Deanna Strean is a financial advisor at Focus Partners Wealth, LLC with 16 years of industry experience and a Series 66 designation. Her prior roles include positions at The Colony Group, Buckingham Strategic Wealth, Carolina Capital Consulting, Contrary Investment Advisors, and Strean Financial Services. Focus Partners Wealth serves individuals, families, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional retirement plans by providing investment management, financial planning, tax and compliance support, family office and business management, and employee benefit retirement plan services. The firm employs a long-term investment approach that integrates active and passive strategies, third-party managers, and private funds, customizing portfolios to clients’ specific risk tolerance, liquidity, and tax circumstances.

Kristy Meeler is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 21 years of industry experience. She is currently with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and has also worked at LPL Financial since 2013. Outside of her advisory role, she offers insurance to small groups and individuals through multiple carriers as needed. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, and charitable organizations, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a network model of independent advisory representatives and combines discretionary portfolio management with access to third-party managers and technology platforms for comprehensive client service.

Michael Dautel is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Truist Advisory Services since 2021, following previous roles at TRUIST INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC., BB&T Investment Services, Inc., Banc Of America Investment Services, Inc., and Quick & Reilly, Inc. 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 leverages a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools, offering comprehensive reviews and reporting while operating within a broad network of affiliated financial entities.

Brian Guild is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. based in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 11 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Bankers Life entities since 2008 and serves as president of BGUILD Financial, an LLC he oversees. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to create tailored asset allocations and manages portfolios across a broad range of securities aligned with clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

Terry Estes is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional affiliated with Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC, with 26 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones for over two decades and has held roles at Freedom Street Partners and Raymond James Financial Services. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a board member for the Union County Community Shelter, where he organizes fundraising events. Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC is a large SEC-registered RIA managing approximately $36.7 billion in assets. The firm serves a broad client base including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering diverse investment advisory and financial planning services with both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management options.

John Czura is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Prior to joining Truist, he worked at Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC. 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 to support asset allocation strategies and ongoing client reviews.

Michael Willard is a financial advisor with Equity Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 license and 12 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Foundations Investment Advisors LLC, Alloy Wealth Holdings, Alloy Wealth Management, and Edward Jones. Outside of his advisory work, he is listed as owner and president of Forged Financial LLC. Equity Services, Inc., operating as ESI Financial Advisors, provides financial planning, consulting, and asset management services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans. The firm offers multiple advisory platforms that combine long-term investment strategies with options for shorter-term trading and specialized instruments, managing both discretionary and non-discretionary assets.

William Semans is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at several firms including Merrill, UBS Financial Services, Deutsche Bank Securities, and BB&T Securities prior to joining Truist. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines traditional research with AI-enabled tools and offers ongoing client reviews, utilizing a range of affiliated financial relationships to support its advisory offerings.

Charles Dixon is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has worked at firms including LPL Financial, Ameriprise, and Wells Fargo Clearing. Dixon is also involved in an investment company, KDX Partners LLC. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, and charitable organizations, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a network model with numerous advisory representatives and incorporates both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by various investment strategies and technology platforms.

Cathie Clontz is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 24 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at several firms including BB&T Securities, PNC Investments, and Edward Jones. She is based in Charlotte, NC. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools to support asset allocation and manager selection, and offers ongoing client reviews and reporting.

Samantha Allen is a CFP® professional with seven years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently with VOYA Financial Advisors, Inc. and previously worked at The Vanguard Group, Inc. for six years. VOYA Financial Advisors, Inc. is an enterprise-scale advisory and broker-dealer affiliate of Voya Financial that provides financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement advisory services to individuals, institutions, and corporate clients. The firm offers a mix of discretionary and non-discretionary account management, leveraging both in-house and third-party strategies supported by technology-enabled tools.

Mickey Howell is a CFP® professional at Rockefeller Financial LLC with three years of industry experience. He previously worked at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company and Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC. Rockefeller Financial LLC serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, institutional clients, retirement plans, foundations, and corporations. The firm provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services through a Private Advisor model and an integrated investment platform, while also operating as a registered broker-dealer offering securities transactions, variable insurance products, and placement and investment banking services.

Jamie Smothers is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding the CFP® designation and Series 66 license. She has 20 years of industry experience, all with First Citizens Investor Services since 2006. Outside of her advisory role, Jamie is involved in property management through Peak Property Management LLC, where she participates in purchasing, repairing, and managing residential properties. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities by providing advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers portfolio management, wrap programs, model portfolios, and financial planning, utilizing a client process focused on financial needs and risk assessment with a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis.

Ian Peters is a financial advisor at Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses with three years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at NYLIFE Securities LLC, New York Life Insurance Company, and Trinity Wealth Securities, LLC. Outside of advising, he is involved with Little Bridges LLC, a business he has been part of since 2022. Eagle Strategies serves individual and institutional clients by providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services through a large network of affiliated advisers. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and predominantly manages assets on a non-discretionary basis, with specialized advisory services linked to insurance and annuity products within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.

Harold Lockwood Jr. is a CFP® and ChFC® with 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. since 2021 and has prior experience at Truist and BB&T in various advisory and investment roles. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a client process focused on assessing financial needs and risk tolerance, utilizing fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to manage diversified portfolios.

Douglas Merrigan is a CFP® professional with 28 years of experience in the financial services industry. He currently works at Schwab Wealth Advisory and previously held positions at The Vanguard Group, LPL Financial, and Uvest Financial Services Group. Outside of his advisory role, he manages a rental property in Ocean Isle Beach. Schwab Wealth Advisory serves clients enrolled in the Schwab Wealth Advisory program and certain Charles Schwab & Co.-referred clients by providing non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice, financial planning, and wealth management consultations. The firm’s approach includes asset allocation guidance based on proprietary Schwab models and research, with trade execution requiring client authorization.

Kimberly Chessler is a financial advisor at Citigroup Global Markets with 17 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Citigroup Global Markets since 2006. Citigroup Global Markets serves individual and institutional clients across private banking, workplace wealth management, and high-net-worth segments. The firm implements multi-asset, multi-manager investment strategies through discretionary and non-discretionary programs, offering a broad range of advisory services supported by extensive in-house research and execution capabilities.

Noel Simons is a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott LLC with 26 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Wells Fargo Clearing, Bb&T Securities, Scott & Stringfellow, and Banc of America Investment Services. 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 brokerage services, financial planning, consulting, and multiple advisory programs.

Dylan Power is a financial advisor at Cerity Partners LLC with 10 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC, and The Ayco Company, L.P./Mercer Allied. Cerity Partners advises a wide range of clients, including high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, estates, business entities, charitable institutions, and institutional investors, managing approximately $166.2 billion in client assets as of December 31, 2025. The firm offers customized wealth management services and combines proprietary quantitative screening and direct security selection with access to alternative and private market solutions for qualified clients.

Colton Mendenhall is a financial advisor with Guardian Life, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo and Consolidated Planning. He also engages in independent insurance sales outside of Guardian Life. Guardian Life, through its subsidiary Park Avenue Securities, offers brokerage and advisory services to individuals, businesses, and organizations, combining advisor-led discretionary management with model-based strategies and a range of financial planning and consulting solutions.