Gray Pendleton is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Pendleton Financial Wealth Management in Raleigh, NC. His career includes roles at Concourse Financial Group Securities and operating his own entities since 2010. Outside of advisory work, he runs an educational YouTube channel on financial planning, authors financial planning books, and produces original music distributed on streaming platforms. Pendleton Financial Wealth Management provides investment management and financial planning to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach using modern portfolio theory and fundamental analysis, and offers pension plan consulting alongside educational seminars and client newsletters.

Fred Lowry is a financial advisor with BrightPath Wealth Advisors LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 65 designation and four years of industry experience. He is also an adjunct professor at Wake Tech Community College and operates a sole proprietorship focused on insurance sales. Additionally, he consults for Trivecta, a spa and facial sales business. BrightPath Wealth Advisors serves individual and high-net-worth clients as well as corporate entities, providing discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm develops customized investment policy statements, employs fundamental analysis, and offers public educational seminars.

William Hesmer Jr. is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with over 13 years of industry experience. He is currently with Oak Harbor Wealth Partners and Hesmer Wealth Management LLC, where he has worked since 2021 and 2026, respectively. Prior to joining Oak Harbor, he spent eight years at Raymond James & Associates. Outside of finance, Hesmer serves as a consultant to the disciplinary committee for the United Soccer League. Oak Harbor Wealth Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser specializing in portfolio management, financial planning, and ERISA consulting, with a focus on institutional and retirement-plan services. The firm employs diversified model portfolios and third-party manager oversight as part of its investment approach.

Samantha Muncy is a financial advisor at Evergreen Wealth Advisors with 22 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Edward Jones for 18 years before joining Evergreen Money Advisors in 2023. She also held roles at Public Holdings, Inc., including Head of Customer Experience. Evergreen Wealth Advisors provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individual and corporate clients. The firm uses a Modern Portfolio Theory framework combined with tax-optimization techniques and proprietary AI tools to support portfolio management, and it operates a public AI platform offering general education and personalized advice to users.

Caleb Griffith is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving at Townsend Asset Management Corp. in Raleigh, NC. He has been with Townsend since 2006, contributing to a firm that manages a range of clients including individuals, trusts, corporations, and non-profits. Townsend Asset Management Corp. provides investment management, financial planning, consulting, and tax preparation services, offering a bundled wealth management approach that integrates these under a single engagement. The firm employs a disciplined, goal-oriented process utilizing both fundamental and technical analysis to manage primarily long-term portfolios, with additional strategies including short-term positions and limited options.

David Clark Jr. is a financial advisor with Oak Harbor Wealth Partners in Raleigh, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Oak Harbor Wealth Partners in 2026, he worked at Stifel Financial Corp and Croatan Investments. Oak Harbor Wealth Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser specializing in institutional and retirement-plan consulting, offering services such as portfolio management, financial planning, and ERISA fiduciary oversight. The firm emphasizes plan-level consulting and uses diversified model allocations and third-party manager oversight in its investment approach.

Joel Anderson is a financial advisor at Evergreen Wealth Advisors in Raleigh, NC, with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Values Added Financial, Ameriprise Financial Services, Wells Fargo Clearing, and served eight years in the United States Navy. Evergreen Wealth Advisors provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individual and corporate clients, including high-net-worth individuals. The firm utilizes a Modern Portfolio Theory framework with tax-optimization techniques and incorporates proprietary software and AI tools for portfolio monitoring and advice delivery.

James Tarkenton is a CFA® charterholder with seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Townsend Asset Management Corp. since 2018 and previously spent nine years at Lateef Investment Management. Townsend Asset Management Corp. serves individuals, trusts, partnerships, corporations, non-profits, and retirement plans, offering investment management, financial planning, consulting, and tax preparation services. The firm employs a disciplined process combining fundamental and technical analysis to guide portfolio management and provides both standalone services and bundled wealth management engagements.

Jeremy Hamann is a financial advisor at Evergreen Wealth Advisors with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Blue Trust and CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, as well as work outside finance at Chick-fil-A and Black's Tire Service. He also has experience with The Wilds Christian Camp & Conference Center and Bob Jones University. Evergreen Wealth Advisors offers discretionary investment management and financial planning to individual and corporate clients, utilizing a Modern Portfolio Theory framework combined with tax-optimization techniques. The firm operates a public AI platform for educational purposes and manages client portfolios through proprietary software and AI tools.

Matthew Archer is a financial advisor with AIM Advisors, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 26 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Triad Advisors, Inc. and Arkadios Capital. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved as an independent agent with The Cason Group, which focuses on life insurance and long-term care products. AIM Advisors, LLC serves individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans by providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan services. The firm employs a globally diversified investment approach based on modern portfolio theory, utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, and alternative investments tailored to client objectives and risk tolerances.

