Justin Popham is a CFP® credentialed advisor with 12 years of industry experience, currently with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. His prior experience includes roles at Fisher Investments, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and E*TRADE. First Citizens Investor Services serves individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, utilizing fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to manage portfolios across various asset classes.

Alexander Cohen is a financial advisor at &PARTNERS with a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. Prior to joining &PARTNERS in 2024, he worked at Wells Fargo Clearing for three years and held roles at Amazon Fulfillment Services and The UPS Store. He also has a background in education, having worked at Clemson University and Pine Lake Preparatory. &PARTNERS serves a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers investment management and financial planning services using a combination of fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis, with portfolios managed directly by advisors or through third-party managers.

Jason Mertz is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 27 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Merrill, BB&T Securities, and Banc of America Investment Services. He has worked with Truist-affiliated firms since 2017. Truist Advisory Services offers investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a combination of traditional research and AI tools to support client portfolios and provides ongoing monitoring, reporting, and consultations.

James Ferguson is a CFP® with 17 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently an advisor at Schwab Wealth Advisory, where he has worked since 2026. His prior experience includes roles at Roan Capital Partners, Cetera Advisor Networks, and various other firms dating back to 2006. Schwab Wealth Advisory serves clients enrolled in the Schwab Wealth Advisory program and certain Charles Schwab & Co.-referred clients, providing non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice, financial planning, and wealth management consultations. The firm’s approach is based on Schwab’s asset-allocation models and internal research tools, with advice tailored to client goals and risk tolerance.

Sarah Rhodes is a financial advisor at &PARTNERS with 14 years of industry experience. She holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses. Prior to joining &PARTNERS in 2026, she worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Bank NA for a combined 12 years. &PARTNERS serves a diverse range of clients including high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers investment management, financial and tax planning, and retirement-plan consulting through a combination of proprietary and third-party strategies, utilizing fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis.

Joseph Norton is a CFP® with 22 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Creative Planning since 2021 and previously held roles at Alaris Acquisitions and The Vanguard Group. He is based in Charlotte, NC. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach that emphasizes low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies for long-term goals, supplemented by tax-loss harvesting and selective private market exposure.

Thomas Owens III is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Investor Services since 2011. Owens serves as an officer and director and is a member of the Finance Committee at Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community, a nonprofit organization. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm uses fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to manage portfolios including equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs, offering a range of solutions such as model portfolios, wrap programs, and tax-aware services.

Tonya Guffey is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with two years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Fifth Third Securities since 2022, as well as at Fifth Third Bank since 2018. Prior to that, she was employed at PNC Bank from 2015 to 2018. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors through its Passageway Managed Account Program. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account options and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank.

Michelle Kuzma Kempf is a financial advisor with Hightower Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 20 years of industry experience. Her career includes 15 years with Hightower Advisors and Hightower Securities, LLC, following earlier roles at Morgan Stanley from 2006 to 2011. Hightower Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to individual and institutional clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting through a network of Advisor Practices. The firm emphasizes manager selection and multi-manager solutions, utilizing both affiliated and third-party managers, proprietary research, and diverse investment vehicles.

Matthew Johnson is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 12 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at BB&T Securities, SunTrust Advisory Services, SunTrust Investment Services, and SunTrust Bank. Truist Advisory Services offers investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, participants, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools, partnering with Envestnet platforms, and provides ongoing monitoring and reporting supported by extensive affiliated financial relationships.

Matthew Savloff is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. He holds a Series 65 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Investment Institute, he worked with Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan Chase, and held roles at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Rutgers University, and other organizations. Wells Fargo Investment Institute provides manager research, global investment strategy, securities research, asset allocation analysis, and model-portfolio services to Wells Fargo affiliates and unaffiliated financial institutions. The firm offers non-discretionary model portfolios constructed from research-based recommendations, serving as a research and model provider rather than a direct portfolio manager or financial planner.

Benjamin Laubach is a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. with a Series 65 designation and experience in both advisory and other business roles, including work with Tastful Occasions and Phantom Fireworks. He began his industry career in 2025 and is based in Charlotte, NC. Mercer Global Advisors serves individuals, families, small business owners, plan sponsors, foundations, non-profits, and endowments by providing investment advisory services along with financial, tax, retirement, and estate planning. The firm’s investment approach centers on Modern Portfolio Theory, using diversified portfolios and various investment vehicles supported by comprehensive client education and specialized service lines.

Jerry Carpenter Jr. is a financial advisor with Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 39 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameritas Advisory Services since 2021 and has over a decade of experience with Ameritas Investment Corp and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. Carpenter is also the owner of a family timber farm, Carpenter Timber LLC, overseeing tree planting and future harvests. Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm utilizes a combination of model portfolios, mutual funds, ETFs, and individual securities, offering a range of program platforms and leveraging third-party technology and managers to customize investment solutions.

Brent Hann is a financial advisor with OSAIC Institutions, Inc. in Cornelius, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and bringing 11 years of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at Wells Fargo Clearing, The Smith Companies/Capitas Financial, and AXA Distributors among others. OSAIC Institutions serves a range of clients including high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, and corporate clients through a large network of advisors. The firm offers customized advisory and financial planning services with both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, utilizing fundamental, technical, and asset-allocation analysis alongside various third-party asset managers and alternative investment platforms.

Ernest Kiefer III is a CFP® with 18 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. He has been with First Citizens Investor Services since 2013. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers portfolio management, wrap programs, model portfolios, and financial planning, utilizing IAR-led assessments and a mix of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to allocate assets.

Patricia Godfrey is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and seven years of industry experience. She also serves as Senior Manager of Sales Operations at Veritas Technologies, LLC, a data information technology firm. Godfrey is a 50% owner of Blackbridge Financial, LLC, a DBA associated with her work at Independent Advisor Alliance. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, wealth coaching, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing a network model of advisory representatives supported by sub-advisors and third-party platforms.

Harry Koutroumanis is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked within the Truist organization since 2022. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a director of the Hellenic Performing Arts Foundation, an organization that supports authentic Hellenic and Cypriot performing arts. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm integrates traditional research and AI-enabled tools to support asset allocation and manager selection, offering ongoing reviews and client consultations.

Michael Conerly is a CFA® charterholder with five years of industry experience. He is currently with Savant Wealth Management and previously worked at Exencial Wealth Advisors, Wells Fargo, and Columbia Threadneedle. Savant Wealth Management serves individuals, families, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and high-net-worth clients with comprehensive wealth management, portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and family office services. The firm employs a combination of evidence-based, model-driven asset allocation and actively managed strategies across various asset classes, supported by in-house accounting, legal, and trust services.

Dean Diamond is a financial advisor at Equity Services, Inc. with 24 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including National Life Group and Eagle Strategies (NY Life). Outside of his advisory role, he serves as chapter chair of the Wrestlers in Business Network in Charlotte, NC. Equity Services, Inc., doing business 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 utilizes third-party asset managers, combining long-term strategies with options for shorter-term trading and specialized instruments.

Jeanna Blair is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 36 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with various Truist entities since 2000, including Truist Securities, Truist Investment Services, and formerly BB&T Investment Services. Truist Advisory Services provides 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-enhanced tools and offers a range of fiduciary and advisory services through platforms such as Envestnet.