Tod Wells is a CFP® with 33 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at &PARTNERS since 2024. His prior experience includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing from 2001 to 2005 and again from 2016 to 2024, as well as Merrill from 2005 to 2011. He is also a partner in DWM, LLC, a non-investment-related entity. &PARTNERS serves a diverse client base that includes high-net-worth individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations. The firm offers investment management, financial and tax planning, and retirement-plan advisory services, utilizing a combination of fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis along with both proprietary and third-party strategies.

Barbara Bridges is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. She holds Series 66 and Series 63 designations and has seven years of industry experience. Prior to joining First Citizens Investor Services in 2022, she worked at Bank of America, N.A. for 21 years. First Citizens Investor Services serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, employing a client process centered on financial needs assessment and diversified portfolio allocation across multiple asset classes.

Orlando Cruz Jr. is a financial advisor at Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and 66 licenses and has worked at firms including ICMA-RC Services, PNC Investments, and MetLife Securities. He is based in Charlotte, NC. Ameritas Advisory Services provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, charities, and businesses. The firm employs a range of investment strategies and platforms, incorporating both proprietary and third-party models, and offers services such as asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory.

Matthew Fortenberry is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Prudential-related firms, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, and AXA Advisors. Equitable Advisors serves individual clients—including both non‑high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals—along with pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and various asset management programs, utilizing a range of third-party asset managers and proprietary advisory models.

Gregory Beck is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 10 years of industry experience. He worked at TIAA and TIAA-CREF from 2014 to 2022 before joining Wells Fargo Clearing in 2022. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary investment advice. The firm’s process is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

John Knolhoff is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers based in Charlotte, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 19 years of industry experience, including 15 years with The Vanguard Group. Knolhoff serves as an agent on family members' investment accounts. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm utilizes a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with proprietary methodologies to construct portfolios primarily from Vanguard funds and ETFs, supported by a large-scale digital platform and a team servicing model.

Sulayman Nyang Jr. is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a mentor and business coach for at-risk young adults and holds positions on several nonprofit and advisory boards related to business coaching, education, and community initiatives. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a broad range of investment advisory programs and affiliated financial services. The firm is notable for its extensive advisor network, comprehensive service offerings, and fiduciary standard of care.

Brendan Cole is a financial advisor with Merrill based in Charlotte, NC. He holds the Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill, he held various positions including roles at Principal Financial Services and The Hanover Insurance Group. He also worked as a retirement consultant offering personalized investment advice to Principal retirement plan participants. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Harold Ballard Jr. is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing eight years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary, Cornwell Center, and PFS Investment Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with Yom Tov Enterprises, LLC, a non-investment-related business. Primerica Advisors is a large-scale institutional firm that sponsors a wrap-fee asset management program serving individual, corporate, and charitable clients. The firm emphasizes model-driven investment strategies managed by unaffiliated asset managers and uses custodial support from Pershing, focusing on a diverse range of strategic and tactical portfolio models.

Daniel Copeland is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and 66 licenses and having six years of industry experience. He has been with The Vanguard Group since 2020, following earlier roles in brokerage services and various positions including work in the hospitality and entertainment sectors. Vanguard Advisers serves retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans through a combination of automated and human-supported investment advice. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios constructed mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs, supporting a large client base through its digital platform and extensive team of advisors.

Mary Grace Cardow is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Her background includes roles at The Vanguard Group, Clemson University Academic Success Center, and Ameriprise. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, known for its Premier Retirement Income service that provides tailored retirement planning advice through a centralized team using proprietary research and tools.

Hyun Paik is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers, holding a Series 66 credential and five years of industry experience. Prior to joining Vanguard Advisers, Paik worked at Fisher Investments and Fidelity Brokerage Services. Vanguard Advisers offers both automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, utilizing a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios primarily composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Caleb Wyckoff is a financial advisor with Merrill in Huntersville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. He has worked at Bank of America N.A. and Merrill since 2023 and previously spent seven years at Harris Teeter. 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, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Ganna Wenzell is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 11 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing, Fifth Third Securities, and JP Morgan Chase Bank. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, notable for its Ameriprise Premier Retirement Income service, which provides tailored retirement income planning and ongoing advice based on detailed analysis and collaboration between a centralized service team and financial advisors.

Elaine Turner is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with six years of industry experience. She has worked at various Vanguard entities since 2020 and has also been self-employed in a childcare role since 2021. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach utilizing proprietary models to create personalized asset allocations, primarily using Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Laura Spivey is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Cornelius, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Her prior work includes two years at Movement Mortgage before joining Edward Jones in 2018. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a broad range of advisory services, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm operates under a fiduciary standard and is notable for its extensive retail advisor network and affiliated capabilities beyond advisory services.

Joshua Dodge is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at UBS Financial Services, Merrill, and Bank of America. 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 roughly $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party databases.

Carter Barlow is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill, he worked at The McKay Firm and has experience in education at the University of South Carolina and Charlotte Latin School. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Jason Farouk is a financial advisor at Merrill with 14 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations. His career includes roles at Bank of America, The Vanguard Group, Citizens Securities, and Santander Securities. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Brian Zellner is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 18 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at D.A. Davidson & Co. for eight years and multiple positions at LPL Financial and Merrill. He also has experience outside the financial sector, including work with Vail Resorts and Bambis Christmas Trees. Equitable Advisors serves a broad client base, including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management programs. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and collaborates with third-party asset managers to deliver investment solutions tailored to clients’ risk tolerance and goals.