Susan Whitfield is a CFP® with 22 years of industry experience, currently serving Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC. She has worked with Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 2006 and has maintained a concurrent role at Ballantyne Tax & Finance since 2004, where she is the founder and owner providing tax and financial planning services. In addition to her advisory work, she holds a real estate license and acts as an agent for several insurance companies. Capital Investment Advisory Services provides portfolio management and supervisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable institutions. The firm offers customized investment programs using a variety of analytical methods and manages the majority of its assets on a discretionary basis.

John Palko is a CFP® professional with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC since 2018. He previously worked at Bb&T Securities, LLC from 2013 to 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he is a general board member of the Matthews Area Chamber of Commerce. Capital Investment Advisory Services provides portfolio management and supervisory services to individuals, corporations, retirement plans, trusts, estates, foundations, and charitable institutions. The firm offers customized investment solutions through separately managed accounts, third-party asset managers, and financial planning services, managing most assets on a discretionary basis.

Robert Falconer is a financial advisor at Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with five years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at LPL Financial, MML Investors Services, Mass Mutual Life Insurance, and involvement with golf-related companies such as Titleist Golf Company and Eastward Ho Golf Club. Guardian Wealth Advisors serves individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities by providing investment advisory, portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a mix of fundamental and technical analysis within a systematic, quantitative framework and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary management.

Trevor Nace is a financial advisor at SageSpring Wealth Partners in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 65 designation. Although new to the financial advisory industry, he has prior experience with firms such as Collector's Edge Minerals, Science Trends LLC, Forbes Media LLC, and Shell Exploration & Production Company. He has been involved with Science Trends LLC since 2019. SageSpring Wealth Partners manages approximately $8.5 billion for over 11,500 clients, serving a wide range of individual and institutional clients. The firm offers customized portfolios using fundamental and technical analysis, and provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and third-party manager oversight.

Matthew Vaughan is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 19 years of industry experience. He has worked at Capital Investment Advisory Services and Capital Investment Brokerage since 2020, and previously was with Acorn Financial Advisory Services and The Strategic Financial Alliance from 2015 to 2020. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in fixed insurance sales as an agent. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers personalized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, or centrally managed private-label model portfolios, utilizing a mix of analytical methods and ongoing portfolio reviews.

Tony Mcneill is a financial advisor with Chelsea Advisory Services, Inc. holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Chelsea Financial Services since 2019 and previously held positions at Royal Alliance Associates and John Hancock SII. He also operates McNeill Financial Services, a separate business. Chelsea Advisory Services provides financial planning, investment advisory, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, and corporate entities. The firm follows a fundamental, long-term investment approach, managing diversified portfolios primarily on a discretionary basis while offering periodic compliance and portfolio reviews.

Francis Thomas is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 26 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Rising Tide, Inc. and Capital Investment Group, Inc., alongside operating his own insurance agency, F. Michael Thomas & Associates, since 1985. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC offers investment advisory and supervisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an individualized process and a range of analytical methods to manage portfolios through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, or private-label model portfolios.

David Wahlen is a financial advisor with Merit Financial Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at CapFinancial Partners LLC (CAPTRUST) and Hatteras Funds. Outside of his advisory duties, he serves as a consultant sharing his expertise on the competitive landscape and key trends of the RIA industry with several third-party research firms. Merit Financial Group is a multi-team SEC-registered advisory firm serving individual investors, employer-sponsored retirement plans, ESOPs, and other institutional clients. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing a centrally managed investment approach with customizable model portfolios overseen by an internal investment committee.

Ronald Jackson is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. He has one year of industry experience, including roles at Principal Life Insurance Company, Principal Financial Services, Principal Bank, and prior experience with Fidelity Investments. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary wrap-fee investment management program called SimpleInvest. The firm uses a blend of third-party methodologies and proprietary models, leverages its affiliation with Principal Financial Group, and maintains governance and supervision frameworks to manage conflicts of interest.

Thomas Corenevsky is a financial advisor at Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC with 33 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses. Prior to joining Wealthcare Advisory Partners in 2021, he worked at LPL Financial for 18 years. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC manages approximately $6 billion in client assets through a team of over 150 advisors, serving individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm combines a goals-based, client-centered planning process with an evidence-based investment framework that includes proprietary quantitative measures and access to alternative and private placement investments.

