Andrew Ortiz is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, he worked at The Vanguard Group and has been co-owner of Rooted Hearts LLC, a holistic health coaching business, since 2018. He also works as an independent contractor for Amazon Flex. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory solutions. The firm’s approach is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a broader investment menu that includes insurance-related products and bank deposit sweep options.

Lisa Roche Berlage is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers, where she has worked since 2014. She holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has 19 years of industry experience. In addition to her advisory role, she serves on the finance committee of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Denver, NC. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice, primarily serving retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach to construct personalized portfolios largely from Vanguard funds and ETFs, emphasizing scale and digital delivery combined with a team servicing model.

Amanda Murdza is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo Bank NA since 2013 and worked at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC from 2013 to 2017 before joining Wells Fargo Clearing in 2024. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, wrap-fee programs, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and provides both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research and analytics from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Jeffrey Karp is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Mooresville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 32 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, he operates Karp Financial Strategies, Inc., and sells fixed annuities and various types of non-variable insurance products including long-term care, term life, disability, and universal life insurance. LPL Financial is a national SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charities through a broad network of representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and consulting services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management along with research and model portfolios.

Jonathan Boone is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Mooresville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked at Panera Bread and was a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, affiliated mutual funds, and tax-efficient services. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and operates a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Caleb Cheyney is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works closely with clients to develop personalized financial plans that align with their unique goals and priorities, focusing on areas such as retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and special needs planning strategies. Caleb leverages the resources of Merrill and Bank of America to assist federal employees, medical professionals, and business leaders in preparing for well-structured retirements. Caleb holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina System and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) as well as a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His approach emphasizes understanding clients' individual circumstances and providing clear, disciplined guidance to help them manage their financial futures confidently. Outside of his professional work, Caleb enjoys basketball, football, music, pickleball, and spending time with his family. He is also involved in the community through his participation with Niner United at UNC Charlotte.

David Benevento is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers. His prior work includes roles at Fidelity Investments, Edward Jones, Capital Group - American Funds, HBKS Wealth Advisors, Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, Charles Schwab, Robert W. Baird, and Strategic Advisors LLC. He maintains a life and health insurance license. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and employer-sponsored retirement plan participants. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with proprietary models to create personalized asset allocations, primarily employing Vanguard funds and ETFs, and manages a large client base through its digital platform and extensive team of advisors.

Robert Carrington II is a financial advisor at Primerica Advisors with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Primerica Advisors since 2020. Prior to this, he was employed at Medi Weightloss and ECPI University, among other roles. Outside of advising, he is involved in sales of loan products and home-related services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-delivery strategies and a limited selection of separately managed accounts. The firm uses third-party asset managers and offers a tiered wrap-fee structure, focusing on curated investment models rather than institutional portfolio management.

Donald Cook Jr. is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 15 years of industry experience. His prior work history includes roles with Vanguard Marketing Corporation and The Vanguard Group, Inc., as well as entrepreneurial experience with SBH BBQ Co. Outside of advisory work, he is engaged in e-commerce sales and provides transportation services through contracts with Lyft and Uber. Vanguard Advisers delivers automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, utilizing a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with proprietary asset allocation models. The firm emphasizes scale and digital delivery, managing a high volume of client relationships primarily with Vanguard funds and ETFs, and offers multiple customization options including ESG exposures.

Charles Thompson is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has been affiliated with Raymond James Financial and its services since 2000. Thompson also owns and operates a real estate brokerage license in North Carolina. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base that includes individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting using analytical tools and supports both retail and institutional clients through a broad network of advisors.

Wesley Thompson is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at IFP Securities, Rinaldi Wealth Management, Park Avenue Securities, and Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary services guided by an investment policy statement and modern portfolio theory. The firm’s offerings include a broad range of financial products, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Warren Williams is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Mooresville, NC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial for 18 years. LPL Financial is a national SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a 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 and third-party subadvisors.

Mason Hardy is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments. He focuses on collaborating with clients to develop personalized financial plans that align with their individual goals. Mason's approach involves understanding each client's unique situation to create effective and manageable strategies for pursuing their financial objectives. He has accumulated experience through various roles at Fidelity Investments, including Planning Consultant, Investment Consultant, Relationship Manager, and High Net Worth Associate, covering the period from 2022 to the present. Prior to joining Fidelity, Mason worked as a Financial Professional at Equitable Advisors in 2021.

Sydney Clawson is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked with Vanguard Marketing Corporation and The Vanguard Group, Inc. Prior to her advisory role, she was involved with Kids' Camp Ladue in multiple years. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice through its Vanguard Digital Advisor and Personal Advisor services, primarily serving retail investors and eligible participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach using proprietary models to create personalized asset allocations, largely utilizing Vanguard funds and ETFs with various customization options.

Karen Anderson is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She joined Merrill in 2004, bringing over 20 years of executive sales, marketing, and business development experience from her previous roles at a major consumer products company and a start-up. Karen works closely with a select group of clients, often including multiple generations of the same family, to coordinate all aspects of their financial lives. She focuses on preparing clients for future uncertainties as well as financial opportunities, offering services ranging from income planning strategies to transferring wealth and financial education for the next generations. Karen's expertise encompasses executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, small business strategies, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan and has earned professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Karen is also affiliated with professional organizations such as NextUp and Procter & Gamble Alumni. Outside of her professional duties, Karen is involved in community organizations including The First Tee of Greater Charlotte, the University of Michigan Alumni Association - Charlotte, and the Women's Impact Fund in Charlotte. She lives in Lake Norman with her husband and two daughters, and her personal interests include golf, health and wellness, and community service.

Michael Bird is a financial advisor with Merrill in Cornelius, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill and Bank of America since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he maintains a rental property where he manages tenant relations. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Alan Ponce Montes De Oca is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with a Series 66 designation and less than one year of industry experience. His prior work experience includes roles at Coca Cola Consolidated, Allstate, and Amazon.com. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates a broad range of financial products, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

John Pilkington is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with 21 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Vanguard Group since 2004 and previously worked at Manning & Napier Advisors. Pilkington serves as treasurer and board member of Belmont Trolley, a nonprofit community organization in Belmont, NC. Vanguard Advisers offers automated and human-supported investment advice through digital and personal advisor services, primarily serving retail investors and retirement plan participants. The firm utilizes a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach featuring proprietary asset allocation models and portfolios constructed mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Grace Kellerman is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Vanguard, she worked at Stride Spin & Fitness in a non-investment role. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, utilizing a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios largely composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs. The firm is notable for its scale and digital delivery, managing a large number of client relationships with a team servicing model.

Nicole Mccoy is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 28 years of industry experience. Her career includes nearly two decades at Wachovia Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Clearing. She works with Pinnacle Asset Management in a non-investment capacity, referring clients and collaborating with partners. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse clientele, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors. The firm uses analytical tools and tailored advisory programs, with notable offerings in municipal finance and SIMPLE IRA employer advisory services.