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.

Jannah Keyes is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and 11 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Truist Investment Services, Bb&T Securities, LLC, and BB&T Investment Services, Inc. Truist Advisory Services offers investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary manager relationships with non-discretionary consulting and utilizes AI-enabled tools alongside traditional research to support investment decisions.

Eric Dade is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and 66 licenses. He has 23 years of industry experience and has been with Bankers Life and its affiliated entities since 2001. In addition to advising clients, he serves as a unit sales manager, overseeing other agents. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to create tailored asset allocations and manage portfolios across a range of securities.

Marc Shepherd is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services based in Charlotte, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 16 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Union Financial, Optima Financial Services, Principal Securities Inc, Principal Life Insurance Company, MML Investors Services LLC, and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. Outside of advising, he serves as treasurer for his homeowners association and provides Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage insurance products to clients aged 65 and older. Principal Securities offers brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and business entities. The firm’s advisory services feature direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager asset allocation and separately managed account solutions.

Wendy Anderson is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 29 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with TIAA-CREF since 1993. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning, discretionary managed account programs, and broker-dealer services to individuals, trusts, estates, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm also advises a donor-advised fund and operates within a vertically integrated structure employing affiliated funds.

Gayatri Ramesh is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with four years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Fidelity Investments and as a freelance tennis coach prior to joining TIAA-CREF. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, 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 management, using model portfolios or customized strategies managed under client-approved investment policies.

Stephen Kanode is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and seven years of industry experience. He has worked with Bankers Life and its affiliated entities since 2016 and also serves as an insurance agent, assisting clients with Medicare options, long-term care planning, final expense insurance, and annuities. Bankers Life Advisory Services provides discretionary portfolio management and investment consulting primarily to mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals. The firm’s approach emphasizes customized asset allocation, tax efficiency, and a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to guide portfolio management.