Paul Goetz III is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses. He has two years of industry experience, including roles at LPL Financial and R.J. Schrift Private Asset Management. Outside of finance, he owns a home-based detailing business called PGM Detailing. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse clientele, including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a network model with several hundred advisory representatives and integrates various portfolio management strategies alongside technology platforms for comprehensive client service.

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.

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.

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.

Anna Hale is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. She previously worked at Fortegra and held various roles at Florida State University, including Facilities Supervisor and Student Affairs employee. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and offices.

Patrick Wittekind is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 38 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC for 22 years and has been self-employed for over two decades. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a trustee for his own defined benefit and 401(k) retirement plans. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary advisory services and supports its large network with advanced planning tools and specialized programs such as municipal advisory and SIMPLE IRA Employer Consulting Services.

Garrett Wilson is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, with three years of industry experience. He is currently affiliated with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and also operates Wilson Financial Group, LLC. His background includes roles at Heister Wholesale Parts, Campbell University, and Gaston Christian School. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through a network of independent Financial Professionals, providing a range of portfolio management options and institutional resources.

David Weaver is a CFA® charterholder with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at LPL Financial since 2022. Prior to joining LPL, he worked at Fawcett Marine Services, LLC and Mid-Atlantic Boat Sales, LLC. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, providing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by proprietary and third-party research.

Robert Tancredi is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at firms including Bank of America and Merrill Lynch. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services mainly to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

William Thompson is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Clover, SC, holding a Series 66 designation and having seven years with the firm. Prior to joining Edward Jones, his work experience included roles at Print Depot, Hinkle's Animal Hospital, Belk, Inc, Pure Country, and Sparrow Eye Creative. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in cleaning common areas of an office building through a local business in Landrum, SC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory programs and affiliated financial services. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and features a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Lucas Beatty is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Gastonia, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and nine years of industry experience. He has been with Thrivent since 2017. Outside of his advisory role, Beatty serves on the boards of the Dallas, NC Boys and Girls Club and Venture Church. Thrivent Investment Management offers Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, providing comprehensive, goal-based financial plans without discretionary trading authority, typically delivered through a network of Financial Advisors.

Carrie Jones is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services and Cambridge Investment Research. Jones serves as a board member for Serenity Pastoral Counseling, a nonprofit organization. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, and charitable organizations through a large network of advisors. The firm utilizes a range of advisory platforms and investment strategies, offering integrated brokerage, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers.

Adrian Smigiel is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Belmont, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and seven years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2018 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Bank, NA from 2015 to 2018. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Ryan Welsh is a financial advisor at Merrill with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill since 2022, previously holding roles at Bank of America and several other organizations. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a power of attorney for his parents in cases where they are unable to make decisions for themselves. 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. The firm offers a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Brian Benatovich is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving at Cetera in Charlotte, NC. His prior experience includes roles at LPL Enterprise, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and Bankers Life. He volunteers as a board member and financial committee member of the nonprofit Charlotte Curling Association, assisting with the club’s financial management. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and advisory services through a multi-manager platform with access to affiliated and third-party managers, supporting multiple program structures and custodial relationships.

Jabbar Jamison is a financial advisor at Cetera with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has worked previously at MassMutual Investors Services, New York Life, and BB&T. Outside of advising, he has a minority ownership interest in an energy drink company, Premier Manufacturing LLC/Zenedge. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers, overseeing over $256 billion in assets.

Walter Greenwald is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Gastonia, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 38 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Ic Advisory Services Inc and The Investment Center Inc. for 15 years each before joining LPL Financial in 2025. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, various advisory programs, retirement consulting, and brokerage services with both discretionary and non-discretionary management options.

Kristine Pennington is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. Her previous roles include positions at Triad Advisors, Inc., Questar Asset Management, Questar Capital Corporation, and Gcg Wealth Management. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning services, and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary management using research from LPL and third-party subadvisors.

Joshua Shelton is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Kings Mountain, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with eight years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2018, he worked for Broad River Retail dba Ashley HomeStore from 2016 to 2018. Outside of his advisory role, he is vice president of C J Farms Inc in Shelby, NC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices across the country.

Calvin Lougassy is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, and Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of his financial services career, he was involved with Study Hall LLC from 2019 to 2021. 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. The firm offers both model-based and discretionary investment strategies and serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.