William Smiley is a financial advisor at Coastal Bridge Advisors with eight years of industry experience. He previously worked at TrinityPoint Wealth, LLC, and Penland Legacy Advisors. He serves on the board of directors for the Winthrop University Foundation, providing volunteer leadership in community outreach and university engagement. Coastal Bridge Advisors offers financial planning, consulting, and wealth management services to individuals, family offices, trusts, estates, foundations, and qualified retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, fundamental analysis approach to construct diversified portfolios and provides specialized advisory services including retirement plan consulting and HSA investment management.

Nickolas Sherek is a financial advisor at Choreo, LLC with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at UBS and U.S. Bank. Choreo provides investment and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, family offices, endowments, retirement plans, and corporate clients. The firm’s investment approach emphasizes strategic asset allocation and diversified model portfolios managed by a centralized team and overseen by an Investment Committee.

Anna Houser is a CFP® with five years of industry experience and has been with Prospera Financial Services, Inc. since 2014. She serves as president of the counsel and volunteers at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, where she also teaches Sunday school and leads Bible study. Additionally, she is the managing member of Sandy Ventures, LLC, a business focused on the sale of apparel, stickers, and accessories currently in early development. Prospera Financial Services, Inc. is an enterprise-scale adviser and dually registered broker-dealer managing approximately $12.4 billion across 207 advisors and about 140 offices. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, corporate and charitable entities, and retirement plans, offering investment advisory and financial planning services through multiple platforms and customizable portfolio management options.

Cooper Courtney is a CFP® professional at Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors, LLC with two years of industry experience. He joined the firm in 2024 following eight years as a student. Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, families, retirement plans, institutions, and nonprofits. The firm combines financial planning with discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, utilizing a committee-approved portfolio construction approach and offering coordinated tax and accounting services through its affiliation with a national professional services parent.

Andrew Currin is a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and three years of industry experience. He has held roles with SECU Brokerage Services, SECU Life Insurance Company, and State Employees' Credit Union since 2022, and previously worked in education and insurance. Outside of advisory work, he serves as a Financial Advisory Services Specialist at State Employees' Credit Union and is an agent with 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 salaried advisers provide recommendations while clients retain decision authority, and it operates as a subsidiary of State Employees’ Credit Union alongside several affiliated entities.

James Hartman is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with McAdam LLC in Charlotte, NC, where he has worked since 2021. He has four years of industry experience, including prior roles at FMI Capital Advisors, Leedon Park Capital, and Covenant Capital LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in fixed insurance sales through McAdam Institutional Brokerage. McAdam LLC is an enterprise-scale registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs fundamental analysis to build diversified portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, independent managers, and individual securities, and offers a range of specialized strategies alongside a subscription-based financial planning service.

Lekshmi Rajaram is a financial advisor with CG Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and bringing eight years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at LPL Financial LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, and UBS Financial Services. CG Advisory Services is an SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs a largely model-driven investment approach, supplemented by fundamental and technical research, options strategies, and alternative investments, supported by AI tools and an Investment Committee.

Mariana Vega Ortega is a financial advisor at Arete Wealth Advisors, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Arete, she worked at H & Co LLP for four years. Outside of her advisory role, she is the owner of Blackbull Holding Group LLC, a business involved in the import and export of classic cars. Arete Wealth Advisors provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a combination of advisor-driven and proprietary model allocations, third-party sub-advisers, and acts as an ERISA fiduciary when applicable.

William Richmond is a financial advisor with Cary Street Partners, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 36 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Luxe Lifestyle Magazine. Richmond has been with Cary Street Partners since 2020. Cary Street Partners serves a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, trusts, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of services such as portfolio management, financial planning, and fiduciary services, utilizing proprietary strategies and AI tools alongside human oversight.

Riley Wolfram is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services and holds a Series 66 designation. Based in Charlotte, NC, Wolfram has one year of industry experience, including roles at Principal Life Insurance Company, Principal Bank, and Wells Fargo. Prior to entering the financial sector, Wolfram worked in various positions including at Davidson College and Girls on the Run Greater Charlotte. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients. The firm offers both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary, wrap-fee investment management program called SimpleInvest, leveraging proprietary and third-party models supported by affiliated entities within the Principal Financial Group.

