Lucas Beatty is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with nine years of industry experience. He has been with Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management since 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member for the Dallas, NC Boys and Girls Club and as a trustee for Venture Church. Thrivent Investment Management offers dedicated planning services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients. The firm provides holistic, goal-based analyses addressing a broad range of financial planning topics, with opportunities to combine planning and managed-account services under a consolidated billing option.

Carrie Jones is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked previously at Woodbury Financial Services Inc and Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. Jones serves as a board member for Serenity Pastoral Counseling, a nonprofit organization. OSAIC Wealth serves a broad mix of retail and institutional clients through a multi-advisor platform offering brokerage and advisory services, including comprehensive financial planning and third-party money manager programs. The firm’s investment process emphasizes model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization, with a notable scale and a complex affiliate network supporting its platform.

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. He currently works at Cetera and has previously been associated with firms including LPL Enterprise, Prudential Insurance Company of America, and Bankers Life. Outside of his advisory role, Benatovich serves as a volunteer board member and financial committee member for the Charlotte Curling Association, a nonprofit sports club. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers.

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, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 38 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2025, he worked at IC Advisory Services Inc. and The Investment Center Inc. for 15 years, as well as at Next Financial Group, Inc. and FFP Advisory Services Inc. Greenwald's other business activities include roles related to non-variable insurance products. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Kristine Pennington is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 17 years of industry experience. She has held prior roles at Triad Advisors, Inc., Questar Asset Management, Questar Capital Corporation, and GCG Wealth Management. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. LPL Financial is a national broker‑dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services with diverse investment options and utilizes technology tools for operational and research support.

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.

James Shoemaker is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 43 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. since 2011. Ameriprise provides a retirement-income planning service designed for clients with significant investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver personalized, non-discretionary recommendations. The firm offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through affiliated entities.

Leah Flores is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Belmont, NC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and totaling 25 years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo Bank and Wells Fargo Clearing in various roles since 2000. 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 offers both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Veronica Lommel is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 17 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Wells Fargo and JPMorgan affiliates throughout her career. Outside of finance, she works as a part-time delivery driver for DoorDash. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s investment approach is IPS-driven and uses modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Charlene Hall is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. She has been with Primerica Advisors since 1992 and with Primerica Financial Services since 1990. In addition to her advisory role, she is involved in sales of loan products and home security and automation services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management primarily through its Lifetime Investment Program, which offers model-delivery strategies and a limited number of discretionary separately managed account options to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm uses third-party asset managers and BNY Mellon Advisors for model implementation, with a wrap-fee structure and a focus on curated investment models.

Michael Fayed is a CFP® professional with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2018. His prior experience includes roles at Summit Financial Group, Capital Guardian Wealth Management, and Raymond James Financial Services. He serves on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club of Gaston County, the Heart Society of Gaston County, and the Gaston Community Foundation. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a wide range of individual and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs. The firm manages a multi-billion dollar asset base through thousands of financial professionals and provides access to multiple platforms, third-party advisers, and proprietary model strategies.

Cassia Reed is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with Series 66 credentials and two years of industry experience. She has worked at Edward Jones since 2017 in various roles and has prior experience with Upward Sports. Outside of advising, she is involved in a woodworking and fencing business where she assists in planning and execution. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory programs and investment solutions. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets through a large network of financial advisors and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, including tax-efficient services and proprietary investment options.

Michael Holdenrid is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and holds a Series 66 designation. He has 14 years of industry experience, including prior roles at Nationwide Securities LLC, Nationwide Insurance, Vision Capital & Management, and FSC Securities Corporation. Outside of his advisory work, he is president of Caden Wealth Management, LLC, an independent insurance agent, and serves as an advisory representative of a registered investment advisor. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves individual and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations, by providing financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs. The firm supports both discretionary and non-discretionary management across multiple platforms and offers proprietary and third-party model strategies.

Jay Collins is a financial advisor with Fidelity Investments based in Bessemer City, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has four years of industry experience, including prior roles at Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC and Digital Intelligence Systems. Outside of finance, he has worked in the hospitality sector, including time with Banner Elk Winery. He is affiliated with Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company that provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients. The firm uses a blend of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage model portfolios across mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Neal Miller is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones, based in Pineville, NC, with four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2022, he spent six years at Winthrop University, where he also serves as an event coordinator. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supporting over 23,000 advisors nationwide and managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets.

Noah Horn is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Belmont, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with approximately four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2026, he worked at Olly Olly and has held various roles connected to education and community organizations. He has been involved with Freedom School Partners and Mecklenburg Community Church. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth households. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and provides a range of investment strategies and affiliated services through a large network of advisors and branch offices nationwide.