Ciji Fisher is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. Her work history includes multiple roles within the First Citizens organization since 2007. She serves on the Cabarrus County Hospice Advisory Board, contributing to nonprofit efforts supporting people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment services to individuals, institutions, and municipalities, utilizing a global multi-asset class approach that incorporates fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis. The firm emphasizes discretionary management with a focus on strategic asset allocation, manager research, and portfolio risk control.

Scott Cislo is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor at Mariner Independent with three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC and TIAA, with a career break between 2020 and 2024. Mariner Independent provides investment advisory, financial planning, and consulting services to a diverse client base, including individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm’s platform offers portfolio management, model portfolios, and third-party manager access, with notable integration of institutional and retirement plan resources through affiliated entities.

Malachi Stille is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services in Charlotte, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Principal Asset Management and Principal Life Insurance Company, as well as diverse positions outside the financial sector. Principal Advised Services offers investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, combining third-party methodologies with proprietary models. The firm is part of the Principal Financial Group family, providing integrated access to affiliated products and services through its various subsidiaries.

Kathleen Kowkabany is a financial advisor at Cary Street Partners with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at several firms including Merrill and Rhodes Branding. Cary Street Partners provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm constructs portfolios using a diverse range of investment options and serves specialized institutional niches such as state and municipal government entities and insurance company clients.

James Thompson Jr. is a CFA charterholder with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Stephens. He previously worked at Sallux Investments, LLC, Prodeo Asset Management, Inc., and has held a senior managing director role at Elevation LLC. He is a member of the Board of Governors of Charlotte Country Club. Stephens is a multi-team investment adviser with approximately 243 advisors and $18 billion in assets under management, serving individual, institutional, and retirement plan clients. The firm offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary management programs, combining bottom-up equity research with committee-driven asset allocation, and also provides brokerage, investment banking, custody, and other financial services.

Alex Joseph is a financial advisor at Principal Advised Services in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 credential with one year of industry experience. He also serves as a retirement consultant and assistant vice president focused on advice, education, and sales within the Principal Financial Group. 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 integrates proprietary models with third-party methodologies and operates within the broader Principal Financial Group, leveraging affiliated entities to deliver its services.

Todd Rowe is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience. He currently works at Compound Planning, Inc., where he has been since 2024. Prior to that, he held roles at Choreo, LLC and RSM US Wealth Management LLC. Compound Planning serves individuals, families, businesses, retirement plans, and financial intermediaries, offering discretionary portfolio management, turnkey asset management, financial planning, and institutional retirement-plan services. The firm uses a fiduciary, goals-based investment process with a range of strategies including direct indexing, tax-loss harvesting, and alternative investments, supported by technology partnerships and automated monitoring.

Heather Hammonds is a financial advisor at Cape Investment Advisory, Inc. with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 credential and has worked with firms including American Global Wealth Management and John Tonissen. Outside of finance, she is an owner and member manager of Spot On Roofing & Solar LLC, where she manages the company's bookkeeping. Cape Investment Advisory provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, trusts, corporations, and qualified plans. The firm supports approximately 1,624 clients through a network of about 40 advisors and employs a model that allows advisors flexibility in tailoring asset allocation and portfolio construction using fundamental, technical, and macroeconomic analysis.

Aidan Delaney is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation. He has one year of industry experience, having worked in various roles within the Principal Financial Group since 2026. Prior to entering the financial industry, he held seasonal and part-time positions including work with Reds Best and Goldfish Swim School while attending Elon University. Principal Advised Services primarily provides investment advice to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary wrap-fee management program called SimpleInvest. The firm integrates third-party and proprietary models and operates within the Principal Financial Group family, utilizing affiliated entities to offer a range of investment products and services.

Benjamin Mc Donald is a financial advisor at Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC with 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones for six years and BGW Wealth Advisors, LLC for two years before joining Kestra in 2023. Outside of advisory work, he is the owner of a coffee shop business, Daily Ritual Coffee LLC. Kestra Private Wealth Services provides investment advisory services through a network of independent advisors and multi-advisor teams, managing approximately $13.45 billion in client assets. The firm serves individual and institutional clients with access to a broad range of investment products and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary advisory arrangements.

