Clayton Charland is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Charles Schwab in Cary, NC. His prior roles include positions at TD Ameritrade, Domani Wealth, LPL Financial, Atlas Private Wealth Advisors, and John Driscoll & Co. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves a large client base, primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, offering wealth advisory wrap fee programs alongside affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to discretionary separately managed accounts, supported by a multi-asset model portfolio approach and centralized operational infrastructure.

Brant Spesshardt is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC, holding the CFP® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 26 years of industry experience, previously working at FSC Securities and OSAIC. Outside of his advisory role, he is a partner in an insurance agency where he assists with agency oversight. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides financial planning and investment management through a broad network of advisors utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies.

Russell Emrath is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Apex, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated firms since 2008. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets, providing detailed written Recommendation Reports that cover income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis, delivering personalized, algorithm-assisted recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Brian Shobert is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Wells Fargo in various capacities since 2009. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as a FINRA arbitrator, assisting in dispute resolution. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser that provides investment and fee-based financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of planning services utilizing proprietary research and tools, with advisors delivering tailored recommendations on a discrete engagement basis.

Jonathan Foley is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and was previously with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as trustee and holds power of attorney for his mother's trust in Raleigh, 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 broad range of investment options, such as insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Keith Jackson is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with six years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Wells Fargo Clearing Services and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank. Outside of traditional advisory roles, he was involved with TAK30V3RMUSIC from 2020 to 2024. J.P. Morgan Securities primarily serves institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, providing investment consulting and advisory services through a process that combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence. The firm applies an ESG eligibility framework when recommending strategies and operates within the larger J.P. Morgan banking and broker-dealer organization.

Drew Steffens is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been serving clients since 1994. He specializes in building long-term relationships with high net worth families and focuses on restricted and concentrated stock strategies, investment manager due diligence, and asset allocation modeling. Drew's client services include Corporate Executive Services, Family Wealth Management Strategies, Legacy Planning, Liquidity Management, Managing New Wealth, and Portfolio Management Services. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Dartmouth College and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Over his career, Drew has been recognized with multiple industry honors, including being named to the Barron's Top 1000 and Top 1200 Advisor lists during the early 2010s, as well as repeated appearances on the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors and Wealth Management Teams lists throughout the 2020s. Drew has contributed to the community through his service on various boards, including the Montessori School of Raleigh Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2005, the North Carolina Symphony Foundation Board from 1998 to 2004, the North Ridge Country Club Board of Governors from 2017 to 2019, and the Old Chatham Board of Directors beginning in 2025. He resides in Raleigh with his wife and four children, and in his personal time he enjoys drawing/sketching, golfing, reading, and spending time with his family.

Dustin Hall is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 22 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial in Cary, NC. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2005, with a brief period at Cetera Wealth Services from 2005 to 2008. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved in tax preparation services through Hall & Burns Tax Management, LLC. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management solutions, including access to third-party asset managers and institutional platforms.

Jason Kristof is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. He previously worked at Merrill from 2014 to 2021 and has been with Raymond James since 2021. Outside of his advisory role, he works as a product specialist at Audi Cary. Raymond James & Associates is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base, offering financial planning and investment consulting through various programs, with a non-discretionary approach that involves tailored planning and a range of portfolio management styles.

Matthew Savidge is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and two years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Mid America Apartments and Greystar prior to joining Ameriprise. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving both individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning through its Premier Retirement Income service, which provides ongoing tax-aware withdrawal strategies and personalized recommendation reports.

Geoffrey Bell is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 2005, where he works with executives and families to manage wealth, focusing on complex multi-generational needs. His role involves wealth forecasting, portfolio management, analytics, and performance reviews. Geoffrey also assists clients with developing restricted-stock award strategies, including Rule 10b5-1 programs and other Rule 144 issues, as well as facilitating family meetings concerning intergenerational wealth transfers. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Geoffrey earned bachelor's degrees in economics and management and society from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He currently serves as corporate secretary for the Research Triangle Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors. Outside of his professional career, Geoffrey enjoys outdoor activities including soccer, mountain biking, golf, skiing, and skydiving. He lives in Cary, North Carolina, with his wife and their four children.

Elizabeth Scott is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill, she worked for Modern Woodmen of America and MWA Financial Services, each for four years. 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 investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

William Stephens is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with clients to develop personalized wealth management strategies that connect all aspects of their financial lives, helping them prioritize and pursue the goals that matter most to them. His areas of expertise include family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. William holds professional designations such as Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from East Carolina University. Outside of his professional pursuits, William enjoys adventure sports, fishing, football, hunting, pickleball, surfing, and spending time with his family.

Timothy Nash is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has recently started his career in the financial industry, joining Equitable Advisors in 2026. Prior to his current role, he held positions at Prospera Financial Services and was affiliated with High Point University and Aquatic Management Group in various capacities. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management programs to individuals, pension plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and other institutional clients. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and third-party asset managers to deliver tailored investment solutions across mutual funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts, and select alternative investments.

Frederick Cutter IV is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and possessing 14 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Edward Jones, Cetera Advisors LLC, and his own firm, FWC Financial, where he remains involved. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning, portfolio management, and institutional platforms, supported by both proprietary research and third-party subadvisors.

Zachary Hauser is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Merrill, Bank of America, Elon University, Cape Fear Community College, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Outside of financial services, he has experience with Kustom Koozies, a business he was involved with for three years. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program to Bank of America fiduciary clients. The firm offers a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies designed for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Mary Akin is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009 and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, including tailored financial planning through its Financial Advisors and Estate Planning Strategies Group. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process utilizing firm-approved tools and modeling techniques.

Jay Rapp is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of the Harrison Rapp Mansfield & Associates Team. In this role, he is responsible for designing the team's approach to wealth management, focusing on investment research, portfolio development, and outside investment manager analysis. Jay assists the team by conducting both macroeconomic and investment-oriented research to develop proprietary and client-specific customized strategies. He manages discretionary investment strategies and selects from a variety of Merrill model portfolios and third-party investment options to help clients pursue their financial objectives. Jay began his career in financial services with UBS in 2008 before joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2012. He holds Bachelor Degrees in Finance and Sports Management from North Carolina State University and earned a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Jay is fluent in English and French, and he earned his high school diploma from the International School of Geneva. Residing in Cary, North Carolina, Jay lives with his wife Katy and their sons Cole and Eli. He serves as Vice President of the Stay Strong vs ALS organization and is a minority owner of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes. In addition to his professional work, Jay participates actively in community organizations such as Stay Strong vs ALS.

Bruce Sharpe is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and over 26 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, Sharpe serves as a trustee for multiple nonprofit organizations, including Communities Schools of Wake County and the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and is involved with regional economic development initiatives. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and advisory offerings, utilizing proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor investment plans. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services across a broad platform of financial products and services.

Alexis Turner is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with six years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2012, including a role at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2024. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that provides advisory programs and tailored financial planning to individuals and institutional clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm uses a structured financial planning process supported by firm-approved tools and offers a broad range of retail and institutional investment solutions.