William Griesser is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 27 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 65 and Series 63 designations. His prior work experience includes roles at Edward Jones and TIAA. 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 retail brokerage clients, delivering services through an integrated model tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms.

Jon Nee is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and over 24 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Eastover Capital Management, FTB Advisors, Wells Fargo Clearing, and several other firms dating back to 2003. He is also involved with JN Wealth Strategies, an investment advisory representative role under a related RIA. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting, employing a network model of advisory representatives who provide discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management using a variety of strategies and technology platforms.

Chessada Laney is a financial advisor with Brookstone Capital Management LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and nine years of industry experience. Laney has worked at Brookstone since 2022 and previously at FormulaFolio Investments, Inc. and JPFG Wealth Management. Outside of Brookstone, Laney is involved in managing JPFG Wealth Management, an RIA firm, and sells insurance products through Millennium Financial Group. Brookstone Capital Management provides fee-based asset management and financial planning to a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and trusts. The firm uses strategic and dynamic asset-allocation models and integrates proprietary funds, external sub-advisors, and a range of investment strategies to implement client portfolios.

Amanda Mounts is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with three years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Prior to joining Truist in 2025, Amanda worked at Wells Fargo Bank and Wells Fargo Clearing, and earlier at First Horizon Bank and Bluegreen Vacations. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches supported by third-party platforms and integrates AI-enabled research tools and inter-affiliate resources.

Lena Poma is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and eight years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, Ally Invest Securities LLC, and Mass Mutual Investors Services. Outside of her advisory work, she has engaged in independent delivery services. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporations, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by third-party platform integrations and AI-enhanced equity research.

Candice Mason is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with 20 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with Fifth Third Securities since 2009. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. offers brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors. The firm combines broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser capabilities with a platform that includes discretionary managed accounts, direct indexing, and tax-overlay services.

Daneen Gimson is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 15 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing Services and Securities America Advisors. First Citizens Investor Services serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, and charitable organizations, providing a range of advisory and brokerage services such as portfolio management, model portfolios, and financial planning. The firm’s approach employs fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to allocate investments across various asset classes.

Timothy Mann Jr. is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 12 years of industry experience. He previously worked at BB&T Securities before joining Truist in 2021. Mann serves as a volunteer treasurer and finance committee member for the nonprofit Let Me Run. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by AI-enabled research and an integrated inter-affiliate structure.

Kevin Loftin is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and bringing 23 years of industry experience. He has worked at SunTrust Investment Services and SunTrust Bank since 2018 and previously at Pj Robb Variable Corp and Crump Life Insurance Services. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation, investment policy analysis, fiduciary support, and manager-selection programs, combining discretionary and non-discretionary approaches supported by AI-enhanced equity research and inter-affiliate integration.

Michael Trotter is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 11 years of industry experience. He previously worked at TIAA-CREF from 2014 to 2019 before joining PNC Investments, where he has been since 2019. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an invitation-only, discretionary digital portfolio solution for employees with existing PNC Bank online banking credentials. The firm uses approved model strategies implemented via mutual funds and ETFs, with portfolio management delegated to third parties and enrollment guided by an algorithmic questionnaire.

Deanna Strean is a financial advisor with Focus Partners Wealth, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at The Colony Group, LLC, Buckingham Strategic Wealth, LLC, and Carolina Capital Consulting, Inc., among others. Focus Partners serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth families, family offices, and institutional clients, offering wealth management, financial and tax planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a long-term, tax- and fee-sensitive investment approach within an enhanced open architecture framework that combines active and passive strategies, third-party managers, and private funds.

Kristy Meeler is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 21 years of industry experience. She is currently with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and has also worked at LPL Financial since 2013. Outside of her advisory role, she offers insurance to small groups and individuals through multiple carriers as needed. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, and charitable organizations, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a network model of independent advisory representatives and combines discretionary portfolio management with access to third-party managers and technology platforms for comprehensive client service.

Michael Dautel is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Truist Advisory Services since 2021, including prior roles at Truist Investment Services and BB&T Investment Services dating back to 2005. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation analysis, fiduciary support, and a manager-selection program, utilizing a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting with oversight from its Equity Research team and Investment Advisory Group.

John Czura is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has four years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked at Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC for four years. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes manager selection and oversight, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary approaches supported by inter-affiliate integration and third-party platforms.

Michael Willard is a financial advisor with Equity Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 license and 12 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Foundations Investment Advisors LLC, Alloy Wealth Holdings, Alloy Wealth Management, and Edward Jones. Outside of his advisory work, he is listed as owner and president of Forged Financial LLC. Equity Services, Inc., operating as ESI Financial Advisors, provides financial planning, consulting, and asset management services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers multiple advisory platforms that combine long-term investment strategies with options for shorter-term trading and specialized instruments, managing both discretionary and non-discretionary assets.

William Semans is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked with Truist Advisory Services and Truist Investment Services since 2021, following six years at BB&T Securities. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors, participants, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by AI-enabled research tools and inter-affiliate integration across its services.

Cathie Clontz is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services who holds Series 63 and Series 66 registrations and has 24 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Truist Investment Services, BB&T Securities, PNC Investments, and Edward Jones. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation and investment policy analysis, plan sponsor fiduciary support, participant advice, and a manager‑selection program that utilizes both discretionary and non‑discretionary approaches, supported by AI-enabled research tools and inter-affiliate integration.

Samantha Allen is a CFP® professional with seven years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently with VOYA Financial Advisors, Inc. and previously worked at The Vanguard Group, Inc. for six years. VOYA Financial Advisors, Inc. is an enterprise-scale advisory and broker-dealer affiliate of Voya Financial that provides financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement advisory services to individuals, institutions, and corporate clients. The firm offers a mix of discretionary and non-discretionary account management, leveraging both in-house and third-party strategies supported by technology-enabled tools.

Mickey Howell is a CFP® professional at Rockefeller Financial LLC with three years of industry experience. He previously worked at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company and Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC. Rockefeller Financial LLC serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, institutional clients, retirement plans, foundations, and corporations. The firm provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services through a Private Advisor model and an integrated investment platform, while also operating as a registered broker-dealer offering securities transactions, variable insurance products, and placement and investment banking services.

Jamie Smothers is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding the CFP® designation and Series 66 license. She has 20 years of industry experience, all with First Citizens Investor Services since 2006. Outside of her advisory role, Jamie is involved in property management through Peak Property Management LLC, where she participates in purchasing, repairing, and managing residential properties. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities by providing advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers portfolio management, wrap programs, model portfolios, and financial planning, utilizing a client process focused on financial needs and risk assessment with a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis.