Janet Pearson is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 29 years of industry experience. She has been with First Citizens Investor Services in various capacities since 1994, except for a two-year period of unemployment from 2021 to 2023. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a client-focused process that includes comprehensive financial assessments and a diversified investment approach across equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs.

Benjamin Guyton is a financial advisor with Brookstone Capital Management LLC holding a Series 65 designation. He has eight years of experience at Amerilife and previously worked for four years at Bonefish Grill. Brookstone Capital Management provides fee-based asset management and financial planning services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, and other business entities. The firm utilizes strategic and dynamic asset allocation models, a turnkey asset management platform, and a variety of investment vehicles including ETFs, mutual funds, individual securities, and options-enhanced strategies.

Bradley Williams is a CFP® with 29 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC since 2017. He previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. from 2005 to 2017. Independent Advisor Alliance works with a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting services. The firm employs a network model of advisory representatives and utilizes discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management strategies supported by technology platforms and third-party resources.

Ashok Tapadia is a financial advisor with Guardian Life in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Guardian Life since 1999 and is also affiliated with CP Advisory Services, Inc. Tapadia has involvement in insurance services beyond Guardian and participates in real estate activities through Fathom Realty. Guardian Life’s subsidiary, Park Avenue Wealth Management, serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement plan sponsors. The firm offers a combination of advisor-led discretionary management and model-based strategies, alongside a range of financial planning and consulting services.

Kenneth Marsh is a CFP® professional with 23 years of industry experience, currently serving at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. He has been with First Citizens Investor Services and First Citizens Bank since 2011. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a client-focused process guided by Investment Advisor Representatives, offering portfolio management, model portfolios, and tax-aware services.

Frances Hymiller is a CFP® with 21 years of industry experience, currently serving at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. since 2022. Prior to joining Mercer, she worked for 25 years at Wrenn Financial Strategies, Inc. Mercer Global Advisors serves individuals, families, small business owners, plan sponsors, foundations, and non-profits with investment advisory services, financial, tax, retirement, and estate planning, as well as family office services. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, focusing on globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios using low-cost ETFs, index funds, and other strategies, supported by extensive client education and integrated service offerings.

William Martin is a financial advisor at Commonwealth Financial Network with 10 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC. Martin is also affiliated with LifeTime Asset Management LLC. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their retail and institutional clients, providing a range of advisory programs and services including wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party asset managers. The firm supports advisors with operations, technology, compliance, and investment management resources.

Angela Smelcer is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 25 years of industry experience. She has been with First Citizens Investor Services since 2005 and First Citizens Bank since 2024. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm’s approach includes IAR-led assessments and diversified portfolio management using fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis across various asset classes.

Timothy Sumner is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials with 20 years of industry experience. He has been with First Citizens Investor Services since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member of the Sampson County Soccer Club and is president of the Clinton High School Booster Club. First Citizens Investor Services serves individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients, offering advisory and brokerage services through individual advisors and third-party portfolio managers. The firm utilizes a client-focused process involving financial need assessments and applies fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to manage diversified portfolios.

Kerolous Botros is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 16 years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at NCDI Doctors and Principal Life Insurance Company, where he remains active. Outside of his advisory duties, he owns Botro Enterprise, LLC, a business established to track income and expenses. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and active-duty U.S. military personnel abroad. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager programs under various advisory and promoter arrangements.

Matthew Johnson is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience currently serving at Truist Advisory Services. He previously worked at BB&T Securities before joining Truist in 2016. Johnson holds a Series 66 license and is based in Raleigh, NC. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation and investment policy analysis, fiduciary support, and a manager-selection program that integrates discretionary and non-discretionary approaches supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Andrew Sullivan is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 24 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing for 15 years. Outside of his advisory work, he plays lead guitar in a tribute band that performs locally in Raleigh, NC. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting to implement advice, supported by AI-enabled research tools and integrated inter-affiliate service arrangements.

Destiney Deschaines is a financial advisor at Guardian Life with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Guardian Life, she worked at Equitable Advisors and held various roles including at 41 North Coffee Company and the University of Connecticut. She co-owns J&D Cutter Row, LLC, a real estate business established with her father. Guardian Life operates through Park Avenue® Wealth Management, providing brokerage and advisory services to individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and nonprofits. The firm combines advisor-led discretionary management with model-based strategies and offers access to insurance products, alternative investments, and integrated lending options.

Lauren Harper is a CFP® professional with 12 years of experience, currently advising clients at Janney Montgomery Scott in Raleigh, NC. She has been with Janney since 2014. Janney Montgomery Scott is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, and institutional clients, offering a range of brokerage, financial planning, and advisory services.

Andrew Rotz is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. He previously worked at Fruitful, NCSU-CVM, Simplicity Financial Marketing, and Fidelity Investments. Outside of his advisory role, Rotz is the founder and CEO of Tide & Tempest Financial Planning, LLC, and serves as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves. Mercer Global Advisors serves individuals, families, small business owners, plan sponsors, foundations, non-profits, and endowments, providing a range of investment advisory and financial planning services. The firm employs a globally diversified, risk-appropriate investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory and utilizes low-cost ETFs, index funds, separate account managers, and other investment options.

Cindy Marvin is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at RBC Capital Markets, Jpmorgan Chase Bank NA, Morgan Stanley, and Fcg Advisors LLC. Outside of finance, she is involved with McManus Appraisal Group as a certified residential appraiser and also works part-time in produce at Harris Teeter. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporations, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools, with a focus on integration across affiliated entities.

Stephanie Bruneau is a financial advisor with Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and six years of industry experience. She has worked at Ameritas and its affiliates since 2020 and was previously employed at 3D Systems for seven years. Bruneau is also a Senior Account Executive at Boston 128 Insurancy Agency Inc., where she focuses on fixed annuities and insurance products. Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and planning services to individuals, high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory, utilizing a variety of investment products and program platforms.

William Norman IV is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has eight years of industry experience. Norman has been with First Citizens in various roles since 2018. He serves on the board of The Fisher Oil Company as a trustee, participating in shareholder meetings related to the oil and gas market and company financials. First Citizens Investor Services serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers advisory and brokerage services featuring portfolio management, a Guided Investing platform, tax-aware services, and financial planning, employing a client process that emphasizes tailored assessments and diversified investment strategies.

John Taylor is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with 20 years of industry experience. He currently works at Truist Advisory Services and Truist Investment Services, having been with the firms since 2021. Prior to that, he spent eight years at Bb&T Securities, LLC, and sixteen years with Scott & Stringfellow, Inc. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation and investment policy analysis, plan sponsor fiduciary support, and a manager-selection program, utilizing a blend of discretionary and non-discretionary approaches supported by AI-enabled research tools and inter-affiliate integration.

Molly Mccormack is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 26 years of industry experience. She has held her current role since 2005 and previously worked at Charles Schwab from 2003 to 2005. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division serves individual clients, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, offering financial planning and discretionary managed account programs. The firm operates a vertically integrated advisory model with both point-in-time planning and ongoing portfolio management, including customized portfolios managed under client-approved investment policies.