Katherine Surles is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 13 years of industry experience, currently working at Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC. She has held roles at Secu Life Insurance Company, Secu Brokerage Services, and State Employees' Credit Union since 2007, where she serves as a Financial Advisory Services District Manager. Surles is also a trust representative for Members Trust Company. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, fixed-income products, and a goals-based, long-term planning approach, with salaried advisers and client-directed implementation of recommendations.

Nathan Oltmans is a CFP® professional with 18 years of industry experience. He is currently with Strategic Blueprint, LLC and has prior experience at Cornerstone Wealth Management and The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. Outside of his advisory roles, he is also involved as an agent with Tucker Insurance Services, specializing in fixed life insurance referrals. Strategic Blueprint, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers customized, goal-based strategies through a variety of services including portfolio management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and educational seminars.

William Orchard Hays III is a financial advisor with HBW Advisory Services LLC in Durham, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Silver Oak Securities, Cetera Wealth Services, and multiple financial services firms he has been associated with since 2005. He is also involved with Stepwise Financial, an independent financial professional business. HBW Advisory Services manages approximately $1.75 billion in client assets and offers discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, financial planning, and consulting to individuals, families, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs a blended investment approach, utilizing third-party money managers and multi-manager diversification, and is noted for its institutional and intermediary services alongside a high client load per advisor.

Marc Oslar is a financial advisor at Impact Partnership Wealth, LLC with over 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and has previously worked at Modern Woodmen of America, Freedom Equity Finance, Inc., and MLO Planning, Inc. Outside of his advisory role, he is president and manager of Marc Oslar Retirement Experience, LLC, a business focused on insurance and annuities. Impact Partnership Wealth, LLC provides investment advisory services to individuals, corporations, trusts, and retirement plans, managing approximately $3 billion. The firm offers model portfolio solutions, discretionary asset management, and retirement plan services through a multi-adviser platform that incorporates both firm-managed and advisor-managed strategies.

James Batey is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 20 years of industry experience. His prior work includes 15 years at Valic Financial Advisors and four years at AGIA. He also works as an agent involved in non-securities insurance products. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary, fee-based investment management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate retirement plans. The firm’s evidence-based investment approach incorporates asset allocation, periodic rebalancing, and a mix of strategies tailored to client goals and risk tolerances.

Paula Ali is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and four years of industry experience. She has been associated with Credit Union Investment Services and its affiliates since 2021 and has served as a Financial Advisory Services Specialist at State Employees' Credit Union since 2013. Outside of her advisory role, Ali is the owner of SPNJ Courier Services, LLC, and is the CEO of Resilient Mentees, Inc., a nonprofit focused on supporting foster children through high school. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, with salaried advisors who provide recommendations while clients retain final decision authority.

Sean Brennan is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 11 years of industry experience. He has worked with Credit Union Investment Services since 2014 and has prior experience at White Rabbit Brewer. Brennan is also an agent with SeCU Life Insurance Company. Credit Union Investment Services serves North Carolina residents, primarily individual investors, offering non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning with a focus on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs. The firm operates as a subsidiary of State Employees’ Credit Union and manages over $3.0 billion in non-discretionary advisory assets.

Charles Upshaw III is a CFP® professional with 45 years of industry experience, currently serving at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC. He has been affiliated with Capital Investment Brokerage, Inc. since 1997. Outside of his advisory work, he is a long-standing member of the Rotary Club of Raleigh and serves as a trustee for the Hill-Pike House Trust. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of services including separately managed accounts, referrals to third-party managers, private-label model portfolios, and financial planning, using an individualized process tailored to clients’ objectives and risk tolerance.

Troy Hill is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 27 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of advisory services, he co-owns Sooner Ventures, LLC, a residential real estate leasing business managed by his spouse. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers personalized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, employing various analytical methods and regular portfolio reviews.

Samuel Knight is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 20 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing Service, Wells Fargo Bank, Mass Mutual Investors Services, and Metlife Securities Inc. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers individualized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, employing a variety of analytical methods and conducting ongoing portfolio reviews.

