Dustin Deal is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. He has worked with firms including VOYA Financial Advisors and UBS Financial Services. Outside of his advisory roles, he is the president of the Hutton Estate Homeowners Association, where he leads board meetings and coordinates with management and legal counsel. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable entities, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a nationwide network of independent advisors, utilizing a multi-manager platform with various program options and custodial arrangements.

Jeffrey Basik is a financial advisor at Cetera with 38 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has been with Cetera Advisors LLC since 2013 and recently joined Cetera in 2024. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as treasurer for the nonprofit Haven of Hope International, is a board member and finance chair for Hope Seeds, and chairs the finance and missions teams at Tree of Life Church. He is also involved in various community organizations including the US Military Academy Selection Board. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser that serves individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services using multi-manager platforms with discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

Sarah White is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with nine years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Edward Jones since 2019. Prior to that, she was employed at Bank of America and Merrill from 2014 to 2019. She is also a member of the Board of Elections in the City of Lenoir. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and corporate entities. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, operating under a fiduciary standard with a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Melissa Spivey is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. in Lincolnton, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. She has been with Raymond James since 2000 and has owned an online clothing boutique, Divas & Dimples, since 2012, which she maintains as a potential opportunity for her daughters. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individual, high-net-worth, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm uses tailored, non-discretionary planning and analytical tools to align investment strategies with client goals while supporting municipal and public finance work through affiliated advisory programs.

Adam Keisler is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 11 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at FSC Securities Corp. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as chairperson of the Endowment Committee at First United Methodist Church in Hickory, NC. OSAIC Wealth serves a diverse client base including retail and institutional investors, offering brokerage and advisory services with a focus on model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization. The firm supports various investment programs and provides access to third-party managers and alternative investments through a multi-advisor platform.

Michael Bowen is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Lincolnton, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2002. Bowen is involved with the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a wide range of advisory programs and investment solutions. The firm is notable for its extensive network of financial advisors and branch offices and offers services including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Jason Lail is a financial advisor with Merrill in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at both Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill since 2009. Merrill serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, charities, and institutional clients by offering managed account programs, third-party manager selection, discretionary portfolio management, brokerage execution, and custody services. The firm’s investment management includes multiple program strategies and manager-constructed offerings, supported by a CIO and platform oversight, with recent emphasis on tax-efficient solutions and integration with Bank of America affiliates.

Daniel Whitener is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2024, he worked at Lowe’s Home Improvement Corporation for six years and Transportation Insight for three years. He serves as Treasurer and Secretary for BNI - Catawba Valley Business Builders in Hickory, North Carolina. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, including high- and non-high-net-worth households, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors.

Denise Clay is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 14 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2011. Based in Hickory, NC, she works within a firm that serves a diverse client base. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm with over 23,700 advisors serving more than four million clients, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies and separately managed accounts, and operates under a fiduciary standard.

Ryan Spleet is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Newton, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2008. Outside of his advisory role, he volunteers as a football coach. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on comprehensive, goal-based financial planning without discretionary portfolio management. The firm offers integrated planning and managed-account services under a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan.”

Tim Wepner is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Newton, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 35 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wachovia Securities, Inc. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a broker-dealer and registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of financial planning and investment services, with tailored recommendations developed using proprietary research and planning tools.

Michael Baker is a CFP® professional with 27 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at OSAIC since 2024 and previously spent 12 years with Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. Baker is president of Michael R Baker Insurance Agency Inc, which provides insurance sales and service. OSAIC Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, charities, and corporations. The firm offers brokerage and advisory services through multiple platforms, emphasizing model-based asset allocation, portfolio optimization, and a range of managed account strategies.

Jeffery Franklin is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in Family Wealth Management Strategies, Personal Retirement Planning, Small Business Strategies, and Retirement Income. He works with clients, families, and businesses to develop personalized financial strategies tailored to their long-term goals. Jeffery holds a Bachelor's Degree from Western Carolina University and an MBA from Lenoir-Rhyne University. He carries the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. His approach involves providing detailed analysis and appropriate solutions while nurturing long-term relationships to help clients navigate key financial moments. Outside of his professional role, Jeffery is involved in community organizations such as Samaritan's Purse - Helene Recovery and Speedway Children's Charities. He enjoys fishing, hunting, pickleball, spending time with his family, maintaining classic Ford vehicles, and attending car shows.

John Arney IV is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edward Jones since 2018. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he worked for Klingspor Abrasives Inc for three years. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and operates one of the largest nationwide networks of financial advisors and branch offices.

Natalie Klopfer is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked for Vanguard for five years. Thrivent Investment Management offers Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, providing goal-based financial planning without discretionary trading authority. The firm integrates planning with managed account programs under a consolidated billing option while maintaining planning and implementation as separate services.

Robert Fincher is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Hickory, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 25 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Sagepoint Financial, Resource Partners, Raymond James Financial Services, and UBS Financial Services. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides a range of services including financial planning, wrap and model portfolio programs, third-party asset management access, and institutional platforms, supported by a network of investment adviser representatives who utilize various investment strategies and operational tools.

Loren Westerfield is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Hickory, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of experience at the firm. His prior roles include positions at InfoStride and the United Service Organizations (USO). Westerfield also spent time engaged with the We the Veterans Foundation and completed full-time education at Liberty University. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Tara Hicks is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and having eight years of industry experience. She has been with Thrivent Investment Management since 2016 and at Thrivent Financial since 2017. Outside of her advisory role, she manages rental properties. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of Financial Advisors. The firm offers holistic, goal-based planning across various financial topics, with services available on a one-time or ongoing basis, separate from managed-account programs.

Gene Lenfest Jr. is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Denver, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 28 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. since 2005. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals nearing or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, providing written Recommendation Reports that cover income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm employs a centralized consulting team and combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored, algorithm-assisted recommendations.

Timothy Mcclurg is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with over 32 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® and Series 63 designations and previously worked at Riversource Distributors, Inc. for 15 years before joining Ameriprise in 2022. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide non-discretionary, written recommendations, emphasizing managed accounts and using algorithmic tools overseen by a dedicated committee.