Andrew Smith is a CFP® with 26 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently a managing partner at Cornerstone Wealth Group, LLC, where he has worked since 2018. His prior experience includes roles at Mutual Securities, Inc., Cornerstone Financial Advisors, and LPL Financial. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, employer plan sponsors, other advisers, and corporations. The firm employs model-based portfolios with a range of investment vehicles and provides comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related services.

Sara Milam is a Series 65 licensed financial advisor with three years of industry experience, currently with AlphaStar Capital Management. Her prior work includes roles at Financial Independence Group, Ann Taylor LOFT, and Target Corporation. She is also a licensed insurance agent. AlphaStar Capital Management is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $1.84 billion for a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and pension plans. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and subadvisory services, utilizing both predefined model portfolios and custom strategies based on quantitative analysis and tactical asset allocation.

Rebecca Hoover is a financial advisor with Waverly Advisors, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 designation and seven years of industry experience. She previously worked at McShane Partners for five years and KPMG for five years. In addition to her advisory role, she serves as president of Windsor Partners, LLC, a consulting business focused on financial matters. Waverly Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser that manages portfolios for individuals, retirement plans, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm integrates traditional equity and fixed-income strategies with alternative and private-market allocations, offering a range of investment management and financial planning services.

Natalia Ruiz is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services in Dallas, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having nine years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing Services and Wells Fargo Bank. She currently serves as a retirement consultant, providing one-on-one investment advice to Principal retirement plan participants. Principal Advised Services offers investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, combining third-party tools and proprietary models to deliver both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary investment management program called SimpleInvest. The firm is part of the Principal Financial Group family, integrating affiliated products and services with robust governance and supervision.

Jeffrey Chapman is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials with 24 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at BB&T Investment Management and Sterling Capital Management. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and governmental entities. The firm offers global multi-asset class portfolios using a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis within discretionary management frameworks.

David Lentz is a financial advisor with SVB Wealth in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 24 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Merrill and First Citizens Investor Services and Asset Management. SVB Wealth LLC provides wealth management, portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and corporate and pension clients. The firm utilizes a due diligence process to select third-party managers and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary account management, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company.

Claude Corbett is a financial advisor with Royal Fund Management, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Royal Fund Management since 2020 and previously spent four years at Horter Investment Management and ten years at Corbett Insurance Services. Outside of advising, he is an independent insurance agent with I65PLUS, where he assists clients in meeting their health, life, disability, long-term care, and annuity insurance needs. Royal Fund Management serves individuals, corporations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations by providing portfolio management, financial planning, and pension consulting. The firm employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis across a range of investment strategies and offers specialized services including participant account management and access to select non-traded REITs and an options-writing overlay.

Russell Cearley is a CFA® charterholder with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at SignatureFD, LLC in Charlotte, NC. He has been with SignatureFD since 2010. SignatureFD provides wealth management services to individuals, business entities, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm manages client portfolios primarily on a discretionary basis using mutual funds, ETFs, and independent managers, complemented by ongoing financial planning and periodic reviews.

Ciji Fisher is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. Her work history includes multiple roles within the First Citizens organization since 2007. She serves on the Cabarrus County Hospice Advisory Board, contributing to nonprofit efforts supporting people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment services to individuals, institutions, and municipalities, utilizing a global multi-asset class approach that incorporates fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis. The firm emphasizes discretionary management with a focus on strategic asset allocation, manager research, and portfolio risk control.

Scott Cislo is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor at Mariner Independent with three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC and TIAA, with a career break between 2020 and 2024. Mariner Independent provides investment advisory, financial planning, and consulting services to a diverse client base, including individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm’s platform offers portfolio management, model portfolios, and third-party manager access, with notable integration of institutional and retirement plan resources through affiliated entities.

Kathleen Kowkabany is a financial advisor at Cary Street Partners with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at several firms including Merrill and Rhodes Branding. Cary Street Partners provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm constructs portfolios using a diverse range of investment options and serves specialized institutional niches such as state and municipal government entities and insurance company clients.

