Lori Tamayo is a CFP® professional with 19 years of experience in the financial industry. She currently serves as an advisor at Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC and previously held roles at Truist Advisory Services and BB&T in various capacities. Outside of her advisory work, she is a majority owner of a small business that provides handyman and sanitation services. Gratus Wealth Advisors manages over $822 million in discretionary assets, serving individuals, nonprofits, corporations, and retirement plan sponsors. The firm uses a combination of fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory to manage individualized portfolios with regular reviews and rebalancing.

Mason & Associates is an independent, fee-only financial planning firm located in Newport News, Virginia. We provide ongoing comprehensive financial planning and tax planning advice to clients locally and throughout the United States. Our financial advisors specialize in providing financial planning advice to federal employees who are covered by the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) and Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). The financial planning team helps federal employees maximize federal benefits and provides guidance in all areas of financial planning such as retirement planning, tax planning, and estate planning. Not a federal employee? No problem! We serve a variety of clients who have no ties to the federal government other than the taxes they pay. Our financial planning process and client experience allows us to serve families who are already retired or actively working. John leads Mason & Associates as President and Senior Financial Planner, bringing over 15 years of specialized expertise in federal employee financial planning. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ since 2012, John has built a reputation for delivering comprehensive, client-centered guidance across tax, retirement, and estate planning. John earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin School of Business, where he also completed his CFP® education requirement. He is an Investment Advisor Representative and maintains a Virginia Life and Health Consultant License. John is a member of the following professional organizations: •National Association of Personal Financial Advisors •XY Planning Network •Financial Planning Association As co-host of the Federal Employee Financial Planning Podcast, John has become a recognized voice in the federal benefits space. He is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and educational events for federal employees, and his insights have been featured in leading publications. Outside the office, John and his wife, Sara, both Virginia Tech graduates, enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and exploring the outdoors in their camper. They’re proud parents to a young son who’s best friends with their golden retriever, Penny.

Michael Mason is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) with 39 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has been with Mason & Associates, LLC since 2010 and previously worked at Centaurus Financial, Inc. for 17 years. Mason leads a team of seven advisors based in Newport News, VA. Mason & Associates, LLC provides investment management and ongoing financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and trusts. The firm utilizes diversified, risk-based model portfolios primarily through mutual funds and ETFs, often collaborating with independent sub-advisers for portfolio management while retaining oversight. They also offer standalone services such as divorce planning, tax preparation facilitation, and educational seminars, including topics on federal employee retirement benefits.

Katherine Brown is a CFP® with 21 years of experience in financial advising. She currently works at Joss Brown Wealth Advisors, where she has been with the firm since 2020, following 15 years operating her own advisory firm. Outside of her advisory role, she is a 50% owner of Maison Brune Investments, LLC, a real estate investment business she manages with her spouse. Joss Brown Wealth Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth households, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, investment management, and non-investment consulting on a fee-only basis. The firm manages approximately $162 million in regulatory assets and offers a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary services through multiple platforms and third-party managers.

Tommy is a graduate of Virginia Tech’s Pamplin School of Business, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business as a Finance major and completed the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) education requirement. While pursuing his Bachelor’s degree, Tommy observed that taxation was integral in financial planning and decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Accounting at Virginia Tech with a focus in taxation. Tommy is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He also holds the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), as well as the Series 65 and the Virginia Life and Health Consultant Licenses. Tommy joined Mason & Associates in 2019 as a Senior Financial Planner, and earned a partnership position in 2020. Prior to joining Mason & Associates, Tommy was a Senior Financial Planner at a respected financial planning firm in Richmond, VA, and also has experience with a “Big 4” public accounting firm. Tommy’s primary responsibilities consist of working directly with Mason & Associates clients in all aspects of their financial plan, with a particular emphasis on the subjects of tax, retirement, and estate planning. Tommy a co-host of the Federal Employee Financial Planning Podcast. Tommy’s memberships and designations include: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Life and Health Insurance Consultant License in Virginia Chairman and Past President of the Central Virginia Financial Planning Association (FPA) chapter Recognized by the Virginia Society of CPA’s as a Top 5 under 35 in 2018 Recognized by Investment News as 40 under 40 in 2018 Received 2017 Standing Ovation Award in Personal Financial Planning from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Cheri Poston is a financial advisor at Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC with 16 years of industry experience. She holds the CFP® and Series 66 designations. Her prior roles include positions at CPA Investment Advisors and NewEdge Advisors, LLC. Gratus Wealth Advisors manages discretionary assets for individuals, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and retirement plan sponsors. The firm employs fundamental analysis and elements of modern portfolio theory to manage individualized accounts using both long- and short-term strategies.

Cline Reasor is a CFP® and Series 66-licensed financial advisor with over 21 years of industry experience. He currently serves at Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC and previously held roles at PKS Investments, NewEdge Advisors, and Truist Advisory Services. Reasor is a board member and finance committee participant for FORKids, Inc., a nonprofit focused on ending homelessness for children and families in the Hampton Roads area. Gratus Wealth Advisors manages discretionary assets for individuals, nonprofits, corporations, and retirement plan sponsors, employing both long- and short-term strategies grounded in fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory services, and manages both wrap and non-wrap accounts.

Benjamin Raikes is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience. He is currently with Mason & Associates, LLC, where he has worked since 2022, following six years at Verus Financial Partners, Inc. Mason & Associates, LLC provides investment management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and trusts. The firm employs diversified, risk-based model portfolios primarily through mutual funds and ETFs and offers educational seminars, including topics on federal employee retirement benefits.

