Derek Sox is a CFP® professional with 30 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Wells Fargo Clearing in Raleigh, NC. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm that provides investment advisory services, financial planning, wrap-fee programs, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Robert Mccarthy Jr. is a financial advisor at RBC Capital Markets with 31 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with RBC Capital Markets since 2008. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the finance committee of the nonprofit Emily K Center. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves individual investors, institutional clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs with tailored portfolio management and financial planning services, utilizing both in-house and third-party investment managers.

Chandrani Ghosh is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. She previously worked at Fifth Third Bank and has been with Charles Schwab since 2023. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory models with access to discretionary separately managed accounts and offers a multi-asset investment approach supported by the Schwab Center for Financial Research.

John Gammons is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been in the financial services industry since 2004 and brings over 18 years of experience working with individuals and families to create personalized wealth management strategies. John focuses on client needs in liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income, helping clients plan effectively for financial obligations across different stages of life. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from East Carolina University. His professional designations include CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). John’s approach centers on collaborating with clients to define what matters most to them, addressing key life priorities such as family, finances, health, home, leisure, work, and giving, and helping navigate the financial complexities that arise through life’s changes. Outside of his professional role, John enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. His personal interests include traveling, golfing, tennis, camping, scuba diving, skiing, and other outdoor activities.

Franklin Dunn III is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has worked with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2010 and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Bayleaf Volunteer Fire Department and is a board member of Western Wake Fire and Rescue. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services to individuals and institutional clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets through tailored strategies and firm‑approved planning tools.

Philip Johnson is a Senior Financial Advisor with the Bono & Kline Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he collaborates with team members to pursue optimal asset allocations tailored to clients’ objectives, cash-flow needs, and timeframes. He applies his quantitative skills to evaluate external investment managers and research market themes. His client focus areas include Family Wealth Management Strategies, Services for Endowments, Foundations, and Non-profits, Liquidity Management, Sports & Entertainment, and Tax Minimization. Philip holds a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Mercyhurst University and an M.S. in Finance from The Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charterholder and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) certificant. He is an active member of the CFA Society of Washington, DC, and participates in the Northern Virginia Estate Planning Council. Philip resides in Raleigh, NC. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, camping, football, reading, and spending time outdoors with his dog.

Simran Dhaliwal is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with nine years of industry experience. Prior to joining Raymond James in 2019, she worked at SunTrust Bank and SunTrust Investment Services, Inc. from 2012 to 2019. Dhaliwal also supports Pinnacle Asset Management as a sales assistant, helping to build client relationships and assist with daily service needs. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting, utilizing various analytical tools to support client goals and maintain specialized programs such as municipal advisory services and SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory & Consulting Services.

Klair Conant is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 21 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors and Merrill. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a variety of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes a structured planning process supported by firm-approved tools and market simulation models.

Richard Black Jr. is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in aiding business owners, successful individuals, and families in managing, preserving, and growing their wealth through personalized and strategic financial guidance. His areas of expertise include college education planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Richard holds several professional designations, including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Outside of his professional work, Richard enjoys gardening, genealogy, hunting, skiing, surfing, tennis, and spending time with his family.

Andrew Applequist is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 license and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial, he worked at Osaic and Steward Wealth Strategies. His background includes roles outside finance at FlyExclusive and Bass Pro Shop. 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 and third-party asset management, and supports its large network of advisors with various investment and operational tools.

Thomas Whitehead is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Durham, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 15 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously was with Wachovia Bank and Wells Fargo Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the finance committee of Mt Olive Baptist Church and coaches high school football at Hillside High School. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory solutions. The firm’s IPS-driven approach incorporates a broad range of investment options, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs, tailored to plan objectives and risk tolerances.

Sharmishtha Prasad is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 14 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Coastal Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank, Bank of America, Merrill, and Wells Fargo. She serves on the boards of the North Carolina Museum of Art and the Community Foundation of North Carolina East. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser offering a range of advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm supports its network of over 22,800 advisors with various investment strategies and operational tools, managing more than $819 billion in discretionary assets.

Mike Patti is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 20 years of industry experience. He has held positions at Bank of America, Merrill, and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Patti holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools supported by its Global Investment Committee.

E Ostendorff is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has extensive experience in estate and investment planning, serving the financial needs of families, endowments, foundations, and non-profits. E Ostendorff began his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1995 as the Estate Planning specialist for multiple Merrill offices. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the College of Charleston and earned his Juris Doctorate from Nashville School of Law. His professional credentials include the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. Outside of his professional work, E Ostendorff is a founder of the Continuous Blessings Foundation and has participated on the finance and membership committees for North Ridge Country Club. His personal interests include football, golfing, music, and reading.

Max Hollingsworth is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he provides financial advice and guidance tailored to the goals and priorities of his clients and their families. His approach to financial planning emphasizes placing the client at the center of focus rather than the market. Max helps clients understand the advantages and disadvantages of potential financial decisions and works to maintain discipline to pursue their most important goals. He collaborates with clients to adjust financial plans as their needs or market conditions change. Max holds a bachelor's degree from William Peace University.

Ward Marslender III is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he owns Marslender-West Asset Management, an investment-related business. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser that provides investment and fee-based financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of planning services, including retirement, education, risk, and wealth-transfer planning, delivering tailored recommendations supported by proprietary research and planning tools.

L James is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. With a focus on helping families realize their financial goals, L James provides diligent, level-headed advice on building long-term wealth. His expertise encompasses personal retirement planning, family wealth management strategies, philanthropic planning, and socially responsible, values-based investing among other client focus areas. L James holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) certification, the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation, and other professional credentials including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned his Bachelor's Degree from North Carolina State University. Outside his professional work, L James enjoys boating, hiking, music, singing, skiing, swimming, spending time with his family, and watching movies. He aims to simplify clients' financial lives to support their lifestyle, legacy goals, and retirement income needs, maintaining an optimistic outlook on financial markets.

Collin Young is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at FlyExclusive, Weatherby Healthcare, Wells Fargo Clearing, Morgan Stanley, and Randstad Technologies, among others. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of Financial Advisors. The firm offers holistic, goal-based analyses addressing a wide range of financial planning topics, with options to combine planning and managed-account services under a consolidated billing structure called “WealthPlan.”

Anna Call is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Greek House/Threadly and St. David's School. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, offers investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including fund advisory and model portfolio delivery. The firm combines proprietary fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction, overseeing day-to-day management through affiliated and unaffiliated sub-advisers.

Sohan Shah is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation. He has been with Ameriprise since 2023 and has prior work experience in commodities and merchant funding sectors. His background also includes roles in education and hospitality. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides customized retirement planning advice focused on reliable income and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies.