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.

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.

Lara Ferguson is a CFP® with five years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Citizens Securities, Inc. since 2022. She previously worked at LPL Financial, LLC and DaVinci Financial Designs from 2020 to 2022. Outside of finance, she was involved with Southern Comforts Consignments and served at Sandy Springs United Methodist Church. Citizens Securities serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, offering investment advisory programs alongside brokerage and insurance services. The firm provides a digital advisory program utilizing ETF-based portfolios and a proprietary risk assessment, as well as a Managed Account program.

Abel Rizzo is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Empower Advisory Group, he worked at various hospitality firms including Wurst Haus and Union Kitchen. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders. The firm delivers services through an integrated model connected to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, emphasizing long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing.

Bradford Brinkley is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 credential and 18 years with the firm. He has experience as an insurance agent selling life and health insurance, including Medicare Supplement and annuity products. Bankers Life Advisory Services provides discretionary portfolio management and investment consulting primarily to mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals, focusing on customized asset allocation, tax efficiency, and a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to guide investment decisions.

Kelly West is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. She has worked with First Citizens Investor Services and First Citizens Bank since 2016. Outside of her advisory role, West owns an online resale shop and participates in direct/network marketing ventures. First Citizens Investor Services serves a range of clients including individuals, pension plans, and charitable organizations, providing advisory and brokerage services through IARs and third-party Portfolio Managers. The firm employs fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis in portfolio management and offers services such as financial planning, tax-aware strategies, and automated investing platforms.

Andrea Smith is a financial advisor at HB Wealth with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank NA and JPMorgan Securities LLC. HB Wealth Management is a registered investment adviser that provides wealth management, investment management, and financial planning services to individuals, families, trusts, retirement plans, corporate entities, foundations, family offices, and institutional clients. The firm combines quantitative and qualitative due diligence across a range of public and private investment strategies and offers outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) and institutional advisory services.

Lucie Mcgowan is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 26 years of industry experience. She has been with TIAA and TIAA-CREF since 2010, based in Charlotte, NC. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’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 connections to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm’s advisory model distinguishes between one-time financial planning and ongoing discretionary management, utilizing both model and customized portfolios.

Jessica Council Verner is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation. She has worked in various roles within the Truist organization since 2017 and has experience outside the financial industry as a co-owner of Proof Bar and Lounge from 2016 to 2019. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, offering services such as asset allocation analysis and fiduciary support. The firm uses a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Michael Hariaczyi is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 23 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Wells Fargo Clearing Services, Bank of America, Merrill, and Vanguard Advisers. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a self-defense instructor at Apex Martial Arts in Huntersville, NC. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm provides both model-based and customized portfolio management under a fiduciary standard and acts as adviser to the TIAA Donor Advised Fund.

Nicholas Levy is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 15 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA-CREF since 2012. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with existing relationships through TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm operates within a vertically integrated structure and serves as adviser to a donor-advised fund.

Nicholas Miles is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 11 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Centennial Group, Princor Financial Services Corporation, and Principal Life Insurance Company. His professional activities include providing investment advisory services through Independent Advisor Alliance. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, wealth coaching, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing a network model with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management supported by various analytical strategies and technology platforms.

Casey Fleisch is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 26 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA-CREF since 2006. 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 relationships through TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm separates point-in-time planning services from ongoing discretionary management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund, operating within a vertically integrated group that includes affiliated funds.

Eric Stanwick is a financial advisor at PNC Wealth Management with 22 years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has previously worked at firms including LPL Financial, Wells Fargo, MassMutual, and MetLife. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including a digital discretionary model account available by invitation to employees with PNC Bank online credentials. The program uses algorithm-driven model strategies managed by PNC or third-party strategists and executes investments primarily in mutual funds and ETFs.

David Johnson is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 13 years of industry experience. He has worked with Eagle Strategies and New York Life Insurance Company since 2013. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors, defined contribution and defined benefit plans, and charitable and corporate clients. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services through a large network of affiliated advisers, focusing largely on non-discretionary assets and tailored recommendations aligned with client objectives and plan sponsor criteria.

Robert Nimocks Jr. is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. He has worked with First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Investor Services since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he is a passive partner in a family-owned commercial real estate investment LLC in Fayetteville, NC. First Citizens Investor Services serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers advisory and brokerage services encompassing portfolio management, model portfolios, automated investing platforms, and tax-aware strategies, with a client approach focused on tailored financial assessments and multi-asset allocation.

Joshua Helms is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at TIAA and related entities since 2008, with additional experience at Crump Life Insurance Services and P.J. Robb Variable Corporation. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals and institutional clients, often those connected through TIAA-administered retirement plans. The firm offers a range of advisory services including life goals analysis and personalized portfolio management within a vertically integrated structure.

Ryan Ruff is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and two years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Investor Services, as well as prior employment at Poplar Pointe Marine and self-employment. First Citizens Investor Services serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses, offering advisory and brokerage services through IARs and third-party portfolio managers. The firm employs a client process focused on financial needs and risk assessments and uses fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to inform investment allocations.

Victor Carbone is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF, he held positions at Equitable Advisors LLC and the South Carolina Retirement System Investment Commission. He has also worked at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business and in educational roles at North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and Bishop McGuinness High School. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans. The firm offers model-based and customized portfolio management within a vertically integrated structure that includes affiliated funds and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund.