Derek Merkler is a CFP® with nine years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Nectarine. His prior work history includes roles at Trophy Point Financial Planning, LLC, XYPN Invest, Greenheck Group, Borg Warner, Parsonex Advisory Services, Inc., and eight years in the U.S. Army. Outside of financial advising, he manages a thoroughbred horse breeding and racing operation through Trophy Point Thoroughbreds, LLC. Nectarine serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing consultative financial planning through a fee-for-service model. The firm emphasizes long-term asset allocation using low-cost, index-based funds and offers a proprietary financial-aggregation app, with advice focused on planning topics rather than portfolio management.

Austin Flatt is a financial advisor at First Kentucky Securities Corporation with six years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at First Kentucky Securities since 2018. Prior to that, he was employed at the University of Kentucky and Challenger. Flatt also operates a business under the name H2F. First Kentucky Securities Corporation serves a diverse client base including individual investors, pension plans, charitable organizations, and government entities. The firm offers a range of services such as portfolio management, financial planning, municipal advisory, and institutional equity research, combining investment advisory and broker-dealer capabilities.

Matthew Stockham is a financial advisor with Meridian Wealth Management, LLC in Lexington, KY, holding a Series 66 credential and 20 years of industry experience. He has been with Meridian since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as vice president on the board of directors for Southeastern Cal Ripken, a local youth baseball league, and is an assistant baseball coach at Sayre School. Meridian Wealth Management, LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual and high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate/business clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan services, employing a tailored investment approach that includes equities, ETFs, mutual funds, fixed income, and occasional alternatives.

Tyler Bailey is a financial advisor at Meridian Wealth Management, LLC with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has been with Meridian since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of Bailey Capital, LLC, a non-investment related business entity. Meridian Wealth Management serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan services, delivering tailored, IPS-driven advice and managing most client relationships on a discretionary basis.

Andrew Mason is a CFP® currently with Ritholtz Wealth Management in Lexington, KY. He has one year of experience at Ritholtz and previously worked at American Trust Wealth for seven years. Ritholtz Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a goal-based investment process focused on diversified, low-cost ETFs and behavioral finance principles, with additional digital platforms supporting model portfolio implementation and management.

Nicholas Newell is a financial advisor at MCF Advisors, LLC in Lexington, KY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations with 11 years of industry experience. He has worked at MCF Advisors since 2017 and previously at Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC from 2015 to 2017. MCF Advisors is a multi-team, SEC-registered firm managing approximately $4.68 billion for around 3,440 clients, including individuals, small businesses, and pension plans. The firm offers comprehensive wealth management and financial planning services alongside accounting, tax preparation, outsourced CFO roles, and advisory services for affiliated private funds.

Suzanne Powell is a financial advisor at Meridian Wealth Management, LLC with 22 years of industry experience. She has worked at Meridian since 2016, previously holding roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Chase Investment Services Corp. Outside of her advisory role, Powell serves as the board chair for Arbor Youth Services, a nonprofit providing emergency shelter for minors, and is a contributing author of a book aimed at educating women over 50 about managing finances after divorce or the death of a spouse. Meridian Wealth Management serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services with a focus on IPS-driven, tailored advice, managing most client relationships on a discretionary basis.

Venkata Alluri is a financial advisor at Wedbush Securities Inc. with nine years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Bank of America, Merrill, and operated his own firm, Arks Capital LLC. Wedbush Securities provides investment advisory and broker-dealer services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions. The firm offers a broad range of services such as wealth management, fixed income, commodities, and capital markets, with both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management.

Justin Sautter is a financial advisor with Meridian Wealth Management, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 17 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Russell Capital Management, LLC for seven years before joining Meridian in 2020. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the boards of two local nonprofits focused on equine heritage and historical preservation. Meridian Wealth Management serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients, providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan services. The firm emphasizes IPS-driven, tailored advice and manages most client relationships on a discretionary basis using a variety of investment strategies.

