William Crocker is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Lockton Investment Advisors, Lockton Companies, and Lockton Financial Advisors from 2014 to 2021. Crocker is based in Indian Land, South Carolina. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $217 billion in client assets and employs a financial planning–led investment process that combines low-cost indexing with supplemental strategies, supported by a large advisory team and integrated investment infrastructure.

Matthew Orf is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 credentials and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA-CREF since 2005. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning, discretionary managed account programs, and broker-dealer services primarily to individuals with connections to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm operates a fiduciary advisory model that separates one-time planning services from ongoing discretionary management and serves as adviser to a donor-advised fund.

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 19 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA-CREF since 2011. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a soccer referee in the local community. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning, discretionary managed account programs, and broker-dealer services primarily to individuals connected with TIAA-administered retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, and small retirement plans. The firm distinguishes between point-in-time planning and ongoing portfolio management, operating within a vertically integrated structure that includes affiliated funds and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund.

Devin Neptune is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation. Devin has been with TIAA-CREF since 2023 and has prior experience in education at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and regional schools. TIAA-CREF’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 TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm’s advisory model distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing portfolio management using both model and customized investment strategies.

Eduardo Gelpi is a financial advisor at T. Rowe Price Advisory Services, Inc. with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Edelman Financial Engines, LPL Financial LLC, Ameriprise Financial Services, and Wells Fargo Clearing Services. T. Rowe Price Advisory Services, Inc. provides retirement-focused financial planning and discretionary investment management for individual investors and households, utilizing model portfolios invested exclusively in T. Rowe Price mutual funds and ETFs. The firm employs goal-based planning, tax-aware rebalancing, and Monte Carlo simulations, with an emphasis on proprietary funds and electronic client engagement.

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 two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Empower Advisory Group in 2025, he worked at Empower since 2023 and has experience in the hospitality industry with roles at Wurst Haus, Union Kitchen, and several other establishments. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and retail brokerage clients. The firm’s services are integrated with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms and focus on long-term portfolio returns and clients’ savings rates.

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 with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Truist and its predecessor entities since 2017. Her prior experience includes a role at Proof Bar and Lounge from 2016 to 2019. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm integrates traditional research with AI-enabled tools and offers a range of advisory services including plan sponsor support and manager selection through the Envestnet platform.

Michael Hariaczyi is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 24 years of industry experience. His previous roles include positions at Vanguard, Merrill, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo Clearing Services. Outside of finance, he teaches self-defense as an 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, partnerships, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing TIAA-administered employer retirement relationships. The firm’s advisory model separates one-time planning from ongoing portfolio management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund, operating within a vertically integrated group using affiliated funds.

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 63 and Series 66 licenses. His prior experience includes roles at LPL Financial, Wells Fargo, Mass Mutual Investors Services, and MetLife Securities. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an invitation-only digital portfolio solution that uses algorithmic questionnaires to recommend risk bands and implements investments via approved model strategies managed by PNC or third-party strategists.

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®-designated financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. and has 14 years of industry experience. He has been with First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Investor Services since 2016. Nimocks is a passive partner in Rankin Investments LLC, a family-managed commercial real estate investment entity. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm utilizes a client-focused approach combining fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to manage portfolios consisting of equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs.