Beth Deal is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its predecessor since 1992. Outside of her advisory role, she manages BRM Management Group, a business established to support her practice operations. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeting individuals approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide written recommendations. The firm serves a broad client base through advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of large institutional firms.

Michael Durham is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Hickory, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2010. Outside of his advisory role, Durham serves as the head varsity golf coach at Hickory Christian Academy. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions. The firm is notable for its extensive national network of financial advisors and branch offices, as well as its affiliated capabilities including a trust company and proprietary mutual funds.

Christopher Johnson is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Hickory, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2012. 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 services including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Martin Sohovich is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Morganton, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having 27 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. since 1998. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management.

Adam Queler is a CFP® professional with 20 years of industry experience, currently serving at OSAIC since 2024. He has held prior roles at Woodbury Financial Services and Raymond James Financial Services. Outside of advising, he is involved with the NC Saints Baseball Academy and the First United Methodist Church of Gastonia, NC. OSAIC serves a broad range of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisors, offering integrated brokerage and advisory services with a diverse investment approach that includes automated portfolio management and access to third-party money managers.

Metin Kurkcu is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 21 years of industry experience and a Series 66 designation. His prior experience includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill, Raymond James Financial Services, and the International Franchise Professionals Group. Fidelity's Strategic Advisers LLC, where Kurkcu is based, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, employing a blend of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage diversified portfolios and fund advisory services.

Benjamin Ritchie is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at 84 Lumber, Ritchies Pressure, Jem Clean INC., and Kool Park Pool. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering goal-based financial planning without discretionary portfolio management, and allows clients to combine planning with managed accounts under a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan.”

Henry Wepner is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with nine years of industry experience, currently with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2023. He previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing from 2016 to 2023. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Treasurer for the Newton Depot Authority in Newton, NC, where he participates in financial oversight, event planning, and community projects. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of financial planning services tailored to clients who meet a net-worth threshold, utilizing Wells Fargo’s research and planning tools to develop personalized recommendations delivered through meetings and written summaries.

Sherrill Young III is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at Raymond James since 2001, as well as at Resource Partners LLC from 2009 to 2019. He has maintained a long-standing association with MassMutual, formerly as a career agent. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary advice using risk profiling and modeling tools, and supports its advisors through specialized programs and institutional consulting services.

Christy Hayes is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Lenoir, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. Before joining Edward Jones in 2021, she worked for 25 years with Caldwell County Schools. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices, and operates under a fiduciary standard when providing advisory services.

Dustin Deal is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. He has worked with firms including VOYA Financial Advisors and UBS Financial Services. Outside of his advisory roles, he is the president of the Hutton Estate Homeowners Association, where he leads board meetings and coordinates with management and legal counsel. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable entities, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a nationwide network of independent advisors, utilizing a multi-manager platform with various program options and custodial arrangements.

Sarah White is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with nine years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Edward Jones since 2019. Prior to that, she was employed at Bank of America and Merrill from 2014 to 2019. She is also a member of the Board of Elections in the City of Lenoir. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and corporate entities. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, operating under a fiduciary standard with a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Adam Keisler is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 11 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at FSC Securities Corp and Morningstar Marina. Outside of his advisory role, Keisler serves as chairperson of the endowment committee at First United Methodist Church in Hickory, NC. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including individual, high-net-worth, pension, and institutional investors, offering integrated brokerage and advisory services with access to multiple platforms and third-party money managers. The firm employs asset allocation tools, risk-tolerance assessments, and automated rebalancing to construct portfolios across various asset classes on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases.

Robert Floyd Jr. is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise who holds the ChFC® designation and has 44 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Prudential Insurance Company of America for over five decades. Floyd serves as the Mayor of the Village of Cedar Rock and is involved in several local business and nonprofit activities. LPL Enterprise provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, and institutional entities. The firm uses model-driven portfolio implementation and offers access to third-party asset managers, with a range of services including financial planning and consulting.

Jason Lail is a financial advisor with Merrill in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at both Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill since 2009. Merrill serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, charities, and institutional clients by offering managed account programs, third-party manager selection, discretionary portfolio management, brokerage execution, and custody services. The firm’s investment management includes multiple program strategies and manager-constructed offerings, supported by a CIO and platform oversight, with recent emphasis on tax-efficient solutions and integration with Bank of America affiliates.

Daniel Whitener is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2024, he worked at Lowe’s Home Improvement Corporation for six years and Transportation Insight for three years. He serves as Treasurer and Secretary for BNI - Catawba Valley Business Builders in Hickory, North Carolina. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, including high- and non-high-net-worth households, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors.

Denise Clay is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 14 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2011. Based in Hickory, NC, she works within a firm that serves a diverse client base. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm with over 23,700 advisors serving more than four million clients, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies and separately managed accounts, and operates under a fiduciary standard.

Ryan Spleet is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Newton, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2008. Outside of his advisory role, he volunteers as a football coach. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on comprehensive, goal-based financial planning without discretionary portfolio management. The firm offers integrated planning and managed-account services under a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan.”

Tim Wepner is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Newton, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 35 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wachovia Securities, Inc. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a broker-dealer and registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of financial planning and investment services, with tailored recommendations developed using proprietary research and planning tools.

Jeffery Franklin is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in Family Wealth Management Strategies, Personal Retirement Planning, Small Business Strategies, and Retirement Income. He works with clients, families, and businesses to develop personalized financial strategies tailored to their long-term goals. Jeffery holds a Bachelor's Degree from Western Carolina University and an MBA from Lenoir-Rhyne University. He carries the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. His approach involves providing detailed analysis and appropriate solutions while nurturing long-term relationships to help clients navigate key financial moments. Outside of his professional role, Jeffery is involved in community organizations such as Samaritan's Purse - Helene Recovery and Speedway Children's Charities. He enjoys fishing, hunting, pickleball, spending time with his family, maintaining classic Ford vehicles, and attending car shows.