James Johnson Jr. is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. He has worked with Members Trust Company since 2024 and has been involved with Credit Union Investment Services, SECU Life Insurance Company, SECU Brokerage Services, and State Employees' Credit Union since 2022 or earlier. Johnson also serves as a Financial Advisory Services Specialist at State Employees' Credit Union, providing financial services to eligible members. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, fixed-income products, and a goals-based, long-term planning approach, with advisors employed on a salaried basis by the parent credit union.

I’m Carlos Ruiz, founder of Pivot Wealth Advisors based in Boise, Idaho. I was raised by my great-grandmother—a woman who never had a bank account and couldn’t read or write, but somehow understood money better than anyone I’ve ever met. She taught me that true wealth isn’t about chasing more—it’s about using what you have to build freedom, stability, and impact. That wisdom shapes everything I do today. Most advisors start with investments. I start with strategy. My clients are often navigating the complexities of success: higher income, higher taxes, and bigger decisions. I help cut through the noise and simplify the financial side of life—lowering your tax bill, aligning your income and investments with your values, and creating a plan that gives you options. Not just for retirement—but for right now. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and an Air Force Reservist, I bring discipline, clarity, and forward-thinking strategy to every plan—so you’re never scrambling, always prepared. I serve clients across Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and virtually throughout the U.S. My planning process is practical, personal, and built for real life. Everything I do—both in my work and in my own life—is for my wife and our kids. They remind me that the most important kind of wealth isn’t measured in dollars, but in time, peace, and purpose. If that’s what you’re after, I’d love to connect.

William Sneed Jr. is a financial advisor at Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors, LLC with 23 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and previously worked at Wealth Advisor Group LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as President of All Jesus Ministries and works part-time as a non-compensated associate of B&K Lawn Care. Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser providing financial planning, investment management, and consulting services to individuals, families, retirement plans, institutions, and nonprofits, managing approximately $12 billion in assets. The firm integrates wealth management with coordinated tax and accounting services through its affiliation with a national professional services parent.

Abigail Tilley is a financial advisor at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC with three years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Fidelity Investments and Southern Bank and Trust Company. 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 and a mix of analytical methods.

Jessica Pasquale is a CFP® with 11 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Curi Capital, LLC in Raleigh, NC. Her prior work includes roles at Integrity Alliance, Lion Street Financial, Cetera Investment Services, and First Citizens Bank. Outside of financial advising, she owns and operates a sole proprietorship where she paints and sells original acrylic paintings. Curi Capital serves a diverse client base including individuals, families, institutions, and retirement plan sponsors, managing approximately $9.83 billion across various investment vehicles. The firm employs a long-term, fundamental investment approach for equities and a relative-value strategy for fixed income, combining in-house and external management resources with proprietary risk analysis tools.

Jennifer Evans is a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services with eight years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has held multiple roles within the State Employees' Credit Union system since 2013, including positions at Members Trust Company and SECU Life Insurance Company. Outside of her advisory work, she is also a broker with SECU*RE, a real estate subsidiary. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, fixed-income products, and a goals-based, long-term planning approach, with adviser representatives as salaried employees of the parent credit union.

Shamyra Newton is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials with eight years of industry experience. She has worked at Credit Union Investment Services and affiliated entities including SECU Life Insurance Company and Members Trust Company since 2018 and 2019, respectively. Newton also serves as an Investment Compliance Specialist at State Employees’ Credit Union and as a life insurance agent with SECU Life Insurance Company. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors residing in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and financial planning with an emphasis on long-term, goals-based strategies. The firm operates within the credit-union ecosystem as a wholly owned subsidiary of SECU and offers clients access to low-cost mutual funds and ETFs without commission-based compensation for its salaried advisors.

Stephen Bush is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He has worked at Capital Investment Advisory Services and Capital Investment Group since 2018 and previously spent 23 years at LPL Financial LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Crown Wealth & Insurance Planning, an insurance agency. 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, employing a range of analytical methods and conducting ongoing portfolio reviews.

Joseph Moore is a financial advisor at Summit Financial, LLC in Durham, NC, with 16 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP®, CFA®, and Series 65 designations. Prior to joining Summit Financial in 2024, he worked at Gordon Asset Management, LLC and Gibraltar Financial, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he is a managing partner at a real estate holding company. Summit Financial, LLC is a multi-team advisory firm with 216 advisors serving approximately 17,800 clients and managing about $26.35 billion in assets. The firm offers a range of investment advisory and portfolio management programs alongside financial planning and retirement plan advisory, operating both discretionary and consultative service models.

