Mark Obrien is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Merrill in Raleigh, NC, and has three years of industry experience. He previously worked at Bank of America N.A. and Bank of America, totaling over a decade with the firms. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies to a broad client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries.

Drew Steffens is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been building long-term relationships with high net worth families since 1994. His expertise includes restricted and concentrated stock strategies, investment manager due diligence, and asset allocation modeling. Drew's areas of client focus encompass corporate executive services, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, and portfolio management services. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Dartmouth College and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Drew has been recognized multiple times, including being named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors List from 2020 through 2026 and previously to Barron's Top 1000 and Top 1,200 Advisor lists. In addition to his professional work, he has served on various boards such as the Montessori School of Raleigh Board of Trustees, the North Carolina Symphony Foundation Board, the North Ridge Country Club Board of Governors, and the Old Chatham Board of Directors. Drew resides in Raleigh with his wife and four children. His personal interests include drawing and sketching, golfing, reading, and spending time with his family.

Dustin Hall is a CFP® professional with 22 years of industry experience, currently with LPL Financial since 2008. He holds a Series 66 license and operates out of Cary, NC. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved with Hall & Burns Tax Management, LLC, providing tax preparation services. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a nationwide network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary management, model portfolios, and retirement plan consulting.

Matthew Savidge is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with two years of industry experience. He has previously worked in property management at Mid America Apartments and Greystar. Based in Raleigh, NC, Savidge holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides written recommendation reports and ongoing retirement income planning focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Geoffrey Bell is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 2005, where he works with executives and families to manage wealth, focusing on complex multi-generational needs. His role involves wealth forecasting, portfolio management, analytics, and performance reviews. Geoffrey also assists clients with developing restricted-stock award strategies, including Rule 10b5-1 programs and other Rule 144 issues, as well as facilitating family meetings concerning intergenerational wealth transfers. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Geoffrey earned bachelor's degrees in economics and management and society from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He currently serves as corporate secretary for the Research Triangle Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors. Outside of his professional career, Geoffrey enjoys outdoor activities including soccer, mountain biking, golf, skiing, and skydiving. He lives in Cary, North Carolina, with his wife and their four children.

Elizabeth Scott is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill in 2025, she worked at Modern Woodmen of America and MWA Financial Services from 2021 to 2025, and held positions at Guaranteed Rate, Get Spiffy, Inc., and in retail and education sectors earlier in her career. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions program. The firm offers a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries.

William Stephens is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with clients to develop personalized wealth management strategies that connect all aspects of their financial lives, helping them prioritize and pursue the goals that matter most to them. His areas of expertise include family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. William holds professional designations such as Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from East Carolina University. Outside of his professional pursuits, William enjoys adventure sports, fishing, football, hunting, pickleball, surfing, and spending time with his family.

Donna Alston is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, she worked at Jazz Pharmaceuticals and Biogen. Outside of her advisory role, she manages a rental property leased to a family member, overseeing homeowners association matters. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies. The firm is notable for its extensive network of advisors and branches, as well as its affiliated services such as a trust company and proprietary mutual funds.

David Vaikness is a financial advisor at LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license with 27 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at CITIGROUP, Wells Fargo, BancWest Investment Services, and First Horizon Advisors. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including retirement plan consulting and brokerage services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by proprietary and third-party research.

Zachary Hauser is a financial advisor with Merrill based in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of America, Elon University, Cape Fear Community College, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Outside of finance, he has experience with Kustom Koozies, a business he was involved with for three years. Merrill provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions program to Bank of America fiduciary clients, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies across a broad client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries.

Mary Akin is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009 and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, including tailored financial planning through its Financial Advisors and Estate Planning Strategies Group. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process utilizing firm-approved tools and modeling techniques.

Jay Rapp is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of the Harrison Rapp Mansfield & Associates Team. He is responsible for designing the team’s approach to wealth management, focusing on investment research, portfolio development opportunities, and outside investment manager analysis. Jay conducts both macroeconomic and investment-oriented research to assist in developing proprietary and client-specific customized strategies. As a Senior Portfolio Advisor, he manages custom investment strategies on a discretionary basis, selecting from various Merrill model portfolios and third-party investment options. Jay began his career in financial services with UBS in 2008 before joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2012. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Sports Management from North Carolina State University, and he earned his high school diploma from the International School of Geneva. Jay is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and speaks both English and French. Residing in Cary, North Carolina, Jay lives with his wife, Katy, and their sons, Cole and Eli. He serves as Vice President of the Stay Strong vs ALS organization and is a minority owner of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. Jay participates in community activities aligned with his professional values, particularly through his involvement with Stay Strong vs ALS.

Bruce Sharpe is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and over 26 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, Sharpe serves as a trustee for multiple nonprofit organizations, including Communities Schools of Wake County and the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and is involved with regional economic development initiatives. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and advisory offerings, utilizing proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor investment plans. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services across a broad platform of financial products and services.

Alexis Turner is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with six years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2012, including a role at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2024. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that provides advisory programs and tailored financial planning to individuals and institutional clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm uses a structured financial planning process supported by firm-approved tools and offers a broad range of retail and institutional investment solutions.

Scott Stephens is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. since 2005. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service designed for clients approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets, providing detailed written Recommendation Reports that cover income sources, Social Security options, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax analysis to deliver personalized, non-discretionary advice, primarily for assets held within Ameriprise-managed accounts.

Brenleigh Rigsbee is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, Brenleigh worked in the hospitality sector, including roles at The Underground and Cantina 18. Outside of advisory work, Brenleigh is a bartender at The Underground in Raleigh, NC. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, blending proprietary fundamental research with quantitative analysis and systematic portfolio construction. The firm serves a wide range of clients through discretionary and non-discretionary services and is noted for its use of algorithmic methods and formal advisory roles to multiple registered investment companies.

Kevin Anderson is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 38 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, Anderson serves as Chair of the Finance Committee at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and methodologies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and delivers services through Financial Advisors and its Estate Planning Strategies Group.

Hylton Early is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Raleigh, North Carolina. He works with clients across various stages of life, focusing on personalized financial strategies and investment management. Hylton’s approach involves understanding clients’ visions for their futures and developing tailored wealth management plans that address goals such as tax minimization, retirement income planning, and liquidity management. He also works directly with corporate executives and business owners anticipating liquidity events, providing a detail-oriented strategy aligned with their values and expectations. With experience spanning over several years, Hylton draws on the resources of Merrill to assist clients in areas including corporate benefits, education planning, LGBT wealth planning, socially responsible and ESG investing, and portfolio management. Prior to joining Merrill in 2015, he worked in politics as a consultant, campaign manager, and finance director in Washington, DC, and Utah. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in political science from Kenyon College, where he also lettered in varsity lacrosse. Hylton is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional role, Hylton enjoys skiing, hiking, boating, and spending time with his wife and twin daughters in Raleigh. He maintains an active interest in outdoor activities, including his part-time role as a ski patroller at Deer Valley Resort. He is also a member of the Boy Scouts of America and holds the rank of Eagle Scout.

Darion Elder is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and two years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2016 and Wells Fargo Clearing since 2023. Outside of his advisory role, he works as an independent DJ. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory solutions. The firm’s approach is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related products and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Noelle Olson is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC, with four years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Fidelity Investments and First National Bank Minnesota. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutions, offering tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery processes and firm-approved tools. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and serves clients through both direct and corporate financial planning agreements.