Richard Welsh is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 35 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including UBS Financial Services, Citigroup Global Markets, and Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated. Welsh also operates under the DBA Welsh Financial Group. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, supported by extensive technology and a large network of advisors.

Andrea Franklin is a financial advisor at Merrill with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Merrill since 2017. Prior to that, she was with SunTrust Advisory Services and SunTrust Investment Services from 2008 to 2017. Outside of her advisory role, Franklin assists with her husband’s custom woodworking business by handling accounting, social media, and participation in craft shows, and she is also involved in direct sales of make-up and skincare products through SeneGence. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Biodun Ayo Durojaiye is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Frederick, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 10 years of industry experience. He has been with Primerica Advisors since 2015 and has worked with Primerica Financial Services since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Vice President of the AWE Descendants Union of North in Damascus, MD. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, offering model-delivery strategies and limited separately managed account options to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm uses an independent due-diligence process to select asset managers and employs a tiered wrap-fee structure rather than fixed fees.

Gaurika Kapoor is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 10 years of industry experience. She has worked at Bank of America, Merrill, and T. Rowe Price Investment Services. Outside of her advisory role, she is a co-owner of a family business called Gaurika Sood. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and various institutional investors.

Ye Zang is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing nine years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cetera in 2025, Ye was associated with Avantax Advisory Services and Avantax Investment Services. She is also the owner and sole proprietor of Elizabeth Ye Zang, CPA, LLC, which provides tax preparation and accounting services. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform that includes discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers, managing over $256 billion in assets across more than 10,000 advisors.

Jared Vance is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2018. Prior to his career in finance, he spent one year at Pessin Katz Law PA and four years with UMBC Aquatics. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the IAABO Board 214 in Frederick County, Maryland. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that provides a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning and managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. Its financial planning process utilizes firm-approved tools and models without providing individual security recommendations.

Jeffrey Garner is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 24 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009, including time at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2020. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he spent nine years at Citigroup Global Markets. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs including tailored financial planning, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Kimberly Friedman is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 17 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked for Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. for 14 years. Kimberly is also a licensed notary. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions through a broad range of advisory and brokerage services.

Stuart Fishbein is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Rockville, MD, holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015 and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a wide range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured financial planning process supported by firm-approved tools and market scenario modeling.

Daniel Ator is a financial advisor at LPL Enterprise with a Series 66 designation and no prior industry experience. Before joining LPL Enterprise in 2026, he held roles at Always Ice Cream Company and the University of Maryland. LPL Enterprise provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a wide range of clients, including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, banks, and charitable entities. The firm employs a model-driven investment approach and offers financial planning, access to third-party asset managers, and participation in wrap programs.

Pamela Willison is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with six years of experience at Thrivent Investment Management. Prior to joining Thrivent, she was a manager in business consulting, focusing on project management and human resources software implementation. She also has experience teaching in the Baltimore County Public Schools. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers holistic, goal-based planning on a range of topics and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing approach called “WealthPlan.”

David Cooper is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 13 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at PFS Investments Inc. and Primerica Financial Services since 2013, as well as prior service with Carroll County Government. In addition to advisory work, he is involved in the sale of loan products and home-related services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors manages a wrap-fee asset management program serving individual, corporate, and charitable clients. The firm delivers advisory services primarily through model-driven strategies developed by external asset managers and supports trade execution and custody with BNY Mellon Advisors and Pershing.

Benjamin Duhoski is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. He previously worked at Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Securities, LLC, and Northwestern Mutual. LPL Enterprise provides advisory and brokerage services to individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, banks, and charitable entities through a large network of investment adviser representatives. The firm typically employs model-driven investment implementation and offers access to third-party asset managers and financial planning services.

Lionel Desbordes II is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Edward Jones since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the Board of Trustees for Glenelg Country School in Ellicott City, MD. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, with over $1 trillion in assets under management supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,700 advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, investment strategies, and affiliated solutions under a fiduciary standard.

Niesha Parekh is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 23 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a board member for the An Open Book Foundation, a nonprofit focused on children and youth in Washington, D.C. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that provides a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning and managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm’s financial planning process includes structured discovery and modeling tools, supporting clients in implementing and updating their plans.

Luke Welsh is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with Series 66 credentials and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Goohoo Digital and Coastal Carolina University. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm provides advisory and brokerage services with a wide range of investment options and uses technology tools to support advisors while managing over $819 billion in discretionary assets.

Michael Padilla is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with families, individuals, and business owners to develop long-term financial strategies that integrate savings plans, financial goals, and business plans with retirement objectives. He serves as clients' primary point of contact and partners with a team of specialists to assist in various aspects of their financial lives. Mike graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a minor in Business Management. His professional background includes owning and managing a home improvement company and working as a Personal Banker for Bank of America, where he helped clients with their checking, savings, and credit needs. He joined Merrill in 2012. Mike holds the designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He lives in Montgomery County with his wife and two children and is active in his church and community. Mike spent time living in Brazil from 2002 to 2004 and is fluent in Portuguese. Outside of work, he enjoys participating in sports such as flag football, camping, hiking, and is involved with the Boy Scouts of America.

Richard Nisson Jr. is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with six years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Edward Jones since 2019. His prior work includes a position at Solar Energy Services and experience in the hospitality sector. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Clinton Hare is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 44 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 1999 and previously worked at AXA Advisors, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he owns and manages a portfolio of model homes purchased from a homebuilder, which he rents and later sells. Equitable Advisors serves individual clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and various asset-management programs. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and third-party asset managers to deliver customized investment solutions without sponsoring its own wrap fee program.

Rongxia Zhu is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 21 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Truist Advisory Services and TransGlobal Advisory. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a program focused on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The program relies on centralized due diligence combining quantitative and qualitative research and incorporates an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.