven Global Tactical Asset Allocation program, while also advising pooled investment vehicles and private funds.

Anisa Barutis is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Prospera Financial Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. She has experience working with Prospera since 2024 and previously worked at McCollum Law, P.C. and Nelson Hall IT Suite. Barutis also has a background that includes employment at NC State University and Prime IV Hydration and Wellness. Prospera Financial Services, Inc. is a multi-team adviser and dually registered broker-dealer that serves individuals, corporate and charitable entities, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $12.4 billion through over 200 advisors and offers investment advisory and financial planning services using a variety of platforms, combining firm models, third-party sub-advisers, and customizable allocations for discretionary or non-discretionary management.

Andrew James is a financial advisor at Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and has six years of industry experience. He has worked at Franklin Street Partners, Inc. since 2002. Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. provides discretionary, customized investment management to high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients such as pension plans and trusts. The firm employs a team-based approach with dedicated equity and fixed income management, offering separately managed accounts and a Fund Advisory Program that uses mutual funds and ETFs.

Sheldon Fox is a CFP® and Series 65 advisor at Curi Capital, LLC with seven years of industry experience. He previously worked at KDI Capital Partners, LLC for 17 years before joining Curi Capital and its affiliated entities. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Executive Director of the Altamira Foundation, a private charitable organization. Curi Capital serves individuals, families, institutions, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations with a range of wealth management, asset management, and retirement plan services. The firm manages approximately $9.83 billion and employs a long-term, fundamental investment approach combining in-house strategies with external managers and proprietary risk analysis tools.

Kristine Carothers is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. She holds a Series 66 designation and has six years of industry experience. Prior to joining First Citizens Asset Management in 2021, she worked with First Citizens Investor Services and First South Financial Services. 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 offers global, multi-asset model portfolios with dynamic asset allocation and ongoing monitoring.

Duncan Gibson is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor at Curi Capital, LLC with 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at SharpVue Capital, LLC and Curi Wealth Management LLC before joining Curi RMB Capital LLC. Outside of finance, he is a member manager of Trash Hounds, LLC, a waste and recycling management business. Curi Capital is an SEC-registered investment adviser with approximately $11.6 billion in regulatory assets under management, serving individuals, employers, institutions, and family offices. The firm employs a long-term, fundamental investment approach combining proprietary strategies, third-party managers, mutual funds, and private funds.

Edward Monaghan is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 28 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and Wells Fargo Clearing before joining Capital Investment Advisory Services and Monaghan Wealth Management in 2017. Outside of advising, he manages agricultural operations through Riverlab Farms, LLC and Kelbo Farms, LLC, and serves as treasurer and secretary for Brentwood Office Park POA. 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, employing a variety of analytical methods and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Martin Hefner is a CFP® with three years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC. He has worked with Members Trust Company since 2023 and has been affiliated with several related entities including SECU Life Insurance Company and SECU Brokerage Services since 2022. Hefner is also an agent with SECU Life Insurance Company and holds a long-term association with State Employees' Credit Union dating back to 2011. 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 focuses on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, fixed-income products, and a goals-based planning approach, with advisory representatives as salaried employees of the parent credit union.

Kimberly Macinnes is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 15 years of industry experience. She has held roles at Members Trust Company, SECU Life Insurance Company, and State Employees' Credit Union alongside her work at Credit Union Investment Services. She is also active as an agent with SECU Life Insurance Company and serves as a trust representative for Members Trust Company. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves North Carolina residents with non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and financial planning focused on long-term, goals-based strategies using primarily low-cost index mutual funds and ETFs. The firm operates within a credit-union ecosystem and emphasizes salaried advisors who do not receive commissions on recommended products.

Katherine Sumner is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with four years of industry experience. She has worked at Abacus Wealth Partners since 2021 and previously gained experience in private family wealth and nonprofit organizations. She has also been involved with Girls Rock NC, Inc. Abacus Wealth Partners serves individuals, families, trusts, charitable organizations, and business entities with financial planning and investment management services. The firm emphasizes a passive, asset-class investment approach, incorporates ESG screening upon request, and sponsors the Align Impact private fund for qualified clients.

Timothy Nugent is a CFP® with 20 years of industry experience currently affiliated with SVB Wealth. He previously worked at First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Investor Services, holding various roles over seven years. SVB Wealth LLC provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The firm employs a documented due diligence process for manager selection and oversight and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company.

Martin Hensley is a financial advisor with Foundations Investment Advisors LLC in Durham, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and 21 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at EQIS Capital Management, Capital Financial Advisory Group, J B Fitz Inc., and Brookstone Capital Management. He also engages in insurance sales through a separate business, Full Court Wealth. Foundations Investment Advisors, LLC serves individual and high-net-worth clients, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and registered investment companies. The firm offers financial planning and portfolio management through a large network of affiliated offices, utilizing a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis with both discretionary and non-discretionary authority assignments.

Edward Secrest is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with over 34 years of industry experience. He is currently with Summit Financial, LLC and has previously worked at Modern Capital Securities, Inc., Liberty Partners Financial Services, and LPL Financial, among others. Outside of advising, he is involved in product development and mentorship for Accessible AI, a firm building CRM solutions for managing 401(k) plans, where he holds an equity stake. Summit Financial, LLC is a multi-team advisory firm serving approximately 17,800 clients with $26.35 billion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of investment advisory and portfolio management programs, combining discretionary management with advisor-led consultative services.

Morgan Gojanovich is a financial advisor at Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 65 designation. He has industry experience beginning in 2025, with prior roles at a family office, Advisory Services Network / Olde Raleigh Financial Group, First Horizon Bank, and American Savings Bank. Guardian Wealth Advisors serves individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities by providing investment advisory, portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses ETFs and mutual funds within a systematic, quantitative framework combining fundamental and technical analysis, and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary management.

Rodger Isom is a CFP® and Series 65 professional with nine years of industry experience. He currently works at Advisors Capital Management, LLC and previously held roles at West Financial Services Inc. and 1st Portfolio Wealth Advisors. Advisors Capital Management serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, employee benefit plans, and the clients of unaffiliated broker-dealers and RIAs. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management through customized private accounts, model strategies, and a self-directed brokerage solution, managing over $8 billion in assets with a combination of top-down and bottom-up investment analysis.

Susan Whitfield is a Certified Financial Planner® with 22 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Raleigh, NC. She has held roles at Cic Advisers, LLC, Capital Investment Group, Inc., and Ballantyne Tax & Finance over the past two decades. Whitfield is the founder and owner of Ballantyne Tax & Financial, where she provides tax and financial planning services. Capital Investment Advisory Services offers portfolio management and supervisory services to individuals, corporations, retirement and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, foundations, and charitable institutions. The firm customizes portfolios to clients’ objectives and risk tolerance, managing the majority of assets on a discretionary basis through various investment strategies.

Jason Knight is a CFP® professional with 27 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Great Valley Advisor Group, LLC in Raleigh, NC. He has worked at Gaines Financial Group and LPL Financial since 2011. Outside of his advisory role, he provides non-variable insurance services including life, health, disability, and long-term care insurance. Great Valley Advisor Group is a multi-team SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, and trusts through personalized portfolio construction, ongoing oversight, and a combination of in-house strategies and third-party platforms. The firm supports a network of approximately 190 advisors and offers a range of investment management and financial planning services.