Eric Brown is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group in Houston, TX, holding Series 66, Series 63, and Series 65 designations with four years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Truist, USAA, Broadway Bank, LPL Financial, Amherst Holdings, Capco, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, alongside Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage clients. The firm uses an integrated model connected to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms and emphasizes long-term portfolio returns, annual rebalancing, and clients’ savings rates in its financial planning approach.

Henry Lartigue III is a CFA® charterholder with 23 years of experience in the financial industry. He currently works at Corient, where he has been since 2023, following a 21-year tenure at Avalon Advisors, LLC. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a goals-based, team investment approach that combines in-house strategies with third-party managers and incorporates risk management tools and alternative investments when appropriate.

Joseph Hydes IV is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with a Series 65 designation. He has prior experience at Woodforest Financial Group, Corebridge Retirement Services, and AIG Retirement Services, totaling several years in the financial industry. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $217 billion in assets and offers a range of services supported by a large advisory team and centralized investment infrastructure, with an investment approach centered on low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies overseen by an Investment Policy Committee.

David Tran is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Houston, TX, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and one year of industry experience. Prior to entering financial services, he spent 20 years at Flowers Baking Company of Houston. He is also appointed as an agent to sell non-securities insurance products for Agia. Valic Financial Advisors serves primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients, as well as employer-sponsored retirement participants. The firm offers portfolio management and financial planning services through a large network of advisors and utilizes discretionary unified managed accounts supported by Envestnet’s platform and third-party model managers.

Luz Velasquez is a financial advisor at PNC Wealth Management with 16 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including J.P. Morgan Securities, Bank of America, Merrill, and BBVA Wealth Solutions. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including a digital discretionary model account available via an employee-only pilot that uses algorithmic risk assessment and primarily invests in mutual funds and ETFs with annual rebalancing.

Tyler Chandler is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at GWFS Equities, Wells Fargo Clearing, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Outside of his advisory role, Tyler owns and operates Chandler Carpet Care, a carpet cleaning business. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily for employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as Empower Premier IRA and retail brokerage clients. The firm offers integrated services connected to Empower’s recordkeeping platforms and emphasizes long-term portfolio returns with an optional managed account solution.

Joseph Webster is a CFP® credentialed financial advisor with five years of industry experience. He currently works at Cetera Planning Partners and has held roles at several affiliated firms including Cetera Wealth Services and Avantax. Webster is also involved with BCOR Administrative Services LLC, where he focuses on client service and collaboration with CPAs. Cetera Planning Partners serves individual and high-net-worth clients, particularly pre-retirees and retirees, offering investment management, comprehensive financial planning, Social Security optimization, and retirement advice. The firm integrates tax planning, bookkeeping, payroll support, and estate-planning services within a diversified, document-driven investment process supported by a broad Cetera network.

Andrew Wood is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Houston, TX, holding the Series 66 designation and having 10 years of industry experience. His prior firms include Axa Advisors and AGIA, where he is also involved in selling non-securities insurance products. Valic Financial Advisors is an SEC-registered adviser and FINRA-member broker-dealer serving U.S. individuals, including high net worth clients and employer-sponsored retirement participants. The firm offers wrap programs, portfolio management, and financial planning through a large advisor network, employing discretionary unified managed accounts with tax-aware and ESG overlay options.

Bryant Tzul is a financial advisor at Valic Financial Advisors with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked in various roles including at Parawest Management and Luminate Financial. In addition to his advisory work, he is appointed as an agent to sell non-securities insurance products for AGIA. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S. individuals, including high net worth clients and employer-sponsored retirement participants, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and unified managed accounts through a large network of advisors. The firm manages substantial assets and utilizes centralized technology and model solutions as part of its investment approach.

Zhizhi Ma is a CFP® professional with 29 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently with Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC and has held roles at MIG-MA Investment Group and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. Ma is also licensed as an independent insurance agent specializing in fixed insurance products. Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC provides advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a range of investment strategies, utilizing model portfolios, mutual funds, ETFs, and individual securities, supported by multiple program platforms and third-party technology.

