Charice Biggins is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in Conover, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 21 years of industry experience. She has previously worked with First Citizens Investor Services and currently advises through Advised Assets Group, LLC and GWFS Equities, Inc. 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 account holders. The firm uses an integrated model linked to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms and focuses on long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing in its planning services.

Bailey Sigler is a financial advisor at TLG Advisors, Inc. with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at The Leaders Group Inc. since 2021. Prior to that, he was associated with Premier Planning NC Group and was self-employed in 2019. Outside of his advisory role, he is also an independent insurance agent specializing in life insurance sales. 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 services such as portfolio management, financial and estate planning, and ERISA fiduciary services.

Kelsey Neal is a financial advisor at Commonwealth Financial Network with two years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has prior experience with BDS Financial Network and service in the Army National Guard. Neal is also the owner of Waypoint Wealth Solutions, LLC, a private entity involved in securities, advisory, and insurance business. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients. The firm provides a range of advisory programs and support services, including operations, trading, compliance, and investment management, allowing advisors to offer customized portfolio solutions under Commonwealth’s supervision.

Blair Homesley is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 36 years of industry experience. He has worked at Truist Advisory Services and Truist Investment Services since 2021, following over two decades at Bb&T Investment Services and three years at Bb&T Securities. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, utilizes third-party platforms and managers, and integrates inter-affiliate resources to support its client offerings.

Grant Rembert is a financial advisor with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc and Wells Fargo Advisors. Outside of advising, he owns and manages Athletes Lab, LLC, a performance training facility, and serves as a director for the Athletes Lab Foundation, which provides scholarships for athletes. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, pension plans, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and institutions. The firm offers a range of investment management and consulting services, including fee-based wrap programs with strategies managed internally and by third-party managers.

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.

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 with LPL Financial who holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has 39 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Grove Point Advisors, LLC, Grove Point Investments, LLC, and IFG Advisory Services Inc. He serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations and is involved in local political activities and community development initiatives in North Carolina. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that offers advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm provides a range of financial planning and investment management solutions, supported by a large network of advisors and advanced operational 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 credential and 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2016 and has provided services under Capital Concepts since 2004. Sparks is also a board member of Hickory Christian Academy. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving individuals across wealth levels, pension plans, charitable organizations, and other clients. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, retirement plan advisory, and financial-wellness services through a network of independent Financial Professionals, using a variety of portfolio management strategies and platform arrangements.

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 bringing 19 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Mutual of Omaha, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and OneAmerica Securities. Outside of advising, he is a founder of Federal Pension and Retirement Advisors and serves as a trustee on the board of New Life Missionary Baptist Church. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management services through independent Financial Professionals, utilizing multiple platform arrangements and both proprietary and third-party model strategies.

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.