Cynthia Cross is a financial advisor at Cornerstone Wealth with 11 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at LPL Financial LLC and Mutual Securities, Inc. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as treasurer for a local homeowners association. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered multi-team advisory firm managing approximately $2.1 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, retirement plans, other advisers, and corporate clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services with an investment approach centered on model portfolios that include ETFs, mutual funds, individual equities, and fixed income.

Milton Castellanos is a financial advisor at Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC with 16 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses. Prior to joining Guardian Wealth Advisors in 2020, he worked at Harbor Capital Management Inc for five years. Guardian Wealth Advisors serves individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and other business entities. The firm uses ETFs and mutual funds combined with fundamental and technical analysis within a systematic, quantitative framework, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary management and utilizing tools such as Riskalyze to measure risk.

Elizabeth Ward is a CFP® professional with 16 years of experience in financial planning and investment management. She has worked at Abacus Wealth Partners since 2019 and previously held roles at Workable Wealth, A. Ward Financial Planning LLC, and First Financial Group. Abacus Wealth Partners serves a diverse client base including individuals, families, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, consulting, and both discretionary and non-discretionary investment management. The firm employs a passive-oriented, asset-class investment approach, incorporates ESG screening on request, and allocates to independent managers when appropriate.

Maximilian Hillerbrand IV is a financial advisor at 49 Financial in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining 49 Financial, he worked at Oakwood Capital Securities, Inc. and Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments. He has additional work experience in the food service industry with Chick-fil-A locations. Maximilian is also licensed as a fixed insurance agent, assisting clients with life insurance and annuity products as part of their financial plans. 49 Financial serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, corporations, and retirement plans, offering a range of financial planning and investment management services. The firm employs a disciplined, long-term investment approach rooted in a derivative of Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing proprietary and platform model portfolios mainly composed of mutual funds and ETFs.

Thomas Walker is a Series 65-licensed advisor with Impact Partnership Wealth, LLC, and has been in the industry for one year. He is also the founder and president of Walker Capital Preservation Group, where he has been involved since 2014, focusing on fixed and life insurance sales and federal benefit education. Outside of his financial advisory work, Walker performs guitar for charity events. Impact Partnership Wealth provides investment management, model-portfolio implementation, financial planning, and ERISA retirement-plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and business entities. The firm uses a combination of third-party strategists, adviser-managed models, and direct indexing with tactical overlays, operating on a wrap-fee platform supported by a third-party services provider.

Jeffrey Phillips is a financial advisor with Blueprint Financial Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 40 years of industry experience. His career includes nearly a decade at Securities America Advisors and Securities America Inc, followed by roles at OSAIC and Maplewood Investments Inc. He serves as a board member for two elementary charter schools affiliated with National Heritage Academies. Blueprint Financial Advisors is a multi-advisor firm managing approximately $1.4 billion in assets, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement consulting services to individuals, trusts, pension plans, and nonprofit organizations. The firm employs a strategic-and-tactical investment approach that integrates trend-following and momentum rules across diversified asset classes.

Derrick Morgan is a financial advisor at SAX Wealth Advisors, LLC with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at Dimensional Fund Advisors and The Auxin Group prior to joining SAX Wealth Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he owns Queen City Greens CLT LLC, an urban farming business focused on growing and selling microgreens. SAX Wealth Advisors provides investment management and comprehensive financial planning services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and small businesses. The firm employs a long-term, evidence-based asset allocation strategy using low-cost, passively managed funds and offers specialized consulting on employee benefit plans, real estate exchanges, private funds, and alternative investments.

John Bragg III is a CFP® professional with 37 years of industry experience, currently practicing at Bragg Financial Advisors Inc in Charlotte, NC. He has been with Bragg Financial Advisors since 1990 and worked previously at Queens Road Securities, LLC from 2001 to 2020. Bragg Financial Advisors is a family-owned, multi-advisor firm serving individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and some investment companies. The firm follows a model-based investment approach focused on strategic asset allocation, broad diversification, and periodic rebalancing, with notable involvement as a sub-advisor to small-cap value and value mutual funds.

Paul Zodtner is a financial advisor at Ritholtz Wealth Management with 12 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. for six years before joining Ritholtz in 2019. Outside of his advisory role, he has fiduciary responsibilities such as acting as a trustee or personal representative. Ritholtz Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals and retirement plans, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm employs a goal-based investment approach focused on asset allocation and behavioral finance, using diversified, low-cost ETFs alongside tactical overlays and alternative investments, and provides digital platforms for model portfolio implementation and management.

