William Hesmer Jr. is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with over 13 years of industry experience. He is currently with Oak Harbor Wealth Partners and Hesmer Wealth Management LLC, where he has worked since 2021 and 2026, respectively. Prior to joining Oak Harbor, he spent eight years at Raymond James & Associates. Outside of finance, Hesmer serves as a consultant to the disciplinary committee for the United Soccer League. Oak Harbor Wealth Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser specializing in portfolio management, financial planning, and ERISA consulting, with a focus on institutional and retirement-plan services. The firm employs diversified model portfolios and third-party manager oversight as part of its investment approach.

Samantha Muncy is a financial advisor at Evergreen Wealth Advisors with 22 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Edward Jones for 18 years before joining Evergreen Money Advisors in 2023. She also held roles at Public Holdings, Inc., including Head of Customer Experience. Evergreen Wealth Advisors provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individual and corporate clients. The firm uses a Modern Portfolio Theory framework combined with tax-optimization techniques and proprietary AI tools to support portfolio management, and it operates a public AI platform offering general education and personalized advice to users.

Cristy Head is a financial advisor with Independent Wealth Advisors, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. She has been associated with Independent Wealth Advisors since 2024 and has prior experience with LPL Financial. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved with Said and Done LLC, a business she has maintained since 2007. Independent Wealth Advisors, LLC provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients through its Strategic Wealth Management platform. The firm uses a combination of analytical methods and a dedicated Investment Committee to develop and monitor model portfolios, offering both discretionary management and comprehensive financial planning.

Paul Yokabitus is a financial advisor at Cary Financial Planning, LLC with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 65 designation and has a background that includes ownership and practice as an attorney specializing in estate planning through Yokabitus Law, PLLC. He is also involved in legal marketing and tax planning through affiliated entities. Cary Financial Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, business owners, and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a long-term, evidence-based investment approach focused on diversification, cost control, and tax-aware decisions, utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, and factor-based funds, supported by technology including AI-assisted tools.

David Clark Jr. is a financial advisor at Oak Harbor Wealth Partners in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation. He has entered the industry recently with experience at Stifel Financial Corp and Croatan Investments prior to joining Oak Harbor. Oak Harbor Wealth Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser specializing in portfolio management, financial and institutional consulting, and pension and retirement plan services. The firm focuses on institutional and retirement-plan clients, employing diversified model allocations and third-party manager oversight in its investment approach.

Joel Anderson is a financial advisor at Evergreen Wealth Advisors in Raleigh, NC, with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Values Added Financial, Ameriprise Financial Services, Wells Fargo Clearing, and served eight years in the United States Navy. Evergreen Wealth Advisors provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individual and corporate clients, including high-net-worth individuals. The firm utilizes a Modern Portfolio Theory framework with tax-optimization techniques and incorporates proprietary software and AI tools for portfolio monitoring and advice delivery.

Katherine Alepa is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Ithaka Financial Planning, LLC. She has been with Ithaka since 2017 and holds a Series 65 license. Prior to her financial planning career, she worked at Food Lion from 2015 to 2016. Ithaka Financial Planning offers integrated financial planning and portfolio management for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and personal trusts and estates. The firm emphasizes customized portfolios based on Modern Portfolio Theory, incorporating index funds, ETFs, and occasionally individual securities, and provides ongoing monitoring, rebalancing, and fiduciary advisory services.

Jeremy Hamann is a financial advisor at Evergreen Wealth Advisors with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Blue Trust and CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, as well as work outside finance at Chick-fil-A and Black's Tire Service. He also has experience with The Wilds Christian Camp & Conference Center and Bob Jones University. Evergreen Wealth Advisors offers discretionary investment management and financial planning to individual and corporate clients, utilizing a Modern Portfolio Theory framework combined with tax-optimization techniques. The firm operates a public AI platform for educational purposes and manages client portfolios through proprietary software and AI tools.

Paul Richards is a CFP® with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Hicks & Associates Wealth Management, LLC. His prior roles include positions at WealthShield Partners, Ameriprise Financial Services, Edward Jones, and METLIFE Investors Distribution Company. Hicks & Associates Wealth Management primarily serves individual and high net worth clients, including trusts, estates, IRAs, and 401(k) plans, providing discretionary portfolio management through separately managed accounts alongside non-discretionary financial planning and consulting services. The firm applies a Multi-Strategy Investment Management Process combining fundamental and technical analysis, emphasizing risk controls such as rules-based stops and regular position reviews.

