Timothy Portelance is a financial advisor with Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Raymond James Financial Services and Edward Jones. Outside of advising, he serves as president of the Peninsula at Lake James Property Owners Association. Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise-scale RIA managing approximately $36.7 billion in assets. The firm serves a broad client base including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering advisory services that include discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and pension consulting.

Jordan Hamilton is a financial advisor with Brookstone Capital Management LLC in Charlotte, NC. He holds a Series 65 designation and has experience working at AmeriLife of North Carolina and FedEx Freight. Brookstone Capital Management provides fee-based asset management and financial planning to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, and other business entities. The firm employs a range of investment strategies including strategic and dynamic asset allocation models, Unified Managed Accounts, and a mix of ETFs, mutual funds, individual securities, and options-enhanced strategies.

Shamecia Carter is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC. She holds the Series 66 designation and has four years of industry experience, including roles at Wells Fargo Clearing, Merrill, Bank of America, and Truist Investment Services. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines traditional research and AI-enabled tools to support asset allocation, manager selection, and ongoing portfolio monitoring, operating within a broad affiliate network that includes banking and clearing relationships.

Daniel Ratajczak is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing five years of industry experience. His career includes roles at New York Life Insurance Company since 2020 and WRHI Radio since 2021. Eagle Strategies serves individual and institutional clients by providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services through a large network of advisors. The firm offers multiple program types tailored to client objectives, with a focus on non-discretionary asset management and fiduciary responsibilities to retirement investors.

Jordon Accetta is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) in Rock Hill, SC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and having eight years of industry experience. He is also the owner of 1852 Financial Group LLC, where he brokers non-registered insurance products and sells New York Life products and services. His prior work includes roles at NYLIFE Securities LLC and New York Life Insurance Company. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse range of individual and institutional clients, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services through a large network of affiliated representatives. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and manages the majority of its assets on a non-discretionary basis, often working with institutional plan sponsors within the New York Life affiliate structure.

Rick Burger is a financial advisor with Guardian Life and Park Avenue Securities in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and possessing 14 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Eagle Strategies and over a decade with Park Avenue Securities and Guardian Life. Outside of advisory work, he acts as a successor executor for friends, managing related investment matters. Park Avenue Securities, a subsidiary of Guardian Life, provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers tailored client solutions through a combination of advisor-led discretionary management and model-based strategies, supported by proprietary programs and third-party platforms.

George Estes Jr. is a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. in Fort Mill, SC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials with 25 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Harrisdirect LLC and TD Ameritrade Investment Management, LLC. Outside of financial advising, he is a co-owner and vice president of a company in Columbia, SC. Mercer Global Advisors serves individuals, families, small business owners, plan sponsors, foundations, non-profits, and endowments with investment advisory, financial, tax, retirement, and estate planning services. The firm employs a globally diversified investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing low-cost ETFs, index funds, separate accounts, and private funds across various platforms.

Katharine Osborne is a CFP® and ChFC® credentialed advisor at Corient with 21 years of industry experience. She previously worked at RBC Capital Markets for 16 years before joining Corient in 2025. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, and corporate entities. The firm employs a goals-based, team investment approach that integrates in-house strategies with third-party managers and utilizes risk management tools to align portfolios with client objectives.

Lisa Hund is a financial advisor with Guardian Life and holds the ChFC®, Series 63, and Series 65 designations. She has 16 years of industry experience, with a career spanning multiple roles at both Guardian Life Insurance Company and Park Avenue Securities. Outside of her advisory work, she serves on the Winthrop University Executive Alumni Board and the board of the Carolina Wind Orchestra, and she actively participates in community service through the Rock Hill Elks Lodge. Park Avenue Securities LLC, a subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, offers brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm provides a combination of advisor-led discretionary management and model-based strategies, supported by proprietary programs and third-party platforms, tailoring client relationships to individual needs.

Ernest Ross III is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 17 years of industry experience. He is currently with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and LPL Financial, having previously worked at Fifth Third Securities, Bank of America, and Merrill Lynch. His experience spans various roles within financial services in the Charlotte, NC area. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting services. The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, utilizes multiple investment strategies, and integrates technology platforms to support client asset aggregation and estate planning.