Boyd Barnhardt is a CFA® charterholder with 14 years of industry experience. He is currently with AlphaStar Capital Management and previously worked at Lifeworth Financial, Wells Fargo Advisors, Linden Thomas Advisory Services, and AON Hewitt. AlphaStar Capital Management is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $1.84 billion for individuals, trusts, small businesses, pension plans, and other advisers. The firm offers both model and custom portfolio strategies using strategic asset allocation combined with quantitative and momentum analysis, and it provides a range of portfolio management and consulting services.

Peter Dolan Jr. is a financial advisor at Ally Invest Advisors with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. His work history includes roles at Ally Invest Securities LLC, Ally Bank, Lowe’s Companies Inc., and Dolan Landscape Service. Ally Invest Advisors provides discretionary portfolio management mainly to individual and high-net-worth clients through web-based platforms and virtual interaction, offering ETF-based Robo Portfolios as well as advisor-delivered personal financial advice.

Jeffrey Hillesland is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 10 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Merrill and The Vanguard Group. Merit Financial Group, LLC manages approximately $10.6 billion for a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using model portfolios and modular sleeves, with services that include asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advice, educational workshops, and employee financial wellness programs.

Malik Pearson is a financial advisor with IP Financial Advisory Services LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 24 years of industry experience. He has been with IP Financial Advisory Services since 2019 and also has experience with Innovation Partners LLC and Truth of Touch Apparel. IP Financial Advisory Services primarily serves individual retail clients, focusing on personalized portfolio management and financial planning, with additional consulting services including actuarial analysis and investment banking support. The firm emphasizes tailored strategies for non-high-net-worth investors and retirement plan participants.

Konrad Brown is a financial advisor with United Capital Financial Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 15 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Cetera Advisor Networks LLC and Girard Securities, Inc. Brown is also the owner of KB Group Sales & Leasing, Inc., a retail business based in Fort Lauderdale, FL. United Capital offers national financial planning and discretionary investment management to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth households, retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm supports customized investment strategies and operates FinLife Partners, a platform that provides technology and sub-advisory services to independent advisors.

Wesley Mattox is a CFA® charterholder with seven years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Exodus Wealth, LLC. His prior roles include positions at Prosperity Wealth Management, Integrated Financial Strategies, Wolfe Research Advisors, Wolfe Research, and Evaluserve. Exodus Wealth serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and pension/profit-sharing plans by providing asset management, financial planning, and consulting services. The firm manages portfolios using a blend of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis across various investment strategies and conducts regular portfolio reviews and due diligence on third-party managers.

Clifford Hodge is a CFA® charterholder with 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Cornerstone Wealth Group since 2018 and previously worked at Fintrust Investment Advisory Services and FinTrust Brokerage Services. Hodge serves on the American Funds RIA Advisory Board, providing guidance on client business matters. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered multi-team advisory firm managing approximately $2.1 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, retirement plans, other advisers, and corporate clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting with an investment approach centered on model portfolios and discretionary management.

Benton Bragg is a CFP® and CFA® with 32 years of experience in financial advising. He is the principal of Bragg Financial Advisors Inc and previously spent 20 years at Queens Road Securities, LLC. Bragg serves on the boards and investment committees of several nonprofit organizations, including the Mecklenburg County Council of Boy Scouts and Wingate University. Bragg Financial Advisors is a family-owned, multi-advisor firm offering financial planning and discretionary portfolio management to individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and investment companies. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation and broad diversification, operating distinctive small-cap value investment programs and serving as a sub-advisor to mutual funds.

Rob Bacharach is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with nine years of industry experience. He is currently with IHT Wealth Management LLC and LPL Financial, having previously worked at Prudential Insurance Company of America and Hendrick Mercedes Benz Northlake. He operates RB Wealth, LLC, a business entity for tax and investment purposes. IHT Wealth Management serves individuals, corporate and institutional clients, and retirement plan sponsors by providing discretionary asset management, financial planning, ERISA plan consulting, outsourced CIO arrangements, and access to third-party managers. The firm uses a combination of fundamental value screening, quantitative optimization, and periodic rebalancing tailored to clients’ objectives and risk tolerances.

Nathan Antonik is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. His background includes roles at Principal Life Insurance Company, Principal Securities, and other positions in various industries prior to joining Principal Advised Services. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary wrap-fee investment management program called SimpleInvest. The firm leverages proprietary models and third-party methodologies, operating within the Principal Financial Group family to access a range of affiliated products and services.

Cameron Rebant is a financial advisor at Choreo, LLC with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at UBS Financial Services, Hantz Financial Services, Jackson National Life, and Citizens 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.