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.

Shawn Thompson is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and 24 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, Alight, and Retirement Clearinghouse. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, using an integrated model linked to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms. The firm’s approach emphasizes long-term portfolio returns, annual rebalancing, and savings rates through point-in-time financial plans and optional managed accounts.

Jacob Schmidt is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Schwab Wealth Advisory, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. His prior roles include positions at The Vanguard Group and Facet, and he has spent four years as a self-employed professional. Outside of finance, Jacob is also a musician and performs as a singer. Schwab Wealth Advisory provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice as part of the Schwab Wealth Advisory program, offering clients annual financial reviews and investment recommendations using Schwab’s research tools and asset allocation models, while final trading decisions remain with the clients.

Natalie Nesbit is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and bringing 21 years of industry experience. She previously worked at The Motley Fool, LLC from 2021 to 2025 and has been with TIAA and TIAA-CREF since 2012. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing relationships through TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm offers both point-in-time planning services and ongoing discretionary portfolio management within a vertically integrated structure that includes affiliated funds and donor-advised fund services.

Matthew Stork is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses with four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at First Citizens Bank, Wells Fargo, and Principal Securities. Before entering finance, he worked for American Airlines for six years. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans, often serving clients connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm offers both point-in-time planning and ongoing portfolio management using model or customized portfolios under a fiduciary standard.

Christopher Prevette is a CFA® charterholder with five years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, having previously worked at Principal Financial Group and Wells Fargo Bank. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the board of the Charlotte Carolinas Rugby Club, a nonprofit focused on youth and community outreach, where he holds the position of treasurer. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting services. The firm combines a network model of independent advisory representatives with access to brokerage services and third-party platforms for estate planning and portfolio management.

Robert Keith is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations with 12 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA and TIAA-CREF continuously since 2014. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans. The firm’s advisory model differentiates between one-time planning services and ongoing discretionary management, offering both model-based and customized portfolios.

Natasha Allen is a financial advisor with CWM, LLC based in Charlotte, NC. She holds a Series 66 designation and has three years of industry experience, including prior roles at Edward Jones and LPL Financial LLC. Outside of her advisory work, Allen leads coaching programs focused on emotional eating and weight loss through her consulting business and serves as a Skills Development Coach at the Life Purpose Institute. CWM, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser that serves a diverse client base, including individuals, families, foundations, and institutions, with over 600 advisors nationwide. The firm manages portfolios primarily on a discretionary basis using model portfolios and blends fundamental and technical analysis alongside third-party sub-advisors and customized tools.

Brett Schmidt is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently advising at Rockefeller Financial LLC. He previously worked at Truist Advisory Services and BB&T, accumulating extensive experience in wealth management. He also serves as the Charlotte Chapter President for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, organizing community events and raising awareness for inherited retinal diseases. Rockefeller Financial LLC serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, institutional clients, retirement plans, foundations, and corporations. The firm provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services, and operates as a registered broker-dealer with a comprehensive investment platform that includes equities, fixed income, and alternatives.

Gary Spencer is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has three years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked at Baldwin Risk Partners and S&P Financial Group, among other positions. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a mix of discretionary and non-discretionary manager arrangements and uses AI-enabled tools to support its research and manager selection processes.

Vincenzo Atkinson is a CFA® charterholder with 10 years of experience in the financial industry. He has worked at SunTrust Advisory Services LLC and SunTrust Bank since 2016. He is currently based in Charlotte, NC and affiliated with Truist Advisory Services. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, utilizing third-party platforms and AI-enabled tools to support manager selection and oversight.

Jordan Mc Elmurry is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 10 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA‑CREF and its affiliated entities since 2016. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing employer retirement plan relationships. The firm operates a fiduciary advisory model that separates one-time planning from ongoing discretionary management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund.

Eric Robbins is a financial advisor at PNC Wealth Management in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses with six years of industry experience. His career includes roles within various PNC Investments entities since 2018 and prior experience at Marriott Vacation Club. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an invitation-only digital portfolio offering that uses algorithm-driven risk assessments and delegated portfolio management.

William Crocker is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Lockton Investment Advisors, Lockton Companies, and Lockton Financial Advisors from 2014 to 2021. Crocker is based in Indian Land, South Carolina. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $217 billion in client assets and employs a financial planning–led investment process that combines low-cost indexing with supplemental strategies, supported by a large advisory team and integrated investment infrastructure.

Matthew Orf is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 credentials and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA-CREF since 2005. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning, discretionary managed account programs, and broker-dealer services primarily to individuals with connections to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm operates a fiduciary advisory model that separates one-time planning services from ongoing discretionary management and serves as adviser to a donor-advised fund.

Matthew Kalajian is a CFP® with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott since 2006. He is based in Charlotte, NC, and holds a Series 63 license. Outside of his advisory role, Kalajian is involved in community organizations, serving on the boards of the Charlotte Economics Club and Camp Rockmont. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base, offering brokerage services, financial planning, and advisory programs through a combination of in-house and third-party portfolio management.

Frank Braswell III is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 18 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA since 2011. Outside of his advisory work, Braswell serves as a soccer referee. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans, often serving clients connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm offers both point-in-time planning and ongoing portfolio management through model or customized portfolios.

Devin Neptune is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation. Devin has been with TIAA-CREF since 2023 and has prior experience in education at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and regional schools. TIAA-CREF’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and corporate entities, often serving clients with existing TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm’s advisory model distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing portfolio management using both model and customized investment strategies.

Eduardo Gelpi is a financial advisor with T. Rowe Price Advisory Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 21 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Edelman Financial Engines, LPL Financial LLC, Ameriprise Financial Services, and Wells Fargo Advisors. T. Rowe Price Advisory Services offers a retirement-focused advisory program combining nondiscretionary financial planning and discretionary investment management, primarily using proprietary mutual funds and ETFs for individual investors and households with retirement goals.