Michael Austin is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Newton, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Thrivent, he worked at Wells Fargo for three years and served in the US Army North Carolina National Guard for 13 years. He is the Committee Chair for Shepherds for Sheepdogs, a nonprofit that provides trained service dogs to veterans and law enforcement officers with PTSD. Thrivent Investment Management offers Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits, focusing on holistic, goal-based planning across various financial topics without managing discretionary trading authority.

Terry Eskind is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Conover, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 36 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2010. Outside of advisory work, he is president of Eskind Group LLC, a company involved in owning and maintaining rental properties. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients across a broad range of financial needs, with over $1 trillion in assets under management and a nationwide network of more than 23,000 advisors. The firm offers various advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated investment products, operating under a fiduciary standard.

John Watkins is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving clients in Western North Carolina. He focuses on developing personalized financial strategies designed to help clients pursue their long-term goals through tailored wealth management approaches that adapt to changing market conditions. John's expertise encompasses areas such as college education planning, corporate benefits, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, and retirement income. He applies his knowledge to assist clients across various financial aspects, including corporate executive services, divorce transition planning, and employee benefits planning. In addition to his professional work, John is active in his community, volunteering with local organizations. He has personal interests in baseball, fishing, golfing, and hunting, reflecting his engagement with the community and leisure activities. John is committed to partnering with clients one-on-one to develop strategies aligned with their individual goals.

Elizabeth Frederick is a financial advisor at Fidelity with seven years of industry experience. Her background includes roles at Merrill, Wells Fargo Clearing, Keller Williams Lake Norman Realty, and L'BRI Pure and Natural. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a blend of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to create model portfolios from mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Samuel Dyer is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with clients to develop strategies to pursue their financial goals by understanding what matters most to them and their families. His approach encompasses general investing, retirement planning, and preparing for unexpected financial needs. Samuel holds a Bachelor's Degree from Appalachian State University and has earned professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He provides ongoing advice and guidance tailored to clients' evolving needs.

Sarah Montgomery is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. She previously worked for Truist Investment Services, Inc. for ten years before joining LPL Financial. 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 plan consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management along with model portfolios and research from multiple sources.

Christopher Mcbride is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been a member of the Lail Watkins Group since joining Merrill in 2014. The team delivers extensive knowledge with combined decades of practical experience, focusing on service and goal-oriented strategies to build and maintain long-term relationships. Leveraging the full enterprise capabilities, they serve clients' investment and banking needs through access to Bank of America. Christopher works as a full-service planner with families possessing $250,000 or more in investible assets, covering areas from asset gathering to legacy planning. He also supports business clients in retirement planning options including 401(k) plans, cash management services, treasury functions, investment management, lending, and business transitions. His client focus areas include education planning, family wealth management strategies, employee financial health, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds a High School Diploma/GED from Summers County and has earned the professional designations Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional work, Christopher enjoys boating, bowling, golfing, pickleball, and spending time with his family.

Anne Abernethy is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors with 18 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Wells Fargo in various capacities since 2009. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a part-time pastor at Bethel United Church of Christ in Hickory, NC. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network provides investment and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients, offering a broad menu of planning options tailored to clients meeting specific net-worth thresholds.

Tomohiko Minami is a CFP® and CFA® professional with 10 years of experience in the financial industry. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2024 and previously held positions at SunTrust Advisory Services and Suntrust Investment Services, Inc. Minami has involvement with a private wealth entity and an insurance agency in addition to his advisory role. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm provides a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including model portfolios and retirement plan consulting, supported by research from LPL Research and third-party subadvisors.

Douglas Rongo is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 25 years of industry experience. His work history includes multiple roles within Cambridge Investment Research entities and Millennium Investment and Retirement Advisors. He serves as treasurer for the Tarheel Chapter of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and retirement-plan sponsors. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent Financial Professionals, utilizing a mix of proprietary and third-party model strategies tailored to client objectives.

Jackson Bell is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with a Series 66 credential and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Edward Jones since 2021 and has prior experience including self-employment and roles outside the financial industry such as with Andy Popplin Basketball Camps and JEA Design. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, and affiliated financial products. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and operates a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Jeffrey Almond is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Hickory, NC, with seven years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked in the mortgage industry at Movement Mortgage and W R Starkey Mortgage. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and corporate entities. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a nationwide network of financial advisors and offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies under a fiduciary standard.

William Barlow is a financial advisor at Edward Jones based in Hickory, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2025. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he was self-employed and owned an exterior house washing business for six years, as well as operating a café for three years. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets across a nationwide network of over 23,700 advisors and offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies alongside affiliated mutual funds and tax-efficient services.

David Brown is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and with 30 years of industry experience. He has worked at Raymond James Financial Services since 1999 and Peoples Bank/Peoples Investment Services since 2015. Brown also serves on the Planning Board for the City of Conover, North Carolina, and acts as trustee and executor for his late father’s estate, including managing the sale of Wilkes Broadcasting Company, a family-owned radio station. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutions. The firm emphasizes tailored, non-discretionary planning using risk profiling and analytical tools, and offers specialized programs such as SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory and municipal advisory services.

Zachary Pierce is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2018. Prior to his advisory career, he worked in retail and food service roles including at Sherrill's Jewelry and Gepetto's Pizza and More. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets with a nationwide network of more than 23,700 advisors, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies under a fiduciary standard.

Collin Carlton is a Series 66-registered financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management, based in Hickory, NC, and has four years of industry experience. He has worked at various Thrivent entities since 2021 and has prior experience at Appalachian State University and Lowe's Home Improvement. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an ambassador for Muller Choker, an outdoor company specializing in hunting and skeet shooting equipment. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, delivering holistic, goal-based financial analyses without discretionary trading authority. The firm offers integrated planning and managed-account services, emphasizing periodic plan reviews and a broad range of financial topics.

Kaden Lail is a Financial Advisor affiliated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he provides clients with financial guidance and strategies tailored to their individual goals, including general investing, retirement planning, and preparing for unforeseen financial needs. He works closely with clients to understand their priorities and develop comprehensive plans to pursue their short-, mid-, and long-term objectives. Additionally, Kaden offers access to Bank of America specialists for services related to banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Kaden holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina System. He has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations, which reflect his commitment to professional development and expertise in retirement planning and investment advisory services. Through ongoing discussions, Kaden provides advice and guidance that adapts as clients' needs evolve, maintaining a focus on uncovering what matters most to them and their families to create effective financial strategies.

Luke Ryan is a financial advisor at Cetera with a Series 66 designation. He has recent experience with David E. Looper & Company, Inc., and multiple roles at Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. Ryan’s background includes work in construction and self-employment prior to entering the advisory field. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts through a nationwide network of more than 10,000 advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services, featuring multi-manager platform options and a suite of affiliated partners supporting diverse investment strategies.

Sandra Austin is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 21 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation for 10 years prior to joining Cambridge in 2021. Outside of her advisory role, she is also an independent insurance agent. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, retirement plan advisory, and financial wellness services through a network of independent professionals using a variety of portfolio management and platform options.

Christopher Brauns is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Taylorsville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with seven years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2019, he worked at Blue Ridge Molding and Scott Insurance. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a managing member of AME Design, LLC, a real estate entity. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a wide range of investment advisory programs and affiliated financial services, supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.