Melissa Vian is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 11 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with TIAA-CREF since 2014. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning, discretionary managed account programs, and broker-dealer services primarily to individuals connected to employer retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm’s advisory model distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing discretionary management, and it acts as adviser to the TIAA Donor Advised Fund sponsored by Charityvest.

Scott Zimmerman is a CFP® professional at Mariner with 13 years of industry experience. He has worked at firms including JP Morgan Securities, UBS Financial Services, and SIP. Mariner serves a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporations, offering investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and coordinated tax services. The firm employs customized discretionary portfolios overseen by an Investment Committee and provides integrated tax, accounting, and financial wellness solutions.

Andrew Bowling is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Investment Institute in 2022, he worked at The Vanguard Group and Fidelity Investments. Wells Fargo Investment Institute is an SEC-registered, bank-affiliate advisory and research organization that provides manager due diligence, securities research, and asset-allocation guidance primarily for Wells Fargo wealth and fiduciary businesses. The firm’s research and model portfolios are delivered to affiliated businesses for implementation rather than being individually tailored or directly managed by the institute.

Sara Homsi is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 10 years of industry experience. Her prior work includes positions at Equitable Advisors, Merrill, US Trust, and AXA Advisors. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing portfolio management, and it acts as adviser to the TIAA Donor Advised Fund.

James Campbell is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with two years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has prior experience at Wells Fargo Clearing, Vanguard Marketing Corporation, and Apple. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing relationships through employer retirement plans. The firm combines point-in-time planning services with ongoing portfolio management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund sponsored by Charityvest.

Ashley Fowler is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials with eight years of industry experience. She has been with First Citizens Investor Services since 2017 and previously worked at First Citizens Bank from 2015 to 2018. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. offers advisory and brokerage services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a client process focused on financial needs assessment and risk tolerance, utilizing a range of investment strategies across equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs.

Tina Jackson is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with nine years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with TIAA since 2016. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often working with clients connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm provides both point-in-time planning and ongoing portfolio management, utilizing model and customized portfolios managed under a fiduciary standard.

Gaetano Defazio is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with TIAA-CREF since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he produces online video content focused on consumer products. TIAA-CREF’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients connected through employer retirement plans. The firm offers a range of advisory services, including model portfolio management and customized portfolios, and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund.

Eric Harbert is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with 13 years of industry experience. He is currently with Corient in Charlotte, NC, where he has worked since 2022. His prior roles include positions at Ci Brightworth (formerly McGill Advisors) and CIPW Service Company, LLC. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, and corporate entities. The firm uses a goals-based, team investment approach combining in-house strategies with third-party managers, incorporating risk management tools and alternative investment options where appropriate.

Haley Clanton is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF in 2022, she worked at Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank from 2019 to 2022. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with existing employer retirement plan relationships, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, corporations, and small retirement plans. The firm offers both point-in-time planning and ongoing portfolio management through a range of managed account options.

Jason Young is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Creative Planning since 2015. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $217 billion in assets and employs a financial planning–led investment process that emphasizes low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supplemented by more specialized approaches and a range of retirement plan services.

Logan Haga is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with five years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at The Vanguard Group and J.P. Morgan Securities. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to select IRA and retail brokerage clients. The firm’s services are integrated with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms and emphasize long-term portfolio returns, annual rebalancing, and savings rates.

Jeffrey Emperador is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 14 years of industry experience. His career includes multiple roles within Truist entities and prior work as a self-employed advisor and at Empower Financial Services. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, utilizing both discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting supported by third-party platform arrangements and AI-enabled research tools.

Jennifer Herzog is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 13 years of industry experience. She has been with TIAA-CREF since 2014. Outside of her advisory role, she works part-time as a Lyft driver. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing employer retirement plan relationships. The firm separates point-in-time planning from ongoing portfolio management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund within a vertically integrated model.

Brandon Reeves is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 credential and has worked at Equitable Advisors LLC prior to joining TIAA-CREF. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm distinguishes between one-time financial planning and ongoing portfolio management, using a fiduciary standard for its RIA services.

William Biles is a CFP® professional with 24 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently associated with TLG Advisors, Inc. and has a background that includes roles at Bluestone Insurance/PLAN, Investacorp, Highland Capital, and SunTrust Bank. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as president of Insurance Consulting & Design. TLG Advisors, Inc. serves a wide range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm focuses on investment supervisory services, portfolio management, and comprehensive financial planning, employing a manager selection process and Modern Portfolio Theory to build diversified portfolios.

Stephen Wilson is a CFA® charterholder with 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing for 11 years before joining &Partners in 2025. He serves as the investment committee team leader for the United Methodist Foundation of Western NC. &Partners serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations, offering investment management, financial and tax planning, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services through a combination of proprietary and third-party strategies.

Lincoln Maurer is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc., holding a Series 65 credential and three years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Investment Institute since 2022 and previously held roles at Somic America, Inc., Liberty University, Wytheville Community College, Central Contracting, and Pensacola Christian College. Wells Fargo Investment Institute is an SEC-registered, bank-affiliate advisory and research organization that provides manager due diligence, securities research, asset allocation guidance, and model portfolios primarily to Wells Fargo wealth and fiduciary businesses. Its research and strategy development use both qualitative and quantitative analysis, supporting affiliate entities with impersonal, model-driven investment advice.

Katherine Grier is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Truist Investment Services and Truist Bank. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm uses both discretionary and non-discretionary approaches supported by third-party platforms and manager arrangements, with a focus on inter-affiliate integration within the Truist enterprise.

Ryan Schrift is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and holds a Series 66 designation. He has 19 years of industry experience, including roles at Independent Advisor Alliance since 2016 and LPL Financial since 2012. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a City Councilman for Belmont, NC, and is a managing partner of The Schrift Boys Farm in South Carolina. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base, including individuals, small businesses, pooled vehicles, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management supported by various analytical techniques and technology platforms.