Krista Kuehl is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with Series 66 credentials and one year of industry experience. Her work history includes roles at Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management since 2021. Prior to her financial career, she held positions in diverse fields including agriculture and hospitality. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on holistic, goal-based financial planning without portfolio management or institutional advisory services.

John Ellinger serves as a Client Experience Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he collaborates with Merrill clients to assess their current financial situations and introduces solutions available through Merrill and Bank of America. His work focuses on equipping clients with the knowledge and tools necessary to manage their financial lives and select platforms that align with their needs. John holds the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation, underscoring his commitment to the financial advising profession. His educational background includes a High School Diploma from North Augusta High School and an Associate's Degree from Tri-County Technical College.

Ronald Kokas is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Knightsbridge Capital, King Capital, and Global X. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary investment advice grounded in modern portfolio theory. The firm’s services include investment policy statement preparation, performance reporting, participant education, and plan benchmarking, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Gerry Owen is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Aiken, SC, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ameriprise in 2022, he worked at Edward Jones and EDTS, LLC. He serves on the boards of several local organizations, including Children's Place, Inc. and the Aiken County Board of Registration and Elections, and is involved in accounting and finance functions for OWCRA, LLC. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services aimed at clients approaching or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, combining research and modeling with tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of a large institutional provider.

Bennett Yort is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Augusta, Georgia. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 2002 and has over 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, including banking, investments, and trust services. Bennett holds professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC). He completed his bachelor's degree in Economics at Williams College in 1984 and graduated as class president from Southern Trust School in Mobile, Alabama in 1998. Bennett focuses on family wealth management strategies, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. He works closely with clients to develop personalized financial strategies tailored to their long-term goals. Bennett is also active in his community, serving on the boards of the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta, Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA, and Good Vocations, Inc., where he is chair. He is an elder and member of Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Jeffrey Price is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in North Augusta, SC, holding a Series 66 designation and beginning his advisory career in 2026. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he worked at Optum and Change Healthcare, and spent 17 years with Cardinal Health, Inc. He also has experience in dental studio operations from Mustard Seed Dental Studio. 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 and investment solutions, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Christa Evans is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor at Edward Jones with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, she worked at several country and golf clubs and is the owner and operator of LilyStitch LLC, a craft business based in Aiken, SC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a wide range of advisory programs and investment solutions, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

William Bottomley is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with affluent clients, closely-held businesses, and national franchise chains to establish quantifiable goals and develop customized strategies to manage investments and liabilities. William has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1999. He holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and completed his education at Richmond Academy with a High School Diploma/GED. Additionally, William has served on several charitable boards at both local and national levels.

Emily Jimenez is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 13 years of industry experience. She has held roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2018 and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2017, following three years with UBS Financial Services. She holds a Series 66 designation. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored financial planning and manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets through a structured planning process supported by proprietary tools and investment research.

Dylan Jones is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Edward Jones with seven years of industry experience. He previously worked six years at Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC and has experience in mortgage lending and real estate capital. Outside of finance, he holds a leadership role at a Chick-fil-A in Aiken, SC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with over $1 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, and operates under a fiduciary standard.

Martin Ferrara Sr. is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates in Augusta, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, totaling 12 years before joining Raymond James in 2021. Raymond James & Associates is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser with approximately $501 billion in assets under management. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, pension and profit-sharing plans, and offers financial planning, non-discretionary investment consulting, and municipal advisory services.

Jessica Wood is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Augusta, GA. She holds a Series 66 designation and has 5 years of industry experience. Wood has been with Morgan Stanley since 2015 and has worked in Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2022. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients by providing a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning, utilizing firm-approved tools and a structured discovery process. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers services both directly and through corporate financial planning agreements.

Jason Crane is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Ameriprise since 2022. He previously worked at Edward Jones for 10 years. Outside of his advisory role, Crane serves on the boards of the Aiken County Historical Commission, USC Aiken School of Business Administration Business Advisory Council, and Aiken Regional Medical Center’s Board of Governors. He is also involved in local ministry and community organizations, including serving as chaplain for the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 26. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets, providing tailored, research-driven recommendations that integrate tax efficiency and Social Security strategies. The firm combines advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through affiliated entities, supported by a centralized retirement-income consulting team.

Conrad Neumann is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Aiken, SC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing three years of industry experience. He has worked at Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management since 2023. Outside of financial advising, Neumann owns and operates Washington Shippers LLC, an Amazon drop shipping and resale business. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through its network of Financial Advisors, focusing on holistic, goal-based financial planning without discretionary trading authority. The firm offers a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan” that combines planning with managed-account services while keeping the two distinct.

Joshua Chubb is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and eight years of industry experience. Prior to joining Schwab in 2022, he worked at Wells Fargo Clearing Services and Wells Fargo Bank. Outside of finance, he owns and operates freelance and portrait photography businesses. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves a large client base primarily composed of high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Wealth Advisory wrap fee program, offering a combination of advisory, brokerage, custody, and cash-sweep services. Schwab’s model blends non-discretionary advice with access to discretionary separately managed accounts, supported by centralized supervision and comprehensive investment research.

Laura Kanagy is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2012. Outside of her advisory role, she owns and operates Chaos Confections, a home bakery based in Windsor, South Carolina. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

James Helton Jr. is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Raymond James in 2021, he worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as chairman of the investment committee for the Church of the Good Shepherd and is a board member of Via Cognitive Health, where he assists with fundraising for Alzheimer's disease initiatives. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities. The firm offers financial planning and consulting services with a range of portfolio management styles and notable municipal advisory capabilities.

Michael Reese Jr. is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 18 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley since 2012, including a role at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2015. Prior to that, he was with Merrill from 2008 to 2012. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a wide range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning through its Financial Advisors and Estate Planning Strategies Group. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a planning process that incorporates structured discovery and advanced modeling tools.

Sandra Vantrease is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 28 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2015 and associated with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a wide range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning and estate planning strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools and modeling techniques to support its financial planning process.

Alexander Ledbetter is a Series 66-licensed advisor at Merrill with three years of industry experience. He previously worked at Wing Place for four years and has academic experience at the University of South Carolina Columbia. Outside of finance, he was involved with Mill Race Farm and Stable for two years. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers.