Matthew Evans is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been working since 2009. He co-leads a family-office-style approach serving a selective group of clients, including venture capitalists, private equity executives, medical specialists, entrepreneurs, and business owners in Charlotte and across the United States. Matt emphasizes tax minimization and estate planning strategies, collaborating closely with clients' CPAs and attorneys to ensure financial decisions align with family needs. Matt holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University and has earned professional designations including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Over his 15-year career, he has guided clients through significant market events while focusing on managing investment risk and tax consequences. His approach involves crafting tailored strategies that reflect clients' distinctive needs and values, particularly in areas such as equity compensation, liquidity management, socially responsible investing, and managing new wealth. Originally from Pittsburgh, Matt has lived in Charlotte for over 15 years. He is active in the Virginia Tech Alumni Association's Charlotte Chapter and supports United Way. In his personal time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, participating in activities such as golf and skiing.

Michael Bird is a financial advisor with Merrill in Cornelius, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill and Bank of America since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he maintains a rental property where he manages tenant relations. 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 strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Charles Taylor is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Uptown Charlotte. He works with professionals, business owners, retirees, and families to create personalized wealth strategies that focus on what matters most to his clients. His approach emphasizes trust, education, and building long-term relationships. Charles began his career with J.P. Morgan Chase after graduating from High Point University's Phillips School of Business. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2022 and specializes in wealth accumulation, retirement planning, investment management, and long-term financial goals. He holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66 registrations. Outside of his professional work, Charles enjoys running, playing golf, traveling, and supporting the Panthers and Hornets.

Desmond Lawrence is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, with less than one year of industry experience. His prior work history includes roles at Merrill and Tesla, as well as a background as a professional athlete in the Canadian Football League, XFL, AAFL, and NFL. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

William Wilmer Jr. is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 45 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® and Series 63 designations and has worked at OSAIC since 2018, following a two-year tenure at Signator Investors, Inc. In addition to his advisory role, he owns a fixed insurance sales business operated as a sole proprietorship. OSAIC serves a broad range of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated financial advisers and multiple advisory platforms. The firm offers integrated brokerage and investment advisory services, financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to third-party money managers, employing various asset-allocation tools and portfolio management strategies.

Nicole Mccoy is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 28 years of industry experience. Her career includes nearly two decades at Wachovia Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Clearing. She works with Pinnacle Asset Management in a non-investment capacity, referring clients and collaborating with partners. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse clientele, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors. The firm uses analytical tools and tailored advisory programs, with notable offerings in municipal finance and SIMPLE IRA employer advisory services.

Marcus Johnson is a financial advisor with Merrill in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 14 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, SpreeSocial LLC, and TIAA-CREF. He is also the owner of Top Choice Group LLC, a for-profit holding company. Merrill, along 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 a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth families, and institutional investors.

William Swink is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and eight years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Bank since 2019, following roles at Ameriprise Financial Services, Service 1st Mortgage, and other firms. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm offering investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and provides both brokerage and advisory solutions, utilizing research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources to support portfolio construction.

Patricia Moore is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and 23 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 1999. Outside of her advisory role, she holds power of attorney for a family trust. 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, and various institutional accounts.

Sean Olert is a financial advisor at Merrill in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2009. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations with model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Maxwell Clauss is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Cornelius, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and beginning his advisory career in 2025. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he held roles at River Valley Co-op and various organizations including The Libby Museum of Natural History and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients by providing a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. Their approach includes structured discovery conversations and the use of firm-approved planning tools to model financial outcomes.

James Clardy is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 28 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and previously worked at Bank of America, NA for eight years before joining Wells Fargo in 2018. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a trustee for a family trust and is a member of the Membership Committee for the Construction Financial Management Association in Charlotte, NC. 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 vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Rebeca Lacayo is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and three years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo-related entities since 2012 and owns several small businesses, including a door installation company and an online retail shop, and she produces DIY videos on YouTube. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients by providing investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, supported by extensive research and analytics.

Donald Irwin is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors based in Charlotte, NC. He holds the Series 66 designation and has 22 years of industry experience, including sixteen years with Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a committee member for mental health services at Sanctuary Counseling Group and is involved in his local religious organization, St. Francis United Methodist Church. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals, providing a range of portfolio management solutions and model-based strategies tailored to client objectives.

Samuel Pennell Jr. is a Wealth Management Advisor and co-founder of the 282 Group of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Charlotte, North Carolina. In his role, he partners with individuals, families, and institutions to develop strategies focused on helping clients pursue their long-term financial goals. He applies a comprehensive advisory approach that includes investment planning, risk management, and retirement readiness. Sam works with clients across the investment spectrum, providing guidance on portfolio construction, retirement income planning, liquidity solutions, and financial goal setting tailored to individual objectives. He holds the designations of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Sam earned his Bachelor's Degree from NC State University. Outside of his professional work, Sam spends time with his wife, Ashleigh, and their two children. They support the NC State Wolfpack, enjoy hiking, visit South Carolina's beaches, and he pursues his interest in music by attending live shows and record stores. He is also actively involved in the greater Charlotte community through his church and volunteer activities.

Matthew Collins is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Edward Jones in Charlotte, NC, with five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Ameriprise, SECU Brokerage Services, SECU Life Insurance Company, State Employees' Credit Union, and Wells Fargo. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm operates under a fiduciary standard and is notable for its extensive retail advisor and branch network, as well as its affiliated trust and securities-based lending services.

Justin Plante is a financial advisor at Fisher Investments with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Hennion & Walsh, Inc. and Nuveen Securities LLC. Based in Charlotte, NC, he has been with Fisher Investments since 2026. Fisher Investments serves a global mix of institutional and private clients, offering discretionary portfolio management across equity, fixed-income, and blended mandates. The firm utilizes a centralized Investment Policy Committee and employs tax-aware strategies and risk management techniques, serving a diverse client base that includes pension plans, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.

Lisa Premo is a financial advisor with Merrill in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 20 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2007 and has also worked at Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through model-based and discretionary strategies. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors, offering investment solutions designed and implemented by internal teams and third-party managers.

Maghan Kuehl is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with eight years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing Services, Wells Fargo Bank, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, InnoSource, U.S. Bank, and U.S. Bancorp Investments. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates a broad range of financial products, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Andrew McPhail is a CFP® and CFA® with nine years of experience in financial services. He has worked at Wells Fargo Bank since 2016 and Wells Fargo Clearing Services since 2021. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory, financial planning, wrap-fee programs, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from the Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.