Christopher Trawick is a financial advisor with Kovack Advisors, Inc. in Macon, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing eight years of industry experience. He previously worked at GWN Securities, Inc. and Global Parts Distributors, LLC before joining Kovack Advisors in 2020. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president and CEO of Trawick Financial Inc. and operates Mid South Financial Consultants, providing financial services to members of a local credit union. Kovack Advisors is an SEC-registered enterprise investment adviser serving a broad range of clients, including individuals, corporations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and banking institutions. The firm offers diversified asset management primarily through mutual funds and ETFs, along with third-party manager recommendations and financial planning services.

William Ennis is a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. based in Macon, GA, holding the PFS™ designation and Series 65 license with 21 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Mercer Global Advisors in 2023, he worked for 17 years at Day & Ennis, LLC (formerly John R. Day & Co.). Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to individuals, high-net-worth families, small business owners, corporate plan sponsors, foundations, and nonprofits. The firm uses a Modern Portfolio Theory-based approach emphasizing globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios with multi-factor tilts and offers a range of implementation options including ETFs, mutual funds, separate accounts, and direct indexing.

Billy Gaskins is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Macon, GA, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at Primerica Advisors and Guardian Life Insurance Co of America since 2009 and has been with Park Avenue Securities and Guardian Life Insurance Company since 2018. Outside of his advisory role, he operates Gaskins Wealth Management as a separate business entity. Park Avenue Securities serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers a range of brokerage and advisory services using proprietary and third-party investment strategies and supports various account-level features such as lending solutions and tax-harvesting.

David Lucas is a financial advisor with Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC in Macon, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 56 years of industry experience. His career includes over two decades at Sterne Agee and eleven years at Stifel before joining Steward Partners in 2026. Outside of advising, he serves as president of a local social fishing club. Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC is an SEC-registered firm managing approximately $36.7 billion in assets and serving a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers investment advisory, financial planning, and managed account programs that include both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management through proprietary and third-party strategies.

Peyton Smith is a financial advisor at Valic Financial Advisors with two years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. Prior to joining Valic, he worked at Principal Securities Inc and Principal Life Insurance Company. Outside of his advisory role, Smith plays guitar professionally in the Mike Kinnebrew Band and performs at Vineville Methodist Church. Valic Financial Advisors is an SEC-registered investment adviser and FINRA-member broker-dealer serving U.S. individuals, including high net worth clients, and employer-sponsored retirement participants. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and discretionary unified managed accounts supported by a large network of advisors and technology-driven model solutions.

Matthew Heller is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 20 years of industry experience, currently with Mercer Global Advisors Inc. He previously spent 10 years at Day & Ennis, LLC before joining Mercer in 2023. Mercer Global Advisors serves individuals, families, small business owners, plan sponsors, and non-profits, offering investment advisory, financial, tax, retirement, and estate planning services. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach with globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios using low-cost ETFs, index funds, and other investment vehicles, alongside specialized client education and integrated service lines.

Jason Shearer is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Macon, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 15 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Agia, Primerica Advisors, and Guardian Life Insurance Co. Outside of his advisory work, he is a partner in an aquaponics farm that sells produce primarily to local restaurants and serves as a board member for a nonprofit foundation. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-domiciled individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet-developed UMA models for portfolio construction.

Eric Manson is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (New York Life) in Macon, GA, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Eagle Strategies in 2019, he spent 10 years at Merrill Lynch. He serves as a board member for the Macon Bibb Housing Authority, a nonprofit that provides public and Section 8 housing to local residents. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individuals and institutions, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and manages the majority of its assets on a non-discretionary basis through a broad network of affiliated advisors within an integrated New York Life structure.

Donald Stringfield is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with 21 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining Creative Planning in 2022, he worked for Rosen Capital Management for nine years. Outside of his advisory role, he has served as owner and president of Stringfield Enterprises, Inc., a non-investment-related business entity that is currently being wound down. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $217 billion in assets and employs a financial planning–led investment process that emphasizes low-cost indexing alongside supplemental strategies, supported by a broad team and centralized infrastructure.

