Deborah Hobart is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with six years of industry experience. She has worked at Blue Water Capital Management, LLC since 2019 and previously held roles at Coty Inc. and Safariland. Blue Water Capital Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients as well as charitable organizations, providing portfolio management and financial planning tailored to client goals and risk tolerance. The firm employs modern portfolio theory in its investment approach and offers access to a broad range of asset types, leveraging institutional support from Charles Schwab.

James Collins is a financial advisor at Kairos RIA, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 credential with 10 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Edward Jones and Fourth Dimension Wealth, LLC. Collins serves as a Major in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Kairos RIA, LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and business entities, using a tailored investment approach that incorporates cyclical, fundamental, and technical analysis with a long-term orientation.

Ethan Carr is a financial advisor at Independent Wealth Advisors, LLC in Cary, NC, with eight years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at firms including Equitable Advisors and Axa Advisors. Independent Wealth Advisors, LLC provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, employing a variety of analytical methods and a client-specific, long-term investment approach. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, model-based asset allocation, and financial planning across multiple areas, supported by a dedicated Portfolio Analyst and an Investment Committee.

Carlton Davis Jr. is a CFP® and CFA® with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving at Realm Investment Consulting LLC in Cary, NC. He has been an adjunct professor of finance at North Carolina State University since 2006 and also teaches at High Point University. Realm Investment Consulting serves individual and high-net-worth clients with portfolio management, financial planning, and pension/401(k) consulting, primarily using ETFs. The firm employs a long-term, theory-driven investment approach and provides both discretionary and non-discretionary services tailored by written Investment Policy Statements.

Graham Shepherd is a CFP® with 12 years of experience in the financial industry. He has worked at Armor Investment Advisors, LLC since 2018 and previously held roles at Portfolio Brokerage Services, Inc. and Envestnet Asset Management, Inc. He holds the Series 63 designation. Armor Investment Advisors, LLC serves individuals, families, and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and retirement plans. The firm operates under a fiduciary standard and employs a team-based process integrating financial planning with investment management, utilizing a multi-asset-class, core-satellite approach guided by a five-pillar market framework.

David Fruchter is a financial advisor at Great Plans Capital Management, LLC with 21 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license. In addition to his advisory role, he operates a tax preparation and consulting business. Great Plans Capital Management provides financial planning and asset management services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as trusts, estates, pension, and business clients. The firm focuses on passive asset allocation using ETFs, no-load mutual funds, equities, and bonds, managing most assets on a non-discretionary basis with client approval for security selection.

James Baudreau is a financial advisor with Great Plans Capital Management, LLC in Cary, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and 17 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Foundations Investment Advisors LLC and First Advisors National, LLC. Outside of advising, he manages Myriad Vending NC LLC, a vending machine operation. Great Plans Capital Management provides financial planning and asset management services to individuals, trusts, estates, pension, and business clients. The firm employs a passive asset allocation strategy using ETFs, no-load mutual funds, equities, and bonds, and manages most assets on a non-discretionary basis with periodic client communications.

Matthew Miller is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Armor Investment Advisors, LLC in Raleigh, NC. He has been with Armor since 2013. Armor Investment Advisors serves individuals, families, and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals and retirement plan sponsors. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning, discretionary investment management, and fiduciary consulting, utilizing a team-based process and a multi-asset-class investment approach informed by macroeconomic analysis and a structured market framework.

John Huber is a financial advisor at Saber Capital Management LLC with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Saber Capital Management since 2012, following eight years at CJB Real Estate & Investments. Saber Capital Management provides discretionary investment management to individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals, through separately managed accounts and private pooled investment vehicles. The firm employs a bottom-up, fundamental value-investing approach with a focus on concentrated holdings and a long-term horizon, and it offers features such as performance-based compensation and a subscription newsletter for clients.

Allison Miller is a CFP® professional with six years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Armor Investment Advisors, LLC since 2019. Prior to this, she worked at WMS Partners, LLC from 2016 to 2019. Armor Investment Advisors provides financial planning, discretionary investment management, and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth families, foundations, and corporate retirement plans. The firm employs a team-based fiduciary process incorporating risk assessments and a multi-asset, core-satellite investment approach informed by economic cycle analysis and multiple market factors.

