Tiffany Ku is a financial advisor with TLG Advisors, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has two years of industry experience. Prior to joining TLG Advisors, she worked at The Leaders Group Inc. and CTBC Bank USA. Ku also serves as a Client Services Manager and Writing Agent for a life insurance brokerage business. TLG Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm focuses on investment supervisory services and portfolio management through a manager selection process informed by fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, and offers a direct-to-consumer digital program called Starlight Portfolios.

John Hall is a financial advisor with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 18 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, and Carroll Financial Associates Inc. He operates out of Charlotte, NC. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a strategic investment process combining passive and active management, supported by an internal Investment Committee and multiple program offerings.

Hannah Smith is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with five years of industry experience. She holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at various Truist entities since 2021, as well as prior roles at Beneficial Investments and Robinson & Stith Insurance. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm integrates traditional research with AI-enabled tools and offers a range of fiduciary and advisory services through its affiliation with Truist Financial and partnerships with Envestnet.

Michael Thompson is a financial advisor with Guardian Life and Park Avenue Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has worked at Park Avenue Securities since 2012 and with Guardian Life Insurance Company since 2001. Outside of his advisory roles, he operates Thompson Planning Group Insurance, focusing on the sale of traditional insurance products. Park Avenue Securities, a subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, serves individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers a combination of advisor-led discretionary management and model-based strategies, providing clients access to proprietary programs, third-party advisory solutions, and integrated financial services including insurance and alternative investments.

Joshua Griffin is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 10 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked with Truist and its predecessor firms since 2016. Griffin is based in Charlotte, NC. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm integrates traditional research with AI-enabled tools and offers a range of advisory services through its affiliation with Truist Financial and its network of banking and broker-dealer entities.

William Magill is a financial advisor with Private Advisor Group, LLC, holding a Series 66 license and eight years of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones for four years and has been with both Private Advisor Group and LPL Financial since 2023. Outside of his advisory role, he has worked as an Uber driver and is employed by Primal Brewery. Private Advisor Group serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to various managed account solutions. The firm employs a fiduciary-based model that utilizes both proprietary and third-party strategies and technology platforms.

Emanuel Thomason is a financial advisor with Equity Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 13 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at National Life Group, Edward Jones, Thrivent Financial, and LPL Financial. Equity Services, Inc., operating as ESI Financial Advisors, provides financial planning, consulting, and asset management services to individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers multiple advisory platforms and combines long-term investment strategies with options for shorter-term trading, managing both discretionary and non-discretionary assets through a network of investment adviser representatives.

Shawn Thompson is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and previously worked at LPL Financial and Retirement Clearinghouse. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management services primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders. The firm’s approach integrates proprietary and third-party methodologies focused on long-term portfolio returns, annual rebalancing, and clients’ savings rates, with service delivery closely tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms.

Jacob Schmidt is a CFP® professional with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Schwab Wealth Advisory in Charlotte, NC. His prior experience includes roles at The Vanguard Group and Facet, as well as self-employment. Outside of finance, Schmidt performs as a singer. Schwab Wealth Advisory provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice and financial planning to clients enrolled in the Schwab Wealth Advisory program and certain Charles Schwab & Co.-referred clients. The firm’s services emphasize client authorization for trades and rely on Charles Schwab’s asset-allocation models and internal research tools.

Christopher Prevette is a CFA® charterholder with five years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, having previously worked at Principal Financial Group and Wells Fargo Bank. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the board of the Charlotte Carolinas Rugby Club, a nonprofit focused on youth and community outreach, where he holds the position of treasurer. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting services. The firm combines a network model of independent advisory representatives with access to brokerage services and third-party platforms for estate planning and portfolio management.

Natasha Allen is a financial advisor with Carson Wealth in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Her prior experience includes roles at Edward Jones and LPL Financial, among others. Outside of advising, she owns Natasha N. Allen, LLC, a coaching business focused on helping women with emotional eating and weight loss, and serves as a skills development coach at the Life Purpose Institute. Carson Wealth is an SEC-registered investment adviser operating an enterprise platform with over 650 advisors managing approximately $50.6 billion. The firm serves corporate, institutional, and high-net-worth clients with discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, utilizing a model portfolio approach overseen by an Investment Committee.

