Anthony Bridges is a financial advisor at Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors, LLC with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Mass Mutual Investors Services and MassMutual Life Insurance Company. Prior to his financial services career, he was involved in education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Richard J. Reynolds High School. Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, families, retirement plans, institutions, and nonprofits. The firm provides financial planning, investment management, and consulting services, managing approximately $12 billion in assets while integrating wealth management with coordinated tax and accounting services through its affiliation with a national professional services firm.

Philip Brody is a financial advisor with CWA Asset Management Group in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 19 years of industry experience. He has been with CWA Asset Management Group since 2014. CWA Asset Management Group provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as trusts, foundations, endowments, pension plans, and other business entities. The firm uses proprietary models combining fundamental active analysis with multi-factor quantitative rankings and offers family-office services, retirement plan fiduciary services, and access to private pooled investment vehicles and insurance products.

Jordan Hanson is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at Ritholtz Wealth Management since 2024 and previously spent nine years at HCR Wealth Advisors. Ritholtz Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients by providing portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and college financial planning. The firm employs a goal-based investment process focused on asset allocation and behavioral finance, utilizing diversified, low-cost ETFs and tactical strategies, alongside digital platforms for portfolio implementation and management.

John Thacker II is a Certified Financial Planner® with 17 years of industry experience. He has been with SignatureFD, LLC since 2019 and previously worked at Cornerstone Wealth Group, LLC, Cornerstone Financial Advisors, and LPL Financial. SignatureFD serves individuals, business entities, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing wealth management, retirement plan management, and consulting services. The firm manages portfolios primarily on a discretionary basis using mutual funds, ETFs, and independent managers, and is affiliated with an accounting firm and several private investment funds.

Marc Horgan is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with eight years of industry experience. He is currently with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. and holds a management role at SVB Wealth LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of First Citizens Bank & Trust. His career includes positions at First Citizens Bank and affiliated entities dating back to 1998. First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. provides investment advisory and sub-advisory services to individuals, trusts, corporations, institutional accounts, and municipal entities. The firm employs a multi-team platform with discretionary management of approximately $167 million, utilizing global multi-asset model portfolios and a combination of quantitative and qualitative investment criteria.

Sampson Reavis Jr. is a financial advisor with Asset Allocation Strategies, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and five years of industry experience. Prior to joining Asset Allocation Strategies, he worked at Arthur J Gallagher and has involvement in multiple related businesses including serving as a partner at Reavis Financial Group. He is also a board member and secretary of Lions Services, a nonprofit supporting the blind, and volunteers with Seeds of Hope, a scholarship organization in Charlotte, NC. Asset Allocation Strategies, LLC provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting to individual and high-net-worth clients as well as plan sponsors. The firm uses quantitative techniques and model portfolios to construct goal-based allocations and offers supplemental services such as 529 plan assistance and advice for 401(k)/403(b) sponsors.

I believe financial planning should feel personal, practical, and empowering, not overwhelming. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with a Ph.D. in Personal Financial Planning, I combine deep academic knowledge with years of real-world advisory experience to help individuals and families make smart, confident financial decisions. On top of that, I value my relationship with my clients. Over the years, I’ve guided professionals, and families through life’s most important financial milestones, planning for retirement, funding education, managing investments, or navigating complex transitions. My approach is grounded in research, but always tailored to your unique goals and values. I take the time to listen, simplify the complex, and create strategies that bring both clarity and peace of mind. Beyond my advisory work, I serve as a professor of finance and associate dean at Winthrop University. Teaching and research keep me sharp, ensuring that the guidance I provide my clients is rooted not just in practice, but also in the latest financial insights. When I’m not working with clients or teaching, you can usually find me on the tennis court, traveling with my family, or enjoying time outdoors.

Joseph Roseman Jr. is a financial advisor at Simplicity Wealth with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. His prior experience includes roles at Retirement Capital Planners, LLC, O'Dell, Winkfield, Roseman & Shipp, LLC, Corecap Advisors, and he has owned Roseman Financial since 2000. He co-hosts webinars with Medicaid Success, a nationwide Medicaid planning service. Simplicity Wealth serves a broad mix of clients, including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, institutional investors, and other financial firms. The firm offers advisory services ranging from financial planning to managed account platforms, implementing a fund-of-funds approach using ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, combined with technology and operational support for other advisers.

Lynn Lins De Araujo is a CFP® with five years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Bragg Financial Advisors Inc in Charlotte, NC. She has worked at Wachovia Securities, LLC and Wachovia Bank, N.A. since 2002 and 2003, respectively. Bragg Financial Advisors is a family-owned, multi-advisor firm providing financial planning and discretionary portfolio management to individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and investment companies. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation and broad diversification, offering model-based portfolio management and a Small Cap Value managed account program, along with sub-advisory services to mutual funds.

