Tonya Guffey is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with two years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Fifth Third Securities since 2022, as well as at Fifth Third Bank since 2018. Prior to that, she was employed at PNC Bank from 2015 to 2018. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors through its Passageway Managed Account Program. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account options and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank.

Jessica Beard is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network based in Lincolnton, NC. She holds a Series 65 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Commonwealth, she worked at Sherrill, Blake & Harrison CPA PA and Abby H. Champion CPA PC, with a combined 13 years in the accounting field. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their retail and institutional clients. The firm provides advisory programs, back-office support, investment management, and technology solutions, allowing affiliated advisors to offer customized portfolio management and a range of program structures under Commonwealth’s supervision.

Patricia Godfrey is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and seven years of industry experience. She also serves as Senior Manager of Sales Operations at Veritas Technologies, LLC, a data information technology firm. Godfrey is a 50% owner of Blackbridge Financial, LLC, a DBA associated with her work at Independent Advisor Alliance. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, wealth coaching, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing a network model of advisory representatives supported by sub-advisors and third-party platforms.

Cassandra Smith is a financial advisor with NewEdge Advisors, holding a Series 65 designation and beginning her industry career in 2026. Her prior work experience includes roles at Dean Financial, Planet Fitness, and Family Video. NewEdge Advisors is an enterprise-scale registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations through a network of independent investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a broad suite of services including portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party managers, utilizing centralized due diligence and technology tools to support advisor and client needs.

John Setzler is a financial advisor with TLG Advisors, Inc. based in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 36 years of industry experience. He has held roles at The Leaders Group Inc, LifeBridge, Premier Planning Group NC, LLC, and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp and Ameritas Investment Corp. Setzler is also president of Premier Planning Group NC, LLC and Optimus Life Designs, both involved in insurance business and client consulting. TLG Advisors, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $2.0 billion in discretionary assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and institutional investors, offering investment supervisory services, financial and estate planning, ERISA fiduciary services, and a direct-to-consumer program called Starlight Portfolios.

Kathy Kuczenski is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing eight years of industry experience. She has worked at Truist Advisory Services and Truist Investment Services since 2021 and previously at Bbtis and Lincoln County Schools. 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 platform arrangements and an Equity Research team that employs AI-enabled tools.

George Bowery is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding a Series 66 designation and 14 years of industry experience. He has worked with SunTrust Advisory Services and related SunTrust entities since 2014. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation, investment policy analysis, fiduciary support, participant advice, and a manager-selection program, implementing advice through discretionary and non-discretionary relationships supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Franklin Mcelroy is a financial advisor at Kestra Advisory with 34 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Mcelroy is co-owner and manager of BMH Investment Group, LLC, where he is involved in business decisions and client management. He also serves on the boards of Beers & Burpees and the CLT Foundation, both charitable organizations serving the greater Charlotte area. Kestra Advisory Services provides investment advisory and retirement-plan consulting to a wide range of institutional and individual clients. The firm offers fiduciary services, plan design and compliance testing, and access to multiple management platforms, serving clients including large institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds.

Matthew Fortenberry is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Denver, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and eight years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Prudential and Wells Fargo Clearing Services. He also operates Alpha Omega Financial, LLC as a separate business activity. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and institutions, offering financial planning, insurance distribution, broker-dealer services, and access to third-party asset management programs. The firm emphasizes a dual-registered model and works extensively with program sponsors and third-party managers to deliver advisory and brokerage solutions.

Jody Delvechio is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 23 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2010. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, employing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and model portfolios.

David Hahl is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with Edward Jones in Cornelius, NC, where he has worked since 2010. He has 15 years of industry experience. Outside of advising, he is involved in managing rental properties through several real estate entities. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, and is notable for its extensive advisor network and affiliated capabilities such as a trust company and securities-based lending.

Hunter Conley is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he works closely with clients to understand their financial goals and develop strategies to pursue their short-, mid-, and long-term objectives. He serves as a resource for investment management, retirement planning, and savings strategies, providing access to a range of financial products and services including banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions offered through Bank of America specialists. Hunter brings expertise in helping individuals manage complex financial priorities such as purchasing a home, funding education, caregiving, and healthcare planning. He offers personalized portfolio strategies designed to align with clients' goals and provides ongoing advice to adapt these plans as clients' situations evolve. His professional designations include Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina System.

Candance Heavner is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Lincolnton, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with three years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2020, following a decade at Lineberger's Cattle Company. Outside of finance, she is involved with Copper Hill Entertainment in Culver City, CA. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs and investment solutions, supported by a nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Mitchell Harris is a CFP® professional with 25 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial in Denver, NC. He has been with LPL Financial since 2013. In addition to his advisory role, he is a Notary Public. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and model portfolios.

Amy Murray is a financial advisor at Merrill with 11 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses. Her prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Holston Medical Group, and Novant Health. Merrill, along 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 model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Robert Koppenhofer is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James since 2012. Koppenhofer also works as an associate at Williamson Wealth Group. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and investment consulting using detailed analytical tools and supports municipal and public-finance work through unique affiliations.

Matthew Foster is a financial advisor at Mass Mutual Investors Services with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at MML Investors Services, LLC since 2020. Prior roles include positions at Mass Mutual Life Insurance Co, Advantage Waypoint, and Cabarrus County Schools. He is also the owner of Elite Equity LLC, an entity used for pass-through compensation. Mass Mutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers collaborative, annual financial planning engagements supported by firm-approved analytical tools, along with various specialized planning programs.

Steven Sparks is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding a Series 66 credential and 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2016 and has provided services under Capital Concepts since 2004. Sparks is also a board member of Hickory Christian Academy. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving individuals across wealth levels, pension plans, charitable organizations, and other clients. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, retirement plan advisory, and financial-wellness services through a network of independent Financial Professionals, using a variety of portfolio management strategies and platform arrangements.

Matthew Clauss is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Cornelius, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley since 2019 and previously held roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, focusing on tailored financial planning and managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm uses structured planning tools and market modeling to support client financial plans, offering services primarily in an advisory capacity.

Zachery Adams is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Cornelius, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC and New Western Acquisitions. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of investment advisory programs and maintaining a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.