Colleen O'Donnell is a financial advisor at Cetera with 21 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. Her prior work includes a decade at Merrill and roles at firms such as Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and Griz Global Solutions. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services. The firm operates a multi-manager platform allowing advisors to implement various investment strategies across multiple program structures and custodial relationships.

Timothy Gendron is a financial advisor with Merrill in Southern Pines, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and nine years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, and State Farm. 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. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

James Mitchell IV is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Sanford, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he spent six years working at Sanford Golf Course and thirteen years in full-time education. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a wide range of investment advisory programs supported by a nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

William Thomas is a financial advisor with Merrill in Pinehurst, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 32 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 1994 and concurrently at Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Outside of advising, he owns a commercial building leased to Farm Bureau Insurance and manages a rental property in Pinehurst. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services for 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.

Joshua Polidori is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Cetera. His prior roles include positions at Commonwealth Financial Network and Tucker Bria Wealth Strategies. Outside of his advisory work, he engages in contracting for BrandedSurveys, a non-investment-related activity. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm offering a broad range of portfolio management and consulting services to individuals, employer-sponsored plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm operates a multi-manager platform, providing access to both affiliated and third-party managers across various program structures and investment authorities.

Jody Johnson is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 39 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise since 2005 and also owns a business called NaturaLead. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning services that emphasize tax-aware withdrawal strategies and dependable income sources.

Bryan Griffin is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. with 25 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones for 23 years before joining Raymond James in 2025. Griffin is the president of PineTrust Wealth Partners, a support company related to his work at Raymond James. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. offers financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional entities. The firm provides tailored, non-discretionary planning using various analytical tools and supports clients through advisory programs and consulting services.

Hillary Rogers is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Pinehurst, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. She has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing Services since 2019 and previously was employed as a homemaker from 2016 to 2019. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers a range of brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research and analytics from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

James Mitchell III is a CFP® certificant with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2001, based in Sanford, NC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions through a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Christshon Hicks is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on areas including college education planning, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, and retirement income. Christshon helps clients uncover what matters to them and their families to create strategies that pursue their financial goals. Born and raised in North Carolina, Christshon holds a High School Diploma/GED from the University of North Carolina System and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He is fluent in English and Spanish. Outside of work, he is involved in his community as a volunteer at Middle Fork Christian Church, where he serves local community members through meal preparation and food distribution programs. Christshon has three children and values family highly. In his free time, he enjoys basketball, football, ice hockey, singing, spending time with family, traveling, and watching movies.

David Palmer is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with 19 years of industry experience, currently with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. He holds law and real estate licenses in North Carolina and Florida and serves as managing director for Holland Enterprises, LLC and Holland Capital & Consulting, LLC in Jupiter, Florida. Palmer is also a trustee and has ownership in a locally managed investment unrelated to his advisory work. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm providing investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers a combination of brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

Gregory Pace is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Sanford, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he is a 25% partner in Storm All-Star Cheerleading, a cheerleading gym in Sanford. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

John Buechel Jr. is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses, and has 35 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and also maintains a longstanding affiliation with Bankmark dating back to 1992. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a finance committee member for Our Lady Queen of Peace Church and is on the Board of Trustees for the Knights of Columbus Council 6139. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients by providing investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets, offers both brokerage and advisory solutions, and utilizes research and analytics to guide investment decisions.

Hillary Moore is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with six years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Lucia Capital Group. Outside of her advisory role, she is also employed in tax preparation with a CPA firm. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions through a broad range of advisory and brokerage services.

Taylor Clement is a CFP® with 11 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cetera. His prior roles include positions at Commonwealth Financial Network and Edward Jones. Outside of his financial advisory work, he serves as mayor of the Town of Southern Pines and has involvement in entrepreneurial ventures including a yoga studio and a music-related business. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a broad range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm offers diverse portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform with access to various third-party managers and customized investment strategies.

Judson Bullard is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding the Series 66 designation and based in Pinehurst, NC. He has experience at multiple financial institutions, including Uwharrie Bank and First Citizens Bank, and has also worked in educational roles from middle school through university levels. 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 includes a broad range of financial product offerings, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options, and acts as an ERISA fiduciary in its advisory services.

Troy Spence is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Pinehurst, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2002. Outside of his advisory role, he officiates high school football games in Iowa and serves as a trustee for Calvary Baptist Church. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a broad range of investment programs. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies through a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Leigh Harris is a CFP® certificant with 32 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edward Jones since 2018. Prior to Edward Jones, Harris worked at Horace Mann Investors, Inc., Horace Mann Companies, and spent over a decade at Vanguard Advisers. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients through a nationwide network of advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, managing over $1 trillion in assets under management.

Zachary Womble is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Sanford, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2019, he operated Zach Womble Enterprises, Inc. from 2012 to 2019. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory strategies and affiliated investment products through a nationwide network of advisors.

Steven Menendez is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Pinehurst, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and 39 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Menendez serves on the Finance and Investment Committee for FirstHealth of the Carolinas and the Finance and Planning Committee for Mid South Club POA. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm providing investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages substantial assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.