Robert Samsel is a financial advisor at Fortress Capital in Marietta, GA, holding a Series 65 license with five years of industry experience. Prior to founding Fortress Capital in 2021, he worked at Zep, Vanderlande Industries, and Cortland Partners. He is also involved with Top Tier Trees, an outside business activity. Fortress Capital provides discretionary portfolio management primarily to qualifying and high-net-worth individuals and entities, focusing on a single investment strategy based on bottom-up fundamental equity analysis. The firm manages concentrated portfolios emphasizing long-term capital growth and employs performance-based compensation arrangements for qualified clients.

Gary Whitehurst is a financial advisor at Brighter Investing, PB LLC in Atlanta, GA, with 29 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and previously worked for Securian Financial Services and Minnesota Life for over two decades. Whitehurst is also involved in fund management as a managing member of affiliated entities Brighter GP, LLC and Brighter Private Credit GP, LLC. Brighter Investing, PB LLC provides fee-only investment management, financial planning, coordinated tax-preparation services through an independent CPA, and retirement-plan advisory for individual and institutional clients. The firm offers diversified exposure to public and private securities within a sustainable and impact investing framework, serving primarily high-net-worth and qualified investors.

Troy Harmon is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 66 license, with three years of industry experience. He is the principal advisor at Due West Wealth Advisors LLC and serves as an adjunct professor at Kennesaw State University. Harmon is also the treasurer of the ASFIP Foundation, a nonprofit focused on financial education, and is CEO of A&E Investment Properties, Inc. Due West Wealth Advisors provides discretionary wealth management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs fundamental analysis and a primarily long-term investment approach, managing portfolios that often include ETFs, equities, mutual funds, and options contracts.

Thomas Cloud is a CFP® and ChFC® with 21 years of experience in financial advisory services. He has worked at Eleven Two Fund Management for 12 years before founding Third Act Retirement Planning, Inc. in 2017, where he remains the sole advisor. Third Act Retirement Planning provides individualized financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, estate-planning consulting, and insurance guidance to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and other entities. The firm manages approximately $30.4 million on a discretionary basis and offers modular and holistic planning services, utilizing a variety of investment strategies and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Alexander Kutyukhin is a financial advisor at VCM Capital with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at VCM Capital since 2018, following prior roles at Sistema Capital / Redline Capital and as a self-employed market researcher. Outside of finance, he serves as the director of VCM Technologies, a software development company based in London. VCM Capital provides portfolio management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and corporations using a blended investment approach that incorporates global macro, fundamental, and technical analysis across a broad range of asset classes. The firm manages accounts on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases and may allocate assets to third-party managers.

Johnny Masters Sr. is the principal of John Masters, CPA, PC in Atlanta, GA, with 22 years of industry experience and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has been associated with his firm and its predecessor since 1974. Outside of his advisory role, he operates a law practice specializing in tax and estate planning. John Masters, CPA, PC serves individual clients including business owners, professionals, retirees, and family members by providing integrated investment advisory, accounting, tax, estate, and probate planning services. The firm employs a combined fundamental and technical investment approach with a focus on dividend-paying and out-of-favor opportunities, managing discretionary portfolios with daily oversight.

Kenneth Brown is a financial advisor at Core Capital Markets, LLC in Atlanta, GA, with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. and Dempsey Lord Smith, LLC. Brown is also the president of Core Capital Markets, LLC. Core Capital Markets provides model-based investment strategies primarily to registered platform providers and their advisers, with limited direct retail clients. The firm focuses on market efficiency and strategic asset allocation, using mutual funds and ETFs exclusively from Dimensional Fund Advisors to build diversified portfolios tailored to various investment goals.

Portia Ryan Gerton is the sole advisor at Transformation Wealth Management, LLC in Atlanta, GA, with 18 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has held prior roles at Ameritas Investment Company, Blue Clover Financial, Mass Mutual Investors Services, and Edward Jones. Outside of financial advisory work, she owns and operates Eye Design Interiors, LLC, an interior design business. Transformation Wealth Management is an independent, single-advisor firm providing investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm combines discretionary SEI-sponsored programs with a significant share of non-discretionary assets and offers ongoing portfolio monitoring and planning, including held-away account management and referrals to third-party managers.

Ashley Roth is a financial advisor with Arrowhead Investment Advisors, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and 14 years of industry experience. She has been with Arrowhead since 2011. Arrowhead Investment Advisors is a fee-only registered investment adviser managing approximately $43.1 million for individuals, families, trusts, non-profit organizations, and corporate retirement plans. The firm focuses on long-term growth through equities and bonds using a fundamentally driven research process and provides tailored portfolio management with discretionary authority.

Jamar Bates is a financial advisor with Bates Financial Group, LLC in Smyrna, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 13 years of industry experience. He has led Bates Financial Group since 2014. Outside of advisory services, he is involved with Bates Realty Group, Inc., which engages in residential and commercial real estate brokerage. Bates Financial Group provides financial planning, consulting, and educational seminars to a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm integrates advisory services with brokerage, insurance, and mortgage offerings, relying on third-party managers for investment guidance and emphasizing strategic and tactical asset allocation approaches.