Paul Spurlock is a financial advisor at ARIS Capital Strategies, LLC with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and has held roles at several firms including J.W. Cole Advisors, INC. and Global Financial Private Capital, LLC. Outside of advisory work, he is the owner and president of Advisor Training System, LLC, where he provides sales training consulting for advisors. ARIS Capital Strategies offers retirement income planning and non-discretionary investment guidance to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm combines commission-funded fixed annuity solutions with passive, time-segmented allocations to low-cost ETFs and other diversified investments, operating under a zero-fee business model that relies primarily on commissions from insurance products.

Eric Schrum is a CFP® professional with nine years of industry experience, currently serving at Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC in Raleigh, NC. He has worked at Founders Wealth Management and Planning since 2017 and had a prior role at Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC. Schrum Private Wealth Management offers investment and wealth management services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, utilizing a blend of Modern Portfolio Theory and behavioral finance to construct diversified, low-cost portfolios. The firm emphasizes long-term investing with periodic tactical adjustments and incorporates tax-aware strategies such as tax-loss harvesting.

Michael Honea is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience. He currently works at Cary Financial Planning, LLC and previously held roles at Members Trust Company, Credit Union Investment Services, and related firms. Cary Financial Planning serves individuals, families, business owners, and high-net-worth clients with investment advisory and financial planning services. The firm employs a long-term, evidence-based investment approach focusing on diversification, cost control, tax awareness, and disciplined rebalancing, utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, and factor-based funds.

Michael Palmer is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at Ark Royal Wealth Management LLC since 2015 and previously spent one year at Woodward Financial Advisors, Inc. Palmer is based in Raleigh, NC. Ark Royal Wealth Management LLC provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm follows a long-term investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing primarily passive mutual funds from DFA and Vanguard, and provides tailored portfolio management with performance reporting and occasional financial education seminars.

Gray Pendleton is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Pendleton Financial Wealth Management in Raleigh, NC. His career includes roles at Concourse Financial Group Securities and operating his own entities since 2010. Outside of advisory work, he runs an educational YouTube channel on financial planning, authors financial planning books, and produces original music distributed on streaming platforms. Pendleton Financial Wealth Management provides investment management and financial planning to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach using modern portfolio theory and fundamental analysis, and offers pension plan consulting alongside educational seminars and client newsletters.

Andrew Davenport is a financial advisor at Quest 10 Wealth Builders, Inc. with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Park Avenue Securities, Guardian Life Insurance Company, Equitable Advisors, and AXA Advisors. Davenport also works as an insurance broker for Guardian Life in Raleigh, North Carolina, specializing in individual life and disability insurance policies. Quest 10 Wealth Builders, Inc. serves individual and high-net-worth clients, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, offering discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a range of analytical strategies, utilizes third-party money managers, and conducts regular account reviews while maintaining a presence across six offices with approximately $238 million in assets under management.

Erin Tackett is a financial advisor at Tackett Wealth Management, LLC with 16 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has been with the firm since 2009. Tackett Wealth Management serves primarily retirees and small business owners, managing approximately $62 million in client assets across about 50 relationships. The firm provides investment supervisory services, wealth management, and financial planning using an investment approach grounded in academic research, emphasizing small-cap and value equity exposures, broad diversification, low-cost funds, and tax efficiency.

William Hesmer Jr. is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with over 13 years of industry experience. He is currently with Oak Harbor Wealth Partners and Hesmer Wealth Management LLC, where he has worked since 2021 and 2026, respectively. Prior to joining Oak Harbor, he spent eight years at Raymond James & Associates. Outside of finance, Hesmer serves as a consultant to the disciplinary committee for the United Soccer League. Oak Harbor Wealth Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser specializing in portfolio management, financial planning, and ERISA consulting, with a focus on institutional and retirement-plan services. The firm employs diversified model portfolios and third-party manager oversight as part of its investment approach.

Samantha Muncy is a financial advisor at Evergreen Wealth Advisors with 22 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Edward Jones for 18 years and Public Holdings, Inc., where she served as Head of Customer Experience. Evergreen Wealth Advisors provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individual and corporate clients, utilizing a Modern Portfolio Theory framework combined with tax-optimization strategies. The firm also operates a public-facing AI platform, Evergreen.ai, which offers general education and personalized advice to Registered Users.

Cristy Head is a financial advisor with Independent Wealth Advisors, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. She has been associated with Independent Wealth Advisors since 2024 and has prior experience with LPL Financial. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved with Said and Done LLC, a business she has maintained since 2007. Independent Wealth Advisors, LLC provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients through its Strategic Wealth Management platform. The firm uses a combination of analytical methods and a dedicated Investment Committee to develop and monitor model portfolios, offering both discretionary management and comprehensive financial planning.