John Black Jr. is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Morganton, NC, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 66 licenses. He has 39 years of industry experience and has been with LPL Financial since 2004. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in managing fixed insurance products. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of advisers. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and diversified strategies.

Susan Singleton is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 25 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2005. Singleton serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for St. Stephens High School Class of 84. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides retirement planning advice focused on income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Joseph Anderson is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at NC Farm Bureau and Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute. Anderson is based in Morganton, NC. 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 and provides a range of advisory programs and investment options through a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Allison Weaver is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Morganton, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. She has also worked in childcare as a nanny since 2021. LPL Financial is a national SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning services, and brokerage solutions, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by extensive research and technology.

Myron Stephens is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Morganton, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. He worked at Blue Ridge HealthCare from 2007 to 2019 before joining Edward Jones. Outside of his advisory role, Stephens is the owner of M & K Collectibles, a business focused on buying and selling sports memorabilia and trading cards, and serves a six-year term as a trustee at First Baptist Church of Morganton. 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 and offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors and over 15,000 branch offices.

Mitchell Sayers is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Hickory, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and having 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at The Vanguard Group, Inc. for one year before joining Ameriprise in 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he owns QC Somm LLC, a private sommelier and wine consulting business. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning through its Ameriprise Premier Retirement Income service. The firm’s approach combines proprietary investment research and algorithmic tools to provide ongoing, tax-aware retirement-income recommendations within a defined investment universe influenced by affiliated product relationships.

Michele Compton is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 30 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Edward Jones and J.W. Cole Financial. Since 2020, she has also been associated with Signature Wealth Group as a Senior Wealth Advisor. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary advisory services supported by advanced analytical tools and has a notable affiliation supporting municipal and public finance work.

Steven Fisher is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Valdese, NC, with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Woodforest National Bank and the Catawba Valley Baptist Association. Outside of his advisory role, he is a co-owner of a rental property business. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a wide range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Matthew Starnes is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 22 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2019 and previously worked at SagePoint Financial and runs Starnes Financial Group. He is also a licensed insurance agent with experience in term life and long-term care insurance. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual clients, retirement plans, financial institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by proprietary and third-party research.

Mark Teague is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial since 2014. He is also authorized to sell Medicare supplemental, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Advantage plans to residents of North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a wide range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, and institutions, offering diverse advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services through a national network of investment adviser representatives.

Peter Nelson is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with 19 years of industry experience. He is currently with OSAIC and has previously worked at Spectrum Financial Inc. and Securities America Advisors. Outside his advisory role, Nelson serves on the board of Exodus Homes, a local nonprofit assisting individuals transitioning from rehab, jail, and prison, where he also chairs the marketing committee. OSAIC serves a wide range of retail and institutional clients, offering integrated brokerage and investment advisory services through a large network of affiliated advisors. The firm employs asset-allocation tools, risk-tolerance assessments, and automated rebalancing to construct diversified portfolios and provides access to third-party money managers and wrap programs.

Michael Austin is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Newton, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Thrivent, he worked at Wells Fargo for three years and served in the US Army North Carolina National Guard for 13 years. He is the Committee Chair for Shepherds for Sheepdogs, a nonprofit that provides trained service dogs to veterans and law enforcement officers with PTSD. Thrivent Investment Management offers Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits, focusing on holistic, goal-based planning across various financial topics without managing discretionary trading authority.

John Watkins is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving clients in Western North Carolina. He focuses on developing personalized financial strategies designed to help clients pursue their long-term goals through tailored wealth management approaches that adapt to changing market conditions. John's expertise encompasses areas such as college education planning, corporate benefits, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, and retirement income. He applies his knowledge to assist clients across various financial aspects, including corporate executive services, divorce transition planning, and employee benefits planning. In addition to his professional work, John is active in his community, volunteering with local organizations. He has personal interests in baseball, fishing, golfing, and hunting, reflecting his engagement with the community and leisure activities. John is committed to partnering with clients one-on-one to develop strategies aligned with their individual goals.

Scott Brooks is a financial advisor with Edward Jones, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Prudential Insurance, LoyaltyEdge LLC, and American Express. Outside of his advisory work, he is a co-owner of rental properties in Morganton, NC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving a broad range of individual and institutional clients. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and offers a variety of investment strategies and affiliated services through a large network of advisors and branch offices.

Samuel Dyer is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with clients to develop strategies to pursue their financial goals by understanding what matters most to them and their families. His approach encompasses general investing, retirement planning, and preparing for unexpected financial needs. Samuel holds a Bachelor's Degree from Appalachian State University and has earned professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He provides ongoing advice and guidance tailored to clients' evolving needs.

Sarah Montgomery is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. She previously worked for Truist Investment Services, Inc. for ten years before joining LPL Financial. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management along with model portfolios and research from multiple sources.

Tyler Barnhardt is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones, based in Morganton, NC, and has seven years of industry experience. Prior to rejoining Edward Jones in 2019, he worked briefly at Quest Capital Strategies, Inc., and has been involved with BH Media Group since 2013. Outside of his advisory work, Barnhardt serves as president of both the Rotary Club of Morganton and the Mountain View Bobcats Athletics booster club. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of investment programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and maintains a large network of financial advisors and branch offices across the United States.

Bradford Link is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 16 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2020, he worked at Cloninger Ford and NC Farm Bureau Insurance. Outside of his advisory role, he occasionally works as a delivery driver for a local pizza restaurant. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Christopher Mcbride is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been a member of the Lail Watkins Group since joining Merrill in 2014. The team delivers extensive knowledge with combined decades of practical experience, focusing on service and goal-oriented strategies to build and maintain long-term relationships. Leveraging the full enterprise capabilities, they serve clients' investment and banking needs through access to Bank of America. Christopher works as a full-service planner with families possessing $250,000 or more in investible assets, covering areas from asset gathering to legacy planning. He also supports business clients in retirement planning options including 401(k) plans, cash management services, treasury functions, investment management, lending, and business transitions. His client focus areas include education planning, family wealth management strategies, employee financial health, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds a High School Diploma/GED from Summers County and has earned the professional designations Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional work, Christopher enjoys boating, bowling, golfing, pickleball, and spending time with his family.

Tomohiko Minami is a CFP® and CFA® professional with 10 years of experience in the financial industry. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2024 and previously held positions at SunTrust Advisory Services and Suntrust Investment Services, Inc. Minami has involvement with a private wealth entity and an insurance agency in addition to his advisory role. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm provides a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including model portfolios and retirement plan consulting, supported by research from LPL Research and third-party subadvisors.