Ryan Cook is a CFP® and ChFC® with 15 years of industry experience. He has been with Valic Financial Advisors since 2010 and also works as an agent with Agia. Outside of his advisory role, he owns a home in Nebo, North Carolina, which he rents out seasonally. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-based individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet UMA models for portfolio construction.

Bernard Rosen is a financial advisor with TLG Advisors, Inc. in Cary, NC, holding the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 49 years of industry experience, including roles at The Leaders Group Inc and MassMutual Life Insurance Company. He also owns Rosen Executive Benefits Group, which focuses on individual life insurance sales. TLG Advisors, Inc. serves a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm emphasizes investment supervisory services and portfolio management through fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, offering both sub-advised accounts and a direct-to-consumer digital program called Starlight Portfolios.

Joseph Dillon is a CFP® with 20 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Creative Planning since 2023. His prior experience includes roles at Curi Wealth Management, SharpVue Capital, and Captrust Financial Advisors. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning–led investment process focused on low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supplemented by approaches such as direct indexing and tax-loss harvesting, supported by a large advisory team and centralized investment infrastructure.

Leigh St John is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Raleigh, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 21 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked at BB&T Investment Services, Inc. and BB&T Securities, LLC. 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 offers asset allocation and investment policy analysis, plan sponsor fiduciary support, and a manager-selection program for clients who appoint third-party managers.

Rameet Singh is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF in Durham, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 11 years of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF, he worked at Edward Jones and JP Morgan Securities. Outside of finance, he operates a portrait and family photography business. TIAA-CREF’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing TIAA-administered employer retirement plan relationships. The firm provides a range of advisory services including customized portfolio management and acts as adviser to donor-advised funds.

Brian Futch is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Durham, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Truist Investment Services since 2005 and with Truist Advisory Services since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of a rental property management business where he oversees tax and insurance responsibilities. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, utilizing a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary manager arrangements along with AI-supported research and inter-affiliate integration.

Clay Jackson is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at Sanctuary Advisors, LLC since 2019, following previous roles at Bank of America and Merrill. Clay serves as a board member for the NC State Education Assistance Authority and the North Carolina Banking Commission, and he is a partner in the real estate investment firm Fish Hill & Jackson, LLC. Sanctuary Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm supports a broad range of investment strategies through more than 400 independent adviser representatives and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary account management.

Lemuel Kornegay III is a financial advisor with Money Concepts Capital Corp in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 32 years of industry experience. He has worked with Money Concepts Capital Corp since 2015 and with Paladin Financial Services, Inc. since 2000, where he serves as president of a non-investment related business focused on checking accounts and Medicare and health insurance. Outside of his advisory role, Kornegay is a co-host of WHIG TV's "The Live Morning Show," serves on the IARFC Board of Directors, volunteers with the Wake County Board of Elections, and holds the position of Sergeant At Arms for the West Raleigh Rotary Club. Money Concepts Advisory Service provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm employs a variety of managed programs and account structures, using fundamental and technical analysis alongside modern portfolio theory to manage roughly $3.33 billion across approximately 14,700 clients.

Chip Jurgensen is a CFP® professional with 23 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Creative Planning since 2021. His prior experience includes roles at SBSB Financial Advisors, Raymond James Financial Services, Pinnacle Bank, and Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of financial advising, he serves as president of a homeowners association board. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach that includes low-cost indexing, buy-and-hold strategies, and selective private market exposure, managing approximately $295.6 billion in client assets across more than 1,100 advisors.

Christopher Oldham is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services in Raleigh, NC, with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Truist Advisory Services since 2021. His prior experience includes roles at Smith Salley & Associates, the Drapers Richards Kaplan Foundation, and Mutualism Investments. 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 offers asset allocation analysis, fiduciary support, and a manager-selection program that integrates discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, supported by AI-enabled research and a high degree of inter-affiliate coordination.

Roberto Pedraza is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at GFWS Equities, Wells Fargo Clearing, Genworth Financial, and IBM. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer‑sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to certain IRA and retail brokerage account holders. The firm’s integrated model combines proprietary and third‑party planning methodologies with recordkeeping and administrative platforms, focusing on long‑term portfolio returns and client savings rates.

Monsef Ouchou is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Fidelity Investments and several other firms. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders, using an integrated service model tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms.

Corey Holtz is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has held previous positions at Truist Advisory Services, TRUIST Investment Services, Inc., and Bb&T Securities, LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a trustee for a family trust. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a client-focused process led by its investment adviser representatives and utilizes fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to manage portfolios across various asset classes.

Amber Vaughn is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining First Citizens Investor Services, she held roles at Havoc Brewing LLC and Equitable Advisors. Vaughn has also worked in education and community organizations, including Roanoke College and the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate/business entities. The firm offers portfolio management, automated investing platforms, and financial planning, using fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to guide investment decisions.

Albert Waisanen Jr. is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with two years of industry experience. He previously worked at Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors and Group Insurance Analysts/GIA Risk Management. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member for The Park Homeowners Association Inc., where he participates in budget decisions and community meetings. 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 separates one-time planning services from ongoing portfolio management and acts as adviser to donor-advised funds while operating within a vertically integrated group.

Ming Zeng is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors in Morrisville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 14 years of industry experience. He has worked at Transamerica Financial Advisors since 2012 and previously worked at SweetDeal4You from 2012 to 2020. Zeng is also engaged in the sales of insurance and non-insurance products for companies affiliated with Transamerica Financial Advisors. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individual investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm provides both advisory and broker-dealer services through proprietary model portfolios and access to third-party money managers, offering discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

William Johnson is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 10 years of industry experience. His previous roles include positions at Charles Schwab and Bank of America. 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 uses a client-centered approach that incorporates fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis across a range of investment products and offers services such as portfolio management, wrap programs, and tax-aware strategies.

Jonathan Walker is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Cary, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. He has worked at Truist Investment Services and Truist Advisory Services since 2022 and was previously employed by Truist Bank for ten years. Outside of his advisory role, he manages a small beekeeping operation with his wife, producing honey, flowers, and produce. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by AI-enhanced research and inter-affiliate integration with Truist Investment Services and Truist Bank.

Christopher Baker is a financial advisor with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and eight years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Carroll Financial Associates, Inc., Prosperity Capital Group, Inc., and Asset Protectors & Advisors Inc. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise advisory firm that serves individuals, trusts and estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers financial planning, asset management, and specialized retirement plan consulting, utilizing a strategic investment approach that combines passive and active managers and incorporates both quantitative and fundamental research.

Boone Williams is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, Socratic Better Wealth, and self-employment ventures. He provides administrative support to Independent Advisor Alliance and remains involved with Socratic Better Wealth. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base, including individuals, small businesses, and charitable organizations, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management strategies supported by technology platforms and leverages a network model combined with ties to LPL Financial.