Amy Button is a financial advisor with Merrill in Fayetteville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2010. Outside of her advisory role, she co-owns a small home business called Glimpse of Hope Jewelry, which creates hand-made costume jewelry and donates half of its sales to local women’s charities. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services for Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Wilton Cross is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Fayetteville, NC, with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has been with Edward Jones since 2001. Edward Jones is a wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, including high- and non-high-net-worth households, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory services, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Joy Wicker is a financial advisor with Fidelity Investments, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and 24 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, Wells Fargo Advisors, and Wells Fargo Clearing. She works with Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company that provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients. The firm uses a combination of proprietary research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage portfolios and serves as an advisor to multiple registered investment companies and fund-of-funds.

Jonathan Collins is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Fayetteville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he served in the Army National Guard and held roles at Campbell Soup Company and Pilkington North America. He is also the Chief Financial Officer of Zero Drag LLC, a manufacturing business in Laurinburg, NC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs and investment solutions, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Patrick Banville is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors and holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. He has seven years of industry experience, including roles at Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC and Fidelity Investments. He has been with Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network since 2021. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network serves individuals, trusts, and institutional clients by providing a range of investment and fee-based financial planning services. The firm offers tailored financial planning solutions using proprietary research and planning tools, supporting clients across various complex needs such as retirement and business-owner transition planning.

Elisha Freeman is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 credential and three years of industry experience. Prior to Merrill, Elisha worked at First South Bank for three years. Outside of advisory work, Elisha serves as a committee member for the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corp, assisting with grant recommendations to support local small businesses. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients via the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Lisa Lampkins is a financial advisor at Merrill with 11 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. She has been with Merrill since 1997 in various capacities. Outside of her advisory work, she serves as an executor for an estate in Fayetteville, 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Scott Azzarelli is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related products and bank deposit sweep options in its investment menus.

Kenneth Lawhead is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career in financial services in 2011 and joined Merrill Lynch in 2014. Kenneth works with clients to simplify financial complexities by providing guidance on short- and long-term financial goals. His expertise includes education planning, family wealth management strategies, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and retirement income. He collaborates with clients to understand their broader concerns—including social, moral, ethical, and environmental factors—in addition to financial objectives. Kenneth holds multiple professional designations, including Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS), Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). His educational background includes an Associate’s Degree from Cuyamaca College, a Bachelor’s Degree from Capella University, a Master’s Degree from the University of North Carolina System, and accredited certificate programs from the College for Financial Planning and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He earned his high school diploma from Valhalla High School. Originally from San Diego, California, Kenneth relocated to Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 2011. He currently resides in Raeford with his wife Laura and daughter Cordelia. Outside of work, Kenneth enjoys playing guitar and drums, writing music with his wife, and spending time with his family. He is a member of the Cape Fear Kiwanis Club and the Cumberland County Partnership For Children.

Christy Kennedy is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and bringing 23 years of industry experience. She has worked with Primerica since 2002 and has also served in educational roles at Moore County Schools and Wake County Schools. In addition to her advisory work, she is involved in sales of home-related products through affiliated companies, including mortgage loan products and home security referrals. Primerica Advisors sponsors a wrap-fee asset management program primarily serving individual investors, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and charitable entities. The firm uses model-delivery investment strategies managed by unaffiliated asset managers and supports trade execution and custody through established custodians.