Emily Burgess is a financial advisor at AIM Advisors, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation. She has experience working at Campbell University and Arkadios Capital, as well as being self-employed and employed in other roles prior to joining AIM Advisors. AIM Advisors serves individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans, providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan services. The firm manages approximately $138 million across about 163 client relationships, employing an investment approach based on modern portfolio theory with a focus on global diversification.

William Sigmon III is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with Physicians Financial Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. He has two years of industry experience, including prior work with The Wealth Group, Ltd, and a decade of service in the United States Navy. Physicians Financial Services, Inc. provides personalized wealth management, financial and tax planning, and retirement strategies for individuals, corporations, and nonprofit entities. The firm employs a contrarian, value-oriented investment approach focused on financially strong, cash-rich companies and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management tailored to client objectives.

Nicholas Ross is a CFP® professional at Ark Royal Wealth Management LLC with one year of industry experience. He has worked at Ark Royal Wealth Management and Truist, and previously spent time in education at North Carolina State University and a secondary school. Ark Royal Wealth Management LLC provides investment advisory and portfolio management services to individuals, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, using diversified, low-cost passive mutual funds and statistical analysis to manage risk and return.

Arne Morris Sr. is a financial advisor at Townsend Asset Management Corp. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 24 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Townsend in 2017, he worked at McGladrey Wealth Management LLC for 16 years. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved as an owner and managing member of multiple investment-related firms. Townsend Asset Management Corp. serves individuals, trusts, partnerships, corporations, non-profits, and retirement plans with services including investment management, financial planning, consulting, and tax preparation. The firm employs a disciplined approach combining fundamental and technical analysis, managing portfolios primarily on a discretionary, long-term basis with integrated tax and consulting services.

Brian DeBruin is a financial advisor at BrightPath Wealth Advisors LLC in Raleigh, NC, with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Carroll Financial Associates and Eqis Capital Management. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as an adjunct professor at Wake Tech Community College, teaching non-credit financial and investment courses. BrightPath Wealth Advisors LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning to individual, high-net-worth, and corporate clients. The firm utilizes fundamental analysis, develops tailored investment policy statements, and manages accounts with regular monitoring and reviews, including the use of third-party sub-advisors when appropriate.

Robert Revels is a CFP® and CFA® with six years of experience in financial advisory roles, currently serving at PieCapital since 2024. His prior experience includes positions at Balentine and BB&T. Outside of his advisory work, he is the author of a children's book titled *Bull & Bear Grow Together*, which teaches kids about money, and serves on the unpaid board of Strong Gray Line Corporation, a nonprofit associated with the West Point Class of 2004. PieCapital provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $69 million for 22 clients. The firm combines fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, and quantitative methods, employing a range of investment strategies across various asset classes within a single-advisor structure.

Kyle Roth is a financial advisor at Fortress Private Ledger, LLC with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and is based in Raleigh, NC. Outside of his advisory work, Roth has been involved in the dental industry for over two decades, working with Encompass Dental Practice Transitions and Carolina Dental Arts. Fortress Private Ledger serves individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and other entities, providing a range of services including financial planning, portfolio management, and Qualified Opportunity Zone advisory. The firm uses a model-driven investment process that incorporates trend identification, technical analysis, and a variety of other strategies, with portfolios monitored regularly and managed through in-house or sub-advised solutions.

Cameron Hendricks is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Financial Symmetry Inc. with 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Financial Symmetry since 2015. Financial Symmetry serves individual clients across a range of wealth levels, providing financial planning, wealth management, and specialized services such as small business 401(k) advice and limited tax-return preparation. The firm follows an evidence-based investment process emphasizing diversified allocations and ongoing monitoring, with a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary client relationships.

Jade Brookreson is a financial advisor at Financial Symmetry Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 65 credential with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Financial Symmetry, Jade worked at State Employees' Credit Union and held various roles in the food service and education sectors. Jade is currently employed at Darden Restaurants alongside financial advising. Financial Symmetry serves individual and family clients across a range of wealth levels, offering financial planning, wealth management, and specialized advisory services. The firm employs a disciplined, evidence-based investment process overseen by an Investment Committee and emphasizes the use of diversified mutual funds and ETFs, including factor-based funds from Dimensional Fund Advisors.

Ella Rogers is a CFP® affiliated with Financial Symmetry Inc. in Raleigh, NC, with less than one year of industry experience. She has been with Financial Symmetry Inc. since 2023 and has spent several years as a student prior to starting her advisory career. Financial Symmetry serves individual clients across a range of wealth levels, advising roughly 973 family groups with about $1.54 billion in assets under advisement. The firm follows an evidence-based, three-step investment process involving planning, diversified implementation primarily with mutual funds and ETFs, and ongoing monitoring, supported by a quarterly Investment Committee.