Kenneth Poe Jr. is a CFP® with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Corient. He has held positions at several firms, including McGill Advisors, Ci Brightworth, and CIPW Service Company, LLC, before joining Corient. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, and corporate entities. The firm employs a goals-based, team investment approach that integrates in-house strategies with third-party managers and uses comprehensive risk management tools to align portfolios with client objectives.

Kathryn Hughes is a financial advisor at Guardian Life with seven years of industry experience and holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. She has worked at Park Avenue Securities and Pruco Securities, and also serves as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, consulting on divorce-related financial matters. Outside her advisory role, she is an independent contractor with Quest Relocation Group and consults through Smart Divorce Decisions, LLC. Guardian Life’s subsidiary, Park Avenue Securities, provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm combines advisor-led discretionary management with model-based strategies and offers a range of financial planning, consulting, and proprietary investment solutions.

Gavin Shuck is a financial advisor at Rockefeller Financial LLC with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked previously at Truist Advisory Services, Truist Investment Services, BB&T Securities, Scott & Stringfellow, and Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as board chair for the nonprofit A Better World, Charlotte, and is an executive committee member of the Radford University Davis School of Business Advisory Board. Rockefeller Financial LLC serves high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, institutional clients, and corporations. The firm provides portfolio management, financial planning, and investment banking services through a Private Advisor model and a consolidated investment platform that includes equities, fixed income, and alternatives.

Matthew Dellinger is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. He holds the Series 66 designation and has experience working with Bankers Life entities since 2025. Prior to his financial services career, he served with the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire Department and worked at Prime Coatings. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management and investment consulting primarily to mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals. The firm emphasizes customized asset allocation, tax efficiency, and a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to guide investment decisions.

Alexander Smith is a financial advisor with Equity Services, Inc. (ESI Financial Advisors) in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Equity Services since 1994 and has additional tenure at National Life dating back to 1990. Outside of his advisory role, Smith serves as Vice President of the North Carolina Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and is involved in several business ventures, including real estate ownership and insurance sales. Equity Services, Inc. provides financial planning, consulting, and asset management services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers multiple advisory platforms, frequently utilizing third-party asset managers and model portfolios, combining long-term strategies with options for shorter-term trading and discretionary or non-discretionary management.

William Baylog is a ChFC®-designated financial advisor with 26 years of industry experience. He has worked with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. since 2016 and has been involved with Bankers Life & Casualty since 1996, where he manages agents, managers, and administrators in addition to providing insurance sales and services. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor asset allocations and portfolio management according to clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

John Moore is a financial advisor at Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Charlotte, NC, with two years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been affiliated with New York Life companies and Eagle Strategies since 2023. Outside of his advisory role, Moore is a freelance musician and serves as a board member for a local business referral group. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional investors, and plan sponsors, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services through a large network of affiliated representatives. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and manages a substantial portion of its assets on a non-discretionary basis.

Neal Patel is a financial advisor with Guardian Life and holds the Series 66 designation. He has experience with both Guardian Life Insurance Company and Park Avenue Securities, where he has been since 2020 and 2026 respectively. Prior to his financial career, he worked in roles with Egenberg Trial Lawyers, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the New Orleans Saints. Park Avenue Securities, a subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, offers brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm provides a range of services including financial planning, ongoing consulting, and access to proprietary and third-party investment programs.

Christopher Sotardi is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 11 years of industry experience. He has worked with Bankers Life since 2007 and Bankers Life Securities, Inc. since 2016. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as a Unit Field Trainer at Bankers Life & Casualty, recruiting and training insurance agents. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor asset allocations and manages portfolios with a focus on clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

Larry Parker is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) in Matthews, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 24 years of industry experience. He has worked with Eagle Strategies since 2007 and also owns Parker Financial Group LLC and Parker Financial and Insurance Solutions. Outside of his advisory work, he volunteers as a youth sports coach with the Porter Ridge Athletic Association. Eagle Strategies serves a broad client base including individuals and institutions, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm offers a range of program types designed to tailor advice to client objectives and plan sponsor criteria, with the majority of assets managed on a non-discretionary basis.