Lucas Hefner is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at OneAmerica Securities, American United Life, and W&S Brokerage Services. He is based in Gray, Tennessee. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, offering integrated services linked to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms. The firm’s approach emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing within plan lineups selected by plan sponsors.

Joseph Buckles is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. His previous roles include positions at Edward Jones, Valic Financial Advisors, Northwestern Mutual, and Agia. Outside of finance, he owns and manages a retail business, Old Black Mountain Games and Toys, in Johnson City, TN. Empower Advisory Group primarily serves employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as retail brokerage clients, offering financial planning and investment management through an integrated platform connected to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative services.

Owen Arnoff is a financial advisor with Brookstone Capital Management LLC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 10 years of industry experience. In addition to his role at Brookstone since 2016, he is the owner and president of Arnco, Inc., providing tax preparation advice and representation. He also owns Wealth Protection Insurance Services, where he has been involved in life and health insurance sales since 1984. Brookstone Capital Management offers fee-based asset management and financial planning to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, and other business entities. The firm utilizes a variety of investment strategies, including proprietary asset-allocation models and both internal and external sub-advisors, to manage portfolios through a turnkey asset management platform and wrap-fee programs.

Jonathan Mullins is a financial advisor with CWM, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at firms including Carson Wealth and Cetera Advisor Networks. CWM, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth families, foundations, endowments, corporations, and institutional clients through a network of partner offices and over 600 advisors. The firm’s approach includes discretionary portfolio management using model portfolios overseen by an in-house Investment Committee, combining fundamental and technical analysis, third-party sub-advisors, and customization tools.

Donovan Swinger is a financial advisor with Cetera Planning Partners in Johnson City, TN. He holds a Series 65 credential and has experience at several firms including Marmo Financial Group and Northwestern Mutual. Cetera Planning Partners serves individual and high-net-worth clients, focusing on pre-retirees and retirees. The firm provides investment management, comprehensive financial planning, Social Security optimization, and retirement-related advice, supported by ancillary services such as tax planning, bookkeeping, payroll support, and estate-planning through a third-party provider. Their investment approach emphasizes diversified allocations aligned with client objectives and risk tolerance, incorporating formal planning and periodic updates.

Mickey Byrd is a financial advisor at OSAIC Institutions, INC. with 19 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Lincoln Financial Advisors and UBS Financial Services. In addition to his advisory work, he serves as an insurance agent offering fixed insurance products including health savings accounts, annuities, and various types of life and health insurance. OSAIC Institutions, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, ERISA retirement plans, trusts, estates, and corporate clients through a network of investment adviser representatives. The firm provides customized advisory services, financial planning, and access to alternative investments, operating with a hybrid adviser/broker-dealer structure that supports both discretionary and non-discretionary client accounts.

Lauren Kirkland is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 11 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Lincoln Financial Advisors, Transamerica, Cary Street Partners LLC, and Empower Financial Services. Lauren is based in Johnson City, TN. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to IRA and retail brokerage account holders. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and integrates its services with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms.

Kaileigh Hensley is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Empower, she held roles in community organizations such as the Girl Scouts Council of the Southern Appalachians and local government agencies. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, using an integrated model connected to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and savings rates in its financial planning approach.

Casey Middleton is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Johnson City, TN, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services Inc. for 10 years and OSAIC for one year. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management access, and institutional platforms.

James Richardson Jr. is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 35 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2015 and previously at OSAIC Institutions, Inc. and Uvest Financial Services Group, Inc. He is also the owner of Bulwill, LLC, which developed office space in Johnson City, TN. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management access, and institutional platforms, with advice and account management delivered by investment adviser representatives using a range of strategic and tactical investment options.

Jeffery Ledford is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Elizabethton, TN, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. He has worked at Edward Jones since 2017 and previously spent five years at Dex Media. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment options, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Jay Conkin is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill and Bank of America, he worked in education for several years at Sullivan County Schools, Kingsport City Schools, and Tusculum University. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Sawyer Sams is a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of the Smith Conkin Dixon Wealth Management Group. He and his team focus on developing personalized wealth strategies that leverage Merrill's investment and planning resources along with Bank of America's banking and lending capabilities. Their services encompass family wealth management, legacy planning, retirement planning, philanthropic planning, and portfolio management for clients across multiple states. Before joining Merrill, Sawyer gained experience at a smaller wealth and investment management firm in Charlotte, NC, where he led the investment committee and managed asset allocation and trading activities. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) certification. Sawyer graduated from Furman University with a bachelor's degree in economics. Sawyer resides in Johnson City, TN, and is active in his community through involvement with First Christian Church and the Milligan University CFA Research Team. Outside of work, he enjoys basketball, cooking, football, pickleball, and spending time with his family.

Crystal Bright is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining the firm in 2004, she has focused on developing and analyzing portfolio strategies and identifying specialized opportunities to build customized portfolios. She is responsible for investment analysis and recommendations serving more than 400 families and businesses. Crystal also manages trust and philanthropic planning for clients, supporting charitable and community growth by integrating this planning into client investments. She holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master of Business Administration from East Tennessee State University. Crystal has earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designations. Crystal is involved in her community, volunteering with Girls Inc. of Johnson City/Washington County. Her personal interests include boating, fishing, golfing, reading, running, spending time with family, traveling, and watching movies.

Alvin Gills III is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Pasadena. He has been serving in the financial services industry since 1994 and has been with Merrill Lynch since 1998. Alvin holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management with a minor in Finance from Christopher Newport University and has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation. Alvin works with individuals, families, and business owners at all stages of the business cycle, assisting with various financial areas including retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and employee benefits planning. He takes a long-term and personalized approach by evaluating each client's unique financial needs and risk tolerance, aiming to provide thoughtful guidance tailored to their current situations and aspirations. Outside of his professional work, Alvin is a retired Head Varsity Softball Coach at Arcadia High School. He enjoys spending time with his family and engaging in outdoor activities such as fishing and working around his property.

Ethan Godsey is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity, a position he has held since 2026. Prior to this role, he worked as an Investment Consultant at Fidelity from 2024 to 2026 and briefly served as a Financial Representative there in 2024. Before joining Fidelity, Ethan was an Associate Advisor at WorthWhile Wealth Council from 2021 to 2024. Ethan holds a California Insurance License, which supports his work in financial consulting and investment advising. His approach centers on understanding clients' financial goals and exploring how Fidelity's resources can assist in achieving them. Outside of his professional work, Ethan has personal interests that include football, golf, spending time at the lake, movies, and pets.

Chris Fields is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 credential and less than one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Hungate Business Services, BrightSpeed, AT&T, Verizon, and the Bristol Chamber of Commerce. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, employing a process that combines proprietary fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm manages model portfolios and serves as a registered investment adviser to multiple funds, utilizing systematic methodologies and oversight controls.

Sonya Hensley is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 16 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked with Wells Fargo entities since 2009. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and provides a range of brokerage and advisory solutions.

Trevor Smith is a financial advisor at Mass Mutual Investors Services with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at MassMutual Life Insurance Co and MML Investors Services, LLC since 2025. Outside of his advisory role, he has been active in community organizations, serving at First Broad Street United Methodist Church since 2018 and previously at Central United Methodist Church. MML Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, using firm-approved software and collaborative annual planning engagements.

Bryan Houston is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 12 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Ameriprise since 2014. Houston serves on the Washington County Community Foundation Advisory Board. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services aimed at individuals approaching or in retirement who meet specific eligibility criteria, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver written Recommendation Reports. The firm offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through affiliated entities.