Matthew Groome is a CFP® with 16 years of experience in financial advisory services. He is a founding advisor at Colton Groome Financial Advisors, LLC, where he has worked since 2010. Groome also serves as CFO of LifeTrust 3D, LLC, a life insurance policy management company, and holds leadership roles on several nonprofit boards, including chairing the WNC Bridge Foundation and serving as president of Ramblers Sports Club Inc. Colton Groome Financial Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and institutional entities. The firm employs a strategic asset allocation approach using a combination of passive and active managers and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management alongside tiered financial planning and retirement plan education.

Michelle Jackson is a Series 65-licensed advisor with Chicory Wealth in Weaverville, NC. She has been with Chicory Wealth since 2025 and previously spent ten years with The Look & The Feel, LLC. Chicory Wealth provides financial life planning and discretionary portfolio management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm also offers tax preparation, estate planning assistance, business consulting, and model portfolio services to other registered investment advisers.

Allison De Graaf is a CFP® affiliated with Peak Planning Group, LLC in Asheville, NC. She joined the firm in 2024 and has prior experience at KBR, SOS International, Leidos, and Deloitte Consulting LLP. Peak Planning Group provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and estates. The firm employs a long-term, fundamentals-based investment approach with diversified portfolios and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management.

Robert Wood is a CFP® with 39 years of industry experience, currently serving at Southland Equity Partners, LLC since 2016. He also maintains a role with FSC Securities Corporation since 2009. Wood is involved in an investment advisory and portfolio management business outside of his primary firm. Southland Equity Partners advises individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and businesses, providing financial planning, discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to create customized portfolios and manages the majority of accounts on a discretionary basis.

Ira Starr is a financial advisor with IFC in Asheville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 10 years of industry experience. He has worked with IFC and Insurance Marketing, Inc. since 2020 and has been the managing member of Myth Free Financial, LLC, an educational and coaching platform related to his published book, since 2015. Additionally, he operates as a sole proprietor in insurance sales. IFC is a team of seven advisors managing approximately $110 million in client assets, offering investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and businesses. The firm uses mutual funds and ETFs for portfolio construction, provides ongoing investment management, and offers educational seminars and newsletters.

Robin Barber is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with two years of industry experience. He is currently with Colton Groome Financial Advisors, LLC and has previously worked at Boys Arnold & Company. Colton Groome Financial Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and institutional entities. The firm uses a strategic asset allocation approach combining passive and active managers and employs various analytical tools and an Investment Committee to oversee alternative investments.

Jay Reese is a CFA® charterholder with 19 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has been with Colton Groome Financial Advisors, LLC since 2020 and previously worked for Boys, Arnold & Company, Inc. for 15 years. Reese holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Colton Groome Financial Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and institutional entities. The firm’s investment approach combines strategic asset allocation with both passive and active management, utilizing tools such as Monte Carlo simulations and Modern Portfolio Theory.

Gary Lutes Jr. is a CFA® charterholder with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Tillman Hartley LLC since 2004. He holds a Series 65 license and works out of Candler, NC. Tillman Hartley LLC provides personalized financial planning and discretionary investment management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm’s investment process is based on Modern Portfolio Theory and includes individualized Investment Policy Statements, model portfolios, and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

David Nelson is a financial advisor at Colton Groome Financial Advisors, LLC in Asheville, NC, with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at Colton Groome Financial Advisors since 2017, as well as with ValMark Securities, Inc. since 2015. Colton Groome Financial Advisors provides investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and institutional entities. The firm employs a strategic asset allocation approach using both passive and active managers, supported by tools such as Monte Carlo simulations and Modern Portfolio Theory.

Perry Argiropoulos is a financial advisor at Leelyn Smith, LLC with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has previously worked at The Retirement Network. Leelyn Smith, LLC serves individual clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, business entities, and trusts, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm’s investment approach includes allocations across equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs, utilizing both in-house and external managers, with support from multiple technology platforms for reporting and risk analysis.

