Richard Custer is a financial advisor at Principal Financial Services with 20 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Principal Financial Services since 2016, as well as Principal Life Insurance Company since 2006. He also holds a bank officer role at Principal Bank and Principal Trust Company, supporting retirement plan account relationships across multiple Principal entities. Principal Securities offers brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm provides direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager solutions under various advisory and promoter arrangements.

Scott Zimmerman is a CFP® professional at Mariner with 13 years of industry experience. He has worked at firms including JP Morgan Securities, UBS Financial Services, and SIP. Mariner serves a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporations, offering investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and coordinated tax services. The firm employs customized discretionary portfolios overseen by an Investment Committee and provides integrated tax, accounting, and financial wellness solutions.

Andrew Bowling is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has previously worked at The Vanguard Group and Fidelity Investments. Wells Fargo Investment Institute provides manager research, global investment strategy, securities research, asset allocation analysis, and model-portfolio services to Wells Fargo affiliates and unaffiliated financial institutions. The firm delivers non-discretionary, impersonal model portfolios developed through specialist divisions and does not provide individualized financial planning or manage client accounts directly.

Ashley Fowler is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials with eight years of industry experience. She has been with First Citizens Investor Services since 2017 and previously worked at First Citizens Bank from 2015 to 2018. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. offers advisory and brokerage services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a client process focused on financial needs assessment and risk tolerance, utilizing a range of investment strategies across equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs.

Richard Harvey is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 26 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at LPL Financial for 14 years, Uvest Financial Services Group, Inc. for five years, and Questar Asset Management, Inc. for one year. Truist Advisory Services offers investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools, partnering with Envestnet platforms to deliver ongoing portfolio monitoring and client consultations.

Eric Harbert is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with 13 years of industry experience. He is currently with Corient in Charlotte, NC, where he has worked since 2022. His prior roles include positions at Ci Brightworth (formerly McGill Advisors) and CIPW Service Company, LLC. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, and corporate entities. The firm uses a goals-based, team investment approach combining in-house strategies with third-party managers, incorporating risk management tools and alternative investment options where appropriate.

Jason Young is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Creative Planning since 2015. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $217 billion in assets and employs a financial planning–led investment process that emphasizes low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supplemented by more specialized approaches and a range of retirement plan services.

Jeffrey Emperador is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 14 years of industry experience. His career includes multiple roles within Truist-affiliated entities and prior experience at Empower Financial Services and BB&T Securities. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools to support its advisory services and offers partnerships with Envestnet platforms and retirement solutions.

William Biles is a CFP® professional with 24 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently associated with TLG Advisors, Inc. and has a background that includes roles at Bluestone Insurance/PLAN, Investacorp, Highland Capital, and SunTrust Bank. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as president of Insurance Consulting & Design. TLG Advisors, Inc. serves a wide range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm focuses on investment supervisory services, portfolio management, and comprehensive financial planning, employing a manager selection process and Modern Portfolio Theory to build diversified portfolios.

Stephen Wilson is a CFA® charterholder with 18 years of industry experience. He is currently a financial advisor at &PARTNERS in Charlotte, NC, where he has worked since 2025. Prior to joining &PARTNERS, he held roles at Wells Fargo Clearing Services, Queens Oak Advisors, Capital Guardian Wealth Management, and Stanford Group Company. Wilson serves as an investment committee team leader for the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina. &PARTNERS serves a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers investment management and financial planning services, utilizing a combination of fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis through both discretionary and non-discretionary approaches.

Lincoln Maurer is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 65 license with three years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. since 2022 and previously worked at Somic America, Inc. from 2019 to 2022. Wells Fargo Investment Institute provides manager research, global investment strategy, and model-portfolio services to Wells Fargo affiliates and unaffiliated financial institutions. The firm acts as a research and model-provider, delivering non-customized portfolio recommendations without managing client accounts or providing individualized financial planning.

Katherine Grier is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC. She holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions with Truist Investment Services and Truist Bank, as well as ten years with Levy at Truist Field. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory services supported by integrated financial relationships and utilizes both traditional research and AI-enabled tools for ongoing client support.

Ryan Schrift is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and holds a Series 66 designation. He has 19 years of industry experience, including roles at Independent Advisor Alliance since 2016 and LPL Financial since 2012. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a City Councilman for Belmont, NC, and is a managing partner of The Schrift Boys Farm in South Carolina. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base, including individuals, small businesses, pooled vehicles, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management supported by various analytical techniques and technology platforms.

Brennon Hawkins is a CFP® with seven years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Savant Wealth Management. His prior experience includes roles at Exencial Wealth Advisors, Wells Fargo, and The Vanguard Group. Savant Wealth Management provides comprehensive wealth management, financial planning, and related services to individuals, families, pension plans, charitable organizations, and high-net-worth clients. The firm combines evidence-based, model-driven asset allocation with actively managed strategies and sub-advised mandates, supported by a broad range of affiliated legal, accounting, and trust services.

Alexander Talley is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. based in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and eight years of industry experience. His career includes multiple roles within First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Investor Services, as well as experience at UNC Charlotte. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. serves a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers advisory and brokerage services with a focus on comprehensive client assessments and portfolio management that utilizes fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis.

James Webster is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at Adhesion Wealth Advisor Solutions and LPL Financial. Based in Charlotte, NC, Webster has been with Wells Fargo Investment Institute since 2024. Wells Fargo Investment Institute provides manager research, global investment strategy, securities research, asset allocation analysis, and model-portfolio services to Wells Fargo affiliates and other financial institutions. The firm operates as a research and model-provider, delivering non-discretionary, non-customized investment solutions rather than individualized financial planning or portfolio management.

Karen Shane is a CFP® professional with 21 years of industry experience. She is currently an advisor at &PARTNERS and has previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. &PARTNERS serves a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and private businesses. The firm offers investment management, financial and tax planning, and municipal advisory services, utilizing a combination of proprietary and third-party strategies with ongoing monitoring and periodic reviews.

Jonathan Ganzert is a financial advisor with Janney Montgomery Scott in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 registrations and bringing 47 years of industry experience. He has been with Janney Montgomery Scott since 2005. Ganzert serves as a board member of the Village of Morrocroft Homeowners Association, contributing to community management on a volunteer basis. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing around $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, estates, corporations, retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and municipal clients, offering brokerage, financial planning, consulting, and multiple advisory programs.

Philip Lee is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding the CFP® designation and Series 63 and 66 licenses. He has 22 years of industry experience and has worked with LPL Financial LLC for the past 10 years. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm combines a network of advisory representatives with access to various portfolio management strategies and technology platforms to support its services.

Deidre Caldwell is a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott with 38 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked for Robert W Baird for 10 years prior to joining Janney Montgomery Scott in 2024. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC manages approximately $110 billion in client assets and serves a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, estates, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and municipal clients. The firm offers brokerage services, financial planning, consulting, and multiple advisory programs, combining in-house portfolio management with third-party managers across various investment platforms.