William Thomas Jr. is a financial advisor at Merrill in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with nine years of industry experience. He has worked at Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill since 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he is a co-owner of a family farm and a general partner in a restaurant business, as well as serving as a deacon at Sandhills Presbyterian Church. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations.

Daniel Creswell is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Wake Forest, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having four years of industry experience. He has been with Primerica Advisors and Primerica Financial Services since 2021. Outside of his advisory role, Creswell is involved with North Wake Church and has operated Sychar Properties, a real estate business focused on house flipping, since 2008. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, which offers model-delivery strategies and a limited number of separately managed account options to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm curates third-party asset managers and employs a tiered wrap-fee structure for its services.

Matthew Purdy is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016, following five years at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets, supports more than 14,000 advisors, and combines brokerage and advisory solutions with research-driven investment approaches.

Clayton Charland is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Charles Schwab in Cary, NC. His prior roles include positions at TD Ameritrade, Domani Wealth, LPL Financial, Atlas Private Wealth Advisors, and John Driscoll & Co. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves a large client base, primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, offering wealth advisory wrap fee programs alongside affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to discretionary separately managed accounts, supported by a multi-asset model portfolio approach and centralized operational infrastructure.

Brant Spesshardt is a CFP® professional with 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2026, following three years at OSAIC and 23 years at FSC Securities. Outside of his advisory role, he is a partner at Banyan Rock and Talent Insurance Agency, where he assists in overseeing the agency. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a nationwide network of investment adviser representatives. The firm provides a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and consulting services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches supported by research and technology.

Russell Emrath is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Apex, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated firms since 2008. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets, providing detailed written Recommendation Reports that cover income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis, delivering personalized, algorithm-assisted recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Brian Shobert is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Wells Fargo in various capacities since 2009. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as a FINRA arbitrator, assisting in dispute resolution. 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 utilizing proprietary research and tools, with advisors delivering tailored recommendations on a discrete engagement basis.

Jonathan Foley is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and was previously with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as trustee and holds power of attorney for his mother's trust in Raleigh, NC. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s IPS-driven advisory process incorporates modern portfolio theory and includes a broad range of investment options, such as insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Mark Obrien is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. He has worked at Bank of America and Merrill since 2014. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Drew Steffens is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been serving clients since 1994. He specializes in building long-term relationships with high net worth families and focuses on restricted and concentrated stock strategies, investment manager due diligence, and asset allocation modeling. Drew's client services include Corporate Executive Services, Family Wealth Management Strategies, Legacy Planning, Liquidity Management, Managing New Wealth, and Portfolio Management Services. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Dartmouth College and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Over his career, Drew has been recognized with multiple industry honors, including being named to the Barron's Top 1000 and Top 1200 Advisor lists during the early 2010s, as well as repeated appearances on the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors and Wealth Management Teams lists throughout the 2020s. Drew has contributed to the community through his service on various boards, including the Montessori School of Raleigh Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2005, the North Carolina Symphony Foundation Board from 1998 to 2004, the North Ridge Country Club Board of Governors from 2017 to 2019, and the Old Chatham Board of Directors beginning in 2025. He resides in Raleigh with his wife and four children, and in his personal time he enjoys drawing/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 65 and Series 63 credentials and three years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Modern Woodmen of America and Guaranteed Rate. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through its Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers for a range of individual, institutional, and charitable clients.

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 at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Merrill, Bank of America, Elon University, Cape Fear Community College, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Outside of financial services, he has experience with Kustom Koozies, a business he was involved with for three years. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program to Bank of America fiduciary clients. The firm offers a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies designed for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

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.