Carman Hicks II is a CFP® with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving at Hicks & Associates Wealth Management, LLC since 2022. He previously worked at WealthShield Partners, LLC and Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Since 2013, he has also engaged in fiduciary activities acting as attorney-in-fact, trustee, conservator, guardian, executor, or personal representative. Hicks & Associates Wealth Management primarily serves individual and high net worth clients, offering discretionary portfolio management and non-discretionary financial planning. The firm employs a Multi-Strategy Investment Management Process that integrates fundamental and technical analysis with various investment strategies overseen by an Investment Committee.

Matthew Archer is a financial advisor with AIM Advisors, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 26 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Triad Advisors, Inc. and Arkadios Capital. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved as an independent agent with The Cason Group, which focuses on life insurance and long-term care products. AIM Advisors, LLC serves individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans by providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan services. The firm employs a globally diversified investment approach based on modern portfolio theory, utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, and alternative investments tailored to client objectives and risk tolerances.

Emily Burgess is a financial advisor at AIM Advisors, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation. She has experience working at Campbell University and Arkadios Capital, as well as being self-employed and employed in other roles prior to joining AIM Advisors. AIM Advisors serves individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans, providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan services. The firm manages approximately $138 million across about 163 client relationships, employing an investment approach based on modern portfolio theory with a focus on global diversification.

Bret Tackett is a CFP® professional with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Tackett Wealth Management, LLC since 2009, where he is one of two advisors at the firm based in Cary, NC. Tackett Wealth Management provides investment supervisory services, wealth management, and financial planning primarily to select retirees and small business owners. The firm manages approximately $62 million in client assets and employs an investment approach grounded in academic research, emphasizing broad diversification, tax efficiency, and low-cost funds.

David Hellinger is a financial advisor with Independent Wealth Advisors, LLC in Cary, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 22 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes a long tenure at LPL Financial. Independent Wealth Advisors provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients through its Strategic Wealth Management platform. The firm combines various analytical approaches and maintains a monthly-reviewed investment committee to tailor portfolios according to each client’s risk tolerance and time horizon.

Jacob Stewart is a CFP® with five years of industry experience, currently serving at Wealth More Enterprise, Inc. since 2024. He has previously worked at Brightside, Garrett Investment Advisors, Zeiders Enterprises, and Wells Fargo Advisors. Outside of Wealth More, he is also financially active with Brightside in a non-investment-related role. Wealth More Enterprise is a team-based firm providing investment advisory and financial planning services through a mobile-first platform. The firm employs proprietary risk-scoring software and algorithmic management across four model portfolios, offering discretionary portfolio management alongside tiered advisory plans and standalone planning sessions.

Nicholas Ross is a CFP® professional at Ark Royal Wealth Management LLC with one year of industry experience. He has worked at Ark Royal Wealth Management and Truist, and previously spent time in education at North Carolina State University and a secondary school. Ark Royal Wealth Management LLC provides investment advisory and portfolio management services to individuals, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, using diversified, low-cost passive mutual funds and statistical analysis to manage risk and return.

Terrance Green is a CFP® with 22 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Blue Water Capital Management, LLC. He has been with Blue Water Capital Management since 2006. Blue Water Capital Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients as well as charitable organizations, offering portfolio management and financial planning tailored to client goals and risk tolerance. The firm employs modern portfolio theory and primarily invests in ETFs and mutual funds, with access to a broad range of alternative investments, and operates with institutional support from Charles Schwab.

Kenneth Stephenson is a ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with 18 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with Quest 10 Wealth Builders, Inc. and has previously worked at Global Financial Private Capital and Q3 Asset Management Corp. In addition to his advisory role, he owns and operates Willow Springs Turf, LLC, a sod farming business. Quest 10 Wealth Builders, Inc. serves individual and high-net-worth clients, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, using a range of investment strategies and conducting regular account reviews.

Brian DeBruin is a financial advisor at BrightPath Wealth Advisors LLC in Raleigh, NC, with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Carroll Financial Associates and Eqis Capital Management. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as an adjunct professor at Wake Tech Community College, teaching non-credit financial and investment courses. BrightPath Wealth Advisors LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning to individual, high-net-worth, and corporate clients. The firm utilizes fundamental analysis, develops tailored investment policy statements, and manages accounts with regular monitoring and reviews, including the use of third-party sub-advisors when appropriate.

Robert Revels is a CFP® and CFA® with six years of experience in financial advisory roles, currently serving at PieCapital since 2024. His prior experience includes positions at Balentine and BB&T. Outside of his advisory work, he is the author of a children's book titled *Bull & Bear Grow Together*, which teaches kids about money, and serves on the unpaid board of Strong Gray Line Corporation, a nonprofit associated with the West Point Class of 2004. PieCapital provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $69 million for 22 clients. The firm combines fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, and quantitative methods, employing a range of investment strategies across various asset classes within a single-advisor structure.