Samuel Deane is a financial advisor at Rora Wealth, Inc. in Atlanta, GA, holding a Series 65 designation with four years of industry experience. Prior to founding Rora Wealth in 2018, he worked at Lincoln Financial Advisors and Transamerica Financial Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he owns a media entity for which he is compensated for writing and public speaking. Rora Wealth, Inc. advises individual clients and families primarily in the technology sector, focusing on employees, executives, and startup founders. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning, employing diversified portfolios with ETFs, separate accounts, direct indexing, and option strategies, alongside access to an affiliated early-stage technology private fund.

Gary Hyde Jr. is a CFP® professional with 11 years of experience in financial advisory roles. He currently serves as the principal advisor at Shepherd Financial LLC, where he has worked since 2020. Prior to that, he held various positions at Northwestern Mutual from 2015 to 2020. Outside of his advisory work, he provides baseball instruction to children. Shepherd Financial LLC offers wealth management, discretionary portfolio management, and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, estates, and retirement plans. The firm’s investment approach emphasizes long-term, ETF-oriented portfolios with flexibility for individual securities and short-term trades, and it also provides retirement plan advisory services, including plan sponsor consulting and participant education.

Matthew Checkon is a financial advisor at MJ Wealth Management LLC in Roswell, GA. He holds a Series 65 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to founding MJ Wealth Management, he worked at Ernst & Young for ten years. MJ Wealth Management LLC provides investment management and financial planning services to individuals, families, trusts, estates, and small businesses, with offerings that range from foundational planning for lower- and middle-net-worth households to comprehensive wealth management. The firm’s investment process focuses on asset allocation guided by an Investment Policy Statement and includes discretionary management, educational workshops, and flexible billing arrangements.

Caroline McInerney is a CFP® with nine years of industry experience currently serving as the principal of HWM Wealth Management LLC in Atlanta, GA. She previously worked with Nicholas Hoffman & Company, Raymond James & Associates, Clements Financial Services, and HD Vest Investment Services. In addition to her advisory role, she operates Owner's Dividend LLC, a separate business that publishes educational content on financial and business planning. HWM Wealth Management LLC provides fee-only investment management and financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and foundations. The firm employs a long-term, principles-based investment approach focused on asset allocation, diversification, and tax-aware strategies, managing portfolios primarily on a discretionary basis.

Jonathan White is a financial advisor at Pearson Investment Management, LLC with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at both Pearson Investment Management and AonHewitt since 2015. Pearson Investment Management provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and corporations, with a particular focus on corporate benefit plans and retirement arrangements. The firm’s investment approach integrates fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis across various asset classes and may include frequent trading and short sales, while also utilizing third-party managers and digital custody platforms.

James Durden Jr. is a financial advisor at Edward Wealth Partners in Lithia Springs, GA, holding a Series 65 designation with one year of industry experience. He has been involved with Edward Financial Group since 2013 as an owner and insurance agent, dedicating approximately half of his time to insurance-related activities. Edward Wealth Partners provides advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth investors, and business entities, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm employs a mix of fundamental and technical analysis and works with third-party managers and sub-advisors, with a notable affiliation to an insurance business and an emphasis on ERISA 3(21) pension plan services.

Joseph Stacy is a financial advisor at Meranti Capital Partners, INC. in Atlanta, GA, with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and also works as a commercial real estate agent and licensed real estate instructor in Georgia. His career includes roles at Primerica Advisors, Real Broker, LLC, and Nokia. Meranti Capital Partners provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, families, trusts, estates, and retirement plans. The firm uses a variety of analytical methods and investment strategies, including alternative and private investments, tailoring services through Investment Policy Statements and offering both one-time and ongoing planning.

Jeffrey Barnard is a financial advisor with Barnard Financial Group, LLC in Roswell, GA, holding a Series 65 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He previously worked at AE Wealth Management, LLC and Global Financial Private Capital, LLC. In addition to his advisory role, he is active in insurance sales through an affiliated business. Barnard Financial Group offers discretionary asset management and retirement-plan advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and corporate retirement plans. The firm provides both limited-scope ERISA 3(21) and full discretionary 3(38) investment management, with a focus on pension consulting and an insurance-affiliated business.

Cass Chappell III is a CFP® professional with 30 years of industry experience. He is the sole advisor at Chappell Financial Group, an independent firm he has led since 2012. Prior to founding his firm, he worked with LPL Financial, LLC for 21 years and PRUCO Securities, LLC for two years. He is also a licensed insurance agent offering various insurance products. Chappell Financial Group serves individuals, families, business owners, and employer plan sponsors through wealth management, financial consulting, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm utilizes a diverse range of securities and incorporates quantitative and qualitative analysis, modern portfolio theory, and charting in its investment process.

Aaron Gaines is a CFP® and Series 66 holder with 10 years of experience in financial services. He currently leads Gaines Capital Management, an independent firm based in Smyrna, GA, and has prior experience with Edward Jones and multiple advisory firms since 2016. Gaines also operates an affiliated insurance agency, GCM Wealthshield LLC, providing a range of insurance products. Gaines Capital Management offers financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and small businesses. The firm employs fundamental analysis and strategic asset allocation with ETFs and individual equities, focusing on long-term holdings, and provides customized solutions including options and private equity for qualified clients.