Jordan Nichols is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 12 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Members Trust Company since 2015, SECU Life Insurance Company since 2014, and State Employees’ Credit Union since 2011. Outside of his advisory roles, Nichols owns The Wooden Nickel Woodworking LLC, a business focused on woodworking projects and children's furniture. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors residing in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and retirement and financial planning. The firm emphasizes a long-term, goals-based approach using low-cost index mutual funds and ETFs, operating within a credit union ecosystem as a wholly owned subsidiary of State Employees’ Credit Union.

Jonathan Faynik is a financial advisor at Earned Wealth Advisors, LLC with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has previously worked at Schenley Capital and Northwestern Mutual. His background also includes roles outside finance, such as teaching at Denfeld High School and Robert Morris University. Earned Wealth Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, focusing particularly on doctors, dentists, and their practices. The firm provides financial planning, discretionary wealth management, and retirement-plan advisory services, employing a diversified, buy-and-hold investment approach supported by an internal Investment Strategy Committee and third-party consultants.

Andrew De Angelis is a CFA® charterholder with 19 years of industry experience. He is currently with Venture Visionary Partners LLC and previously worked at KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and Sidoti & Company, LLC. Venture Visionary Partners LLC offers investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and modern portfolio theory approaches to customize portfolios and provides both discretionary and non-discretionary management alongside retirement-plan consulting and implementation.

Neill Nelson is a financial advisor at Principal Advised Services with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at various entities within the Principal Financial Group, including Principal Bank and Principal Life Insurance Company. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary investment management program. The firm is part of the Principal Financial Group family, leveraging proprietary models and affiliated resources to serve its clients.

William Newton Jr. is a CFP® with 24 years of industry experience, currently serving at Archer Investment Corporation since 2011. He also operates Newton Wealth Management and has been a CPA since 1976. His additional business activities include involvement in fixed insurance, life, and annuities. Archer Investment Corporation provides investment management primarily to individual clients, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth investors, offering services through separately managed accounts and proprietary mutual funds. The firm employs a multi-branch, independent-contractor model and manages approximately $1.01 billion in discretionary assets.

Christopher Kemper is a financial advisor with Blueprint Financial Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 23 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Kingswood Capital Partners and Cambridge Investment Research Advisors. Outside of advisory roles, he is a fitness instructor at Fitness Connection and serves as president of Fulcrum Wealth Advisors, a firm involved in life insurance and long-term care sales. Blueprint Financial Advisors is a multi-advisor firm that provides portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement consulting to individuals, trusts, pension and ERISA plans, and nonprofit entities. The firm manages approximately $1.4 billion in assets, employing a proprietary strategic-and-tactical framework to build globally diversified portfolios across multiple asset classes.

Graham Jones is a CFP® certificant with nine years of industry experience currently with Blueprint Financial Advisors. He has previously worked at Securities America Advisors and Deep River Capital Advisors, among other firms. Outside of his advisory role, Jones is a foster care parent through a private agency affiliated with the Department of Social Services. Blueprint Financial Advisors is a multi-advisor firm that provides portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement consulting to individuals, trusts, pension and ERISA plans, and nonprofit entities. The firm employs a strategic and tactical investment approach across diversified asset classes and offers access to private placements and illiquid investments.

Mark Martin is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 12 years of industry experience. He previously worked at TIAA and First Citizens Investor Services before joining CUIS and its affiliated entities in 2026. Outside of finance, Martin is employed part-time at Lowe's Home Improvement in a non-investment role. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors who are residents of North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and financial planning. The firm emphasizes a long-term, goals-based approach using low-cost index funds and ETFs, operating within a credit union ecosystem as a wholly owned subsidiary of State Employees’ Credit Union.

Kyle Sellers is a financial advisor at Principal Advised Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Principal Life Insurance Company, Principal Financial Services, and Florida Financial Advisors, as well as experience in the hospitality sector as a cook. Outside of advisory work, he is employed as a cook at QC Pour House. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary investment management program called SimpleInvest. The firm integrates third-party and proprietary methodologies and benefits from operational ties to the Principal Financial Group family of companies.

Paige Hardaway is a financial advisor at Principal Advised Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with four years of industry experience. She has held roles at Principal Financial Services and Principal Life Insurance Company, and her background includes positions at Amerit Fleet Services and Reliance First Capital. Hardaway also serves as a Retirement Consultant, providing one-on-one investment advice to retirement plan participants on their distribution options. Principal Advised Services offers investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients. The firm utilizes a blend of third-party methodologies and proprietary models to provide both non-discretionary recommendations and discretionary investment management, supported by its affiliation with Principal Financial Group and its related entities.