Matthews Barnett is a financial advisor with Mercer Global Advisors Inc. in Macon, GA, holding CFP® and ChFC® designations and 12 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Day & Ennis, LLC, Wiser Wealth Management, Northwestern Mutual, Valic, and Merrill Lynch. Mercer Global Advisors serves individuals, families, small business owners, plan sponsors, foundations, non-profits, and endowments by providing investment advisory services along with financial, tax, retirement, and estate planning. The firm emphasizes globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios using low-cost ETFs, index funds, separate account managers, and other investment vehicles, complemented by a range of specialized client services.

Kevin Watson is a financial advisor with Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Stifel and Sterne Agee Financial Services, Inc., each for over a decade. Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise-scale RIA managing approximately $36.7 billion in assets. The firm serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations, offering a range of investment advisory, financial planning, pension consulting, and managed account services.

Richard Pearson is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Macon, GA, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and 15 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at SunTrust Advisory Services and Agia. He serves as a deacon and treasurer at First Presbyterian Church and is also commissioned as a notary. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-domiciled individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet-developed UMA models for portfolio construction and management.

Scott Bennett is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Mwa Financial Services, Inc. and Modern Woodmen of America. Outside of his advisory role, he is a co-owner of LandAbundance, LLC, a land investment company in Macon, GA. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders. The firm’s integrated approach emphasizes long-term portfolio returns, annual rebalancing, and client savings rates through proprietary and third-party methodologies.

Andrew Patisaul is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) in Macon, GA, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill, and Mars Wrigley Confectionary. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base, including individual investors and institutional sponsors, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and manages the majority of its assets on a non-discretionary basis.

Kenan Godfrey is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors in Macon, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 22 years of industry experience. His background includes roles with multiple financial and insurance firms, as well as involvement in community and charitable organizations such as the Knights of Columbus and St. Joseph Catholic School advisory board. He also operates a vending machine business focused on the Pokémon Trading Card Game and works with technology reseller deal.ai, Inc. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base ranging from individual investors to corporations, offering both advisory and broker-dealer services through proprietary and third-party model portfolios, with discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

Ben Merchant is a financial advisor at Valic Financial Advisors with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked with Valic Financial Advisors since 2012. Additionally, he is an insurance agent with Agia. Valic Financial Advisors is an SEC-registered investment adviser and FINRA-member broker-dealer that serves primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients, as well as employer-sponsored retirement participants. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and multiple wrap programs through a large network of advisors, utilizing Envestnet’s platform and third-party model managers to deliver discretionary unified managed accounts.

Thomas Smith IV is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Macon, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 34 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Ameriprise and Agia. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on committees related to audio and visual ministry and church governance and directs wedding events. Valic Financial Advisors serves primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth clients and employer-sponsored retirement participants, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and discretionary unified managed accounts through a large advisor network, leveraging centralized technology and model solutions.

James Barnes II is a financial advisor at Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Macon, GA, with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has worked with Eagle Strategies since 2021. Prior to that, he was affiliated with Mahoney Financial Organization and has held roles with Nylife Securities LLC and New York Life Insurance Company. He is also appointed as an insurance broker for outside insurance carriers. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, and institutional clients, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and manages the majority of its assets on a non-discretionary basis, with a fiduciary focus on retirement investors.

Cecil Skinner Jr. is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Macon, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Valic Financial Advisors since 2008 and is also affiliated with Agia, where he works with non-securities insurance products. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-domiciled individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet UMA models for portfolio construction.

Glenn Rosen is a CFP® and ChFC® with 22 years of industry experience. He currently serves as a financial advisor at Creative Planning, LLC, where he has worked since 2022. Prior to that, he was the principal at Rosen Capital Management for 18 years. Outside of his advisory role, Rosen acts as an independent insurance broker specializing in fixed products. Creative Planning is an enterprise firm managing approximately $217 billion in client assets, offering comprehensive investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning-led investment approach emphasizing low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supported by a large advisory team and a range of affiliated non-investment businesses including legal, trust, and recordkeeping services.