Keith Holtsclaw Jr. is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services. His career includes roles at Truist Investment Services, Truist Bank, TD Ameritrade, and Scottrade. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a trustee on the Lenoir Rhyne University Alumni Board and as an associate trustee for the Piedmont Education Fund, where he is involved in alumni engagement and scholarship fundraising. He is also a partner in a company specializing in disposable children’s cups and dinnerware. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, utilizing a combination of discretionary management and consulting supported by third-party platforms and research tools.

Louis Wetmore is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 15 years of industry experience. He currently works at Farther and previously held roles at Advisory Services Network, LLC and Omnistar Financial Group. Outside of advisory work, he is a certified court mediator operating a sole proprietorship under Wetmore Mediation. Farther provides discretionary investment management and advisory services primarily to individual investors, trusts, and estates through a web and mobile platform combined with in-person meetings. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based approach utilizing proprietary model portfolios and algorithmic rebalancing, with investment options including ETFs, mutual funds, individual equities, and fixed income.

Josh Vanepps is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in Troutman, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and eight years of industry experience. He previously worked at Empower Financial Services, Inc., Iredell Health System, Whole Foods, and Carolins Healthcare System. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and participants, as well as Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage clients. The firm’s integrated model combines proprietary and third-party methodologies focused on long-term portfolio returns and regular rebalancing within plan lineups selected by plan sponsors.

Cassandra Smith is a financial advisor with NewEdge Advisors, holding a Series 65 designation and beginning her industry career in 2026. Her prior work experience includes roles at Dean Financial, Planet Fitness, and Family Video. NewEdge Advisors is an enterprise-scale registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations through a network of independent investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a broad suite of services including portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party managers, utilizing centralized due diligence and technology tools to support advisor and client needs.

John Setzler is a financial advisor with TLG Advisors, Inc. based in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 36 years of industry experience. He has held roles at The Leaders Group Inc, LifeBridge, Premier Planning Group NC, LLC, and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp and Ameritas Investment Corp. Setzler is also president of Premier Planning Group NC, LLC and Optimus Life Designs, both involved in insurance business and client consulting. TLG Advisors, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $2.0 billion in discretionary assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and institutional investors, offering investment supervisory services, financial and estate planning, ERISA fiduciary services, and a direct-to-consumer program called Starlight Portfolios.

Kathy Kuczenski is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing eight years of industry experience. She has worked at Truist Advisory Services and Truist Investment Services since 2021 and previously at Bbtis and Lincoln County Schools. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by third-party platform arrangements and an Equity Research team that employs AI-enabled tools.

William Morgan Jr. is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 40 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has previously worked at Grove Point Advisors, LLC, Grove Point Investments, LLC, and IFG Advisory Services Inc. Morgan is involved in several nonprofit and community organizations, including serving on the boards of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Mount Mitchell Community Fund, and the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce. He also contributes to political activities and hosts a local radio program. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment solutions, including model portfolios and third-party asset management, supported by advanced operational and research tools.

Jody Delvechio is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 24 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2010 and previously worked at Edward Jones from 2008 to 2010. Outside of his advisory work, Delvechio is involved in managing rental office space in his local area. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Raymond Halstead is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 credential and four years of industry experience. He is also the managing partner of REH CPA, PLLC, an accounting firm, and serves as managing partner of Halstead Real Estate Investments. Outside of his advisory role, he is an executive board member and treasurer for FeedNC, a local food bank, and president of the Morrison Executive Suites Owners Association. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationwide advisory firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with access to model portfolios, third-party managers, and customizable strategies across various program structures.

James Magee Jr. is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edward Jones since 2013. He holds the Series 66 designation and is based in Statesville, NC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,000 advisors.

Steven Sparks is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding a Series 66 designation and 26 years of industry experience. He has worked with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and associated entities since 2016 and has been affiliated with Capital Concepts since 2004. Sparks serves as a board member of Hickory Christian Academy. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base including individual and institutional investors such as pension and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs through a network of thousands of financial professionals managing a multi‑billion dollar asset base across multiple platforms and custodians.

Todd Ashworth is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Hickory, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 17 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. and Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC. Ashworth is a partner in Renaissance Financial Partners of NC, LLC, where he serves in an advisory capacity. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions through a large network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning, asset management, and institutional platforms, utilizing a combination of proprietary research models, third-party subadvisors, and customized investment strategies.

Beth Deal is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its predecessor since 1992. Outside of her advisory role, she manages BRM Management Group, a business established to support her practice operations. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeting individuals approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide written recommendations. The firm serves a broad client base through advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of large institutional firms.

Michael Wilson is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 19 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Mutual of Omaha, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and OneAmerica Securities. Outside of advising, he serves as a trustee and board member at New Life Missionary Baptist Church. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves individual and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm supports multiple account platforms and proprietary model strategies, managing a multi‑billion dollar asset base through thousands of financial professionals.

Michael Durham is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Hickory, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2010. Outside of his advisory role, Durham serves as the head varsity golf coach at Hickory Christian Academy. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions. The firm is notable for its extensive national network of financial advisors and branch offices, as well as its affiliated capabilities including a trust company and proprietary mutual funds.

Christopher Johnson is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Hickory, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2012. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management and offers a range of advisory services including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Jonathan Boone is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Mooresville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked at Panera Bread and was a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, affiliated mutual funds, and tax-efficient services. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and operates a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Metin Kurkcu is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 21 years of industry experience and a Series 66 designation. His prior experience includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill, Raymond James Financial Services, and the International Franchise Professionals Group. Fidelity's Strategic Advisers LLC, where Kurkcu is based, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, employing a blend of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage diversified portfolios and fund advisory services.

Benjamin Ritchie is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at 84 Lumber, Ritchies Pressure, Jem Clean INC., and Kool Park Pool. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering goal-based financial planning without discretionary portfolio management, and allows clients to combine planning with managed accounts under a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan.”

Dianne Eller is a financial advisor at Merrill based in Mooresville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with four years of industry experience. She has a long tenure at Bank of America, having worked there from 2000 to 2021 before joining Merrill in 2021. Outside of her advisory role, she owns a small rental business. 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 investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.