Holly Vest is a financial advisor with Ally Invest Advisors in Wilmington, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Raymond James & Associates, RBC Capital Markets, and Cape Fear Regional Tax Consultants. She is also involved with Life Vest Organizers LLC, a business she has operated since 2019. Ally Invest Advisors serves a large retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth clients, by providing discretionary portfolio management through automated services and advisor-led guidance. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing model allocations across multiple risk tiers and combining passive and actively managed ETFs, supported by digital tools and extensive online reporting.

Anabelle Lassiter is a financial advisor with Navy Federal Investment Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. She has been with Navy Federal in various capacities since 2007. Navy Federal Investment Services serves members of Navy Federal Credit Union as well as individual, trust, and institutional clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, retirement-plan fiduciary services, and automated investment options primarily through managed advisory programs that utilize third-party portfolio managers.

John Martin II is a financial advisor at Verity Asset Management with six years of industry experience. He holds the PFS™ designation and Series 65 license. Prior to joining Verity in 2024, he worked at Irongate Partners, Inc. for four years and serves as president of J. Lee Martin II, CPA, PA, an accounting firm. Verity Asset Management provides discretionary portfolio management, retirement-plan advisory, and financial planning services to individuals, corporate and institutional clients, and other investment advisers. The firm employs a model-driven investment process emphasizing tactical asset allocation across diverse asset classes and offers both internally managed and third-party manager models.

John Ingraham is a financial advisor with Buck Wealth Strategies, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and bringing 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at J.W. Cole Advisors, Inc. since 2016 and has operated John Ingraham LLC since 2004. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as president and lead agent of First Financial Education Centers, a business involved in insurance and annuities. Buck Wealth Strategies serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and employer-sponsored retirement plans with discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services. The firm employs a top-down macro investment approach emphasizing tactical asset allocation and sector rotation, and is notable for its explicit use of options strategies and coordination with outside money managers and third-party advisors.

Douglas Sandler is a CFA® charterholder with 33 years of industry experience. He is currently with RiverFront Investment Group, LLC, where he has worked since 2015. His prior experience includes roles at ALPS Distributors, Inc. and Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of his advisory work, Sandler serves on the board of an early venture fund and volunteers as a free ski coach. RiverFront Investment Group provides investment management services to individual investors, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm employs a Price Matters® valuation framework combined with tactical asset allocation and security selection across global fixed income and equities, implementing strategies through various model delivery platforms and customized portfolio solutions.

Timothy White is a financial advisor with Buck Wealth Strategies, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Edward Jones, Merrill, Bank of America, Cambridge Investment Research, and Thrivent Financial. He is also an insurance agent with E.A. Buck Insurance. Buck Wealth Strategies serves individuals, trusts, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, providing discretionary investment management, comprehensive financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services. The firm employs a top-down macro investment approach with tactical asset allocation and frequently uses options strategies and outside money managers to implement client portfolios.

Christopher Bolles is a financial advisor at Verity Asset Management with 19 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Verity since 2006, including its predecessor entities. Verity Asset Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individual investors, corporate and institutional clients, and other advisers. The firm employs a model-driven investment approach focused on tactical asset allocation across diverse asset classes and offers discretionary portfolio management, retirement-plan advisory, and financial planning services.

Terry Bunn is a financial advisor with Buck Wealth Strategies, LLC and holds a Series 66 designation. He has 10 years of industry experience, including prior roles at Edward Jones and Primerica. Buck Wealth Strategies serves individuals, trusts, and employer-sponsored retirement plans with discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm uses a top-down macro investment approach incorporating tactical asset allocation, sector rotation, and a relative growth/value framework, and is notable for its use of options strategies and integration of outside money managers.

Kenneth Savage is a financial advisor at World Equity Group, Inc. with 23 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at firms including Triumph Wealth Advisors, Taylor Capital Management, and Morgan Stanley. Outside of his advisory role, he owns Savage Capital Management, where he sells fixed indexed annuities and insurance products. World Equity Group, Inc. provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension plans, trusts, and other entities. The firm offers managed portfolios through wrap-fee programs that combine discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers.

Charles Roberson is a financial advisor with Level Four Advisory Services, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Mid-Atlantic Securities, Inc. and CSR Enterprises, LLC. He serves on the board of Operation Stand Down, a Tennessee-based nonprofit assisting veterans. Level Four Advisory Services is an SEC-registered enterprise investment adviser managing over $5 billion across more than 13,000 client relationships. The firm serves a diverse client base with fee-only financial planning, asset management, and retirement plan advisory services, utilizing model portfolios and a combination of internal and third-party management.

