Vivekananda Kini is a financial advisor at Gradient Advisors, LLC with a Series 65 designation and over a decade of experience spanning roles at World Financial Solutions, Inc and 1st Alliance Mortgage Company. He has been with Gradient Advisors since 2026. Gradient Advisors, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business entities. The firm operates through a network of Investment Advisor Representatives and third-party money managers, emphasizing a largely non-discretionary model and employing various analytical approaches in portfolio management.

Patrick Beale is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 20 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. His prior experience includes roles at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Commonwealth Financial Network, Global Wealth Advisors, and LPL. Outside of his advisory work, he is co-owner of Pearland Elite Training Center, LLC, a teaching and coaching business operated by his wife. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion with 144 advisors serving individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and institutions. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach utilizing model portfolios and modular sleeves, overseen by a central Investment Management team and committee, while allowing advisors flexibility in portfolio management.

Summer Roberts is a financial advisor at Foundations Investment Advisors LLC with seven years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 credential and has worked previously at AE Wealth Management, LLC. Outside of her advisory work, Roberts serves as president and chairman of the board for Lola Business Development, Inc., and is a board member and treasurer at The Galloway School, a private Christian school. Foundations Investment Advisors is a multi-advisor registered investment adviser managing approximately $10.1 billion for nearly 30,000 clients through close to 300 investment adviser representatives. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, retirement-plan support, and sub-advisory services, using local advisers who tailor strategies with discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by model portfolios and third-party sub-advisers.

Jared Carlin is a financial advisor with Foundations Investment Advisors LLC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and eight years of industry experience. He previously worked at AE Wealth Management and operated Carlin Financial Group, where he was involved in insurance sales and services. Foundations Investment Advisors is a multi-advisor registered investment adviser managing approximately $10.1 billion for over 29,600 clients through nearly 300 investment adviser representatives. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, retirement-plan support, and sub-advisory services to a diverse client base, utilizing model portfolios, third-party sub-advisers, and a broad range of investment products.

Sally Witt is a CFP® and ChFC® with 32 years of experience in the financial services industry. She has been with BFC Planning, Inc. since 2013 and also works with Securities Management & Research, Inc. Outside of her advisory role, Witt serves as vice president of the Council of Business Women and is involved with nonprofit efforts addressing homelessness and mental health, including founding the Hunter Landon Witt Foundation. BFC Planning, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, banks, and trusts through a network of approximately 200 investment adviser representatives. The firm provides financial planning, portfolio management, and access to various advisory platforms, with investment strategies typically involving stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs.

Dhillon Taylor is a CFP® professional with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Legacy Wealth Management, LLC. Prior to joining Legacy Wealth Management, he worked at Arkadios Capital and Secura Financial LLC. He is also the managing member of DT Financial Services, LLC, a coaching business for financial professionals. Legacy Wealth Management serves individual clients, charitable organizations, and business entities by offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services. The firm employs a range of investment strategies, including model portfolios, sub-advisers, and alternative investments, tailored to clients’ objectives and risk tolerances.

Deborah Jones is a CFP® with 33 years of experience in financial planning and wealth management. She is currently with Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. and has prior experience with Cetera Wealth Services, Cetera, and Avantax Advisory Services. Outside of her advisory work, she serves on the board of the Royal Crest Office Association in Houston. Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. provides portfolio management, financial planning, and managed retirement plan services primarily through a network of CPA firms and registered advisors, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm employs tax-intelligent strategies and discretionary management through firm-designed allocation models overseen by an investment advisory committee.

Robyn Honeycutt is a financial advisor at Van Clemens Wealth Management, LLC with 12 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has worked at firms including Wells Fargo Clearing, Frost Brokerage Service, and BBVA Securities. Van Clemens Wealth Management provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, and institutional clients, serving both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. The firm customizes portfolios based on client objectives and risk tolerance, using methods such as modern portfolio theory and fundamental and technical analysis, and employs third-party managers as well as an in-house Growth Opportunities model focused on micro- and small-cap equities.