Steven Gray is a Series 66-registered financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services, bringing two years of industry experience. He has held roles within the State Employees' Credit Union system, including as a Financial Advisory Services Specialist and life insurance agent. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves North Carolina residents, offering goals-based, non-discretionary investment advice focused on low-cost index funds and ETFs, with a long-term investment horizon. The firm operates within a credit-union ecosystem, providing financial planning and asset allocation services without commission-based compensation.

Tory Klinedinst is a financial advisor at Great Valley Advisor Group, LLC with 19 years of industry experience. Klinedinst holds Series 66 and Series 63 designations and has worked with Gaines Financial Group, Inc. dba Balanced Investment Strategies and LPL Financial since 2014. Great Valley Advisor Group is an SEC-registered, multi-team investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and other entities. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting, emphasizing individualized portfolio construction and ongoing oversight through a combination of in-house strategies and third-party managers.

George Arky is a CFP® with 37 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Concurrent Investment Advisors, LLC since 2025. He has previously worked at Arky & Miller Financial Group, LLC, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, and The Variable Annuity Marketing Company. Outside of his advisory roles, he is a board member of the Ronald McDonald House of Durham and participates as a tour guide for Tinto Wine Tours in Durham, NC. Concurrent Investment Advisors provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, families, trusts, and businesses. The firm employs a long-term investment approach with customized portfolios and serves over 10,000 clients through a network of approximately 161 advisors.

Kemp Mebane is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 designations and bringing 12 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at First Citizens Investor Services and Capital Investment Group, Inc. There are no additional notable outside activities reported. Capital Investment Advisory Services offers portfolio management and supervisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable institutions. The firm provides customized investment solutions that incorporate fundamental and technical analysis, managing most assets on a discretionary basis.

Wanda Cooper is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. She has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 1997. Outside of her advisory role, Cooper serves on the board of Camp Kerr Lake - Shiloh Family Ministry, where she teaches and supports family activities during the summer. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, with ongoing monitoring and quarterly reviews.

Jamie Hodges is a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been associated with State Employees' Credit Union since 2015. Hodges also serves as a life insurance agent with SECU Life Insurance Company. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, and its advisors are salaried employees of the parent credit union.

Allison Flippin is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services. She has been affiliated with State Employees' Credit Union since 2012 and holds roles at SECU Life Insurance Company, SECU Brokerage Services, and Members Trust Company. Outside of her advisory work, she teaches as an adjunct notary public instructor at Wake Tech Community College. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning focused on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs. The firm’s salaried advisers provide recommendations while clients retain final decision authority.

Steven Colford is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc., holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and bringing 21 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Ascensus, LPL Financial, and Wake County Public Schools. He has been with First Citizens Asset Management since 2026. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to a range of clients including individuals, trusts, municipalities, and institutions. The firm constructs global multi-asset class model portfolios using a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis, with an emphasis on discretionary management and strategic asset allocation.

Kurt Hollar is a financial advisor at Verity Asset Management with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been associated with multiple entities under the Verity name since 1997. His prior experience includes work with The Leaders Group DBA Simplicity Investments and Verity Investments, Inc. Verity Asset Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individual, corporate, institutional clients, and other advisers. The firm employs a model-driven investment approach focused on tactical asset allocation across diverse asset classes, offering discretionary portfolio management, retirement-plan advisory, and financial planning services.

Kashif Osman is a Series 65 registered advisor with RFG Advisory, LLC, based in Cary, NC, with one year of industry experience. He has held previous roles at the Islamic Association of Raleigh and the North Carolina Democratic Party. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a director for Samakash Limited, advising on the purchase and sale of commercial properties. RFG Advisory is a multi-team registered investment adviser with approximately 178 advisors managing about $8 billion for more than 17,000 clients. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services, employing a mix of actively managed and passive strategies with a focus on risk management and tax efficiency.