Matthew Donohue is a CFP® and CFA® credentialed financial advisor with nine years of industry experience. He has worked at Colton Groome Financial Advisors, LLC since 2018, following prior roles at Valmark Securities, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc., and Webb Investment Services, Inc. Colton Groome Financial Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and institutional entities. The firm employs a strategic asset allocation approach using both passive and active managers and utilizes tools such as Monte Carlo simulations and Modern Portfolio Theory to support portfolio management.

Mark Covell is a financial advisor with Leading Edge Financial Planning LLC in Asheville, NC. He holds a Series 65 designation and has five years of industry experience. In addition to his advisory role, he works as an airline pilot with American Airlines. Leading Edge Financial Planning LLC serves individuals, high net worth clients, trusts, estates, and businesses by providing wealth management and financial planning, including discretionary portfolio management. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using primarily low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, while also offering tailored solutions with stocks, bonds, annuities, or independent managers.

Douglas Bazley is a CFP® professional with 22 years of industry experience, currently serving at Modera Wealth Management, LLC. His prior roles include positions at Prudential Insurance Company of America and Diversified Investors Securities Corp. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in real estate development as a landlord in Asheville, NC. Modera Wealth Management, LLC provides fiduciary, fee-only advisory services to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an allocation-driven investment approach grounded in Modern Portfolio Theory, offering a range of wealth management and financial planning services, including tax preparation and trustee roles for select clients.

Boone Butler is a financial advisor at Modera Wealth Management, LLC in Asheville, NC. He holds a Series 65 designation and joined Modera in 2025. Prior to his advisory role, Boone was a student at Brigham University Idaho for four years and has experience as a self-employed full-time student and other roles. Modera Wealth Management provides wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, corporations, and plan sponsors. The firm employs a diversified asset allocation strategy based on Modern Portfolio Theory and combines investment management with in-house accounting, tax services, and business coaching.

Brian Hjalmarson is a CFP® with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Modera Wealth Management, LLC in Asheville, NC. His prior roles include positions at Empower Advisory Group, Personal Capital Advisors Corporation, Merrill, Bank of America, and Charles Schwab. Modera Wealth Management provides fiduciary, fee-only advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm’s investment approach is allocation-driven and based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing diversified portfolios supplemented by independent managers, private-placement opportunities, and optional ESG integration.

Chad Foster is a CFP® with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Modera Wealth Management, LLC. He previously worked at Parsec Financial Management Inc. for nine years before joining Modera. Modera Wealth Management provides fiduciary, fee-only advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an allocation-driven investment approach grounded in Modern Portfolio Theory and offers a range of services including wealth management, retirement plan consulting, tax preparation, and trust-related services.

Isabel Pereira is a financial advisor at Modera Wealth Management, LLC with two years of industry experience. She previously worked at Baird for two years and Morgan Stanley for ten years. Isabel holds the Series 66 designation and is based in Asheville, NC. Modera Wealth Management, LLC provides fiduciary, fee-only advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an allocation-driven investment approach grounded in Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing diversified portfolios with mutual funds, ETFs, individual debt securities, and selected equities tailored to client objectives and risk tolerance.

Matthew Sykes is a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked in roles at SECU Brokerage Services, SECU Life Insurance Company, and State Employees' Credit Union since 2024. Outside of finance, he is involved in a family painting business. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves North Carolina residents with goals-based, non-discretionary financial advice focused on mutual funds, ETFs, and fixed income products. The firm operates within a credit-union ecosystem and emphasizes long-term investment horizons using low-cost index funds and planning software to assist clients.

Travis Boyer is a financial advisor at Modera Wealth Management, LLC with 16 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP®, CFA®, and Series 66 credentials. Prior to joining Modera in 2023, he worked for Parsec Financial Management Inc from 2012 to 2023. Modera Wealth Management provides fiduciary, fee-only advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an allocation-driven investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing diversified portfolios and supplementing core strategies with independent managers, private placements, and optional ESG integration.

Roger James Jr. is a financial advisor at Modera Wealth Management, LLC in Asheville, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with 18 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Parsec Financial Management Inc. for seven years before joining Modera in 2023. Modera Wealth Management provides fiduciary, fee-only advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an allocation-driven investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing diversified portfolios and supplementing core strategies with independent managers, private placements, and optional ESG integration.