Cornelius Mcdonald III is a CFP® with 42 years of industry experience, currently serving at Physicians Financial Services, Inc. He has previously worked with The Wealth Group, Ltd, Capital Investment Brokerage, Inc., Capital Investment Group, Inc., and Capital Investment Counsel, Inc. Mcdonald is also assistant treasurer of the North Carolina Society of the Cincinnati, a charitable organization supporting historical causes. Physicians Financial Services, Inc. manages approximately $482 million for a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a contrarian/value investing approach, focusing on financially strong, undervalued securities with a long-term holding strategy, and offers both internally managed and third-party overseen portfolios.

Lauretta Reeves is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 65 license with 13 years of industry experience. She joined Bastion Fiduciary in 2024 after spending 12 years at Islamorada Investment Management, LLP. Reeves serves as a voting member of the investment committee for the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, a private foundation. Bastion Fiduciary provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm applies modern portfolio theory and fundamental analysis to build diversified portfolios, offering tailored financial planning alongside portfolio management.

Zachary Palmer is a CFP® with seven years of experience in financial advising. He is currently with Ark Royal Wealth Management LLC and previously worked at Modera Wealth Management, The Vanguard Group, and several other firms. Palmer has also worked outside the advisory field, including a role at Postmates. Ark Royal Wealth Management LLC provides discretionary investment management and financial planning for individuals, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs long-term strategies based on Modern Portfolio Theory, using primarily passively managed mutual funds and conducts suitability reviews before implementing alternative investments.

Wayland Crutchfield Jr. is a CFP® professional with 26 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has been with Crutchfield Advisors, Inc. since 2015, where he is one of two advisors at the firm based in Apex, NC. Crutchfield Advisors is a two-advisor registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and government agencies. The firm combines fundamental security analysis, technical charting, and macroeconomic research to manage balanced portfolios and provides comprehensive financial planning with in-depth plans available upon request.

Kelsey Plummer is a financial advisor with Pursuit Wealth Strategies, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 15 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. for 14 years. Plummer serves on the boards of Sparrow Data Solutions, a nonprofit focused on data solutions, and Trinity Academy of Raleigh, a local private school. Pursuit Wealth Strategies provides investment advisory, portfolio management, and financial planning services to individuals, high net worth clients, small businesses, profit-sharing plans, charitable institutions, and foundations. The firm emphasizes customized portfolios with a mix of investment vehicles and conducts regular portfolio monitoring and reviews.

William Sloan is a CFP® professional with eight years of experience at Sound Financial Management, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. He has been with the firm since 2016, working in a financial advisory capacity. Sound Financial Management, Inc. provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and charitable organizations, and serves as a limited-scope ERISA 3(21) advisor for employer retirement plans. The firm uses both fundamental and technical analysis to tailor asset allocation and security selection to clients’ goals, time horizons, and risk tolerance, with ongoing portfolio oversight and quarterly reviews.

John Purrington is a CFP® with 18 years of industry experience currently serving at Armor Investment Advisors, LLC in Raleigh, NC. He has been with Armor Investment Advisors since 2007. Outside of his advisory role, he manages family investment partnerships, coordinating activities with family members. Armor Investment Advisors serves individuals, families—including high-net-worth clients—and institutional entities by providing comprehensive financial planning, discretionary investment management, and investment consulting. The firm applies a team-based process under a fiduciary standard, integrating multi-asset-class portfolio construction with ongoing financial planning and educational support for retirement-plan sponsors and participants.

Bryant Stone is the sole advisor at Stone Legacy Capital LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with five years of industry experience. He has held roles at multiple firms including Top Rank Wealth Management, LLC and currently is involved with Stone Legacy Insurance, LLC and estate planning services through Legacy Lock and Estate Guru. Stone also owns and operates an insurance and tax preparation business. Stone Legacy Capital LLC provides discretionary investment management and tailored financial planning to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm manages approximately $4.9 million in client assets and utilizes model portfolios through Altruist LLC, offering financial planning in three tiers with access to advanced planning software.

Peter D’arruda is a financial advisor with Capital Financial Advisory Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 15 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Sofos Investments, Inc., EQIS Capital Management, Inc., Payne Capital Management, LLC, and Global Financial Private Capital, LLC. In addition to his advisory work, he hosts financial radio shows aimed at financial professionals and CPAs, dedicating significant time to media-related activities. Capital Financial Advisory Group serves individuals, families, businesses, charities, and small pension clients by providing financial planning and advisory services. The firm emphasizes customized financial plans and implements investment recommendations through selected third-party managers, offering ongoing monitoring without taking custody or direct investment discretion over client assets.

Douglas Lewis is a CFP® professional with 44 years of industry experience. He has been with Lewis Financial Management, LLC since 1984 and is also affiliated with The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he is a licensed life insurance agent. Lewis Financial Management serves individuals, couples, retirees, widows, and small business owners with personalized financial planning and investment advice. The firm emphasizes fundamental, research-based analysis and a long-term buy-and-hold investment approach, managing over $431 million on a non-discretionary basis with a focus on charitable tax planning and direct investment programs.

