Stephan Shipe is a CFP®, CFA®, and Series 65 registered advisor at Scholar Financial Advising, LLC with seven years at the firm and a total of five years in the industry. His prior experience includes roles at Wake Forest University, the University of New Hampshire, and Innovative CE LLC. Scholar Financial Advising serves high-income and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, providing comprehensive financial planning primarily through digital channels. The firm focuses on long-term, goal-driven planning with an emphasis on asset allocation, tax-aware asset location, and diversification, offering project-based and flat-fee advisory services without discretionary portfolio management.

Brandon Walls is a financial advisor at Fortress Private Ledger, LLC with 10 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at The Fidelity Bank, LPL Financial, Allegacy Federal Credit Union, and CUSO Financial Services. Fortress Private Ledger serves individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals and employer-sponsored retirement plans, offering financial planning, portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, and Qualified Opportunity Zone advisory services. The firm’s investment approach combines trend identification and technical analysis with fundamental strategies, employing a mix of ETFs, individual securities, and mutual funds, and delivers services through a network of advisers using both discretionary and non-discretionary models.

Matthew Blades is a CFP® credentialed advisor with 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at Woodard & Company Asset Management Group, Inc. since 2021 and previously held roles at Members Trust Company, Credit Union Investment Services, SECU Life Insurance Company, SECU Brokerage Services, and State Employees' Credit Union. Woodard & Company Asset Management Group, Inc. provides discretionary asset management and retirement-plan services to a diverse client base, including individuals, trusts, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a team-based investment approach with a focus on tactical asset allocation and a “market leaders” equity strategy, managing approximately $1.167 billion across about 1,806 clients.

James Davenport is a Series 65-licensed advisor with JT Stratford, LLC in Winston-Salem, NC, with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining JT Stratford, he worked at Coffee Park AIrstream and Twin City Hive, and he operates a sole proprietorship focused on graphic art design and the sale of online art and NFTs. JT Stratford provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm employs a range of strategies from long-term buy-and-hold to active trading, incorporating fundamental, technical, and charting analysis, and also integrates emerging technology such as AI tools in its processes.

Austin Childress is a financial advisor at Three Magnolias Financial Advisors with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has a background that includes roles at Fuller Theological Seminary and Gardner-Webb University. Outside of financial advising, he serves as an Enrollment Communications Coordinator at Fuller Theological Seminary. Three Magnolias Financial Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations by providing financial planning, portfolio management, and consulting services. The firm manages approximately $487 million across roughly 600 clients and develops tailored investment plans utilizing a range of assets and strategies.

Ross Strickland is a financial advisor at Scholar Financial Advising, LLC in Winston-Salem, NC, holding a Series 65 designation. He joined the firm in 2026 and has prior experience at Forvis Mazars US, Wake Forest University, ROSS Stores, and Wake Forest Banking. Scholar Financial Advising serves high-income and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, providing comprehensive financial planning and ongoing advisory support through primarily online processes. The firm emphasizes a long-term, goal-driven approach focused on asset allocation, tax-aware asset location, rebalancing, and diversification, and operates without direct portfolio management or percentage-of-AUM fees.

Mauricio Galindo Vega is a financial advisor with Scholar Financial Advising, LLC, holding a Series 65 credential. He has one year of industry experience, including prior roles at Polaris Laboratories and High Point University. Scholar Financial Advising serves high-income and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, providing comprehensive financial planning primarily through online platforms. The firm focuses on long-term, goal-driven strategies and offers advisory services without taking custody or discretionary authority over client accounts.

Scott Walker is a financial advisor at Horizon Financial Services, LLC in Winston Salem, NC, with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and has been with Horizon Financial Services since 2011. In addition to his advisory role, Walker is also an insurance agent involved in insurance product sales and services. Horizon Financial Services provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, ERISA 3(21) plan advisory, donor-advised fund management, and co-advisor services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm employs a combination of charting, fundamental, and technical analysis with both long- and short-term trading strategies and distinguishes itself through public education seminars and its multi-channel implementation approach.

Joan Woodard is a financial advisor at Woodard & Co Asset Management Group Inc with seven years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Woodard & Co since 1994. Woodard & Company Asset Management Group, Inc. provides discretionary asset management for individual and institutional clients and offers retirement plan services, including plan design and participant education. The firm manages over $1 billion across approximately 3,000 accounts, employing tactical asset allocation and a “market leaders” equity approach supported by proprietary research.

