John Tierney is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining First Citizens in 2025, he worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and The Vanguard Group, Inc. among other positions. Outside of finance, he has experience in the catering industry. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides investment advisory, brokerage, and licensed insurance services to individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a combination of strategic and tactical asset allocation with fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis, offering clients discretionary and non-discretionary management options along with complimentary financial planning and tax-aware services.

Autumn Williams is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. She holds a Series 65 designation and has four years of industry experience. Williams has been with Wells Fargo Investment Institute since 2000. Wells Fargo Investment Institute provides institutional research, manager due diligence, model portfolio construction, and asset-allocation guidance primarily to Wells Fargo wealth and fiduciary businesses, as well as select external clients. The firm delivers specialized research and model guidance without exercising investment discretion or holding client assets.

John Clement is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA-CREF since 2006. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of two homeowners associations in the Charlotte area. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, and small retirement plans. The firm separates stand-alone planning services from ongoing portfolio management and offers customized investment options managed under a fiduciary standard.

Zachary Brock is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services, holding a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Cypress Benefit Solutions, Parks Insurance Group, and Employee Benefit Advisors. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and active-duty U.S. military personnel outside the United States. The firm’s advisory services encompass direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager asset allocation and separately managed account solutions.

Troy Rozich is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 24 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at HarrisDirect LLC and E*TRADE Capital Management LLC. He is based in Charlotte, 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 with existing TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm combines point-in-time planning services with ongoing portfolio management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund.

Jason Sykes is a CFP® professional with 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at SunTrust Advisory Services, Inc. and SunTrust Bank since 2011 and joined Truist Advisory Services following the merger. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member for the Campbell University Trust Education Foundation and the Temassee Foundation, and manages an investment vehicle focused on international agricultural projects. Additionally, he is involved with the McGlohon Endowment as a singer. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation and investment policy analysis, fiduciary support, participant advice, and a manager-selection program that integrates discretionary and non-discretionary strategies supported by third-party platforms and AI-enhanced research.

David Degroot is a financial advisor at PNC Wealth Management in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations with 31 years of industry experience. He has worked with PNC Investments since 2014 and briefly with PNC Bank. PNC Wealth Management provides retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an employee-only digital portfolio solution that uses algorithmic risk assessments and implements investments via approved model strategies managed by PNC or third parties.

Khalif Croom is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Vanguard Advisers and Melaleuca. Outside of advising, he is a licensed real estate agent in Charlotte, offering services to clients interested in buying or selling homes. TIAA‑CREF’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with existing relationships through employer retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans. The firm offers model-based and customized portfolio management and serves as adviser to a donor-advised fund, operating within a vertically integrated group.

Gavin Reber is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF and holds a Series 66 designation. He has two years of industry experience and previously worked at Enviro-Master, East Carolina University, QuikTrip, Tuition Landscape LLC, and Lincoln Charter School. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected with TIAA-administered retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm separates one-time planning services from ongoing discretionary management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund, operating within a vertically integrated group that uses affiliated funds.

Donald Stouffer is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with seven years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at TIAA-CREF since 2018. Outside of his advisory role, he owns a business manufacturing and selling bass fishing baits and also buys and sells collectible cards on eBay. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to employer retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, and small retirement plans. The firm provides both point-in-time planning services and ongoing discretionary management, with a range of model and customized portfolio options.

Michael Smith is a CFP® with 19 years of industry experience, currently with Janney Montgomery Scott. His prior experience includes nine years at Wells Fargo Clearing and seven years at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, corporate and retirement plans, and charitable organizations, providing brokerage services, financial planning, consulting, and various advisory programs.

Marianne Gebhardt is a financial advisor at Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC with 14 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including LPL Financial and Cetera Advisor Networks. Outside of her advisory role, she manages marketing and operations for Gebhardt Farms LLC, a maple syrup retail and wholesale business. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise advisory firm serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers financial planning, asset management, and specialized retirement consulting using a combination of passive and active investment strategies guided by an internal Investment Committee.

Benjamin Kristoff is a financial advisor with FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 14 years of industry experience. His career has been primarily with Fifth Third Securities and Fifth Third Bank since 2011, with a brief tenure at Wcm. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. offers brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to a diverse client base, including individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm combines its broker-dealer and municipal-advisor registrations with a corporate affiliation to Fifth Third Bank, providing clients access to multiple managed-account programs, direct indexing, tax-overlay services, and a broad range of fund strategist options.

Robert Cousar Jr. is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with TIAA-CREF since 2010. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Secretary of the Board for the Charlotte Track Club, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting running and healthy living in Charlotte, NC. 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 working with clients connected through employer retirement plans. The firm offers a fiduciary standard for its RIA services and manages portfolios ranging from model-based to customized solutions under client-approved investment policies.

James Waters is a CFA® charterholder with 10 years of industry experience. He is currently with Rockefeller Financial LLC and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, and several other financial firms. Waters is the sole proprietor of HighStreet Partners, an investment-related business based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Rockefeller Financial LLC serves ultra-high and high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, charities, corporations, and retirement plans, offering wealth management, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan consulting. The firm provides clients with designated Private Advisors who implement strategies using a range of investment options, including alternative and private investments, supported by integrated wealth, trust, and insurance services under the Rockefeller Global Family Office platform.

Alexander Miles is a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 22 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Kingfisher Capital, LLC and Stonecrest Capital Markets Inc. Miles serves as a member of the Board of Visitors at Queens University of Charlotte, contributing to the academic and cultural life of the institution. Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to individuals, high-net-worth families, small business owners, corporate plan sponsors, foundations, and nonprofits. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios with multi-factor tilts and strategic use of low-cost index vehicles.

Ty Grogan is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with two years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Bank of America, Merrill, and UBS Financial Services. Grogan served four years in the US Army and currently receives disability compensation from the Department of Defense. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with existing TIAA retirement plan relationships, as well as trusts, estates, and corporate entities. The firm operates a fiduciary advisory model that separates planning services from ongoing portfolio management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund through Charityvest.

Joseph Lynch IV is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Personal Capital Advisors Corporation, TD Ameritrade, and Vanguard. He also serves as an adjunct instructor at Rowan Cabarrus Community College, teaching accounting courses, and at Central Piedmont Community College, where he teaches within the Certified Financial Planner program. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans, often serving clients connected to employer retirement plans administered by TIAA.

Corey Mcfadden is a financial advisor at PNC Wealth Management in Charlotte, NC, with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at Raymond James, Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc., Merrill, and LPL Financial. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an invitation-only, employee pilot digital offering that uses algorithmic risk assessment and third-party portfolio implementation.

Janet Dukes is a CFP® professional affiliated with Transamerica Financial Advisors with 13 years of industry experience. She has worked at Transamerica Financial Advisors since 2022 and previously spent five years at Avantax Advisory Services. She is also the owner of Herdman Dukes LLC, an investment-related business. Transamerica Financial Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory, brokerage, and retirement-plan services to a diverse client base including individuals, employer-sponsored plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a model portfolio approach with third-party managers and offers multiple program platforms, including Transamerica ONE and the TFA365 Advisory Program.