Jacqueline Salazar is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill, she worked for Todd Greene CPA PLLC and held roles in education and retail. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, offers managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, providing model-based and discretionary strategies for a range of individual and institutional clients.

Jose Holguin is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. He has worked at Bank of America and Merrill since 2014. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations with model-based and discretionary investment strategies managed by internal and third-party teams.

William Giddens is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Tucson, AZ, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 17 years of industry experience. His career has been primarily with Wells Fargo entity affiliates since 2011. He has a 50% ownership interest in Wing Management, LLC, an investment-related business based in Tucson. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services. The firm’s approach is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related products and bank deposit sweep options in its investment menu.

Micah Cooke is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been in the financial industry since 2021, previously working seven years at Red Lobster. 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 roughly $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Amy Murray is a financial advisor at Merrill with 11 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses. Her prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Holston Medical Group, and Novant Health. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Tracee Pearson is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. She previously worked at Morgan Stanley and Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. outside of her current role. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with additional market-facing registrations, delivering recommendations on a non-discretionary basis while clients retain final decision-making authority.

Chirag Patel is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 10 years of industry experience. He has worked with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and was previously associated with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and First Clearing. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary advice. The firm’s IPS-driven approach incorporates modern portfolio theory and includes a range of investment options such as insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Robert Koppenhofer is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James since 2012. Koppenhofer also works as an associate at Williamson Wealth Group. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and investment consulting using detailed analytical tools and supports municipal and public-finance work through unique affiliations.

Kimberly Ann Loughlin is a financial advisor with Merrill in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2009. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as executor and power of attorney for her parents. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Katlin Moran is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at Wells Fargo affiliates since 2011. 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 provides both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Matthew Alexander is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and has been with The Rutherford Group since 2018. In his role, he helps clients create and track strategies toward financial success. Prior to joining The Rutherford Group, Alexander specialized in retirement income planning, partnering with financial advisors to provide income and protection solutions through MetLife Investors and Brighthouse Financial. Alexander holds a Bachelor's Degree from Appalachian State University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, a designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. He takes a holistic approach when working with clients to create, execute, and monitor wealth management plans. His areas of expertise include employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, and retirement income. Outside of his professional duties, Alexander has personal interests such as boating, camping, football, golfing, music, pickleball, skiing, tennis, and spending time with his family. He has also served as a former board member of the Appalachian State University Alumni Board (Charlotte Chapter).

Olga Guin is a financial advisor with Merrill in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2014. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a co-trustee of a private trust entity. 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. The firm offers both model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Melissa McGrath is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 23 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Provenance Wealth Advisors, Raymond James Financial Services, Financial Resources Group, LPL Financial, and AXA Advisors. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals nearing or in retirement with significant investable assets, providing detailed written recommendation reports that incorporate income sources, Social Security options, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm combines algorithmic automation with personalized review to deliver these recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Ashley Alexander is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having eight years of industry experience. Prior to joining Vanguard, Ashley worked at BMO Harris Bank and has been involved in entrepreneurial activities including ownership of Alexanders BBQ LLC. Vanguard Advisers provides investment advice through a combination of automated platforms and human support, serving retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach to construct portfolios primarily from Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering various customization options and tax-aware strategies.

Michael Ruland is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he works with individuals, families, and businesses to pursue their short-, mid-, and long-term financial objectives by developing custom financial and retirement plans supported by active investment and risk management strategies. He focuses on building deep relationships based on trust and transparency to create tailored solutions that address clients’ retirement planning, business exit planning, portfolio diversification, cash flow management, and tax considerations. Michael’s areas of expertise include college education planning, equity compensation services, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, small business strategies, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. He collaborates with Bank of America specialists to provide clients with access to banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions as needed, ensuring comprehensive financial guidance aligned with each client’s goals. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of South Carolina System and has earned the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. Michael is bilingual in Spanish and English. Outside of work, he enjoys boating, fishing, golfing, reading, running, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Lee Willaford is a CFP® with 26 years of industry experience, currently serving at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Prior to this, he worked at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC from 2013 to 2016. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and is based in Charlotte, NC. 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 IPS-driven advisory process incorporates modern portfolio theory and includes a broader set of financial product offerings, such as insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options, than is typical for large institutional advisers.

Steven Sutton is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Thomas Atkinson, Waddell & Reed, and various insurance carriers. He has also been self-employed during part of his career. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Elizabeth Panos is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and bringing nine years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and also has experience with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank NA. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations. The firm offers a broad range of investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, combining research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute with diversified investment strategies.

Karen Dunphy is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 32 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 1993. 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. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

David Mc Donald is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones, based in Gastonia, NC, and has six years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2019 and is also affiliated with the Gastonia Grizzlies. Outside of his advisory role, he occasionally drives for Uber on weekends. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and operates a nationwide network of over 23,000 financial advisors.