Kyle Leonard is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Semmax Financial Advisors, Inc. since 2023. His prior experience includes roles at Truliant Federal Credit Union, CUSO Financial Services, Fund Direct Advisors, Intercarolina Financial Services, and Lincoln Financial. Leonard is a volunteer committee member for the City of Mt. Airy Mayor's Office and serves as a board member for Mt. Airy City Schools. Semmax Financial Advisors, Inc. offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and portfolio management services to individuals, business entities, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a blend of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis across various asset classes and incorporates tax and estate considerations into its planning and investment processes.

John Brais is a financial advisor at Horizon Financial Services, LLC with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Horizon Financial Services since 2011. Outside of his advisory role, he is president and CEO of New Horizon Financial Services, Inc., an insurance sales and services business. Horizon Financial Services provides discretionary asset management and financial planning for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm typically serves individuals and families with approximately $1 million in investable assets, employing a combination of proprietary model portfolios, sub-advisors, and a range of analytical methods.

William Hollan is a CFP® with 14 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has been with Arbor Investment Advisors since 2011. Hollan holds a Series 65 license and is based in Winston Salem, NC. Arbor Investment Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, business entities, trusts, and charitable organizations, providing discretionary and non-discretionary investment management along with financial planning and consulting services. The firm’s investment approach focuses on asset allocation and modern portfolio theory, utilizing exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, closed-end funds, and individual securities as appropriate.

Lawrence Vanlandingham is a financial advisor with Semmax Financial Advisors, Inc. in Winston-Salem, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Maestro Wealth Advisors LLC, Avantax Advisory Services, CUSO Financial Services, and Wells Fargo Bank. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Semmax, Inc., an insurance agency where he dedicates time to writing new business and researching annuity and insurance options. Semmax Financial Advisors, Inc. provides advisory and portfolio management services to individuals, business entities, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis across various investment vehicles and integrates tax and estate planning considerations in its offerings.

Phu Roy O is a financial advisor at Sheets Smith Wealth Management in Winston Salem, NC, with 12 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Sheets Smith Wealth Management since 2012. Sheets Smith Wealth Management serves individuals and families, including high-net-worth clients, as well as foundations, endowments, and retirement plans. The firm offers investment management, wealth preservation, and financial planning services, using tailored asset allocation strategies and a long-term, buy-and-hold approach to equities.

Carter Lievens is a CFP® and Series 65-licensed financial advisor with five years of industry experience. He has worked at JT Stratford, LLC since 2020 and has prior experience in tax services and retail. JT Stratford, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $815 million for individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporations through a 14-person team. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, employer retirement plan services, and access to third-party model portfolios and sub-advisory strategies.

John Tyner Jr. is a financial advisor with Semmax Financial Advisors, Inc. in Winston-Salem, NC, holding a Series 65 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Semmax Financial Advisors since 2007 and also leads affiliated companies including Semmax Inc., an insurance agency, and Semmax Tax, Inc., a tax preparation firm. Semmax Financial Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and advisory services to individuals, business entities, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis across multiple asset classes and integrates tax and estate considerations into its investment process.

Samuel Merrick Jr. is a financial advisor at Horizon Financial Services, LLC in Winston Salem, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Horizon Financial Services, he spent 11 years at Summit School. Horizon Financial Services provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, ERISA 3(21) fiduciary services, and consulting for individuals, families, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm typically serves clients with approximately $1 million in investable assets and implements portfolios using variable annuity subaccounts, mutual funds, and donor-advised fund accounts.

John Woodard is a financial advisor with Woodard & Co Asset Management Group Inc in Bermuda Run, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 7 years of industry experience. Woodard has been with Woodard & Co Asset Management Group Inc since 1985. Woodard & Co Asset Management Group Inc provides discretionary asset management for individual and institutional clients, as well as retirement plan services including design and participant education. The firm manages approximately $1.039 billion across about 3,000 accounts and uses a tactical asset allocation and “market leaders” equity approach, supported by proprietary research and external data sources.

John Woodard III is a financial advisor at Woodard & Co Asset Management Group Inc with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Fidelity and the YMCA. Woodard & Co Asset Management Group Inc provides discretionary asset management and retirement-plan services to a diverse client base, including individuals, trusts, and corporations. The firm employs a team-based investment approach combining tactical asset allocation with a concentrated equity strategy and emphasizes risk management through broad diversification and hedging techniques.

Scott Cawood is a CFP® and CFA® with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving at Arbor Investment Advisors since 2003. He holds the position of Chairman of the Board at Piedmont Federal Savings Bank. Arbor Investment Advisors provides investment management and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, business entities, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an investment approach based on asset allocation and modern portfolio theory, utilizing a range of investment vehicles including ETFs, no-load mutual funds, and individual equities.