John Sleesman is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 19 years of industry experience. He is currently with Summit Financial, LLC and previously held roles at Modern Capital Securities, Inc., Liberty Partners Financial Services, LLC, Secrest Blakey & Associates, LLC, and LPL Financial Corporation. Outside of his advisory work, he is a 25% partner in an agricultural land business, JNH Land Company, LLC. Summit Financial, LLC is a multi-team advisory firm with over $26 billion in assets under management, serving approximately 17,800 clients. The firm offers a range of investment advisory, portfolio management, and retirement plan services through discretionary and consultative models.

Tenesha Carter is a CFP® with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving at Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC. She has held roles at SECU Brokerage Services, SeCU Life Insurance Company, and Members Trust Company, alongside a long tenure at State Employees’ Credit Union. Carter is a Senior Vice President at State Employees’ Credit Union and also works as a trust representative and insurance agent with affiliated firms. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, providing non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, with salaried advisers and client-directed implementation of recommendations.

Keenan Hall is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services holding Series 66 and Series 63 credentials and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Fidelity Investments and is currently affiliated with State Employees' Credit Union and SECU Brokerage Services. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves North Carolina individual investors, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and retirement planning with a goals-based approach emphasizing long-term investment horizons and low-cost mutual funds and ETFs. The firm operates within a credit union ecosystem and focuses on delivering advice without commission-based recommendations.

Trina Coltrain is a financial advisor at Founders Financial Alliance, LLC with 17 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Founders Financial Alliance and LPL Financial since 2016. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs an evidence-based investment process using ETFs, third-party managers, and ongoing portfolio monitoring, and offers a family-office style program under a flat fee arrangement.

Christopher Satalino is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Durham, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining CUIS, he worked at Wells Fargo Bank and Policygenius. He also serves as a Financial Advisory Services Specialist at State Employees’ Credit Union and as an agent for SECU Life Insurance Company. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning focused on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs. The firm’s advisers are salaried employees of the parent credit union, and clients retain final decision authority on investment implementation.

Amanda English is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 12 years of industry experience. She has worked concurrently with Secu Life Insurance Company, Members Trust Company, and State Employees’ Credit Union since 2010. Outside of her advisory roles, she owns and manages a chicken farming business and serves as assistant treasurer for the Pender Sheriff's Charitable Foundation. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, providing non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm typically recommends low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs alongside fixed-income products, employing a goals-based, long-term planning approach.

Sue Sandlin Plaehn is a financial advisor with Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc., holding the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. She has 39 years of industry experience and has been with Mutual of Omaha and its affiliated entities since 1977. In addition to her advisory role, she is president of Sue Sandlin-Plaehn Insurance and Financial Services, Inc., offering life, health, and annuity insurance products. Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory services to individuals, corporations, and qualified retirement plans, offering financial planning, managed account programs, and retirement plan consulting. The firm works primarily through a platform relationship with Envestnet and uses Pershing as custodian, serving a broad client base including both non‑high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals.

Connor Newsome is a CFP® with three years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services. He has been affiliated with Members Trust Company since 2023 and holds roles with SECU Life Insurance Company and State Employees' Credit Union, where he has provided financial advisory services since 2015. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors and a smaller number of trust clients in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning with a focus on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs. The firm operates as a subsidiary of State Employees’ Credit Union and manages over $3.0 billion in non-discretionary advisory assets.

Ethan Porter is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. He has worked at Founders Financial Alliance since 2017 and previously was associated with LPL Financial, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he has a background connected to the Chapel Hill Tennis Club during his college years at Elon University. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary, fee-based investment management and financial planning to individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate retirement plans. The firm employs an evidence-based investment approach tailored to client goals and manages approximately $1.18 billion in assets across a multi-advisor team.

Candace Lindeberg is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and three years of industry experience. She has worked with Credit Union Investment Services, SECU Life Insurance Company, SECU Brokerage Services, and State Employees' Credit Union since 2016. Outside of finance, she provides live audio description of theatrical performances for visually impaired patrons. Credit Union Investment Services serves North Carolina residents, primarily individual investors, offering non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning focused on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs. The firm’s advisers are salaried employees of the parent credit union and provide recommendations without exercising trading discretion.

Allen Huggins is a financial advisor with Verity Asset Management, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has worked with Verity Financial and Verity Asset Management since 1997, and more recently with The Leaders Group DBA Simplicity Investments since 2025. Outside of his advisory role, Huggins is active as a group fitness instructor in Wilmington, NC. Verity Asset Management is a multi-team advisory firm managing approximately $1.15 billion for individual and institutional clients. The firm employs a largely model-based investment approach with tactical asset allocation, offering discretionary portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, and sub-advisory services.