Thomas Druckenbrod is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management who specializes in retirement income and wealth management planning. With over 19 years of experience in the financial services industry, he focuses on helping individuals set realistic financial goals and develop outcome-oriented strategies using Merrill's customized advice and Bank of America Global Research. Thomas holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has earned multiple professional designations, including Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). His client focus areas include college education planning, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, special needs planning strategies, women and wealth, and retirement income. In addition to his professional work, Thomas is involved in his community as a church volunteer. Outside of work, his personal interests include adventure sports, chess, fishing, ice skating, table tennis, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Gordon Hasslinger is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and various mortgage and resource companies. 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, primarily constructing portfolios from Vanguard funds and ETFs, and manages a large client base through its digital platform and team servicing model.

Jaime Bell is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Brookstone Capital Management and H.E. Scheil & Associates, Inc. Bell is based in Charlotte, NC. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice through its Vanguard Digital Advisor and Vanguard Personal Advisor services, primarily serving retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios constructed mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs, emphasizing customization and tax-aware strategies.

Christian Burns is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with eight years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2017 and previously worked six years at the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina, Inc. He serves on the Development Committee of the Cornelius Arts Center, where he contributes to training board members on major gifts and may collaborate with board members on donor meetings. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large network of financial advisors and branch offices. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and affiliated investment products under a fiduciary standard.

Jon Neely is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. Outside of his advisory role, he contributes as a blogger providing information for boating enthusiasts and works as a ghostwriter for non-investment topics. Vanguard Advisers offers automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models to create personalized asset allocations and manages portfolios constructed mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Jean Basson is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with 12 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has been with Vanguard entities since 2013 in various capacities including marketing and advisory roles. Based in Charlotte, NC, Basson’s background includes over a decade at The Vanguard Group and related affiliates. Vanguard Advisers delivers automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models to construct personalized portfolios primarily from Vanguard funds and ETFs, emphasizing scale and digital delivery through a large team of advisors.

Timothy Cosby Jr. is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, having five years of industry experience. He has worked at Vanguard since 2021 and has prior experience at Northwestern Mutual and other roles outside finance. Outside of advising, he is also a drummer in a retail/service capacity. Vanguard Advisers serves retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans by providing automated and human-supported investment advice through its digital and personal advisor services. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models and primarily invests in Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Emily Morgenthaler is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with four years of industry experience, currently with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC. Prior to joining Vanguard in 2022, she worked in various roles at companies including Sona Dermatology and Stuart Weitzman. Vanguard Advisers serves retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans through both automated and human-supported investment advice. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models to construct portfolios primarily from Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering a range of customization options and managing a high volume of client relationships through a digital platform.

Ra'shanda Williams is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and having 12 years of industry experience. She has been with The Vanguard Group, Inc. since 2014. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, offering goal-based, algorithm-driven portfolio management primarily using Vanguard funds and ETFs. The firm combines digital delivery with a large advisor team, managing hundreds of thousands of client relationships.

Kirk Messick is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked since 2012. He began his career in the financial services industry in 2006 with Wachovia Securities. Kirk holds professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned his high school diploma from West Iredell High School. With over sixteen years of experience, Kirk focuses on goal setting and retirement planning, specializing in consolidation and distribution of retirement and pension plans. He employs Goals Based Wealth Management, creating personalized strategies to help clients pursue their financial goals through a structured process of defining objectives and implementing solutions. His approach emphasizes putting the client's interests first and building trust through integrity and hard work. Outside of his professional role, Kirk participates in community activities such as coaching the All Pro Dads Odell Elementary Chapter and serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America. His personal interests include hiking, spending time with his family, and watching movies.

Justin Marshall is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, with 12 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Vanguard Advisers since 2016. He is also affiliated with The Vanguard Group and Vanguard Marketing Corporation. 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 and offers a range of customizable portfolios primarily composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Adam Mielke is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers and holds a Series 66 designation. He has five years of experience in the industry, including roles at Vanguard Advisers and The Vanguard Group, Inc. Prior to that, he worked at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and was self-employed. Vanguard Advisers offers automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach with portfolios primarily composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs, supported by a large team of advisors and digital delivery.

Mark Kuznitz is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 33 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and previously worked at Bank of America and Merrill from 2009 to 2023. Kuznitz is based in Denver, NC. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeted at individuals approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide customized, non-discretionary recommendations supported by a centralized consulting team.

Adam Unterseher is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been in the industry since 2025, with prior experience at Raymond James Financial and other companies. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach to portfolio construction using proprietary methodologies and offers a range of customization options, managing a large client base through its digital platform and team-based service model.

William Haugen is a CFP® credentialed financial advisor with 56 years of industry experience, currently with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. He previously worked at Wachovia Securities, Inc. from 2001 to 2002. Haugen serves as a board member of the Downtown Development Association of Morganton, NC. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm providing investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of brokerage and advisory solutions backed by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Ken Carlson is a CFP® with five years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers. He has held roles within The Vanguard Group and Vanguard Marketing Corporation since 2021 and has prior experience at Techtronic Industries and Delta Airlines. Carlson is also the owner of an investment-related rental property business. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models to deliver personalized asset allocations, with portfolios largely composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Steven Choo is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with a Series 66 designation and one year of experience at Vanguard and its affiliated entities. His prior work includes positions at WOW Payments and involvement with the Summer Youth Employment Program in Chinatown. Vanguard Advisers serves retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans through a combination of automated and human-supported investment advice. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models to construct portfolios primarily from Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering a range of customization options and managing a large scale of client relationships.

Robert Fox is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Vanguard entities since 2013 in various capacities. His other business activities include serving as an executor for an immediate family member’s estate. 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 investment approach with portfolios primarily composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs, supported by a large advisor team and a digital delivery platform.

John Shaffer is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Corpay and Wells Fargo Advisors. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with investment options that include insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Christopher Charte is a CFP® professional with nine years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC. His career includes multiple roles at The Vanguard Group, Inc., along with prior experience at Selective Wealth Management and Barrett-Johnson & Associates. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice through services tailored for retail investors and employer-sponsored retirement plan participants. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models to construct portfolios primarily from Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering a range of customization options and managing a large client base with a combination of digital platforms and advisor support.