Jenna White is a financial advisor at Meridian Wealth Management, LLC with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Greenbrier Golf and Country Club and Olive Garden. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a brand ambassador for Goodboy Vodka, participating in golf sporting events during the summer. Meridian Wealth Management, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm serving individual and high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan services, utilizing a range of investment strategies and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

James Davis is a financial advisor at Meridian Wealth Management, LLC with eight years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and previously worked at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company and affiliated entities for six to eight years. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member and manager for Affirm, a nonprofit organization focused on serving women in crisis, and is also an author. Meridian Wealth Management serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities with discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan services. The firm emphasizes IPS-driven, tailored advice and manages most client relationships on a discretionary basis using a range of investment strategies and regularly monitors and rebalances accounts.

Brittany Manning is a CFP® with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at MCF Advisors, LLC since 2012. She is based in Lexington, KY, and has worked at MCF Advisors through its various stages over the past 11 years. MCF Advisors is a multi-team, SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $4.68 billion for about 3,440 clients, including individuals, small businesses, pension plans, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm offers comprehensive wealth management, discretionary portfolio management, tax and accounting services, and advisory roles for affiliated private funds, utilizing a tactical asset allocation approach supported by various third-party platforms and tools.

Jackson Finney is a Series 65 licensed advisor at Meridian Wealth Management, LLC with one year of industry experience. He joined Meridian in 2026 after roles at Brinks Home and Eastern Kentucky University. Meridian Wealth Management serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan services, delivering tailored advice primarily through equities, ETFs, mutual funds, and fixed income strategies.

Ronald Ridings Jr. is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently with MCF Advisors, LLC. He has previously worked at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company and Fidelity Investments. MCF Advisors is a multi-team, SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $4.68 billion for around 3,440 clients. The firm serves individuals, small businesses, pension plans, and pooled investment vehicles, offering comprehensive wealth management, discretionary portfolio management, and integrated tax, accounting, and CFO services.

Abraham Kawaja III is a financial advisor at Meridian Wealth Management, LLC with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Meridian since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as board chair of The Salvation Army of Central Kentucky, a charitable organization providing food and shelter to those in need. Meridian Wealth Management serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning, focusing on IPS-driven, tailored advice across a range of asset classes with routine monitoring and rebalancing.

Richard Lyons is a financial advisor at Meridian Wealth Management, LLC with 12 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Northwestern Mutual in various roles from 2012 to 2023. Lyons owns Lyonheart Landscaping Ministries LLC, a non-financial services business. Meridian Wealth Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan services, using a tailored investment approach that includes equities, ETFs, mutual funds, fixed income, and alternative investments.

David Harris Jr. is a financial advisor at MCF Advisors, LLC in Lexington, KY, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 23 years of industry experience. He has been with MCF Advisors in various capacities since 2004. Outside of his advisory role, Harris serves as chairman of Seven Stones Farm, LLC, and holds board positions with Worldwide Equipment Enterprises, Inc. and the University of Pikeville. MCF Advisors is a multi-team, SEC-registered firm managing approximately $4.68 billion for around 3,440 clients, including individuals, small businesses, and pension plans. The firm employs a tactical asset allocation strategy and integrates investment management with accounting, tax preparation, CFO services, and affiliated private fund advisory.

Mason Stockham is a CFP® with three years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Meridian Wealth Management, LLC in Lexington, KY. He has worked at Meridian Wealth Management since 2021 and has prior experience in various roles including positions at Donatos, Grubhub, UberEats, and the University of Kentucky. Meridian Wealth Management serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities, providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan services. The firm emphasizes IPS-driven, tailored advice and manages most client relationships on a discretionary basis using a diversified set of investment strategies.

Rebecca Faulkner is a CFP® with four years of industry experience, currently advising at The Welch Group, LLC. Her background includes roles at T.D. Ameritrade and work at the University of Alabama. The Welch Group serves individual investors, trusts, business entities, and retirement plans, offering discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services. The firm incorporates a mix of fundamental and technical analysis and provides family office–style and concierge services, emphasizing tailored portfolio design and ongoing supervision.

Joseph Mc Farland is a financial advisor at Meridian Wealth Management, LLC in Lexington, KY, holding a Series 65 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Meridian, he held positions in the food service industry and attended The Ohio State University. Meridian Wealth Management is an SEC-registered advisory firm serving individual and high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate/business clients. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan services, employing both fundamental and technical analysis with a tailored investment approach.