Britton Williams is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with 15 years of experience in financial advisory. He has worked at Calamita Wealth Management since 2018, following roles at Belpointe Asset Management and Tuttle Wealth Management. Calamita Wealth Management provides discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and businesses. The firm employs a structured advisory process and utilizes both qualitative and quantitative research across various asset classes, managing client accounts primarily on a discretionary basis.

Matthew Snuggs is a CFP® professional affiliated with Pursuit Wealth Strategies, LLC in Raleigh, NC, with three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Raymond James Financial and Equitable Advisors LLC. He serves as a committee member of the German Club Alumni Foundation, which supports the alumni activities of the G.E.R.M.A.N. Club of Virginia Tech. Pursuit Wealth Strategies offers investment advisory, portfolio management, and financial planning services to individuals, high net worth clients, small businesses, and charitable institutions. The firm delivers customized portfolios using a variety of investment vehicles and maintains regular monitoring with formal watchlist criteria.

Pamela Rigsby is a CFP® with 32 years of experience in the financial services industry. She has worked at Pursuit Wealth Strategies, LLC since 2010 and previously held positions at Raymond James Financial Services and Wells Fargo Clearing. Pursuit Wealth Strategies is a four-advisor firm that provides investment advisory, portfolio management, and financial planning services to individuals, high net worth clients, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations. The firm creates customized portfolios using a variety of investment vehicles and conducts regular performance monitoring to align with clients’ objectives and risk tolerance.

Charles Averre IV is a financial advisor at Hollingsworth Avent Averre & Purvis, P.A. in Raleigh, NC, with 19 years of industry experience. He holds the PFS™ designation and Series 65 license and has been with the firm since 2010. Averre also provides CPA services as an owner of a CPA firm registered as an investment advisor. Hollingsworth Avent Averre & Purvis, P.A. offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting primarily for individuals and high-net-worth clients, alongside accounting and tax services. The firm employs an evidence-based, market-efficiency investment approach focusing on passive instruments, diversification, and periodic rebalancing, integrating tax and accounting expertise directly into its advisory process.

Erin Campbell is a CFP® professional with 21 years of experience, currently serving at Beacon Financial Strategies Corp. in Raleigh, NC, where she has worked since 2004. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and is one of three advisors at the firm. Beacon Financial Strategies serves individual clients, including high-net-worth households, and corporate retirement plan sponsors. The firm employs a core-and-satellite investment approach combining passive index funds and ETFs with selective active strategies, offering comprehensive net worth management, retirement plan consulting, and tax preparation as an ancillary service.

Valerie Seymour is a Certified Financial Planner® with 11 years of industry experience. She is currently affiliated with Quest 10 Wealth Builders, Inc. and Complete Financial Solutions, Inc., where she has worked since 2012. Prior to that, she was with Global Financial Private Capital, LLC from 2015 to 2017. Seymour holds licenses as a Series 63 and Series 65 representative and is also a licensed insurance agent for life, annuity, health, Medicare supplement, and long-term care products. Quest 10 Wealth Builders, Inc. serves individual and high-net-worth clients, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans with discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a range of investment strategies, including technical and fundamental analysis, and offers community educational workshops through its six offices.

Roger Elmer Jr. is a CFP® and CFA® with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Realm Investment Consulting LLC since 2014 and is also the managing member of R. Ron Elmer, CPA, PLLC. In addition to his advisory roles, he writes, publishes, and sells investment-related books through Investor Cookbooks. Realm Investment Consulting serves individual and high-net-worth clients with portfolio management, financial planning, and pension/401(k) consulting. The firm emphasizes long-term trading using ETFs and mutual funds guided by modern portfolio theory, managing approximately $88.9 million across about 90 client relationships.

Deborah Hobart is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with six years of industry experience. She has worked at Blue Water Capital Management, LLC since 2019 and previously held roles at Coty Inc. and Safariland. Blue Water Capital Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients as well as charitable organizations, providing portfolio management and financial planning tailored to client goals and risk tolerance. The firm employs modern portfolio theory in its investment approach and offers access to a broad range of asset types, leveraging institutional support from Charles Schwab.

Stephanie Murray is a financial advisor at Beacon Financial Strategies Corp. in Raleigh, NC, with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Beacon Financial Strategies since 2013. Beacon Financial Strategies serves individual clients, including high-net-worth households, and corporate retirement plan sponsors. The firm employs a core-and-satellite investment approach with passively managed index funds and ETFs as the core and selectively applied active strategies in satellite positions, offering comprehensive net worth management and retirement plan fiduciary services.

Ryan Wahlers is a financial advisor at LifePlan Group with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at several firms, including Steward Wealth Strategies and CAPTrust. Outside of finance, he has experience with aquatic and swim club management. LifePlan Group provides financial planning and discretionary portfolio management to individuals, businesses, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, with an emphasis on retirement planning and integrating tax, insurance, and estate considerations. The firm tailors advice to client goals and risk tolerances and uses diversified investment models including institutional platforms, ETFs, and individual securities.