Aditya Bhatnagar is a financial advisor at Westbourne Investments, Inc. in Fairfax, VA, with 16 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Westbourne since 2016 following a brief tenure at CenturyLink. Outside of his advisory role, he participates in career mentoring through the University of Maryland Alumni Advisor Network. Westbourne Investments provides investment management and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and institutions. The firm manages discretionary equity, fixed-income, and ETF portfolios, employing a combination of top-down macro analysis and bottom-up security selection, including the use of options strategies within defined risk parameters.

Raeonna Jefferson is a financial advisor at Zenith Wealth Partners in Alexandria, VA, holding a Series 65 designation with two years of industry experience. Her work history includes roles at Zenith Solutions, Inc., Broadridge, and Datto Inc. prior to joining her current firm. Zenith Wealth Partners serves individuals, small businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations with financial planning, portfolio management, and consulting services. The firm combines a risk-based asset allocation approach with low-cost index exposures and selective active management, supported by documented investment policies and periodic reviews.

David Armstrong is a financial advisor with Monument Wealth Management in Alexandria, VA, holding the CFA® designation along with Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and 26 years of industry experience. He previously worked at LPL Financial for 10 years before joining Monument Wealth Management in 2013. Outside of his advisory role, Armstrong serves as Chair of the Investment Committee and Director on the board of a community foundation, hosts and produces a podcast through Moments in Leadership, LLC, and operates a charter boat sightseeing business called Outrage LLC. Monument Wealth Management is a team of nine advisors managing approximately $648 million in assets, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates. The firm offers discretionary asset management and financial planning services, using strategies that combine fundamental and technical analysis, and integrates client technology platforms for portfolio monitoring.

Kenneth George II is a CFA® charterholder with 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Avenir Corporation since 2005. Avenir Corporation provides discretionary investment management to individuals, trusts, foundations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and private funds. The firm employs a bottom-up, core value strategy focused on capital preservation and real returns, utilizing concentrated portfolios and fundamental analysis.

Shawn McLaughlin is a financial advisor with McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Inc. in Alexandria, VA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 42 years of industry experience. He has been with McLaughlin Ryder Investments since 2011 and serves as a director and committee chairman at Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Co. Additionally, he is owner and president of The McLaughlin Companies, LLC, and owner of Union Street Partners, LLC, an investment company. McLaughlin Ryder Investments serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm offers investment management, financial planning, and ERISA retirement plan advisory services, employing a client-centered investment process that utilizes both active and passive strategies and manages most assets on a non-discretionary basis.

Michael Beardi is an investment advisor representative with Parsonex Advisory Services, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Parsonex Advisory Services since 2013 and has worked with related firms in the Parsonex network since 2008. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard. Parsonex Advisory Services is an SEC-registered firm that provides financial planning, portfolio management, and investment advice to individuals, pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm employs a multi-manager approach utilizing third-party advisers and sub-advisors, focusing on client risk tolerance and asset allocation through discretionary managed accounts with ongoing monitoring and reviews.

Lucas Hodge is a financial advisor at Monument Wealth Management with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has previously worked at Verdence Capital Advisors, Preston Wealth Advisors, Mason Investment Advisory Services, Davidsons, and held roles at Virginia Tech and Radford University. Monument Capital Management provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates, managing approximately $648 million. The firm employs a range of investment strategies including direct indexing, structured notes, and tactical bond ETF allocations, utilizing fundamental and technical analysis alongside ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Gregory Grimsley is a financial advisor at Wealthcrest Financial Services, LLC with 16 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Cambridge Investment Research since 2015 and Wealthcrest Financial since 2014. In addition to his advisory role, he is co-owner of the Grimsley Agency, a real estate partnership. Wealthcrest Financial Services provides financial planning, consulting, and investment supervisory services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm offers fee-based portfolio management using custodial relationships primarily with Cambridge and combines fundamental and technical analysis with both long- and short-term trading strategies.

Kimberly Weihbrecht is a financial advisor at Atwood Financial Planning LLC in Alexandria, VA, holding a Series 65 designation and having six years of industry experience. She has worked at Atwood since 2020 and concurrently serves as an Operations Research Analyst for the U.S. Department of Energy, focusing on energy statistics and data collection related to coal use and international coal trading. Atwood Financial Planning serves individuals, small businesses, trusts, estates, and charities with comprehensive financial planning and consulting services. The firm emphasizes low-cost index funds and ETFs, a buy-and-hold investment strategy, and non-discretionary portfolio management, while also offering unique programs such as concierge services, seminars, and a branded finance app.

James Emanuelson is a CFA® charterholder with eight years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Avenir Corporation, where he has worked since 2021. His prior experience includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill, Davidson Park Capital, and Houlihan Lokey Capital. Avenir Corporation provides discretionary investment management to individuals, trusts, foundations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and private funds. The firm follows a bottom-up, core value investment strategy focused on capital preservation, real returns, and a margin of safety, managing concentrated portfolios that often include convertibles and distressed debt.