Alex Joseph is a financial advisor at Principal Advised Services in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 credential with one year of industry experience. He also serves as a retirement consultant and assistant vice president focused on advice, education, and sales within the Principal Financial Group. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary, wrap-fee investment management program called SimpleInvest. The firm integrates proprietary models with third-party methodologies and operates within the broader Principal Financial Group, leveraging affiliated entities to deliver its services.

Todd Rowe is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience. He currently works at Compound Planning, Inc., where he has been since 2024. Prior to that, he held roles at Choreo, LLC and RSM US Wealth Management LLC. Compound Planning serves individuals, families, businesses, retirement plans, and financial intermediaries, offering discretionary portfolio management, turnkey asset management, financial planning, and institutional retirement-plan services. The firm uses a fiduciary, goals-based investment process with a range of strategies including direct indexing, tax-loss harvesting, and alternative investments, supported by technology partnerships and automated monitoring.

Heather Hammonds is a financial advisor at Cape Investment Advisory, Inc. with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 credential and has worked with firms including American Global Wealth Management and John Tonissen. Outside of finance, she is an owner and member manager of Spot On Roofing & Solar LLC, where she manages the company's bookkeeping. Cape Investment Advisory provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, trusts, corporations, and qualified plans. The firm supports approximately 1,624 clients through a network of about 40 advisors and employs a model that allows advisors flexibility in tailoring asset allocation and portfolio construction using fundamental, technical, and macroeconomic analysis.

Benjamin Mc Donald is a financial advisor at Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC with 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones for six years and BGW Wealth Advisors, LLC for two years before joining Kestra in 2023. Outside of advisory work, he is the owner of a coffee shop business, Daily Ritual Coffee LLC. Kestra Private Wealth Services provides investment advisory services through a network of independent advisors and multi-advisor teams, managing approximately $13.45 billion in client assets. The firm serves individual and institutional clients with access to a broad range of investment products and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary advisory arrangements.

Monica Hamilton is a financial advisor at Choreo, LLC with six years of industry experience. She holds the PFS™ designation and previously worked at GreerWalker Wealth Management LLC from 2015 to 2023. Choreo provides investment and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, family offices, endowments, foundations, and corporate clients. The firm employs a strategic asset allocation process with diversified model portfolios managed by a centralized team and overseen by an Investment Committee.

Raymond Morrill is a CFP® with 13 years of industry experience and is currently affiliated with Choreo, LLC in Charlotte, NC. His prior roles include positions at RSM US Wealth Management LLC, Argosy Wealth Management, and CETERA Advisor Networks LLC. Choreo, LLC serves a diverse clientele ranging from individual investors to institutional clients, offering a range of advisory services including portfolio management, financial planning, and outsourced CIO services. The firm employs a strategic asset allocation process combined with quantitative screening and due diligence to manage portfolios through various investment vehicles and specialized advisory services.

Wendell Estep is a financial advisor at SignatureFD, LLC with 5 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® designation and Series 66 license. His prior experience includes roles at Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, The Ayco Company, L.P./Mercer Allied, and The Citadel. SignatureFD serves individuals, business entities, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, retirement plans, and pooled investment vehicle investors. The firm offers discretionary wealth management, financial planning, retirement plan management, and advisory services for private investment funds, implementing diversified, long-term asset allocation strategies.

Patrick Hawkins is a financial advisor at Cornerstone Wealth with two years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Oakwood Capital Securities, 49 Wealth Management, and Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments. Hawkins is also associated with the Financial Independence Group, where he serves as a fiduciary financial professional. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, employer plan sponsors, other advisers, and corporations. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related services, using model-based portfolios with ETFs, mutual funds, individual securities, and alternative investments when appropriate.

Carmen Maria Andrews is a financial advisor with Great Valley Advisor Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 23 years of industry experience. She has previously worked at Sharp Advisors and Merit Financial Group, LLC, and has been affiliated with LPL Financial since 2010. Great Valley Advisor Group is an SEC-registered, multi-team investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and other entities. The firm offers personalized portfolio construction and ongoing oversight through a combination of in-house strategies and third-party managers, with a network of approximately 190 advisors.