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.

Seth Gullet is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at 84 Lumber and North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance Group. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering goal-based financial analyses and recommendations without discretionary trading authority. The firm’s approach integrates planning with managed-account programs through a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan,” while maintaining separate services for planning and portfolio management.

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.

Rachel Weiland is a CFP® professional with six years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edward Jones. She joined Edward Jones in 2019 after working in various roles including restaurant and small business operations. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm that serves a diverse client base including individual and institutional investors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment options, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Sandra Austin is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 21 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation and Synergy Investment Group. Outside of her advisory work, she is an independent insurance agent. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a range of individual and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs through thousands of financial professionals, managing a multi-billion dollar asset base across multiple platforms.

Jordan Greene is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with LPL Financial, based in Morganton, NC, with 11 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2015. 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 broad range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to third-party asset management, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Charlene Meadows is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 21 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan Securities, Chase Investment Services Corp., and Merrill. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC offers investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including fund advisory and model portfolio delivery. The firm combines fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction, serving a variety of clients while overseeing affiliated and unaffiliated sub-advisers.

William Cannon Jr. is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 21 years of industry experience, including prior roles at TIAA-CREF and Equitable Advisors. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with LPL Financial since 2011. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides a broad range of advisory and brokerage services supported by various investment models and operational tools.

Kelle Huffman is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 13 years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial since 2019 and previously held roles at Sagepoint Financial and SunTrust advisory firms. Huffman is also a commissioned notary in North Carolina. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser providing advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and asset management solutions, with advisory services delivered through a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Charles Benway is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, Benway serves as an ordained minister and pastor, performs Christian counseling and ceremonies, acts as a church elder, and is president of the West Point Society of Western North Carolina. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm focuses on holistic, goal-based planning across multiple financial topics and offers an option to combine planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing arrangement.

Kelly Jones is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Hickory, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. Jones has been with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2008. Outside of advisory work, Jones serves on the Board of Directors for the Catawba Medical Foundation, a nonprofit supporting the mission of Catawba Valley Health System. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of Financial Advisors. The firm focuses on holistic, goal-based financial planning across various topics and offers combined planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing option.

Richard Buchanan IV is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Hickory, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he was self-employed for three years and previously worked at Granite Hardwoods, Inc. for twelve years. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers goal-based, holistic planning that covers a wide range of financial topics without managing client portfolios directly.

James Engelman Sr. is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he is president and owner of Little Gunpowder Creek Farm in Hudson, NC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment strategies. The firm has a large national presence with over 23,000 advisors and manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets.