Ekta Patel is a CFP® with 19 years of experience in the financial industry. She has been with Altfest Personal Wealth Management since 2014 and currently works at the firm's Columbia, SC office. Altfest provides investment management, financial planning, ERISA fiduciary services, and manages pooled investment vehicles for a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, corporations, and private funds. The firm employs a range of analytical approaches under investment committee oversight to develop tailored investment policies and asset allocation strategies.

Robert Mendenall is a financial advisor at Wealthspan Investment Management, LLC with 10 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Brookstone Wealth Advisors, LLC for nine years. In addition to his advisory role, he independently provides college admissions and financial aid consulting through The College Funding Center of SC, LLC, where he is president and owner. Wealthspan Investment Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan sponsors, offering comprehensive financial planning, consulting, and discretionary portfolio management using a combination of active and passive model portfolios. The firm incorporates fundamental and technical analysis and may delegate management to outside advisers when appropriate.

Ann Beckwith is a CFP® professional with six years of industry experience, currently serving at Abacus Planning Group, Inc. in Columbia, SC. She has been with Abacus Planning Group since 2017 and previously worked for The Heritage Foundation from 2007 to 2017. Abacus Planning Group provides investment advisory and comprehensive financial planning primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as pension/profit-sharing plans and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes long-term asset allocation, multi-asset diversification, and a combination of passive and selective active management, managing approximately $1.9 billion in assets across five advisors.

Mark Hobbs is a financial advisor with Hobbs Group Advisors LLC in Columbia, SC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and over 20 years of industry experience. He has worked at Triad Advisors and Wealth Alliance and serves as managing partner of The Hobbs Group, PA, a CPA firm. Outside of advisory work, Hobbs is involved in managing a CPA firm and holds leadership roles in several family and commercial business ventures. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC provides investment advice and wealth management services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm develops individualized investment policies and employs asset allocation and fundamental analysis strategies, utilizing both discretionary and digital platforms.

Ximena Chastain is a CFP® professional with 21 years of experience in financial advising. She has been with Abacus Planning Group, Inc. since 1998, contributing to the firm for over 28 years. Based in Columbia, SC, she works as part of a five-advisor team. Abacus Planning Group offers investment advisory and comprehensive financial planning services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as pension/profit-sharing plans and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes long-term, diversified asset allocation using a combination of passive and selective active management, and it manages multiple affiliated private funds for qualified clients.

Mary Green is a CFP® professional with 26 years of industry experience, currently serving at Abacus Planning Group, Inc. in Columbia, SC. She has been with Abacus Planning Group since 2016. Abacus Planning Group is an SEC-registered adviser providing comprehensive financial planning and discretionary portfolio management to high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations. The firm focuses on strategic asset allocation across diverse asset classes using a largely long-term orientation combined with tactical adjustments and employs manager due diligence and risk-management tools to align portfolios with client objectives.

Christopher Antley is a financial advisor with CCM Investment Advisers, LLC in Columbia, SC, holding a Series 65 credential and 17 years of industry experience. He has been with CCM Investment Advisers since 1990. CCM Investment Advisers is an independent firm managing approximately $1.318 billion across about 741 client accounts, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, and various institutional investors including municipalities and public pension plans. The firm uses a proprietary Total Portfolio Management System and employs fundamental analysis alongside an internally developed stock-ranking system to guide investment decisions.

James Agostini is a CFP® and ChFC® with 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Davinci Financial Designs since 2012, where he serves as part of a five-advisor team. In addition to his advisory role, Agostini acts as a county delegate in Columbia, SC. Davinci Financial Designs provides comprehensive financial planning and discretionary portfolio management to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business owners. The firm employs an alpha-based, risk-adjusted investment approach with tax-aware operational practices and manages approximately $198 million in discretionary assets.

Christian Leveque is a financial advisor at CCM Investment Advisers, LLC with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses. Prior to joining CCM Investment Advisers in 2023, he worked at Payden & Rygel for seven years. CCM Investment Advisers provides discretionary portfolio management to individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients, including pension plans, foundations, endowments, and municipalities. The firm employs a fundamental analysis-driven investment process supported by a proprietary Total Portfolio Management System and manages separate equity, fixed income, and balanced portfolios tailored to client parameters.

Mackenzie Macklen is a financial advisor at CCM Investment Advisers, LLC in Columbia, SC. She holds a Series 65 designation and has been with the firm since 2025. Prior to joining CCM, Mackenzie was a full-time student for ten years. CCM Investment Advisers is an independent firm managing approximately $1.3 billion across individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients. The firm uses a proprietary Total Portfolio Management System and employs fundamental analysis alongside internal and external research to guide portfolio management across equity, fixed-income, and balanced strategies.

William Jeter is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 65 license with 10 years of industry experience. He has been with Abacus Planning Group, Inc. since 2013. Abacus Planning Group provides investment advisory and comprehensive financial planning primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes long-term, diversified asset allocation with a mix of passive and selective active management, and serves as managing partner of multiple affiliated private funds for qualified clients.

Cheryl Holland is a CFP® professional with 16 years of experience at Abacus Planning Group, Inc., where she has worked since 1998. She is based in Columbia, SC, and is part of a five-advisor team. Abacus Planning Group provides investment advisory and comprehensive financial planning services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, pension/profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes long-term asset allocation with a mix of passive and selective active strategies and manages multiple affiliated private funds for qualified clients.

Peter Pigeon is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 24 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Hobbs Group Advisors LLC since 2006 and also serves as Vice President of Wealth Alliance Inc., an insurance agency. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm manages approximately $584 million in client assets and employs a client-specific advisory process that includes fundamental analysis and a combination of traditional and digital portfolio management.

James Blackwelder is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving at Anchor Investment Management since 2021. His prior roles include positions at First Palmetto Bank, Southern First Bank, Crescom Bank, and Wells Fargo Bank. Outside of his advisory work, he was involved with the Northeast Columbia Soccer Association for over two decades. Anchor Investment Management is a team-based adviser managing over $1.3 billion in client assets, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services. The firm serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and pension/profit-sharing plans, employing an equity-blend investment approach guided by fundamental analysis and regular reviews.

David Wells is a financial advisor at DaVinci Financial Designs with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation for 14 years. Wells provides investment advisory services primarily through DaVinci Financial Designs, an independent firm he joined in 2022. DaVinci Financial Designs serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business owners with comprehensive financial planning and discretionary portfolio management. The firm employs a risk-adjusted, alpha-based investment approach, offering tailored portfolios and specialized services such as generational and business planning through a five-person team affiliated with LPL Financial.

Devin Kile is a financial advisor at DaVinci Financial Designs with 10 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with DaVinci Financial Designs since 2016, also maintaining a relationship with LPL Financial since 2015. Outside of advisory work, Devin is involved in administrative activities related to non-variable insurance through DaVinci Risk Designs, LLC. DaVinci Financial Designs is a five-advisor registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and discretionary asset management, employing an alpha-based investment approach with an emphasis on tax-aware practices and continuous portfolio supervision.

David Strange is a CFP® with 14 years of experience in financial advising. He is affiliated with Hobbs Group Advisors LLC and has previously worked with Triad Advisors, Inc. He is also involved with Wealth Alliance, where he helps sell life, health, and disability insurance. Additionally, he has a land management role at US 6, LLC. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC offers investment management, financial planning, pension consulting, and other wealth services to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm manages approximately $584 million in assets and emphasizes client-specific investment policies, risk tolerance, and fundamental analysis while providing both traditional and digital investment management options.

Thomas Manly is a financial advisor at Hobbs Group Advisors LLC in Columbia, SC, with 12 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Hobbs Group Advisors since 2016, previously working at Triad Advisors, Inc. from 2016 to 2023. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC offers investment management, wealth planning, pension consulting, and financial advisory services to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm manages approximately $584 million in client assets, employing client-specific investment policies, risk assessment, and a combination of traditional and digital portfolio management options.

Francesca Passen is a financial advisor with Hobbs Group Advisors LLC in Columbia, SC, holding a Series 65 designation and having five years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Bare Minerals and The Main Course, as well as concurrent positions at the University of South Carolina and Bubbles Juice & Tea Company. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC provides investment management, financial planning, pension consulting, and related services to individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm manages approximately $584 million in client assets and employs a client-specific advisory process incorporating investment policy statements, risk tolerance assessments, and fundamental analysis, with both traditional and digital portfolio management options.

Craig Mcdaniel Jr. is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Columbia, SC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. and The McDaniel Corporation since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in life insurance sales and serves as an independent agent for annuities and related products. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, using a blend of analytical methods with ongoing portfolio monitoring.