Matthew Carlin is a financial advisor with Foundations Investment Advisors LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 36 years of industry experience. He previously worked at AE Wealth Management, LLC and Client One Securities, LLC, and has operated his own firm, Matt Carlin & Associates Dba Carlin Financial Group, since 2010. Outside of finance, he is a self-employed playwright. Foundations Investment Advisors is a multi-advisor firm managing approximately $10.1 billion for over 29,000 clients. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan support, and sub-advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, and registered investment companies through a network of nearly 300 investment adviser representatives.

Walter Decherd Jr. is a financial advisor at Simplicity Wealth with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been involved in tax preparation and fixed insurance businesses through his ownership of Apollo Tax Group and R.M.D. Financial Group. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, corporate and institutional investors, and other financial firms. The firm employs a fund-of-funds approach using ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, offering advisory services alongside technology and operational solutions for other advisers.

Kevin Tyrrell is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He has worked at Independent Advisor Alliance since 2018 and previously at Independent Financial Partners and LPL Financial. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base, including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a network model with advisory representatives who utilize discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, leveraging technology platforms and third-party services to enhance client offerings.

Kevin Fuller is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Waypoint Financial, Bank of America, N.A., and Merrill. Outside of his advisory work, he is co-owner and manager of Aimee Fuller Photography LLC. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients. The firm provides a range of advisory programs and support services, including wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and access to proprietary and third-party investment solutions.

Christien Hughes is a financial advisor with First Command Advisory Services in Houston, TX, holding a Series 66 license and bringing 10 years of industry experience. He has worked primarily with First Command since 2015, with a brief tenure at Merrill in 2017-2018. Hughes is also a member of C Hughes Holdings LLC, an LLC he established but has not actively managed. First Command Advisory Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporate, and charitable clients, with a particular focus on active-duty service members and their families. The firm offers financial planning and a range of wrap-fee asset management programs using model portfolios managed by an internal Investment Management Team.

Derek Rivers is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Selah Financial Services and Mass Mutual Investors Services. Outside of his advisory work, he was involved with the Vic Coppinger Family YMCA for six years. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their retail and institutional clients. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs and acts as a platform provider delivering operations, trading, technology, investment management, compliance, and practice-management support to affiliated advisors.

Benjamin Almeda is a CFP® with 17 years of experience in the financial industry. He is currently with Hightower Advisors and has prior experience at TD Ameritrade Investment Management, Charles Schwab, and Td Ameritrade. Hightower Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a broad range of individual and institutional clients. The firm’s approach emphasizes manager selection and multi-manager solutions, utilizing both affiliated and third-party managers across various investment vehicles.

Summer Rose is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management in Houston, TX, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at BBVA Wealth Solutions, BBVA Insurance Agency, BBVA Securities, and Edward Jones. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including a digital discretionary model account available by invitation to employees. The firm uses algorithmic risk assessments and delegates portfolio management and proxy voting to third parties.

Melissa Christensen is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Fidelity Investments and Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors. Outside of her advisory role, she works as an independent contractor for DoorDash. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to certain retail clients. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing through an integrated model tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms.

Austin Pratt is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Selah Financial Services and various small businesses across different sectors. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients. The firm provides advisory programs, wealth management, and retirement plan consulting, along with operational, trading, technology, and compliance support to affiliated advisors.

John Westerman is a CFP® with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving at Commonwealth Financial Network since 2012. He is also co-owner of Selah Financial Services and has authored two books, "52 Practical Money Tips" and "Crucial Retirement." Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser supporting a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors, providing a range of advisory programs, technology, and operational support. The firm offers discretionary model portfolios and various program structures to affiliated advisors who serve retail and institutional clients.

Elizabeth Kassen is a financial advisor at Hornor, Townsend & Kent, LLC with 22 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at firms including Citigroup, Bank of America, Merrill, and LPL Financial. Outside of her advisory role, she tutors individuals preparing for FINRA exams and manages a horse boarding business. Hornor, Townsend & Kent serves individuals, trusts, businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing advisory services primarily through third-party asset manager platforms. The firm emphasizes client-directed implementation and oversight, managing a majority of client assets on a non-discretionary basis.