Robert Roepke is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked for over 28 years. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He works with individuals, families, professionals, and small businesses, employing a consistent methodology focused on understanding each client's specific needs and concerns. Robert's approach begins with a disciplined process to establish explicit objectives and achieve financial goals while minimizing unnecessary risk. He utilizes Merrill Lynch's resources to develop tailored strategies and emphasizes regular reviews to ensure alignment with clients' objectives. His commitment to effective communication and ongoing monitoring allows strategies to be adjusted in response to changes in clients' lives or lifestyles. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1983, Robert and his wife settled in Raleigh, North Carolina, where they have raised their three children. He is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys playing golf. Robert also participates in community volunteer activities as part of Merrill's tradition of service.

Kenneth Nelson is a financial advisor at Cetera with 38 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Cetera and related entities since 2016. In addition to his advisory role, Nelson serves as a guest lecturer at Duke University and NC State University and works as a commentator and author on economic news and related topics. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a wide range of clients including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm offers various portfolio management options and financial planning services through a large network of independent advisors and utilizes a multi-manager platform with access to affiliated and third-party investment strategies.

Aaron Schmidt is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Fidelity Investments since 2021 and previously was employed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Relias Learning. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm manages discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios and is noted for its use of systematic methodologies, AI-driven research, and its advisory roles with registered investment companies and fund-of-funds.

Trang Pham is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2024, Pham worked at Truist, Citibank, and HD Bank. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment menu offerings.

Sam Ahmed is an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments, a role held since 2023. Prior to this position, Sam advanced through roles as Investment Solutions Representative II (2022-2023) and Investment Solutions Representative I (2021-2022) at Fidelity Investments. Earlier professional experience includes serving as a Relationship Manager at Wells Fargo from 2016 to 2021 and as a Teller at Wells Fargo from 2015 to 2016. Sam holds insurance licenses in Arkansas and California. He focuses on assisting clients in working towards their financial goals by being attentive to detail and an active listener, emphasizing long-term relationship building. Outside of his professional work, Sam engages in family activities, fitness, movies, parenthood, and traveling.

Kristina Shifflett is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 18 years of industry experience. She has worked at Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2013. She holds a Series 63 designation and is based in Raleigh, NC. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that provides advisory programs to both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored financial planning using structured processes and firm-approved tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Steven Megaloudis is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked with Wells Fargo Bank NA since 2014. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Zachary Payne is an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments. In this role, he provides clients with guidance on savings and investment strategies tailored to their individual goals, needs, and circumstances. He supports clients through various life stages and financial challenges, regularly reviewing and updating financial plans to align with changing priorities and market conditions. Zachary's professional experience includes roles as an Investment Consultant, Investment Solutions Representative II specializing in Fixed Income, Investment Solutions Representative, and High Net Worth Representative at Fidelity Investments. Prior to joining Fidelity, he worked as a Junior Financial Advisor at Raleigh Wealth Solutions and as a Financial Advisor at Equitable Advisors. Outside of his professional work, Zachary has interests in comedy, fishing, football, golf, spending time at the lake, and music.

Justin Meservier is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2025, he was associated with Coastal Federal Credit Union and CUSO Financial Services, LP. Outside of his advisory role, he has maintained ongoing involvement with Door Dash as a rideshare driver. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary management, supported by research from LPL Research and third-party subadvisors.

Katrina James is a financial advisor at Merrill with 32 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 1997 and holds a Series 63 designation. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as an administrator for a non-investment-related entity named D R E in Raleigh, North Carolina. Merrill provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions program, serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries. The firm offers a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies integrated within Bank of America’s broader corporate platform.

Zachary Mc Donald is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Guilford College United Methodist Church, where he manages and leads the church's audio-visual and streaming services. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves a broad client base including high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to affiliated discretionary separately managed accounts and employs a multi-asset model portfolio approach with centralized operational and supervisory infrastructure.

Angela Goins is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with nine years of industry experience. She previously worked at The Carolinas Financial Network for three years before joining Edward Jones in 2017. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management.

Charles Leapley is a financial advisor at OSAIC in Raleigh, NC, with 16 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and previously worked at FSC Securities Corporation for 12 years. Outside of advising, he operates as an independent licensed insurance agent. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including individual and institutional investors, offering integrated brokerage and advisory services. The firm employs asset-allocation tools, risk-tolerance assessments, and automated rebalancing to manage portfolios that may include a range of asset types across discretionary and non-discretionary accounts.

Benjamin Baumberger is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked with Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2016. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a broad range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, focusing on tailored financial planning and managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm utilizes structured planning tools and modeling techniques while generally acting in an advisory capacity for its clients.

Charles Brinkman is a financial advisor at Merrill with 15 years of industry experience and holds the Series 66 designation. He has worked at Merrill since 2010 and has been affiliated with Bank of America, N.A. since 2013. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions program, offering a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries.

Kari Flores is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Clayton, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having 20 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entity since 2011. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services targeting individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to generate written recommendation reports. The firm offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of a large institutional firm.

Diana Na is a financial advisor at Fidelity with four years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Wells Fargo and Pandora Jewelry. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies and an IRS-qualified Charitable Gift Fund. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage portfolios, and it serves as an advisor to multiple registered investment companies while employing systematic models and proxy-voting governance procedures.

Dharma Patel is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at BlackRock and Merrill. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs including tailored financial planning and estate planning services. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured financial planning process supported by firm-approved tools and quantitative models.

Robert Willauer is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 23 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2011 and at Ohio National Financial Services since 2007. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as Vice President of Operations at Adolos, LLC, a tax preparation and accounting firm, where he oversees technology and operational matters. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers financial planning, advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services with access to model portfolios, third-party research, and various investment strategies.

Katherine Anders is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors. She has held roles at Vesta Wealth Advisors and Principal Life Insurance, among others. Anders is also active as an insurance agent with various independent companies through Vesta Wealth Advisors. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and trusts, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services. The firm offers tailored investment strategies via multiple platform arrangements and maintains proprietary and unaffiliated model strategies.