Guy Swain is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network in Raleigh, NC, holding CFP® and ChFC® designations and possessing 40 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Commonwealth Equity Services, Inc. since 1995. Outside of his advisory role, he is co-owner of LifeTime Tax Management, a private entity focused on tax-related services. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser supporting a national network of nearly 3,000 advisors and their clients. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs and services, including discretionary model portfolios and customized investment solutions, while providing operational, compliance, and technology support to affiliated advisors.

Jacob Niles is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with two years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Raleigh Capital Management and Fidelity Investments. Outside of advisory work, he is also an insurance agent with Raleigh Wealth Solutions. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and retail brokerage clients. The firm uses an integrated model tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms and focuses on long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing.

Dustin Thornton is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at First Citizens Bank and Exchange Bank. Outside of his advisory duties, Thornton co-owns rental properties with his spouse. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a comprehensive client assessment process and offers a range of investment solutions including portfolio management and tax-aware services.

Joshua Brien is a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Janney Montgomery Scott since 2013. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a committee member for BSA Trop 215, participating occasionally in camping trips with the group. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base, including individuals, families, trusts, corporations, and municipal clients, offering brokerage services, financial planning, and advisory programs with a combination of in-house and third-party portfolio management.

Christopher Kriak is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. He holds a Series 66 designation and has eight years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, Mass Mutual Investors Services, and PNC Investments. 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 corporate entities. The firm uses a client-centered process combining fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to manage portfolios across various asset classes.

Anna Fagan is a wealth advisor at CWM, LLC with 24 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, infinex Investments, Inc., and Community Bank of Tri County. In addition to her advisory role, she is also an insurance agent selling life insurance, annuities, and long-term care products. CWM, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, high-net-worth families, foundations, endowments, corporations, and institutional clients through a network of more than 600 advisors. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, employing model portfolios overseen by an in-house Investment Committee and utilizing various tools and third-party sub-advisors.

Kimberly Loftin is a financial advisor at OSAIC Institutions, Inc. with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Thrivent Financial, First Citizens Bank, and Principal Life Insurance Company. OSAIC Institutions, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, ERISA retirement plans, trusts, estates, and corporate clients. The firm offers customized advisory services, financial planning, ERISA plan services, and access to alternative investments and lending solutions, operating through a hybrid adviser/broker-dealer model with a focus on both discretionary and non-discretionary accounts.

Jacquelyn Wiggs is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 14 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at BB&T Securities, Wells Fargo Advisors, and Raymond James Financial. Outside of her advisory role, Jacquelyn is a Les Mills group fitness instructor in Raleigh, NC. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, utilizing a combination of discretionary manager relationships and third-party platforms to support client investment needs.

Elias Dau is a financial advisor at First Command Advisory Services with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked previously at Ameriprise, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, Principal Securities Inc., and Merrill Lynch. Outside of his advisory role, he is an author based in Raleigh, NC. First Command Advisory Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporate, and charitable clients with a focus on active-duty service members and their families. The firm offers financial planning and multiple wrap-fee asset management programs managed through centralized teams that select portfolios from mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party managers.

Robert Mouro is a CFP® with 22 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Janney Montgomery Scott since 2019 and previously held roles at Bank of America and Merrill. He serves on the advisory board of the Northwest Cary YMCA, acting as an ambassador for the organization in the community. Janney Montgomery Scott is a large enterprise firm managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm offers a wide range of services to individuals, families, trusts, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, and municipal clients, utilizing in-house and third-party portfolio management across multiple advisory programs.

Michael York is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and holds a Series 66 designation. He has 25 years of industry experience and has been with Independent Advisor Alliance since 2015, concurrently serving with LPL Financial since 2012. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting services. The firm provides both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and utilizes a network model that integrates technology platforms and access to third-party managers.

Lori York is a CFP® with six years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services in Raleigh, NC. Her prior roles include positions at BB&T and BB&T Securities, where she worked for a combined eight years. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, utilizing a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Alan Segal is a CFP® professional with 36 years of industry experience, currently serving at Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC since 2024. His prior experience includes 19 years at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. and Ameriprise. Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC is an enterprise-scale, SEC-registered RIA managing approximately $36.7 billion in assets and serving a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a range of portfolio management and financial planning services.

Robert Hill is a CFP® affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network and has one year of industry experience. He is co-owner of Cardinal Hill Wealth Management, LLC, a private entity engaged in securities, advisory, and insurance business. Prior to his current roles, he worked at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Premier Inc. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their retail and institutional clients. The firm provides advisory programs, technology, and compliance support, offering a range of portfolio management options including discretionary model portfolios and personalized indexing strategies.

Sandra Russ is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 20 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network. She has a background that includes ownership and operation of The Russ Agency, Inc., an insurance business based in Granite Falls, NC, where she focused on fixed insurance sales. Her career also includes roles at Lifetime Asset Management, LLC and Allstate Insurance Co. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,900 advisors and hundreds of thousands of clients. The firm offers a comprehensive adviser-support platform with managed-account programs, third-party asset manager access, retirement and plan consulting, and custody/clearing services.

Paul Liebman is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at Fidelity Investments, Colliers International, Grubhub, and the USDA. Liebman serves on the Foundation Board of Directors for Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he collaborates with prospective donors on planned giving. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, utilizing a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary manager relationships supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Vernon Maples is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in Raleigh, NC, holding the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 46 years of industry experience, including 28 years with Principal Life Insurance Company and 10 years at Principal Securities INC. His outside business activities include work with fixed insurance products such as fixed life, annuities, disability income, and long-term care insurance. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager asset allocation and separately managed account solutions.

Jonathan Wakin is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services based in Raleigh, NC. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 11 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at First Citizens Investor Services, Park Avenue Securities, Guardian Life Insurance Company, Edward Jones, and RGA Investments. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and active-duty U.S. military personnel overseas. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager solutions, with investment implementation generally carried out on a discretionary basis.

Devon Blair is a financial advisor at Principal Financial Services with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Principal, Blair held positions at Thrivent Financial, S&P Global, and Equitable Advisors. Outside of advisory roles, Blair has business experience with Restaurant Applications, LLC and Hamptons Delivery Service, Inc. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and active-duty military personnel. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager solutions.

David Elliott is a CFP® with 25 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He is currently with Clearstead Advisory Solutions, having joined in 2024 after 23 years at Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas Asset Management. Elliott also serves as Assistant Vice President at Lafayette Advisor, focusing on collective investment trusts. Clearstead serves affluent private clients and institutional investors, providing investment management, financial planning, tax planning, family office administration, and institutional consulting services. The firm utilizes an institutional investment process across a variety of investment vehicles and maintains approximately $33.9 billion in assets under management.