James Castleman Jr. is a financial advisor at AdvisorsTrust Partners LLC with 14 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously as a consultant and at CoVest Asset Management. Castleman is based in Raleigh, NC. AdvisorsTrust Partners LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor investment advice primarily on a discretionary basis, managing approximately $435.3 million in regulatory assets across about 172 client relationships.

Eric Schrum is a CFP® professional with nine years of industry experience, currently serving at Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC in Raleigh, NC. He has worked at Founders Wealth Management and Planning since 2017 and had a prior role at Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC. Schrum Private Wealth Management offers investment and wealth management services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, utilizing a blend of Modern Portfolio Theory and behavioral finance to construct diversified, low-cost portfolios. The firm emphasizes long-term investing with periodic tactical adjustments and incorporates tax-aware strategies such as tax-loss harvesting.

Michael Fenchak is a financial advisor at Top Rank Wealth Management, LLC with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has previously worked at RedHawk Wealth Advisors, Evergreen Wealth Advisors, Bank of NY Mellon, and Willis Towers Watson, among others. Top Rank Wealth Management is a state-registered advisory firm that offers discretionary asset management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm utilizes technical, charting, and quantitative analysis within customized investment programs and maintains close operational ties to affiliated insurance and legal-planning businesses.

Daniel Braddock is a financial advisor with Almega Wealth Management in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 65 designation and three years of industry experience. He has worked at Almega Wealth Management since 2022 and also owns an insurance agency, Scott Braddock Financial. Almega Wealth Management advises individuals, families, small businesses, retirement plans, and charitable organizations using a primarily passive investment approach with index mutual funds and ETFs, while offering customized active strategies for complex situations. The firm operates multiple offices and includes affiliated tax services, educational content, and quarterly client reporting.

Benjamin Scarbrough is a financial advisor at Stone Legacy Capital LLC in Raleigh, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been working in the industry since 2024, with prior experience at Equitable Advisors, LLC and George Pickett & Associates. He spent ten years as a full-time student before beginning his advisory career. Stone Legacy Capital LLC is an independent firm providing discretionary investment management and tailored financial planning to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm operates as a solo practice, managing approximately $4.9 million in client assets, and offers financial planning in three tiers alongside investment management using various analytical methods.

Michael Palmer is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving at Ark Royal Wealth Management LLC since 2015. He is based in Raleigh, NC, and is one of three advisors at the firm. Ark Royal Wealth Management LLC provides investment advisory and portfolio management services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm follows a long-term investment approach grounded in Modern Portfolio Theory, emphasizing diversified, low-cost passive funds and utilizes statistical analysis and DFA research for risk-return profiling.

Gray Pendleton is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Pendleton Financial Wealth Management in Raleigh, NC. His career includes roles at Concourse Financial Group Securities and operating his own entities since 2010. Outside of advisory work, he runs an educational YouTube channel on financial planning, authors financial planning books, and produces original music distributed on streaming platforms. Pendleton Financial Wealth Management provides investment management and financial planning to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach using modern portfolio theory and fundamental analysis, and offers pension plan consulting alongside educational seminars and client newsletters.

Fred Lowry is a financial advisor with BrightPath Wealth Advisors LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 65 designation and four years of industry experience. He is also an adjunct professor at Wake Tech Community College and operates a sole proprietorship focused on insurance sales. Additionally, he consults for Trivecta, a spa and facial sales business. BrightPath Wealth Advisors serves individual and high-net-worth clients as well as corporate entities, providing discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm develops customized investment policy statements, employs fundamental analysis, and offers public educational seminars.

Ryan Thomsen is a financial advisor with First Oak Wealth Management, LLC in Raleigh, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has 15 years of industry experience. Thomsen previously worked at Great Lakes & Atlantic Wealth Management and Oak City Consulting, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he has ownership in a rental property business. First Oak Wealth Management provides financial planning, investment management, and consulting services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, charitable accounts, and trusts. The firm manages approximately $316 million in discretionary assets and employs a diversified investment approach supported by an outsourced chief investment officer and AI tools for operational support.

Linda Lewis is the sole advisor at Lewis Financial Management, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 29 years of industry experience. She has worked at The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. since 2013 and has been with Lewis Financial Management since 1984. Outside of her advisory work, she hosts a radio program, "Money Matters with the Lewis Family," on WPTF AM 680, where she answers listener questions on various financial topics. Lewis Financial Management provides comprehensive financial planning and investment advice to individuals, couples, retirees, widows, and small business owners. The firm employs a research-based, long-term buy-and-hold investment approach with semi-annual portfolio reviews and focuses on non-discretionary advice tailored through a personalized financial planning database.

Taylor Holloway is a financial advisor at Ridgeline Wealth Advisors, LLC with 11 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Merrill, Jennifer Torrey, and Northwestern Mutual Investment Services LLC. Ridgeline Wealth Advisors provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, retirement-plan consulting, and IRA rollover advice to individuals and plan sponsors. The firm manages $189 million in assets for approximately 200 clients, emphasizing a long-term, diversification-focused investment approach grounded in efficient market principles and factor considerations.

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.

Caleb Griffith is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving at Townsend Asset Management Corp. in Raleigh, NC. He has been with Townsend since 2006, contributing to a firm that manages a range of clients including individuals, trusts, corporations, and non-profits. Townsend Asset Management Corp. provides investment management, financial planning, consulting, and tax preparation services, offering a bundled wealth management approach that integrates these under a single engagement. The firm employs a disciplined, goal-oriented process utilizing both fundamental and technical analysis to manage primarily long-term portfolios, with additional strategies including short-term positions and limited options.

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.

James Tarkenton is a CFA® charterholder with seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Townsend Asset Management Corp. since 2018 and previously spent nine years at Lateef Investment Management. Townsend Asset Management Corp. serves individuals, trusts, partnerships, corporations, non-profits, and retirement plans, offering investment management, financial planning, consulting, and tax preparation services. The firm employs a disciplined process combining fundamental and technical analysis to guide portfolio management and provides both standalone services and bundled wealth management engagements.

Troy Smith is a financial advisor with Wake Wealth Management Co. in Raleigh, NC, holding the CFP® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 37 years of industry experience, including roles at LPL Financial, Grove Point Investments, and as an independent insurance agent. Outside of advising, Smith is active as an artist and musician. Wake Wealth Management Co. provides financial planning and investment advisory services to individuals, families, trusts, charitable organizations, foundations, endowments, and other institutional clients. The firm emphasizes written financial plans and primarily delivers advice on a non-discretionary basis, employing a variety of investment strategies tailored to client-specific plans.

Adam Boor is a CFP® professional with eight years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Pursuit Wealth Strategies, LLC and has held prior positions at Raymond James Financial Services and RBC Capital Markets. His background also includes earlier roles in banking and finance. Pursuit Wealth Strategies serves individuals, high net worth clients, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations by providing investment advisory, portfolio management, and financial planning services. The firm emphasizes customized portfolios and formal investment policy statements, with regular portfolio monitoring and a structured approach to managing underperforming assets.

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.