Carla Sims is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses with five years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at PNC Financial Services Group and JP Morgan Chase & Co. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm provides both point-in-time planning and ongoing portfolio management through model-based and customized strategies.

Thomas Fitts is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) in Charlotte, NC. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at NYLIFE Securities LLC, New York Life, and several healthcare and technology companies. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse range of individual and institutional clients by providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm offers multiple program types tailored to client objectives, with a significant portion of its assets managed on a non-discretionary basis.

Derek Motto is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 24 years of industry experience. He has worked at firms including LPL Financial and Equitable Advisors. Motto provides investment advisory services through Independent Advisor Alliance, an independent firm distinct from LPL Financial. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering asset management, financial planning, wealth coaching, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management strategies and leverages technology platforms to enhance client service.

Luke Piccione is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Bankers Life, he worked in various roles including as a driver for a ride-sharing service and in educational and fitness organizations. He is also appointed as an insurance agent with Bankers Life and Casualty Company, focusing on retirement services such as Medicare, life insurance, and long-term care insurance. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor asset allocations and portfolio management according to clients’ goals, risk tolerances, and time horizons.

Stuart Singer is a financial advisor with Janney Montgomery Scott in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 47 years of industry experience. He has been with Janney Montgomery Scott since 2003. Singer serves as a board member of Jewish Family Services of Greater Charlotte, a social work and counseling agency. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, estates, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and municipal clients, offering brokerage, financial planning, consulting, and multiple advisory programs.

James Matthews is a CFP® professional with 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Primerica Advisors and has previously worked at Aon Hewitt Financial Advisors LLC and Guardian Life Insurance Company. Matthews is involved in writing for his firm and serves on the Peer Review Board for the Journal of Financial Planning. Primerica Advisors serves a broad retail client base, offering brokerage and advisory services along with financial planning, retirement-plan consulting, and business consulting. The firm employs a variety of investment strategies through proprietary and third-party models and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary account management.

Taylor Bryant is a Series 66-licensed advisor with 15 years of industry experience. He is currently with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and also provides administrative support to Charlotte Wealth Management, LLC, an independent investment advisor firm separate from LPL Financial. Prior to his current roles, he worked at LPL Financial for 10 years. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a network model with a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, utilizing various analytical techniques and technology platforms to support client needs.

Kelly Ryan is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 30 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Commonwealth in 2024, Ryan worked at FSC Securities Corporation for 22 years and at OSAIC for one year. Outside of advisory work, Ryan is involved in fixed insurance sales. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their retail and institutional clients. The firm provides a broad range of advisory programs and operational support, allowing affiliated advisors discretion to construct client portfolios from various securities and insurance products while offering model portfolios managed by its Investment Management and Research team.

Thomas Cline is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, with 23 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 credential and previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors from 2009 to 2021. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member for the United Way of Roanoke Valley. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm’s client process involves IAR-led assessments to tailor investment allocations using fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis across various asset classes.

Dylan Coe is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at several firms including Wells Fargo Clearing Services and Mass Mutual. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning, discretionary managed account programs, and broker-dealer services to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing relationships through TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm’s advisory model separates one-time financial planning from ongoing discretionary management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund sponsored by Charityvest.

Tiffany Ku is a financial advisor with TLG Advisors, Inc., holding Series 66 and Series 63 credentials and two years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at The Leaders Group Inc, IPGH Private Client Insurance Services, CTBC Bank USA, and JP Morgan. Outside of advisory work, she is involved in life insurance brokerage and client services management through IPGH Private Client Insurance Services. TLG Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, pension and retirement plans, and other institutional investors. The firm focuses on manager selection and ongoing monitoring using fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, offering both traditional portfolio management and digital investment programs.

Michael Porter is a CFP® professional with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. since 2017. He has a long-standing career with Bankers Life and its affiliates dating back to 2004, where he also supervises a team of insurance agents. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser that primarily serves mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor asset allocations and portfolio management aligned with clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

John Hall is a financial advisor with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 18 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, and Carroll Financial Associates Inc. He operates out of Charlotte, NC. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a strategic investment process combining passive and active management, supported by an internal Investment Committee and multiple program offerings.

Michael Bellavia is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 28 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Truist Advisory Services, Bb&T Securities, and Bb&T Investment Services. Fifth Third Securities serves a diverse client base including individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients, offering investment advisory and brokerage services through multiple program types and third-party portfolio managers on the Passageway Managed Account platform.

Hannah Smith is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses with five years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Beneficial Investments and Robinson & Stith Insurance. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, utilizing a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Michael Thompson is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors based in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has worked at Park Avenue Securities since 2012 and has been affiliated with Guardian Life Insurance Co. since 2001. Outside of his work with Guardian, he operates Thompson Planning Group Insurance, focusing on the sale of traditional insurance products. Park Avenue Securities serves a diverse retail client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers both brokerage and advisory services, employing a range of proprietary and third-party investment strategies and supporting various account-level features such as lending solutions and tax-harvesting.

Joshua Griffin is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services who holds a Series 66 designation and has 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at Truist Advisory Services and its affiliated entities since 2016. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation and investment policy analysis, plan sponsor fiduciary support, participant advice, and a manager-selection program implemented through a mix of discretionary and non-discretionary arrangements.

William Bayles is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at firms including Fidelity Investments and UBS Financial Services. Bayles has also been involved with TEAM Charlotte Swimming. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning, discretionary managed account programs, and broker-dealer services primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, and small retirement plans. The firm’s advisory model distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing discretionary management, using a combination of model and customized portfolios.

Emanuel Thomason is a financial advisor with Equity Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 13 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at National Life Group, Edward Jones, Thrivent Financial, and LPL Financial. Equity Services, Inc., operating as ESI Financial Advisors, provides financial planning, consulting, and asset management services to individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers multiple advisory platforms and combines long-term investment strategies with options for shorter-term trading, managing both discretionary and non-discretionary assets through a network of investment adviser representatives.

Jaylen Gentry is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF, he worked at NYLIFE Securities LLC and New York Life Insurance Company, and has additional experience with Correlation One, Mothers & Sons LLC, and Carmax. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with connections to TIAA-administered retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans. The firm differentiates between one-time planning services and ongoing management through model-based and customized portfolios, and it also serves as adviser to the TIAA Donor Advised Fund.