Pete Trontis is a CFA® charterholder with eight years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Savant Wealth Management and previously worked at Exencial Wealth Advisors, LLC, where he was also an equity partner. Prior to that, he held roles at Willingdon Wealth Management and Horizon Investments. Savant Wealth Management serves a broad client base including individuals, families, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a mixed investment approach combining evidence-based, model-driven asset allocation with actively managed strategies and offers integrated services such as accounting, legal, and trust through affiliated entities.

James Paradise is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 11 years of industry experience. He is currently with Janney Montgomery Scott, having joined in 2026 after a decade at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Bank NA. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is a large, dually registered 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 plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, offering a range of brokerage, financial planning, and advisory services.

Jennifer Hamlin is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having 25 years of industry experience. She has previously worked at MassMutual, Park Avenue Securities, Guardian Life Insurance Company, and MetLife Securities. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines traditional research with AI-enabled tools and offers services through multiple affiliated financial entities.

Andrew Dorrien is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at various Truist entities since 2022. Prior to his advisory roles, he gained experience outside finance, including positions with KW Beverage and Harrington Landscapes. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools for ongoing portfolio monitoring and client consultation, leveraging extensive affiliated financial relationships within the Truist Financial network.

Robyn Ducharme is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Empower, Robyn worked at CarMax Inc for six years and spent seven years in full-time education. 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. The firm’s services leverage integrated recordkeeping and administrative platforms, focusing on long-term portfolio returns and savings rates rather than short-term forecasts.

Shawna Norris is a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott with 23 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at several firms, including Morgan Stanley and Williamson Wealth Group. Janney Montgomery Scott is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base, offering a range of brokerage, financial planning, and advisory services through multiple portfolio management programs.

Magdy Mahmoud is an advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. based in Charlotte, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has experience working in the financial industry since 2014, including positions at Wells Fargo, First Horizon, and Fifth Third Bank. Fifth Third Securities serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions, offering both investment advisory and brokerage services. The firm provides access to multiple investment programs through the Passageway Managed Account platform, combining third-party portfolio managers and advisor-directed strategies.

Martiara Boyd is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Before joining Truist, Boyd held various roles in organizations including the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development and S3 Security. Outside of financial services, Boyd owns MB Luxe Events, a business specializing in event decorating. Truist Advisory Services offers investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a combination of traditional and AI-enabled research tools and provides ongoing monitoring and client consultations through its affiliation with Truist Financial.

William Gibson is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Bank of America and continues to hold a role at First Citizens Bank. Gibson serves on the boards of United Cerebral Palsy of South Carolina and the Town of Matthews Board of Adjustment. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities, utilizing IAR-led assessments and diverse investment strategies across equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs.

Inna Collins is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 17 years of industry experience. She is currently an advisor at MAI Capital Management, LLC and has previously worked at Bank of America, Merrill, and The Vanguard Group. MAI Capital Management, LLC provides investment management, wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and family-office services to a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, families, sports professionals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm manages $72.3 billion in assets and offers customized portfolio strategies integrating equity, fixed income, ETFs, and private investments, with additional services such as trust administration and insurance.

Randy Farina is a CFA® charterholder with six years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Savant Wealth Management since 2026. Prior to joining Savant, he worked at Exencial Wealth Advisors, LLC for six years and had a one-year tenure at Westwood Global. Savant Wealth Management provides wealth management, portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services to individuals, families, corporate clients, and institutions. The firm combines evidence-based, model-driven asset allocation with actively managed strategies and offers integrated accounting, legal, and trust services through affiliated entities.

Michael Hoffmann is a CFA® charterholder with 12 years of industry experience. He is currently with Truist Advisory Services and has been with the Truist organization since 2014, including prior roles at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey and SunTrust Investment Service, Inc. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools to monitor investments and offers a range of advisory services including manager selection through the Envestnet platform.

Matthew Allen is a CFP® with four years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Corient in Charlotte, NC. He has held roles at Corient Services LLC, Choreo, LLC, and The Vanguard Group, Inc., among others. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm uses a goals-based, team investment approach that integrates proprietary and third-party strategies, employing risk management tools and continuously monitoring portfolios to align with client objectives.

William Mc Collum is a CFP®-designated advisor with 29 years of experience, currently with Janney Montgomery Scott since 2024. Before joining Janney, he worked at Robert W. Baird for 13 years. He serves as a board member for the Myers Park Trinity Little League Baseball and the Oceanside West Homeowners Association. Janney Montgomery Scott is a large enterprise firm managing approximately $110 billion in discretionary and non-discretionary assets. The firm serves a diverse client base, including individuals, families, trusts, estates, corporations, retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and municipalities, offering brokerage, financial planning, and advisory services with both in-house and third-party portfolio management.

Jeremiah John is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. He holds a Series 65 designation and has four years of industry experience. Jeremiah has been with Wells Fargo Investment Institute since 2021 and has worked at Wells Fargo Bank since 2004. Wells Fargo Investment Institute provides manager research, global investment strategy, securities research, asset allocation analysis, and model-portfolio services to Wells Fargo affiliates and unaffiliated financial institutions. The firm offers non-discretionary, model-based investment guidance rather than individualized financial planning or direct portfolio management.

Zachary Mc Donald is a CFP® with four years of industry experience, currently advising at Creative Planning in Charlotte, NC. His prior roles include positions at Hornor, Townsend & Kent, LLC and Equitable Distributors, LLC. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to individuals, pension plans, trusts, foundations, and corporations. The firm emphasizes a financial-planning-led investment approach using low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies for long-term goals, supplemented by other specialized strategies and has more than 1,100 advisors managing approximately $295.6 billion in client assets.

David Curry Jr. is a CFP® and Series 66 registered advisor with 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and affiliated with LPL Financial since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he manages Second Half Strategies, LLC and is involved with Bravo Charlie Aviation, LLC, a personal business entity. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm combines discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management with access to a range of investment strategies and technology platforms, operating through a network model with ties to LPL Financial.

William Von Husen III is a financial advisor with Guardian Life in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 26 years of industry experience. His career includes 15 years at CETERA Financial Specialists LLC and multiple roles at Guardian Life and Park Avenue Securities since 2020. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with Doxa Retirement Services, LLC in a non-investment capacity. Guardian Life’s subsidiary, Park Avenue® Wealth Management, provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and nonprofits. The firm combines advisor-led discretionary management with model-based strategies and offers a range of financial planning and consulting services tailored to client needs.

Robert Moore is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in Lowell, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at First Citizens Investor Services, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Wells Fargo, and New York Life Insurance Co. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, delivering services through an integrated model linked to Empower’s administrative platforms. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and offers both point-in-time financial plans and optional managed account solutions.

Timothy Portelance is a financial advisor with Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Raymond James Financial Services and Edward Jones. Outside of advising, he serves as president of the Peninsula at Lake James Property Owners Association. Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise-scale RIA managing approximately $36.7 billion in assets. The firm serves a broad client base including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering advisory services that include discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and pension consulting.