Eugene Thompson IV is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Capital Investment Advisory Services and its affiliate Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 2014. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of services including separately managed accounts, referrals to third-party managers, private-label model portfolios, and financial planning, with an individualized investment process and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

George Hicks is a CFP® with 40 years of industry experience, currently serving at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Raleigh, NC. He has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 1992 and Financial Resource Management, Inc. since 1987. Outside of his advisory work, he is the author of a book titled *In His Grip*, which he has been involved with since 2014. 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 conducting at least quarterly reviews.

James Sloop is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Founders Financial Alliance since 2015 and also maintains an affiliation with LPL Financial since 2014. Outside of his advisory work, he creates content focused on electronic entertainment for platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs an evidence-based investment process using ETFs, third-party managers, and regular portfolio monitoring, and offers a flat-fee family-office style program that integrates multiple advisory services.

Thaddeus Yasunaga is a CFA® charterholder with 10 years of industry experience. He currently works at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc., having joined the firm and its affiliated First Citizens Bank in 2024. His prior experience includes roles at PNC Bank and Busey Capital Management, Inc., where he worked for a decade. First Citizens Asset Management provides investment advisory and sub-advisory services to individuals, trusts, corporations, institutional accounts, and municipal entities. The firm manages multi-asset global portfolios using a combination of quantitative and qualitative criteria, serving clients through a platform of 33 advisors.

Christy Phillips Strigel is a financial advisor with Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 16 years of industry experience. She has been with Franklin Street Advisors since 2013. Outside of her advisory role, she is a partner and officer in two non-investment businesses involved in the importation and sales of European sport horses and equestrian activities, though she does not have active management responsibilities in these ventures. 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 combining in-house and external managers, guided by a quarterly Investment Policy Committee, and offers strategic asset allocation models as well as bespoke mandates.

Ralph Powell is a financial advisor with Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has worked at Vanderbilt Financial Group and previously spent over two decades at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as an advisor for Atmos Aviation, LLC. Consolidated Portfolio Review serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering managed accounts, model portfolios, financial planning, and access to third-party advisors. The firm’s approach combines strategic asset allocation with fundamental and technical analysis, supporting both in-house and independent advisor-managed portfolios.

Marshall Brannock is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently a financial advisor at Balentine since 2021. He previously worked at The Vanguard Group for six years and was self-employed for one year in 2018. Balentine serves entrepreneurs, families, high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and institutional clients, offering comprehensive wealth management, financial planning, investment management, and business advisory services. The firm’s investment approach is risk-based, combines active and passive strategies, and includes a model-driven Global Tactical Asset Allocation program for institutional mandates.

Colton Neighbors is a financial advisor with New Edge Wealth in Durham, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. He has two years of industry experience and has worked at firms including Fidelity Investments and Northwestern Mutual. New Edge Wealth primarily serves ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as family offices, foundations, and institutional clients. The firm focuses on asset allocation and investor behavior, offering diversified portfolio management and advisory services enhanced by AI-assisted analytics combined with adviser judgment.

Matthew West is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. He has worked at Capital Investment Advisory Services and affiliated firms since 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a financial analyst in ventures and acquisitions for Liberty Senior Living and manages a consulting firm focused on finance and real estate projects. 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, using a variety of analytical methods and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Kyle Marks is a financial advisor with Advisory Solutions Group and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 15 years of industry experience, including roles at Secu Life Insurance Company, Members Trust Company, and Credit Union Investment Services. He is also affiliated with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services. Advisory Solutions Group, operating as FocusPoint Solutions, serves retail clients through a network of Investment Advisor Representatives and provides turnkey business and back-office services to other RIAs. The firm uses a mix of quantitative, momentum, and fundamental analysis to construct diversified portfolios and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies with periodic rebalancing and client reviews.

Jeffrey Link is a financial advisor with Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 24 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Aptus Capital Advisors, LLC and Gordon Asset Management, LLC. He is also the author of the book *Protecting the Pig*. Guardian Wealth Advisors provides investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, retirement plans, and institutional clients, employing a systematic investment approach that incorporates mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, options, and equities.

Kimberlee Sipe is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC and holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. She has 20 years of industry experience and has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 2009. She is also the owner of Insight Investment Planning, Inc., an investment and insurance business. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides 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.

Peter Klas is a financial advisor with Verity Asset Management in Durham, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Verity Investments, Inc. and Verity Asset Management, Inc. for over a decade. Outside of his advisory role, he is also an insurance agent operating independently through Verity Financial Group, Inc. Verity Asset Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser offering discretionary portfolio management, model portfolio services, retirement-plan advisory, and financial planning to individual, corporate, institutional clients, and other advisers. The firm employs a model-driven investment process focused on tactical asset allocation across diverse asset classes and manages both internally developed and third-party models while operating under fiduciary and ERISA standards.

Christopher Langlois is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Raleigh, NC. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has five years of industry experience, including four years at Fidelity Investments. Prior to his advisory career, he held positions in the healthcare and retail sectors. 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 typically managed on a discretionary basis, utilizing fundamental, technical, and charting methods across various asset classes.

Craig Letendre is a CFA® charterholder with 10 years of industry experience. He is an Institutional Portfolio Strategist at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc., where he has worked since 2019. Prior to that, he held roles at Parametric Portfolio Associates and Eaton Vance Management. 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 using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods.

Bryan Persak is a financial advisor with Accelerate Retirement in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes 18 years at Principal Securities and concurrent roles at Alkeme Financial Services, LLC and Accelerate Retirement since 2026. Accelerate Investment Advisors LLC serves individuals, trusts, corporations, and retirement plans with discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a primarily long-term allocation strategy with customized portfolios and provides comprehensive retirement services including plan design, participant education, and fiduciary oversight.

Lawrence Hamilton is a CFP® and PFS™ credentialed financial advisor with 24 years of industry experience. He is currently with Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company in Raleigh, NC, where he has worked since 2024. His prior experience includes long tenures with Hpg Wealthcare Advisors, Avantax Investment Services, and 1st Global Advisors. Hamilton is also a partner at EisnerAmper, specializing in tax and accounting services. Prosperity - An EisnerAmper Company serves individuals, trustees, estates, retirement plans, and business entities by providing financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and diversification, utilizing third-party managers and technology platforms to support client services.

Matthew Inman is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with 10 years of industry experience. He has been with Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. since 2016. Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. provides discretionary, customized investment management to high‑net‑worth individuals and institutional clients, including pension plans and trusts. The firm employs a team-based manager research process and offers tailored mandates across equity and fixed income strategies, combining internal portfolio teams with access to third-party managers.

Justin Marcinkiewicz is a CFA® charterholder with over a year of experience in the financial industry. He currently works at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc., where he has been since 2024, and has been affiliated with First Citizens Bank since 2014. First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. 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 and constructs global, multi-asset model portfolios using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research.

Tommy Porter is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Founders Financial Alliance and LPL Financial LLC since 2014. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs an evidence-based investment process that customizes portfolios to client goals using ETFs, third-party managers, and ongoing monitoring, and offers a family-office style program under a flat fee arrangement.