Brett Schmidt is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently advising at Rockefeller Financial LLC. He previously worked at Truist Advisory Services and BB&T, accumulating extensive experience in wealth management. He also serves as the Charlotte Chapter President for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, organizing community events and raising awareness for inherited retinal diseases. Rockefeller Financial LLC serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, institutional clients, retirement plans, foundations, and corporations. The firm provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services, and operates as a registered broker-dealer with a comprehensive investment platform that includes equities, fixed income, and alternatives.

Vincenzo Atkinson is a CFA® charterholder with 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked with SunTrust Advisory Services LLC and SunTrust Bank since 2016. He is based in Charlotte, NC, and currently serves as an advisor at Truist Advisory Services. Truist Advisory Services offers investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines traditional research with AI-enabled tools and provides ongoing client reviews, partnering with Envestnet platforms to deliver customized asset allocation and manager selection.

Eric Robbins is a financial advisor at PNC Wealth Management in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses with six years of industry experience. His career includes roles within various PNC Investments entities since 2018 and prior experience at Marriott Vacation Club. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an invitation-only digital portfolio offering that uses algorithm-driven risk assessments and delegated portfolio management.

Matthew Kalajian is a CFP® with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott since 2006. He is based in Charlotte, NC, and holds a Series 63 license. Outside of his advisory role, Kalajian is involved in community organizations, serving on the boards of the Charlotte Economics Club and Camp Rockmont. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base, offering brokerage services, financial planning, and advisory programs through a combination of in-house and third-party portfolio management.

Eduardo Gelpi is a financial advisor at T. Rowe Price Advisory Services, Inc. with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Edelman Financial Engines, LPL Financial LLC, Ameriprise Financial Services, and Wells Fargo Clearing Services. T. Rowe Price Advisory Services, Inc. provides retirement-focused financial planning and discretionary investment management for individual investors and households, utilizing model portfolios invested exclusively in T. Rowe Price mutual funds and ETFs. The firm employs goal-based planning, tax-aware rebalancing, and Monte Carlo simulations, with an emphasis on proprietary funds and electronic client engagement.

Lara Ferguson is a CFP® with five years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Citizens Securities, Inc. since 2022. She previously worked at LPL Financial, LLC and DaVinci Financial Designs from 2020 to 2022. Outside of finance, she was involved with Southern Comforts Consignments and served at Sandy Springs United Methodist Church. Citizens Securities serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, offering investment advisory programs alongside brokerage and insurance services. The firm provides a digital advisory program utilizing ETF-based portfolios and a proprietary risk assessment, as well as a Managed Account program.

Abel Rizzo is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Empower Advisory Group in 2025, he worked at Empower since 2023 and has experience in the hospitality industry with roles at Wurst Haus, Union Kitchen, and several other establishments. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and retail brokerage clients. The firm’s services are integrated with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms and focus on long-term portfolio returns and clients’ savings rates.

Kelly West is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. She has worked with First Citizens Investor Services and First Citizens Bank since 2016. Outside of her advisory role, West owns an online resale shop and participates in direct/network marketing ventures. First Citizens Investor Services serves a range of clients including individuals, pension plans, and charitable organizations, providing advisory and brokerage services through IARs and third-party Portfolio Managers. The firm employs fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis in portfolio management and offers services such as financial planning, tax-aware strategies, and automated investing platforms.

Andrea Smith is a financial advisor at HB Wealth with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank NA and JPMorgan Securities LLC. HB Wealth Management is a registered investment adviser that provides wealth management, investment management, and financial planning services to individuals, families, trusts, retirement plans, corporate entities, foundations, family offices, and institutional clients. The firm combines quantitative and qualitative due diligence across a range of public and private investment strategies and offers outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) and institutional advisory services.