Sean Powley is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Facet. He previously worked at UBS Financial Services and The Vanguard Group, Inc. Sean is based in Charlotte, NC. Facet serves individual members across a broad range of wealth levels, offering tiered, subscription-based financial planning and implementation services with a focus on holistic financial planning using its Total Financial Life Resources framework and discretionary asset-allocation programs. The firm does not charge percentage-of-AUM investment fees and leverages technology-driven features such as machine-learning recommendations for employer plan accounts.

Haad Majied is a CFP® with 18 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC since 2018. Prior to this, he worked at Fidelity Investments for six years. Outside of advisory work, he is the owner and CEO of Majied Properties LLC and is involved in life insurance sales through Majied Financial Group, LLC. Stratos Wealth Advisors serves a diverse clientele including individuals, corporations, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering investment management, financial planning, and insurance consulting through a network of investment advisory representatives. The firm uses a combination of bespoke and model portfolios and maintains relationships with affiliated and third-party subadvisers and custodians to deliver its services.

Mark Rothwell is a CFP® professional with three years of industry experience, currently serving at ValMark Advisers, Inc. He previously worked at State Street Corporation for eight years and has held a COO and Director of Financial Planning role at Scott Jones Financial since 2021. ValMark Advisers provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, plan sponsors, and institutional clients through a network of approximately 280 investment advisory representatives. The firm offers diversified, goal-based model portfolios primarily using mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party managers, supported by proprietary platforms and a range of advisory and sub-advisory services.

Bryan Woodell Sr. is a financial advisor at Blueprint Financial Advisors with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Penn Mutual Life Insurance and Hornor Townsend & Kent. He also operates Emerald Financial Group, providing brokerage and advisory services along with multi-line insurance products. Blueprint Financial Advisors is a multi-advisor firm serving individuals, trusts, pension and ERISA plans, and nonprofit entities with portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm manages approximately $1.4 billion in assets and employs a strategic, trend-following approach to global diversified portfolios.

Aaron Olson is a financial advisor with Belpointe Asset Management LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 20 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Purpose Comprehensive Wealth Management, Mutual Advisors, Wells Fargo Clearing, and U.S. Bancorp Investments. Belpointe Asset Management is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 160 advisors managing more than $7.5 billion for individuals, corporations, trusts, and other advisers. The firm offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting with customized portfolios and a variety of advisory and administrative services.

Matthew Papandrea is a CFP® with 18 years of industry experience, currently serving at Ritholtz Wealth Management. He has worked at The Vanguard Group since 2008. Ritholtz Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals and retirement plans, offering comprehensive portfolio management and financial planning services. The firm employs a goal-based investment process focused on asset allocation and behavioral finance, utilizing diversified, low-cost ETFs alongside tactical overlays and alternative investments.

Steven Scruggs is a CFA® charterholder with 26 years of experience in the financial industry. He is affiliated with Bragg Financial Advisors Inc in Charlotte, NC, where he has worked since 2000. Prior to and concurrently, he spent 20 years at Queens Road Securities, LLC. Bragg Financial Advisors is a family-owned, multi-advisor firm serving individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and investment companies with financial planning and discretionary portfolio management. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation and broad diversification, offering model-based portfolios, a Small Cap Value managed account program, and sub-advisory services to mutual funds.

Jonathan Ament is a financial advisor with Ally Invest Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 13 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bull Harbor Capital, LPL Financial, AlphaTheory, and Raymond James & Associates, among others. Ally Invest Advisors serves a large retail client base, offering discretionary portfolio management through automated web-based services and advisor-led guidance. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing ETF-based model portfolios across multiple risk tiers with both passive and actively managed strategies, supported by automated allocation and rebalancing processes.

Anthony Hinds Fritz is a CFP® and ChFC® with 16 years of industry experience. He has been with IP Financial Advisory Services LLC since 2019 and also maintains roles at Innovation Partners LLC and as an independent life insurance agent. Fritz serves as a board member of the Financial Planning Association of Central New York and is the committee chair for the ALS Association. IP Financial Advisory Services primarily serves individual retail clients, focusing on customized portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm provides a range of services including discretionary portfolio management and access to third-party investment advisors, with an emphasis on non-high-net-worth individuals.

Katherine Pepper is a financial advisor at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked with various First Citizens entities since 2006. Pepper serves as a board member for the Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Center. First Citizens Asset Management provides investment advisory and sub-advisory services to individuals, trusts, corporations, institutional accounts, and municipal entities. The firm manages global, multi-asset model portfolios using a multi-team platform and integrates both quantitative and qualitative research in its discretionary management approach.

Richard Adams Jr. is a financial advisor with CG Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and nine years of industry experience. He has worked with Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC, Geneos Wealth Management, and CG Financial Services of North Carolina. CG Advisory Services is an SEC-registered firm managing approximately $4.02 billion for a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan services, and consulting through proprietary model portfolios, third-party managers, and customized private equity and hedge fund access.