Brian Joiner is a financial advisor with Hightower Advisors based in Houston, TX. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 13 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Salient Partners, L.P. and its affiliated entities, as well as Hightower Securities LLC. Hightower Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm’s approach focuses on manager selection and multi-manager solutions, utilizing both affiliated and third-party managers across a range of investment products.

Brandon Cisneros is a financial advisor with Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and two years of industry experience. His prior positions include roles at First Command Brokerage Services, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co, and State Farm Insurance. Outside of his advisory work, he is the owner of Mine Mind LLC, a content creation business on YouTube used for marketing purposes. Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. is a large advisory and broker-dealer affiliate serving individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, unified managed accounts, and retirement advisory services through a broad network of representatives, combining in-house and third-party strategies with technology-enabled tools.

William Hanf is a financial advisor with Osaic Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. He previously worked at American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. for 21 years and at Ameriprise for two years. Hanf serves as a board member for Central Texas Artisans, a nonprofit community art organization. Osaic Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise adviser that serves a diverse client base, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporate and charitable entities, and sovereign wealth funds. The firm offers a range of managed programs, financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to alternative investments, utilizing both fundamental and technical analysis as well as platform partnerships to deliver tailored investment solutions.

Juan Montoya is a financial advisor at PNC Wealth Management with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation. His prior work history includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, and J.P. Morgan Securities. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an employee-only digital discretionary model account that uses algorithmic risk assessment and implements approved model strategies via mutual funds and ETFs.

Donovan Mcgowen is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing nine years of industry experience. He has been with Valic Financial Advisors since 2016 and has also worked with Agia since 2022. Outside of his advisory role, he works as a delivery driver for Shipt and is an agent offering non-securities insurance products. Valic Financial Advisors is an SEC-registered investment adviser and FINRA-member broker-dealer serving primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients, as well as employer-sponsored retirement participants. The firm offers wrap programs, portfolio management, and financial planning through a large network of advisors and utilizes centralized technology and model solutions to manage approximately $29.2 billion across nearly 300,000 clients.

Gerardo Pena Magana is a financial advisor with Oppenheimer, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and UBS Financial Services. He is a board member of ERAT North America LLC, a manufacturing business. Oppenheimer is a registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, corporations, pension plans, and other clients with a wide range of programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services.

James Vance is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Valic Financial Advisors since 2018 and has been an agent at Agia since 2022, where he is involved in non-securities insurance products. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-domiciled individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, using Envestnet-developed UMA models to construct client portfolios.

Justin Williams is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (New York Life) based in Houston, TX. He holds the ChFC® designation and has five years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked at Bayou Capital Strategies LLC and has been affiliated with NYLIFE Securities LLC and New York Life Insurance Company since 2020. Additionally, he is appointed as an insurance broker for outside carriers, focusing on brokering non-registered insurance products. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors and institutional clients, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and offers multiple advisory program types within an integrated New York Life structure.

Estephania Vazquez Ramirez is a financial advisor at Valic Financial Advisors in Houston, TX, with one year of industry experience. She holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has previously worked at Universal Processing and World Financial Group. She is also appointed as an agent to sell non-securities insurance products. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S. individuals, including high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients, as well as employer-sponsored retirement participants. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and discretionary unified managed accounts through a large network of advisors and leverages centralized technology and third-party model managers.

Dereik Smith is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Houston, TX, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 designations and bringing 20 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Scottrade/TD Ameritrade and Greater Houston Partnership. He is also involved with Prevail Athletic Training, where he has been active for nine years. Valic Financial Advisors serves primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients, as well as employer-sponsored retirement participants. The firm offers a range of investment advisory and financial planning services through a large network of advisors, utilizing discretionary unified managed accounts and centralized technology solutions.