Ron Linton is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 designation with 23 years of industry experience. He is currently with Level Four Advisory Services, where he has worked since 2025. Prior to this, he spent 12 years at The Fidelity Bank and LPL Financial. Level Four Advisory Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $6.5 billion and serves individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and municipal entities. The firm offers financial planning, asset and portfolio management, retirement-plan consulting, and fiduciary services, utilizing model portfolios and a variety of platform and sub-advisor arrangements.

Lucas Roberson is a financial advisor at Balentine in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at CapFinancial Partners, Fisher Investments, and Whitener Capital Management. Before entering the financial sector, he worked in event production and sports network roles. Balentine serves entrepreneurs, families, high-net-worth individuals, and institutional clients by providing wealth management, financial planning, investment management, family office services, and sub-advisory arrangements. The firm employs a model-driven investment approach based on a Capital Markets Forecast and asset allocation framework that combines active and passive strategies, including managing private funds and pooled investment vehicles.

Donald Parrott is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. since 1996. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the committee for the Presbyterian Endowment Trust at First Presbyterian Church in Gastonia and is an advisory board member for Gaston Skills, Inc., a nonprofit supporting employment for mentally and physically challenged individuals. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers personalized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, using a mix of analytical methods and ongoing monitoring.

Mark Mc Cormick is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Founders Financial Alliance since 2018 and previously worked at NTT Data in 2016-2017. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary, fee-based investment management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate retirement plans. The firm employs an evidence-based investment approach tailored to individual goals, combining asset allocation, rebalancing, and a mix of strategies, while also supporting advisors with administrative and compliance resources.

Martha Thorne is a financial advisor at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC with four years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked with Capital Investment Group, Inc. and Mainstreet Collection prior to her current role. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, utilizing a range of analytical methods and conducting at least quarterly portfolio reviews.

John Maddison is a financial advisor at Balentine with CFP®, CFA®, and Series 66 designations and two years of industry experience. He has been with Balentine, LLC since 2014. Balentine serves entrepreneurs, families, high-net-worth individuals, and institutional clients by providing wealth management, financial planning, investment management, family office services, and sub‑advisory arrangements. The firm uses a seven-year Capital Markets Forecast and a Building Blocks framework for asset allocation, combining active and passive strategies and third‑party sub‑advisers.

Alejandro Segovia is a financial advisor with Mission Wealth Management, LP in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 65 designation and five years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Beacon Pointe Advisors and ADP, and spent four years at the University of Arizona. Mission Wealth Management serves high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutional clients, providing wealth management, financial planning, investment management, and consulting services. The firm employs a comprehensive approach that integrates investment management with tax, trust, legacy, philanthropy, and risk planning, managing a diverse range of portfolios with both discretionary and client-directed options.

Joshua Thomas is a financial advisor with SVB Wealth who holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has 32 years of industry experience. He has worked at several firms including First Citizens Investor Services, Silicon Valley Bank, Wells Fargo Clearing, and Fidelity. At SVB Wealth, he serves as Director of Affluent Wealth Advisors, supervising registered individuals who provide wealth management advice. SVB Wealth LLC offers wealth management, portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm utilizes a due diligence process to select and monitor third-party managers and operates as a wholly owned, non-bank subsidiary of First Citizens Bank & Trust Company, integrating bank, trust, broker-dealer, and asset management services.

Daniel Martin is a financial advisor with Advisory Services Network, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses. He has over 12 years of industry experience, including a 12-year tenure at Abrams Bison Investments before joining Advisory Services Network. Advisory Services Network serves individuals, families, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans through a network of independent investment adviser representatives. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, employing strategies tailored to client objectives and utilizing a broad range of investment products.

Paul Howland is a financial advisor at Gradient Investments, LLC with one year of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked with Civitas Financial LLC, ESI Financial Advisors, Equity Services, Inc., Cornerstone Advisory Group LLC, Aristotle Spirits, and Pearl Therapeutics. Gradient Investments provides discretionary investment management to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a proprietary Wright Investment Strategies framework and offers a variety of model and custom portfolios, managing assets on a strictly fee-only basis.