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.

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.

Kenyon Allman is a financial advisor with Level Four Advisory Services who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 45 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Mid-Atlantic Securities, Inc. and Raymond James & Associates. He serves as co-trustee for the Diane and Robert Allman Revocable Trusts and the R&D Family LP. Level Four Advisory Services is an SEC-registered enterprise investment adviser managing approximately $5.32 billion across 115 advisors and over 13,800 client relationships. The firm serves a diverse client base and offers fee-only financial planning, asset management, third-party manager referrals, and retirement plan advisory services.

Brent Niswander is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Members Trust Company, SECU Brokerage Services, State Employees' Credit Union, and Bank of America, among others. Outside of financial services, he is involved in an e-commerce business focused on watch repair and sales. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors and a smaller number of trust clients in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management and retirement planning with a focus on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs. The firm operates as a salaried employee model within the State Employees’ Credit Union system and provides clients with recommendations while leaving final investment decisions to them.

Mitchell Ludwig is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience, currently associated with UNITED PLANNERS' FINANCIAL SERVICES of AMERICA. His prior work includes roles at OSAIC, FSC, Wealthcare Capital Management LLC, and The Family Firm. He is also involved as an Associate Partner in Carolina Wealth Partners, a marketing entity based in Raleigh, NC. United Planners Financial Services is a national wealth-management enterprise serving a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers advisory and brokerage services through independent Investment Adviser Representatives and employs a mix of custodians and third-party managers to implement client strategies.

Joseph Lucente is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc. in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having four years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Fifth Third Securities and Fifth Third Bank since 2020, as well as prior experience at SunTrust Bank and Chipotle Mexican Grill. Fifth Third Securities serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional entities through investment advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers multiple investment programs and third-party portfolio management options on its Passageway platform and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank.

Kenneth Bollinger is a CFP® with 30 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC since 2026. His prior roles include positions at Emerald Investment Partners, LLC, Niagara International Capital Limited, and Principal Financial Company. In addition to his advisory work, he is involved as a healthcare benefits insurance agent with Triangle Insurance & Benefits Insurance Agency. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services provides financial planning, asset management, and retirement-plan consulting for individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm manages over $122 billion in assets through a large advisor network and employs a diversified investment process blending passive and active strategies supported by an internal Investment Committee.

Jennifer Ploehn is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 26 years of industry experience. She has been with Truist and its predecessor entities since 2008. Outside of her advisory work, she is involved as a distributor for weight loss and wellness supplements and as a consultant for fragrance products. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary manager relationships with non-discretionary consulting and utilizes third-party platforms and AI-enabled tools to support investment decisions.

John Liddicoat is a CFP® with over 32 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has been with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. since 2017 and previously worked at Saybrus Equity Services, Inc. and Saybrus Partners. Outside of his advisory work, he operates a personal farm where he grows hay and is developing a truffle business. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses, offering advisory and brokerage services with a focus on portfolio management, financial planning, and tax-aware strategies. The firm emphasizes IAR-led client assessments and a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to manage investments.

Katie Peeden is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. Her career includes positions at Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC before joining First Citizens Bank and its investor services division in 2021. 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 businesses. The firm uses a client-focused process to assess financial needs and risk tolerance, employing a range of investment analyses to manage portfolios across various asset classes.

Vernon Russ is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at firms including MML Investors Services, Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company, and New York Life Insurance Company. Outside of finance, he was involved with The Curious Kitchen from 2015 to 2019. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers portfolio management, model portfolios, an automated investing platform, and tax-aware services, focusing on client assessments and a mix of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis for asset allocation.

Cody Wagner is an advisor with FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc. based in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. He has experience working at Fifth Third Securities since 2026 and has previous roles at Fifth Third Bank, Truist, and Wells Fargo dating back to 2016. FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions through investment advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers multiple program types and third-party portfolio managers on its Passageway platform, combining advisor-guided strategies with advanced portfolio management techniques.

Cynthia Harvard is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. She has worked with SunTrust Advisory Services and Sun Trust Investment Services since 2016. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a board member for the American Red Cross Central NC Chapter and operates a personal online resale business. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a range of discretionary and non-discretionary solutions supported by third-party manager relationships and AI-enabled research tools.

Julie Knight is a CFP® with 15 years of industry experience and is currently an advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott. Her prior experience includes roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. She volunteers with the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley and is involved as a member and volunteer with Lehigh Valley Aging in Place. Janney Montgomery Scott is a large enterprise firm managing approximately $110 billion in client assets, serving a diverse client base with brokerage, financial planning, consulting, and advisory programs. The firm combines in-house and third-party portfolio management and offers custody and trustee services through a subsidiary trust company.

Mark Weaver is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network in Raleigh, NC, holding the ChFC® and Series 63 designations and bringing 39 years of industry experience. He has worked at Crossbridge Financial Group, LLC and Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in prior roles. Outside of his advisory work, he is a 50% owner of WBDFC, LLC, an entity focused on managing commercial real estate. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients, offering a variety of advisory programs and support services. The firm provides operations, trading, technology, investment management, compliance, and practice-management resources, enabling advisors to construct client portfolios using a broad range of securities and insurance products.

Kyle Scott is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) in Raleigh, NC, holding the ChFC® designation along with Series 65 and Series 63 licenses, and has four years of industry experience. He previously worked at GPac, Sprint Communications, and Charter Communications. Outside of his advisory work, Scott is the owner of KTNDJE Publishing and the author of *Killing Chaos: Making Relationship Decisions That Lead to Less Drama*. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, and institutional clients, offering financial planning, investment management, and advisory services often connected to insurance and annuity products. The firm primarily manages assets on a non-discretionary basis and tailors recommendations to client objectives across multiple program types.

Roberto Pflaumer is a financial advisor at Transamerica Financial Advisors with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at WealthWave, Transamerica Financial Advisors, Wfgia, and Entrust. Pflaumer also engages in sales of insurance and non-insurance products for companies affiliated with Transamerica Financial Advisors. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individual investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers a range of advisory and broker-dealer services, including proprietary model portfolios and access to third-party money managers, operating as both a registered broker-dealer and a registered investment advisor.

Whitney H Ill is a CFP® professional with three years of industry experience, currently serving at Creative Planning. Prior to joining Creative Planning, Whitney worked at Collective Wealth Partners and GRID 202 Partners. Outside of financial advising, Whitney is involved in entrepreneurial ventures including ownership in an ecommerce business and a quick-service restaurant franchise. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base ranging from individuals to institutions. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach emphasizing low-cost indexing, tax-loss harvesting, and selective private market exposure while managing approximately $295.6 billion in client assets.