Nathan Oltmans is a CFP® professional with 18 years of industry experience. He is currently with Strategic Blueprint, LLC and has prior experience at Cornerstone Wealth Management and The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. Outside of his advisory roles, he is also involved as an agent with Tucker Insurance Services, specializing in fixed life insurance referrals. Strategic Blueprint, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers customized, goal-based strategies through a variety of services including portfolio management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and educational seminars.

William Orchard Hays III is a financial advisor with HBW Advisory Services LLC in Durham, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Silver Oak Securities, Cetera Wealth Services, and multiple financial services firms he has been associated with since 2005. He is also involved with Stepwise Financial, an independent financial professional business. HBW Advisory Services manages approximately $1.75 billion in client assets and offers discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, financial planning, and consulting to individuals, families, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs a blended investment approach, utilizing third-party money managers and multi-manager diversification, and is noted for its institutional and intermediary services alongside a high client load per advisor.

James Batey is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 20 years of industry experience. His prior work includes 15 years at Valic Financial Advisors and four years at AGIA. He also works as an agent involved in non-securities insurance products. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary, fee-based investment management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate retirement plans. The firm’s evidence-based investment approach incorporates asset allocation, periodic rebalancing, and a mix of strategies tailored to client goals and risk tolerances.

Charles Upshaw III is a CFP® professional with 45 years of industry experience, currently serving at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC. He has been affiliated with Capital Investment Brokerage, Inc. since 1997. Outside of his advisory work, he is a long-standing member of the Rotary Club of Raleigh and serves as a trustee for the Hill-Pike House Trust. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of services including separately managed accounts, referrals to third-party managers, private-label model portfolios, and financial planning, using an individualized process tailored to clients’ objectives and risk tolerance.

Troy Hill is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 27 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of advisory services, he co-owns Sooner Ventures, LLC, a residential real estate leasing business managed by his spouse. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers personalized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, employing various analytical methods and regular portfolio reviews.

Samuel Knight is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 20 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing Service, Wells Fargo Bank, Mass Mutual Investors Services, and Metlife Securities Inc. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers individualized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, employing a variety of analytical methods and conducting ongoing portfolio reviews.

George Arky is a CFP® with 37 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Concurrent Investment Advisors, LLC since 2025. He has previously worked at Arky & Miller Financial Group, LLC, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, and The Variable Annuity Marketing Company. Outside of his advisory roles, he is a board member of the Ronald McDonald House of Durham and participates as a tour guide for Tinto Wine Tours in Durham, NC. Concurrent Investment Advisors provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, families, trusts, and businesses. The firm employs a long-term investment approach with customized portfolios and serves over 10,000 clients through a network of approximately 161 advisors.

Kemp Mebane is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 designations and bringing 12 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at First Citizens Investor Services and Capital Investment Group, Inc. There are no additional notable outside activities reported. Capital Investment Advisory Services offers portfolio management and supervisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable institutions. The firm provides customized investment solutions that incorporate fundamental and technical analysis, managing most assets on a discretionary basis.

Wanda Cooper is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. She has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 1997. Outside of her advisory role, Cooper serves on the board of Camp Kerr Lake - Shiloh Family Ministry, where she teaches and supports family activities during the summer. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, with ongoing monitoring and quarterly reviews.

Steven Colford is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc., holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and bringing 21 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Ascensus, LPL Financial, and Wake County Public Schools. He has been with First Citizens Asset Management since 2026. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to a range of clients including individuals, trusts, municipalities, and institutions. The firm constructs global multi-asset class model portfolios using a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis, with an emphasis on discretionary management and strategic asset allocation.

Kurt Hollar is a financial advisor at Verity Asset Management with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been associated with multiple entities under the Verity name since 1997. His prior experience includes work with The Leaders Group DBA Simplicity Investments and Verity Investments, Inc. Verity Asset Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individual, corporate, institutional clients, and other advisers. The firm employs a model-driven investment approach focused on tactical asset allocation across diverse asset classes, offering discretionary portfolio management, retirement-plan advisory, and financial planning services.

Kenyon Allman is a financial advisor with Level Four Advisory Services who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 45 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Mid-Atlantic Securities, Inc. and Raymond James & Associates. He serves as co-trustee for the Diane and Robert Allman Revocable Trusts and the R&D Family LP. Level Four Advisory Services is an SEC-registered enterprise investment adviser managing approximately $5.32 billion across 115 advisors and over 13,800 client relationships. The firm serves a diverse client base and offers fee-only financial planning, asset management, third-party manager referrals, and retirement plan advisory services.

Brent Niswander is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Members Trust Company, SECU Brokerage Services, State Employees' Credit Union, and Bank of America, among others. Outside of financial services, he is involved in an e-commerce business focused on watch repair and sales. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors and a smaller number of trust clients in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management and retirement planning with a focus on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs. The firm operates as a salaried employee model within the State Employees’ Credit Union system and provides clients with recommendations while leaving final investment decisions to them.

Mitchell Ludwig is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience, currently associated with UNITED PLANNERS' FINANCIAL SERVICES of AMERICA. His prior work includes roles at OSAIC, FSC, Wealthcare Capital Management LLC, and The Family Firm. He is also involved as an Associate Partner in Carolina Wealth Partners, a marketing entity based in Raleigh, NC. United Planners Financial Services is a national wealth-management enterprise serving a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers advisory and brokerage services through independent Investment Adviser Representatives and employs a mix of custodians and third-party managers to implement client strategies.

Kenneth Bollinger is a CFP® with 30 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC since 2026. His prior roles include positions at Emerald Investment Partners, LLC, Niagara International Capital Limited, and Principal Financial Company. In addition to his advisory work, he is involved as a healthcare benefits insurance agent with Triangle Insurance & Benefits Insurance Agency. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services provides financial planning, asset management, and retirement-plan consulting for individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm manages over $122 billion in assets through a large advisor network and employs a diversified investment process blending passive and active strategies supported by an internal Investment Committee.

Jennifer Ploehn is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 26 years of industry experience. She has been with Truist and its predecessor entities since 2008. Outside of her advisory work, she is involved as a distributor for weight loss and wellness supplements and as a consultant for fragrance products. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary manager relationships with non-discretionary consulting and utilizes third-party platforms and AI-enabled tools to support investment decisions.

John Liddicoat is a CFP® with over 32 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has been with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. since 2017 and previously worked at Saybrus Equity Services, Inc. and Saybrus Partners. Outside of his advisory work, he operates a personal farm where he grows hay and is developing a truffle business. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses, offering advisory and brokerage services with a focus on portfolio management, financial planning, and tax-aware strategies. The firm emphasizes IAR-led client assessments and a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to manage investments.

Katie Peeden is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. Her career includes positions at Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC before joining First Citizens Bank and its investor services division in 2021. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm uses a client-focused process to assess financial needs and risk tolerance, employing a range of investment analyses to manage portfolios across various asset classes.

Vernon Russ is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at firms including MML Investors Services, Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company, and New York Life Insurance Company. Outside of finance, he was involved with The Curious Kitchen from 2015 to 2019. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers portfolio management, model portfolios, an automated investing platform, and tax-aware services, focusing on client assessments and a mix of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis for asset allocation.

Cody Wagner is an advisor with FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc. based in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. He has experience working at Fifth Third Securities since 2026 and has previous roles at Fifth Third Bank, Truist, and Wells Fargo dating back to 2016. FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions through investment advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers multiple program types and third-party portfolio managers on its Passageway platform, combining advisor-guided strategies with advanced portfolio management techniques.