Joseph Gay Jr. is a financial advisor at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at several firms including Cetera Investment Services and Securities America Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he is co-owner of Ferrell Farms, LLC, a family farm where he oversees rentals and leases. 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, supported by ongoing monitoring and a blend of analytical methods.

Jerome Pinckney III is a financial advisor at Calton & Associates, Inc. in Wilmington, NC, with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Calton & Associates since 2019, following three years at Triad Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a First Officer pilot for American Airlines. Calton & Associates serves individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and other retail clients by providing portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money managers. The firm offers multiple investment program structures and employs both fundamental and technical analysis in its recommendations.

Joe Pearce is a financial advisor with The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. in Wilmington, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has been with The Strategic Financial Alliance since 2005. The Strategic Financial Alliance serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and other entities by offering portfolio management, financial planning, consulting, and access to third-party managers through various portfolio programs. The firm uses a combination of in-house management and co-advisory arrangements, with a significant portion of assets managed on a non-discretionary basis.

Victor Dibattista is a CFP® with 32 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Kovack Advisors, Inc. since 2006. He previously worked at MSI Financial Services, Inc. from 2002 to 2004. In addition to his advisory work, Dibattista is involved in fixed life and health insurance sales as a sole proprietor. Kovack Advisors, Inc. is a multi-team registered investment adviser with around 260 advisors managing over $6 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, banks, and government entities, using both proprietary and third-party models within an Envestnet-supported workflow to manage portfolios across multiple custodians.

Martin Shapiro is a CFP® and ChFC® with 41 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Brookwood Investment Group and has previously worked with firms including Redwood Private Wealth LLC and Woodbury Financial Services INC. Outside of his advisory role, he owns and operates an insurance business focusing on life, health, disability, and other insurance products, and serves as managing director of Redwood Tax Specialists. Brookwood Investment Group serves individual investors, businesses, and employer-sponsored retirement plans by providing portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement advisory services. The firm customizes portfolios using a mix of passive, active, and tactical strategies, and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary management while leveraging third-party managers and specialized platforms.

Dale Pope is a financial advisor at IP Financial Advisory Services LLC with 40 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has worked at firms including Innovation Partners LLC and MerCap Advisors, Inc. Outside of his advisory roles, he has served on the Sleighton School Board and was involved with the Himalayan Hope Charitable Foundation. IP Financial Advisory Services primarily serves individual retail clients, focusing on portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm constructs customized portfolios and also refers clients to unaffiliated third-party investment advisors while providing a range of investment and insurance-related services.

Robert Ciullo is a financial advisor at Mariner Independent with 37 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 66 licenses. Prior to joining Mariner Independent in 2024, he worked at firms including Triad Advisors, Alera Group, DeVoe & Company, Creative Planning, SBSB Financial Advisors, Pagnatokarp Partners, and Charles Schwab. He serves as a Town Council Member in Oak Island, NC. Mariner Independent provides investment advisory, financial planning, and consulting services to a diverse client base that includes individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm offers portfolio management, model portfolios, third-party manager access, and retirement plan services through a platform that integrates institutional and retirement plan resources.

Jerome Pinckney Jr. is a financial advisor with Calton & Associates, Inc. in Wilmington, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 39 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Triad Advisors, Inc., Providence Investment Advisors, LLC, Wells Fargo Clearing, and Wachovia Securities. Outside of his advisory work, he is a partner and manager at Providence Investment Advisors, LLC, and participates in community activities such as cooking for the Scott Hill Wesleyan Chapel Men's Club. Calton & Associates serves individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and other retail clients by providing portfolio management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to third-party money managers. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary management options across multiple program structures and incorporates various analytic approaches tailored to client goals and risk tolerance.

Barry Bieler is a financial advisor with Kovack Advisors, Inc. in Wilmington, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 32 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Kovack Advisors in 2016, he worked at Invest Financial Corporation, PNC Wealth Management, and J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC. Outside of financial advising, he is active as a grassroots youth and middle school soccer referee. Kovack Advisors, Inc. is a multi-team registered investment adviser with approximately 260 advisors and over $6 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, banks, and government entities, using a model-based and advisor-managed approach supported by Envestnet technology.

Brett Tushingham is a CFP® with 21 years of industry experience. He is currently with Savvy and previously led his own firm, Tushingham Wealth Strategies, LLC, for ten years. He is also licensed to sell life and health insurance through his business, Tushingham Insurance Strategies. Savvy provides investment and financial planning services to individuals, trusts and estates, businesses, ERISA plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a primarily index-based, long-term approach while incorporating active equity portfolios and tax-aware direct indexing, using third-party sub-advisers and technology platforms to support customized client strategies.