Michael Ackerman is a financial advisor at Cetera with 22 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at several firms including New York Life Insurance Company, MML Investors Services LLC, and Eagle Strategies. Based in Raleigh, NC, he has been with Cetera since 2022. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual investors, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform that includes affiliated and third-party managers, supporting both discretionary and non-discretionary account structures.

David Trca is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments in 2024, he held diverse roles across several organizations, including Oakwood Country Club and Auburnlea Catering. Outside of his financial advisory work, he has experience in various service and mission-related activities. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, employing a systematic investment process that incorporates fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm is notable for its role in managing model portfolios, its registration as a commodity pool operator, and its advisory services to multiple registered investment companies.

Meredith Keever is a CFP® with three years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC. Her prior experience includes roles at OSAIC, FSC Securities, and Steward Wealth Strategies. Outside of advising, she has supported financial planning activities at Steward Wealth Strategies, assisting with client meetings and account management. LPL Financial is a national SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs and financial planning services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and model portfolios.

Eric Hilliard is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. since 1996 and founded Hilliard Financial Group in 2002. He serves as a director on the United Methodist Church of North Carolina Board of Institutions, where he participates in overseeing financial affairs and maintaining institutional relationships. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and supports municipal and public finance work through affiliated advisory programs and specialized consulting services.

Lionel Perkins III is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 29 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2015. Outside of advisory work, he serves as President of the Alumni Leadership Counsel and is a member of the Board of Trustees at Blue Ridge Boarding School. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network provides investment and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients, offering a broad range of planning options that include retirement, education, and business-owner transition planning, supported by Wells Fargo’s research and tools.

Anna Cantwell is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, she held various roles at Ohio University and UNC Health. Outside of her advisory work, she operates an Etsy shop creating t-shirt designs and provides dog walking and sitting services. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, employing a systematic investment process that combines fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm serves a diverse client base and engages in delegated management, fund advisory, and model portfolio delivery.

James Bowdish is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 27 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. since 1998. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices, offering a range of advisory programs, discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, and affiliated investment products.

Joshua Beese is a financial advisor with Fidelity in Durham, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and having one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, he was self-employed and has experience working in various roles outside the financial industry. Outside of his advisory work, he operates a private coaching business focused on developing hockey and skating skills for both youth and adults. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to a broad client base, including retail and institutional investors as well as registered investment companies. The firm utilizes a combination of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage diversified portfolios and model investment strategies.

Wendy Busby is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 32 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 1990 and also worked at Bank of America, N.A. since 2026. Busby is the sole owner of a rental property business in Cary, North Carolina. 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 model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Blaise Haubert is an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2025. He has been with Fidelity Investments since 2022, progressing through roles from Customer Relationship Advocate to his current position. In his role, Blaise focuses on understanding clients' priorities and working collaboratively to develop personalized financial plans tailored to their needs, ensuring they receive comprehensive support from Fidelity. Blaise brings experience in investment solutions and customer relationship management within the financial services industry. His professional background includes advancing through several roles at Fidelity, demonstrating his commitment to client service and financial planning. Outside of his professional work, Blaise has interests that include baseball, beach activities, football, social events with friends, pets, and running.

Harold Russell III is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2025. Prior to his advisory role, he held positions at West Marine and completed his education at North Carolina State University. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning services. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and incorporates structured planning tools and modeling techniques in its financial planning process.

Stephen Scott is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors and its predecessor, AXA Advisors, LLC, since 2002. Scott also has an outside business activity related to managing a power of attorney for a family trust under Legacy Wealth Strategies. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base including individual, high-net-worth, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers financial planning and brokerage services through a variety of third-party asset management programs and maintains dual registration as an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer.

Karena Bagwell is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 31 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 63 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 1994. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices across the United States.

Sarah Hancock is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 11 years of industry experience. She holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has previously worked at BDO Wealth Advisors, LLC, and BDO USA, LLP. Outside of her advisory role, she was involved with the Restoration Church of the Nazarene for one year. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individual, institutional, and municipal clients, offering tailored financial planning and consulting services primarily through non-discretionary relationships.

Sean Sabol is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked for The Vanguard Group for nine years. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on retirement-income planning, utilizing a centralized team that produces recommendation reports addressing income sources, tax-aware withdrawals, and Social Security options.

Benjamin Goldstein is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS since 1998. Outside of his advisory role, he manages several residential rental properties through various LLCs he owns. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients with a range of brokerage and investment advisory services, using proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor plans to clients’ goals and risk tolerances. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management and offers a broad suite of capital markets services.

William Uthe is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015 and at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2010. Outside of his advisory role, he is the sole proprietor of BBOO LLC, an investment-related agriculture business. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools alongside broader investment and financial product offerings.

Maura Wyatt is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, she held various roles in the service and retail sectors and was involved with the NC State University Crafts Center. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, using a combination of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm also advises multiple registered investment companies and constructs model portfolios for intermediary platforms.

Brittany Hughes is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Merrill and Bank of America, as well as non-financial experience at Walt Disney World and in education. Outside of her advisory work, she bakes goods for friends on a regular basis. She is part of Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity company that provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios, including model portfolios delivered to intermediary platforms.

Kenneth Debutts is a financial advisor at Fidelity with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Harker Research, Inc. for seven years. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies and an IRS-qualified Charitable Gift Fund. The firm uses a blend of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction, and is noted for its registration as a commodity pool operator and its use of AI in research.