Benjamin White is a CFP® certificant with one year of experience as a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services. He has worked within various divisions of Truist, including Truist Investment Service and Truist Bank, since 2013. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools, to deliver its investment solutions.

Richard Burke is a CFA® charterholder with nine years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. since 2016. Wells Fargo Investment Institute is a bank-affiliate advisory and research organization that provides manager due diligence, securities research, asset-allocation guidance, and model portfolios primarily to Wells Fargo wealth and fiduciary businesses. Its research and strategy teams use both qualitative and quantitative analysis and proprietary forecasting tools to deliver impersonal, non-discretionary advice to affiliated entities.

Kandi Rudolph is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 15 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with TIAA-CREF since 2010. Outside of her advisory role, she is an owner of ELYSSE ROSE LLC, a business involved in hobbies and homemade crafts, and serves as a board member of the Stratford Richardson YMCA. Additionally, she volunteers as the Chapter Financial Secretary for Jack and Jill of America. TIAA-CREF’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, frequently serving clients with existing TIAA-administered retirement relationships. The firm offers both point-in-time financial planning and ongoing discretionary portfolio management, applying a fiduciary standard to its RIA services.

Aaron Emory is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. based in Charlotte, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has five years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Bank, NA. First Citizens Investor Services serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses, providing advisory and brokerage services with a client process focused on needs assessment and diversified investment allocation across equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs.

Anthony Hui is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. based in Charlotte, NC. He holds a Series 65 designation and has experience in both academic and financial sectors, including roles at the Institute for Private Capital, the UNC Department of Economics, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Wells Fargo Investment Institute is an SEC-registered, bank-affiliate advisory and research organization that provides manager due diligence, securities research, asset-allocation guidance, and model portfolios primarily to Wells Fargo wealth and fiduciary businesses. Its research and strategy development are team-based and use both qualitative and quantitative analysis to support bank fiduciary and trust divisions as well as other investment-adviser clients.

Madeline Huffman is a financial advisor at Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC with three years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including LPL Financial LLC and FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC. Her background also includes roles outside finance, such as employment at Wells Fargo Bank and Olympian Grill. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services provides financial planning, asset management, and retirement-plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm manages over $122 billion in assets and employs a diversified investment process that blends passive and active strategies, supported by an internal Investment Committee.

Benjamin Perego is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 23 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA-CREF since 2004. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm serves clients often connected through TIAA‑administered employer retirement plans and manages portfolios using a range of model and customized approaches within a vertically integrated structure.

Brenton Simonson is a Certified Financial Planner® with 17 years of industry experience. He currently works at Creative Planning and previously held roles at LPL Financial and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning-led investment approach focused on low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supported by a large advisory team and integrated investment infrastructure.

Willis Heslep is a financial advisor at Brookstone Capital Management LLC with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has operated Heslep Tax & Retirement Planning since 2021, providing tax preparation and planning services alongside his advisory role. His career includes previous positions at several firms, including Retirement Wealth Advisors, Inc. and AlphaStar Capital Management, LLC. Brookstone Capital Management offers fee-based asset management and financial planning to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, and other business entities. The firm utilizes a variety of strategic asset-allocation models and investment vehicles, including ETFs, mutual funds, and options-enhanced strategies, and provides services through both its own representatives and sub-advisory arrangements.

Rashund Green is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 23 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 and Series 63 designations and has been with TIAA-CREF since 2015. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm serves clients often connected through TIAA-administered employer retirement plans and offers both model-based and customized portfolio management within a vertically integrated structure.

Jacob Hedrick is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 15 years of industry experience. He has been with First Citizens since 2013 and is also involved in real estate through Nellie T Properties, where he participates in investment and management activities. First Citizens Investor Services serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities by providing advisory and brokerage services that include portfolio management, wrap programs, automated investing platforms, and financial planning, emphasizing a client process led by financial needs assessments and diversified investment strategies.

Chad Pannell is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with LPL Financial and Independent Advisor Alliance since 2016. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting services. The firm utilizes a network model of independent advisory representatives and combines discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management with technology platforms for account aggregation and estate planning.

Rama Elasmar is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF, she worked at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and was involved in the hospitality industry managing Layaly Cafe & Hookah Lounge. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, and corporate entities, often serving clients with existing employer retirement plan relationships. The firm distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing portfolio management, providing customized investment solutions within a vertically integrated structure.

Jessica Flynn is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF and Tiaa in 2023, she held various roles including positions at New York University and Alison Brod Marketing and Communications. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, and other entities. The firm separates planning services from ongoing discretionary management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund, operating within a vertically integrated group that utilizes affiliated funds.

Karl Mount III is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. He has worked in various roles within the Bankers Life organization since 2018 and previously operated a bar and grill. In addition to his advisory duties, he recruits and trains insurance agents as a unit field trainer for Bankers Life & Casualty. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals with discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor asset allocations and manages portfolios across multiple securities, with support from affiliated broker-dealer and insurance entities.

David Curry is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and two years of industry experience. His prior work includes six years at Second Half Strategies and three years at HoneyBaked Ham. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering asset management, financial planning, wealth coaching, and retirement plan consulting. The firm utilizes a network model with over 300 advisors and employs various portfolio management strategies supported by technology platforms and third-party managers.

Kevin Hill is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF, he worked at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and held positions at Papa John's Pizza and Ashville High School. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing discretionary management, offering both model and customized portfolio solutions.

Lauren Grames is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and five years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at LPL Financial, Mutual of Omaha, and National Life Group. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base, including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a network model of advisory representatives and combines discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management with access to third-party platforms and services.

Robert Armstrong is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Primerica Advisors with 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at Guardian Life Insurance Company, Park Avenue Securities, and other firms throughout his career. Outside of his advisory role, Armstrong serves as president of a local BNI chapter and participates in peer-to-peer car rental through Turo. Park Avenue Securities LLC serves a diverse retail client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporations, offering brokerage and advisory services alongside financial planning and retirement consulting. The firm utilizes a range of proprietary and third-party investment strategies delivered through various platforms and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary account management.

Matthew Long is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF based in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His career includes positions at Truist, Kovar Wealth Management, A4 Wealth Advisors, and several other firms. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, frequently serving clients with existing relationships through TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm separates one-time planning services from ongoing portfolio management, offers customized and model-based investment strategies, and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund.