Rose Ann Thompson is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA in 2021, she worked at Mecklenburg County DSS, Queens University of Charlotte, and Atrium Health/Carolinas Healthcare System. Outside of her advisory role, she owns Gemway Farms, LLC, which sells produce seasonally and offers garden planning consultations. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning, discretionary managed account programs, and broker-dealer services primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as various trusts, estates, and small retirement plans. The firm offers both point-in-time financial planning and ongoing discretionary portfolio management with a fiduciary standard applied to its registered investment advisor services.

Franklin Mcelroy is a financial advisor at Kestra Advisory with 34 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Mcelroy is co-owner and manager of BMH Investment Group, LLC, where he is involved in business decisions and client management. He also serves on the boards of Beers & Burpees and the CLT Foundation, both charitable organizations serving the greater Charlotte area. Kestra Advisory Services provides investment advisory and retirement-plan consulting to a wide range of institutional and individual clients. The firm offers fiduciary services, plan design and compliance testing, and access to multiple management platforms, serving clients including large institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds.

Tod Wells is a CFP® with 33 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at &PARTNERS since 2024. His prior experience includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing from 2001 to 2005 and again from 2016 to 2024, as well as Merrill from 2005 to 2011. He is also a partner in DWM, LLC, a non-investment-related entity. &PARTNERS serves a diverse client base that includes high-net-worth individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations. The firm offers investment management, financial and tax planning, and retirement-plan advisory services, utilizing a combination of fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis along with both proprietary and third-party strategies.

Max Bozymski is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials with four years of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF, he worked at Vanguard Marketing Corporation and has a diverse professional background including roles in education and corporate settings. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans. The firm operates a fiduciary advisory model with varied service scopes and offers both model-based and customized portfolio management.

Stephen Marshall Jr. is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with four years of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at Wells Fargo Clearing Services, Wells Fargo Bank, and AT&T. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected with TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing discretionary management, offering customized portfolio management alongside model portfolio options.

Corie Basham is an Investment Advisor Representative at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Fifth Third Securities since 2026. Prior to that, she worked at Fifth Third Bank, Randstad, and Enterprise Rent a Car. Fifth Third Securities serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional accounts through both advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers various managed account programs via the Passageway platform, utilizing third-party portfolio managers, and provides a range of investment options from mutual funds and ETFs to separately managed accounts and direct indexing.

Synovia Bell is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and bringing two years of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF, she worked at Truist Investment Services and Truist Advisory Services. Bell is the founder of ROCSA, an initiative that assists small businesses in Washington, DC with fundraising efforts to support their operations and growth. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to employer retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans. The firm offers both point-in-time planning services and ongoing discretionary portfolio management using a fiduciary model.

Christopher Connor is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked previously at E*TRADE Capital Management LLC, E*TRADE Securities LLC, and Scottrade. Connor is based in Charlotte, NC. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with connections to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm separates standalone planning services from ongoing discretionary management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund while providing a range of managed account programs.

Matthew Fortenberry is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Prudential-related firms, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, and AXA Advisors. Equitable Advisors serves individual clients—including both non‑high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals—along with pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and various asset management programs, utilizing a range of third-party asset managers and proprietary advisory models.

John Knolhoff is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers based in Charlotte, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 19 years of industry experience, including 15 years with The Vanguard Group. Knolhoff serves as an agent on family members' investment accounts. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm utilizes a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with proprietary methodologies to construct portfolios primarily from Vanguard funds and ETFs, supported by a large-scale digital platform and a team servicing model.

Sulayman Nyang Jr. is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a mentor and business coach for at-risk young adults and holds positions on several nonprofit and advisory boards related to business coaching, education, and community initiatives. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a broad range of investment advisory programs and affiliated financial services. The firm is notable for its extensive advisor network, comprehensive service offerings, and fiduciary standard of care.

Daniel Copeland is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and 66 licenses and having six years of industry experience. He has been with The Vanguard Group since 2020, following earlier roles in brokerage services and various positions including work in the hospitality and entertainment sectors. Vanguard Advisers serves retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans through a combination of automated and human-supported investment advice. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios constructed mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs, supporting a large client base through its digital platform and extensive team of advisors.

Hyun Paik is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers, holding a Series 66 credential and five years of industry experience. Prior to joining Vanguard Advisers, Paik worked at Fisher Investments and Fidelity Brokerage Services. Vanguard Advisers offers both automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, utilizing a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios primarily composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Caleb Wyckoff is a financial advisor with Merrill in Huntersville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. He has worked at Bank of America N.A. and Merrill since 2023 and previously spent seven years at Harris Teeter. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Elaine Turner is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with six years of industry experience. She has worked at various Vanguard entities since 2020 and has also been self-employed in a childcare role since 2021. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach utilizing proprietary models to create personalized asset allocations, primarily using Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Laura Spivey is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Cornelius, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Her prior work includes two years at Movement Mortgage before joining Edward Jones in 2018. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a broad range of advisory services, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm operates under a fiduciary standard and is notable for its extensive retail advisor network and affiliated capabilities beyond advisory services.

Brian Zellner is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 18 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at D.A. Davidson & Co. for eight years and multiple positions at LPL Financial and Merrill. He also has experience outside the financial sector, including work with Vail Resorts and Bambis Christmas Trees. Equitable Advisors serves a broad client base, including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management programs. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and collaborates with third-party asset managers to deliver investment solutions tailored to clients’ risk tolerance and goals.

Adrienne Gonzalez is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at The Vanguard Group since 2021. Prior to Vanguard, she held roles at Equitable Advisors, AXA Advisors, and Auto-Owners Insurance. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, utilizing a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach centered on personalized asset allocations and a range of customizable portfolio options.

David Hahl is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Cornelius, NC, with 16 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and Series 66 designations and has been with Edward Jones since 2010. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

John Abdelmalak is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 and Series 63 designations and has worked at various Vanguard entities since 2022. Outside of his advisory role, he is the owner of Elect, LLC, though the business is currently inactive. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with personalized asset allocations primarily constructed from Vanguard funds and ETFs.