Dorothy Mannix is a financial advisor with Gratus Wealth Advisors LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 36 years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at PKS Investments, Cavalier Wealth Partners, NewEdge Advisors, and Scott & Stringfellow. She serves as a managing partner at multiple firms, including Gratus Wealth Advisors and Cavalier Wealth Partners. Gratus Wealth Advisors manages over $822 million in discretionary assets and serves individuals, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and retirement plan sponsors. The firm employs fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory in managing individualized accounts and offers a range of services including asset management, financial planning, ongoing consulting, and retirement plan advisory.

Josef Mehall is a financial advisor with Advisory Alpha, LLC, holding a Series 65 credential and no prior industry experience. He has entrepreneurial experience through his ownership of Ideas by Mike LLC, a firm providing financial services, consulting, and education, as well as Mehall Financial LLC, which focuses on fixed insurance product sales. Advisory Alpha serves a diverse retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and specialty solutions such as retirement plan services and donor-advised funds. The firm also provides subadvisory and co-advisory services to other registered investment advisors and manages a broad range of managed portfolio series using a primarily fund-of-funds approach.

Charles Jenks Jr. is a CFP® and ChFC® with 40 years of industry experience. He has been with Financial Security Advisory Inc since 1997. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as Vice President of Financial Security Group, Inc., where he is involved in life and health insurance sales and financial planning. Financial Security Advisory, Inc. provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, and employer-sponsored plans. The firm focuses on asset allocation and long-term holdings, utilizing quantitative and qualitative analysis to select investments.

Scott Schuett is a financial advisor at Impact Partnership Wealth, LLC with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has previously operated his own advisory business. Outside of his advisory work, Schuett is an owner and agent involved in insurance sales. Impact Partnership Wealth provides investment management, model-portfolio implementation, financial planning, and ERISA retirement-plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and business entities. The firm utilizes a combination of third-party strategists, adviser-managed models, and direct indexing within a discretionary trading framework supported by a third-party services platform.

David Stockmeier is a financial advisor at The Ascent Group, LLC with 34 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Osaic Wealth, Inc. and Triad Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a trustee for the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation and New Dominion Pictures, a cable television production and distribution company. The Ascent Group is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $4.93 billion and serves over 3,500 clients through a small team of four advisors. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and subadvisory services, utilizing a range of investment vehicles and specialized solutions.

Laura Gwathmey is a financial advisor at Prospera Financial Services, Inc. with seven years of industry experience. She holds the CFP® designation and Series 66 license. Gwathmey has been affiliated with Dominion Capital Partners since 2015, where she serves as an owner and advisor. Prospera Financial Services is a multi-team advisory firm with 271 advisors overseeing approximately $14.4 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities through financial planning, portfolio management, and access to various advisory programs and third-party platforms.

Pamela Mcwhorter is a financial advisor with NFSG Corporation, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and over 42 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Newbridge Securities Corp, Edward Jones, and Wells Fargo Advisors. She serves on the advisory board of the Virginia Medical Freedom Alliance, which focuses on medical legislation affecting children and young adults. NFSG Corporation provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, utilizing a variety of investment instruments and employing internal portfolio management alongside third-party asset manager arrangements.

B. Wistar Morris III is a financial advisor at Brown Advisory with 18 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Brown Advisory since 2018, as well as Signature Financial Management, Inc. since 2007. Brown Advisory provides investment and wealth-management services primarily to high-net-worth families, family offices, and select charitable trusts and foundations. The firm employs a long-term, full-market-cycle investment approach with diversified allocations, valuation discipline, and a combination of active and passive management, supported by in-house research and an Investment Solutions Group.

Mark Batzel is an investment advisor with The Ascent Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He has worked with firms including Osaic Wealth, Inc., Triad Advisors, and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. Batzel is also a partner and owner of Summit Group of Virginia, an investment-related business operating for over 30 years. The Ascent Group manages approximately $4.93 billion and offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and subadvisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, estates, and institutions. The firm utilizes a range of investment vehicles and platforms, including custom and proprietary model portfolios.

Reed Hurt is a CFP® professional with 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at Brown Advisory and Signature Financial Management, Inc. since 2018 and was previously with Bernhardt Wealth Management from 2016 to 2018. Brown Advisory serves high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, and select charitable trusts and foundations, providing integrated wealth and portfolio management. The firm employs a long-term investment approach that combines global active and passive strategies, risk management through diversification and valuation focus, and utilizes both affiliated and external managers along with AI-enabled research tools.

Lloyd Noland is a financial advisor at Brown Advisory in Charlottesville, VA, with 14 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Brown Advisory since 2018, also maintaining a role at Signature Financial Management, Inc. since 2011. Brown Advisory provides integrated investment and wealth-management services primarily to high-net-worth families, family offices, and select charitable trusts and foundations. The firm employs a long-term, full-market-cycle investment approach with diversified allocations and combines in-house research with third-party manager selection to serve its clients.

Colin Ragsdale is a financial advisor at Alera Investment Advisors, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation with four years of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at The Ascent Group, LLC and Harbor Group International, as well as roles in education at Greenbrier Christian Academy and Liberty University. Alera Investment Advisors provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, businesses, and institutions. The firm employs a primarily long-term, fundamental analysis approach, offering portfolios constructed from mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and fixed-income securities, while also integrating insurance and pension consulting platforms.