Sara Milam is a Series 65 licensed financial advisor with three years of industry experience, currently with AlphaStar Capital Management. Her prior work includes roles at Financial Independence Group, Ann Taylor LOFT, and Target Corporation. She is also a licensed insurance agent. AlphaStar Capital Management is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $1.84 billion for a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and pension plans. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and subadvisory services, utilizing both predefined model portfolios and custom strategies based on quantitative analysis and tactical asset allocation.

Rebecca Hoover is a financial advisor at Waverly Advisors, LLC with seven years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at McShane Partners and KPMG. In addition to her advisory role, she serves as president of Windsor Partners, LLC, a consulting firm focused on financial matters. Waverly Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser managing portfolios for individual clients, retirement plans, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm combines traditional equity and fixed-income strategies with alternative and private market allocations and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management.

Michael Proud is a CFP® professional with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving at Concurrent Investment Advisors, LLC. He previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors and Wells Fargo Clearing, and he is a co-owner of Nine Bridge Financial Partners, a firm based in Charlotte, NC. Concurrent Investment Advisors, LLC provides wealth management, investment management, and financial planning services to individuals, families, trusts, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs a primarily long-term, portfolio-driven investment approach using ETFs, mutual funds, and selected securities, supporting over 13,000 clients across multiple offices.

Matthew Gooch is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and four years of industry experience. He has worked within various Principal Financial Group entities since 2022 and has prior experience in diverse roles including positions at Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary investment management program called SimpleInvest. The firm integrates third-party tools and proprietary models and benefits from operational ties with affiliated Principal entities to support its advisory services.

Brandy Burgess is a financial advisor at Principal Advised Services with nine years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Principal Financial Services, Principal Life Insurance Company, and Wells Fargo Clearing Services. Burgess is also associated with Principal Bank through her role within Individual Solutions. Principal Advised Services offers investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, combining third-party tools and proprietary models to deliver both non-discretionary recommendations and discretionary investment management. The firm is part of the Principal Financial Group family, leveraging its integrated operational structure and affiliated entities to provide access to proprietary funds and bank products.

Brandon Allain is a financial advisor with M HOLDINGS SECURITIES, Inc. based in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials with 11 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Axa Advisors, LLC, and has been associated with J.M. Barry & Associates, LLC since 2019. Outside of his advisory work, Allain is involved as a financial consultant specializing in life insurance and securities consultation and sales. M HOLDINGS SECURITIES, Inc. serves a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and corporations through a nationwide network of independent firms and financial professionals. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, combining discretionary and non-discretionary investment management with financial planning, insurance advisory, and retirement plan consulting.

Jeffrey Chapman is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 23 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Resilience Wealth Advisors, LLC, Resources Investment Advisors, LLC, and BB&T RIS Investment Management. First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. provides investment advisory and sub-advisory services to individuals, trusts, corporations, institutional accounts, and municipal entities. The firm manages approximately $167 million on a discretionary basis through a multi-team platform of 33 advisors, offering global, multi-asset model portfolios across various implementation frameworks with an emphasis on dynamic asset allocation and manager research.

David Lentz is a financial advisor with SVB Wealth in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 24 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Merrill and First Citizens Investor Services and Asset Management. SVB Wealth LLC provides wealth management, portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and corporate and pension clients. The firm utilizes a due diligence process to select third-party managers and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary account management, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company.

Claude Corbett is a financial advisor with Royal Fund Management, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Royal Fund Management since 2020 and previously spent four years at Horter Investment Management and ten years at Corbett Insurance Services. Outside of advising, he is an independent insurance agent with I65PLUS, where he assists clients in meeting their health, life, disability, long-term care, and annuity insurance needs. Royal Fund Management serves individuals, corporations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations by providing portfolio management, financial planning, and pension consulting. The firm employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis across a range of investment strategies and offers specialized services including participant account management and access to select non-traded REITs and an options-writing overlay.

Russell Cearley is a CFA® charterholder with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at SignatureFD, LLC in Charlotte, NC. He has been with SignatureFD since 2010. SignatureFD provides wealth management services to individuals, business entities, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm manages client portfolios primarily on a discretionary basis using mutual funds, ETFs, and independent managers, complemented by ongoing financial planning and periodic reviews.

Ciji Fisher is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and having 16 years of industry experience. She has worked with various entities within the First Citizens organization since 2007. Fisher serves on the Cabarrus County Hospice Advisory Board, which supports people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to individuals, institutions, and municipalities, employing a multi-asset class investment approach that combines fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis.

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 a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Her prior work history includes roles at Merrill, Rhodes Branding, and Nemours Children's Health. Cary Street Partners serves a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, trusts, retirement plans, and institutional clients, providing portfolio management, financial planning, and access to proprietary investment strategies and third-party managers. The firm integrates AI tools into its investment process while maintaining human oversight.

Charles Agnew is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and having 10 years of industry experience. He has been associated with State Employees’ Credit Union since 2012 and concurrently holds roles at SECU Life Insurance Company, SECU Brokerage Services, and Members Trust Company. Agnew serves as a Financial Advisory Services District Manager at State Employees' Credit Union, overseeing financial services for eligible members. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors residing in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and comprehensive retirement and financial planning. The firm emphasizes a long-term, goals-based investment approach using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs within a credit union ecosystem.

Keith Blumenstock is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently advising at Modera Wealth Management, LLC since 2026. He spent the prior decade with PNC Investments from 2016 to 2026. Outside of his financial advisory role, he has worked as a dog sitter. Modera Wealth Management serves individuals, trusts, corporations, and plan sponsors, offering wealth management, retirement plan consulting, financial planning, tax services, trust services, and business coaching. The firm employs diversified asset allocation guided by Modern Portfolio Theory and combines investment management with in-house accounting and tax capabilities.

James Thompson Jr. is a CFA® charterholder with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Stephens in Charlotte, NC. His prior roles include positions at Sallux Investments, LLC, Prodeo Asset Management, Inc., and Elevation LLC, where he is a Senior Managing Director. He serves on the Board of Governors of Charlotte Country Club. Stephens provides investment advisory and wealth-management services to individuals, pension plans, foundations, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored portfolio programs, committee-based oversight, and a range of services including portfolio management, financial planning, and institutional equity research.

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 has worked at Compound Planning, Inc. since 2024, following roles at Choreo, LLC and RSM US Wealth Management LLC. Compound Planning, Inc. serves individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans with discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, consulting, and a Turnkey Asset Management Program for financial intermediaries. The firm employs customized, risk-based allocations using fundamental, technical, and modern portfolio theory analysis, integrating low-cost ETFs, direct indexing, and alternative strategies.

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.