Derrick Longo is a financial advisor with Savant Wealth Management, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and bringing 12 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Exencial Wealth Advisors, Burns Wealth Management, Intercarolina Financial Services, and Wells Fargo Advisors. Outside of advisory work, he owns several rental properties in Kannapolis, NC, which contribute to a portion of his income. Savant Wealth Management serves individuals, families, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and high-net-worth clients with comprehensive wealth management and related services. The firm employs a blend of evidence-based, model-driven asset allocation and actively managed strategies, supported by affiliated accounting, legal, and trust services.

John Tierney is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and The Vanguard Group, Inc. Outside of finance, he has experience in the catering industry with Best Impressions Caterers. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities by providing advisory and brokerage services that include portfolio management, wrap programs, model portfolios, and financial planning. The firm’s investment approach combines fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to tailor asset allocation across various securities.

John Clement is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA-CREF since 2006. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of two homeowners associations in the Charlotte area. 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, and small retirement plans. The firm separates stand-alone planning services from ongoing portfolio management and offers customized investment options managed under a fiduciary standard.

Zachary Brock is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services, holding a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Cypress Benefit Solutions, Parks Insurance Group, and Employee Benefit Advisors. 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 outside the United States. The firm’s advisory services encompass direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager asset allocation and separately managed account solutions.

Troy Rozich is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 24 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at HarrisDirect LLC and E*TRADE Capital Management LLC. He is based in Charlotte, NC. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm combines point-in-time planning services with ongoing portfolio management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund.

Jason Sykes is a CFP® professional with 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at SunTrust Advisory Services, Inc. and SunTrust Bank since 2011 and joined Truist Advisory Services following the merger. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member for the Campbell University Trust Education Foundation and the Temassee Foundation, and manages an investment vehicle focused on international agricultural projects. Additionally, he is involved with the McGlohon Endowment as a singer. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation and investment policy analysis, fiduciary support, participant advice, and a manager-selection program that integrates discretionary and non-discretionary strategies supported by third-party platforms and AI-enhanced research.

Thomas Simonson is a CFP® with 29 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Creative Planning since 2021. Prior to joining Creative Planning, he worked for nine years at Lockton Investment Advisors, LLC, Lockton Financial Advisors, LLC, and Lockton Companies, LLC. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans, managing approximately $217 billion in client assets. The firm employs a financial planning–led investment process with an emphasis on low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, alongside supplemental approaches such as direct indexing and tax-loss harvesting, supported by a large advisory team and centralized investment infrastructure.

Khalif Croom is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Vanguard Advisers and Melaleuca. Outside of advising, he is a licensed real estate agent in Charlotte, offering services to clients interested in buying or selling homes. TIAA‑CREF’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with existing relationships through employer retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans. The firm offers model-based and customized portfolio management and serves as adviser to a donor-advised fund, operating within a vertically integrated group.

Michael Barboza is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with five years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked previously at Merrill and Bank of America. Fifth Third Securities provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors through its Passageway Managed Account Program. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account options and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, operating as a subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank with a unique combination of municipal-advisor registration and corporate affiliation.

Gavin Reber is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at TIAA-CREF since 2023. His prior work includes roles at Enviro-Master, East Carolina University, QuikTrip, Tuition Landscape LLC, and Lincoln Charter School. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning, discretionary managed account programs, and broker-dealer services primarily to individuals with pre-existing relationships through TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm operates a fiduciary advisory model that distinguishes planning services from ongoing discretionary management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund within a vertically integrated group.

Donald Stouffer is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with seven years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at TIAA-CREF since 2018. Outside of his advisory role, he owns a business manufacturing and selling bass fishing baits and also buys and sells collectible cards on eBay. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to employer retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, and small retirement plans. The firm provides both point-in-time planning services and ongoing discretionary management, with a range of model and customized portfolio options.

Benjamin Kristoff is a financial advisor with FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 14 years of industry experience. His career has been primarily with Fifth Third Securities and Fifth Third Bank since 2011, with a brief tenure at Wcm. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. offers brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to a diverse client base, including individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm combines its broker-dealer and municipal-advisor registrations with a corporate affiliation to Fifth Third Bank, providing clients access to multiple managed-account programs, direct indexing, tax-overlay services, and a broad range of fund strategist options.

Robert Cousar Jr. is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with TIAA-CREF since 2010. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Secretary of the Board for the Charlotte Track Club, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting running and healthy living in Charlotte, NC. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often working with clients connected through employer retirement plans. The firm offers a fiduciary standard for its RIA services and manages portfolios ranging from model-based to customized solutions under client-approved investment policies.

Alexander Miles is a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 22 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Kingfisher Capital, LLC and Stonecrest Capital Markets Inc. Miles serves as a member of the Board of Visitors at Queens University of Charlotte, contributing to the academic and cultural life of the institution. Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to individuals, high-net-worth families, small business owners, corporate plan sponsors, foundations, and nonprofits. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios with multi-factor tilts and strategic use of low-cost index vehicles.

Ty Grogan is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with two years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Bank of America, Merrill, and UBS Financial Services. Grogan served four years in the US Army and currently receives disability compensation from the Department of Defense. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with existing TIAA retirement plan relationships, as well as trusts, estates, and corporate entities. The firm operates a fiduciary advisory model that separates planning services from ongoing portfolio management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund through Charityvest.

Joseph Lynch IV is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Personal Capital Advisors Corporation, TD Ameritrade, and Vanguard. He also serves as an adjunct instructor at Rowan Cabarrus Community College, teaching accounting courses, and at Central Piedmont Community College, where he teaches within the Certified Financial Planner program. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans, often serving clients connected to employer retirement plans administered by TIAA.

John Shaw III is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and bringing eight years of industry experience. Prior to his current role at TIAA-CREF, he worked briefly at LPL Financial and has been a writer of children's books published by Simon & Schuster since 2017. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with ties to TIAA-administered retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, and other entities. The firm offers customized portfolio management alongside model portfolio services and acts as adviser to the TIAA Donor Advised Fund.

Michael Specht is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA and TIAA-CREF since 2010 in various roles. 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, and small retirement plans. The firm offers both point-in-time planning services and ongoing portfolio management through model-based and customized strategies.

Austin Nelms is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with seven years of industry experience, currently with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. His prior work includes positions at Bankers Life, Bank of America, Merrill, and First Citizens Bank. 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 fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to guide portfolio allocation across various asset classes and offers a range of investment programs and financial planning solutions.

Rebecca Kishbaugh is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 19 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Merrill and BB&T Securities. Outside of her advisory role, she manages a vacation rental property in Boone, North Carolina. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, offering asset allocation, fiduciary support, and a manager-selection program implemented through a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary strategies.