Ronald Whitley is a financial advisor at Acorn Financial Advisory Services, Inc. with eight years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 credentials and has worked at Acorn since 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he is an independent software consultant who occasionally offers related services to clients. Acorn Financial Advisory Services, Inc. is a fee-only SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, families, trusts, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm manages nearly $1.4 billion in assets and implements globally diversified portfolios using a range of securities and model strategies, incorporating alternatives and tactical tools for suitable clients.

Steven Brandt is a financial advisor at Acorn Financial Advisory Services, Inc. with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Acorn since 2017, following a year at LPL Financial. He is a partner in a personal closed investment partnership, Path to AUM LLC, involving three licensed representatives. Acorn Financial Advisory Services, Inc. is a fee-only investment adviser managing approximately $1.4 billion in assets for individuals, families, trusts, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm offers globally diversified portfolios using individual securities, ETFs, mutual funds, and third-party managers, and provides subadvisory services and annuity contract administration.

Christian Litscher is a CFP® and CFA® credentialed advisor at Illumination Wealth Management with six years of industry experience. He has worked at Illumination Wealth Management since 2026, following three years as a self-employed advisor and six years at McLean Asset Management Corp. Illumination Wealth Management is a fee-only registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm’s team of nine advisors manages about $471 million, offering comprehensive Financial Life Management, pension consulting, and business-owner exit planning through client-specific investment policy statements and diversified model portfolios.

Robert Long is a CFA® charterholder with over a decade of industry experience. He is currently with Westbourne Investments, Inc. and also serves as managing partner and investment committee member at GarMark Partners, a private debt investment fund. Westbourne Investments provides investment management and financial planning services to individuals, pension plans, and institutions. The firm combines top-down macro analysis with bottom-up security selection and incorporates options strategies within defined risk parameters.

Russell Robertson is a CFP® and ChFC® with 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Wealthcrest Financial Services, LLC since 2008 and has also been affiliated with Cambridge Investment Research, Inc since 2007. He serves on the USMA Class of 1958 Endowment Board and is involved in educational services as a course director and instructor. Wealthcrest Financial Services provides financial planning, consulting, and investment supervisory services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm offers comprehensive financial plans, ongoing portfolio management, and employer/employee benefit consulting, combining fundamental and technical analysis with both long- and short-term trading strategies.

Evan Beach is a CFP® professional with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving at Mariner Independent. His prior roles include positions at Madison Avenue Securities, Campbell Wealth Management, and LPL Financial. Outside of his advisory work, he owns Beach Consulting, through which he provides sales consulting and professional speaking engagements to universities and organizations. Mariner Independent offers investment advisory, financial planning, and consulting services to a diverse client base, including individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm supports both advisor-managed and model portfolio approaches, integrating institutional resources and retirement plan services with access to third-party managers and alternatives.

John Sciuto is a financial advisor at XML Financial Group with 11 years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and WELLS FARGO Advisors, LLC. XML Financial Group is a multi-advisor wealth management firm overseeing approximately $3.3 billion in client assets. The firm serves nearly 2,900 clients, offering discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and access to alternative investment opportunities through a combination of fundamental and technical analysis and third-party managers.

Sean Gates is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 15 years of industry experience. He is currently with Apollon Wealth Management, LLC and has previously worked at Motley Fool Wealth Management and Lifestyle Wealth Partners. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in small business startup consulting through The Vibes Company Inc., focusing on tax-related products and franchise advisory services. Apollon Wealth Management, LLC is a multi-team SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, families, businesses, trusts, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm combines centrally managed model strategies with locally managed portfolios and offers a range of investment solutions including ESG models, Direct Indexing, and sub-advisory services for private and pooled funds.

Cherisse Ferrier Yarde is a financial advisor with Gibbs Wealth Management, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and with seven years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at New York Life Insurance Company and NYLIFE Securities LLC. She is also engaged in insurance brokering through outside carriers for non-registered insurance products. Gibbs Wealth Management provides discretionary investment advisory services to individual and high-net-worth clients using third-party model portfolios and platforms. The firm focuses on aligning investment strategies with clients’ financial situations and risk tolerance rather than constructing proprietary portfolios.

Lauren O'Brien is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, with 15 years of experience in the financial industry. She has been with XML Financial Group since 2019 and has worked at XML Securities, LLC (formerly Lara, May & Associates, LLC) since 2013. Outside of her advisory role, she contributes as a writer to the Alexandria Stylebook, a nonprofit serving the City of Alexandria, Virginia. XML Financial Group is a multi-advisor wealth management firm overseeing approximately $3.3 billion in client assets. The firm serves nearly 2,900 clients, providing investment management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and access to alternative investment opportunities, utilizing a combination of fundamental and technical analysis alongside third-party managers.