Michael Ortiz is a CFP® with seven years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at United Capital Financial Advisors. His prior roles include positions at Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Mercer Allied, and The AYCO Company, L.P. United Capital Financial Advisors provides national financial planning and discretionary investment management to a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth households, retirement plans, and corporate or institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of services such as sub-advisory and consulting, supported by the FinLife Partners platform, which assists independent investment advisors.

Chia Yang is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with two years of industry experience. She has worked at Modera Wealth Management, LLC since 2022 and previously held a position at Merrill Lynch. Yang also has experience in academia, having been affiliated with Winthrop University in various capacities from 2018 to 2022. Modera Wealth Management, LLC provides fiduciary, fee-only advisory services to a wide range of clients, including high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an allocation-driven investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory and offers services such as wealth management, retirement plan consulting, tax preparation, and trust-related services.

Andrew Barnett is a financial advisor with AlphaStar Capital Management, holding a Series 65 credential and six years of industry experience. He has worked at AlphaStar Capital Management since 2020 and concurrently serves as Director of Technology Innovation at Financial Independence Group, LLC, where he leads software engineering efforts to develop solutions for financial professionals. AlphaStar Capital Management manages approximately $1.84 billion for a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, small businesses, and other investment advisers. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, employing a strategic asset-allocation approach combined with quantitative analysis and tactical methods.

Andrew Smith is a CFP® with 26 years of industry experience, currently serving as a managing partner at Cornerstone Wealth Group, LLC. He has held roles at Mutual Securities, Inc. and Cornerstone Financial Advisors, among others. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in management activities through CWG Management Group, LLC. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered multi-team advisory firm managing approximately $2.1 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, retirement plans, and corporate clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to alternative investments and affiliate private funds.

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 licenses and having 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at J.M. Barry & Associates, LLC and Axa Advisors, LLC. In addition to his advisory work, he is involved as a financial consultant with Barry, Evans, Josephs & Snipes, providing life insurance and securities consultation and sales. M Holdings Securities, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser and FINRA member broker-dealer serving individual, corporate, retirement plan, and other clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors and member firms. The firm offers a range of advisory services including investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and sub-advisory services, utilizing multiple sponsored platforms and third-party custodians.

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.