Monica Hamilton is a financial advisor at Choreo, LLC with six years of industry experience. She holds the PFS™ designation and previously worked at GreerWalker Wealth Management LLC from 2015 to 2023. Choreo provides investment and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, family offices, endowments, foundations, and corporate clients. The firm employs a strategic asset allocation process with diversified model portfolios managed by a centralized team and overseen by an Investment Committee.

Michael Barrows is a financial advisor with IP Financial Advisory Services LLC and Innovation Partners LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. He has 26 years of industry experience and has previously worked at firms including Kingswood Capital Partners, M Stevens Wealth Advisors, and National Planning Corporation. IP Financial Advisory Services LLC primarily serves individual retail clients, focusing on portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting. The firm offers personalized investment strategies, discretionary management, and specialized advisory services such as actuarial analysis and benefits consulting, with an emphasis on non-high-net-worth retail investors and retirement plan participants.

Raymond Morrill is a CFP® with 13 years of industry experience and is currently affiliated with Choreo, LLC in Charlotte, NC. His prior roles include positions at RSM US Wealth Management LLC, Argosy Wealth Management, and CETERA Advisor Networks LLC. Choreo, LLC serves a diverse clientele ranging from individual investors to institutional clients, offering a range of advisory services including portfolio management, financial planning, and outsourced CIO services. The firm employs a strategic asset allocation process combined with quantitative screening and due diligence to manage portfolios through various investment vehicles and specialized advisory services.

Wendell Estep is a financial advisor at SignatureFD, LLC with 5 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® designation and Series 66 license. His prior experience includes roles at Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, The Ayco Company, L.P./Mercer Allied, and The Citadel. SignatureFD serves individuals, business entities, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, retirement plans, and pooled investment vehicle investors. The firm offers discretionary wealth management, financial planning, retirement plan management, and advisory services for private investment funds, implementing diversified, long-term asset allocation strategies.

Patrick Hawkins is a financial advisor at Cornerstone Wealth with two years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Oakwood Capital Securities, 49 Wealth Management, and Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments. Hawkins is also associated with the Financial Independence Group, where he serves as a fiduciary financial professional. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, employer plan sponsors, other advisers, and corporations. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related services, using model-based portfolios with ETFs, mutual funds, individual securities, and alternative investments when appropriate.

Ann Marie Ladnier is a financial advisor at Principal Advised Services with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked with several entities within the Principal Financial Group, including Principal Bank and Principal Life Insurance Company. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as chief executive officer and owner of Bambee LLC, an online retail business specializing in apparel and other customized products. 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. The firm integrates third-party tools and proprietary models, drawing on its affiliation with Principal Financial Group entities to offer access to proprietary funds and banking products.

Carmen Maria Andrews is a financial advisor with Great Valley Advisor Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 23 years of industry experience. She has previously worked at Sharp Advisors and Merit Financial Group, LLC, and has been affiliated with LPL Financial since 2010. Great Valley Advisor Group is an SEC-registered, multi-team investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and other entities. The firm offers personalized portfolio construction and ongoing oversight through a combination of in-house strategies and third-party managers, with a network of approximately 190 advisors.

Caden Losier is a financial advisor at Principal Advised Services in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation. He has one year of industry experience and has worked across several Principal affiliates including Principal Bank, Principal Life Insurance Company, and Principal Securities, Inc. His prior experience includes roles in staffing, sports promotions, and retail. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice 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 integrates third‑party tools and proprietary models, and operates within the Principal Financial Group family, enabling access to affiliated products and services.

Richard Fallon III is a financial advisor at Cornerstone Wealth with eight years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC and JP Morgan Chase & Co. Outside of his advisory role, he works occasionally as a freelance golf caddy in Charlotte, NC. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, employer plan sponsors, other advisers, and corporations. The firm offers comprehensive portfolio management and financial planning, utilizing model-based portfolios that include ETFs, mutual funds, individual securities, and, when suitable, alternative investments managed by third parties.

John Polyviou is a financial advisor with IP Financial Advisory Services LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has worked at Linden Thomas and Company Securities, LLC since 2019 and was previously with Merrill from 2014 to 2021. IP Financial Advisory Services primarily serves individual retail clients, focusing on portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting for non-high-net-worth individuals. The firm uses a combination of discretionary portfolio management and third-party investment advisor referrals to meet client needs.