John Sawyer Jr. is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of the Soto Sawyer Crosby Group. As a fifth generation Conway native, he possesses deep roots in the Grand Strand community and a comprehensive understanding of the region's economic growth and evolving financial needs of affluent families. John brings over ten years of experience as a Financial Advisor, complemented by a prior decade in community banking. His expertise includes cash flow management, legacy planning, and navigating significant life events such as business monetization and retirement. He holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® designation and additional credentials, including Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of South Carolina and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Winthrop University. John is actively involved with several community organizations, including the Grand Strand Sertoma Club, Horry Georgetown Technical College Foundation, and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. He resides in Conway, SC, with his family and enjoys hunting, traveling, horseback riding, and spending time with them.

Daniel Gregory is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 65, Series 63, and Series 66 registrations and eight years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Bank and Curran Financial Partners. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services mainly to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applying an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Kevin Thompson is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 16 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 credential and has worked at firms including Truist Advisory Services, Bb&T Securities, and Capitol Securities Management. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of investment strategies and affiliated capabilities, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Richard Lundy is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 12 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he co-owns an LLC focused on real estate investment in North Carolina. 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 approximately $1.01 trillion in assets, offering a range of advisory services under a fiduciary standard, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Kristine Ford is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Calabash, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 21 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2006. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large diversified firm serving individual and institutional clients, with a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides tailored retirement income planning and advice. The firm uses a centralized team to generate recommendations based on proprietary research and third-party data, focusing on dependable income and tax-aware withdrawal strategies for clients meeting specific asset criteria.

Rebeccah Paonita is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with six years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at several firms, including Coastal Financial Planning Group and Prudential. Outside of her advisory roles, she was briefly involved with Kicken Chicken in 2021. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with market-facing registrations and functions, delivering recommendations on a non-discretionary basis while clients retain final decision-making authority.

Joy Rockwood is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 35 years of industry experience. She has been with Raymond James since 2000 and was previously a branch owner, maintaining her own LLC related to that role. Outside of her advisory work, she is an associate employee at Kevin Guille Strategic Wealth Management, a non-investment related support company. 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, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting supported by analytical tools and supports municipal and public-finance work through an affiliated municipal advisor.

Anthony Fauci is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 32 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at First Allied Advisory Services and First Allied Securities. Outside of his advisory work, he is a partner in several businesses and serves as an independent contractor for a nonprofit organization. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers various portfolio management and financial planning services through a large network of independent advisors and features a multi-manager platform with access to both affiliated and third-party investment managers.

Matthew Lake is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in areas including corporate benefits, divorce transition planning, institutional and corporate benefit services, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. Matthew approaches wealth management with a focus on empathy, clarity, and a commitment to clients' long-term financial well-being. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management with a Marketing minor and a Master of Science in Sports Management, both from Purdue University. Matthew has experience in leadership development and education, having served as Associate Director of Intramural & Club Sports at Case Western Reserve University. He is recognized for his performance and leadership, receiving the Most Improved Responsible Service Growth Top 100 award four consecutive years, including placement in the Top 25 in 2024, and serving as a Better Money Habits Champion. Matthew is actively involved in his community with organizations such as Barnabas Horse Foundation, Grand Strand Miracle League, Habitat for Humanity Horry County, Leadership Grand Strand, and United Way Horry County. He dedicates over 100 hours annually to community service and has served as Vision Council Chair for the United Way of Horry County Community Impact Task Force. His personal interests include basketball, dancing, golfing, reading, and traveling.

Jennifer Ivey is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 26 years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network since 2026 and was previously with Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Outside of her financial career, she operates a photography business based in Columbia, SC. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser affiliated with Wells Fargo, providing investment and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of planning services and integrates advisory offerings with other financial products and referral channels.

Lindsey Rider is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. She has previously worked at Truist Investment Services, BB&T Securities, BB&T Investment Services, and BB&T Bank. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a South Carolina notary public in Myrtle Beach. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services that include investment policy statement preparation, investment recommendations, performance reporting, and participant education. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates a broad range of financial product offerings, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Bryan Fenn is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 38 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes 30 years at Signator Investors, Inc. and eight years at Osaic Wealth, Inc. He also serves as a financial consultant and wealth manager with Innovative Financial Group, LLC. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and institutions. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by advanced operational and research tools.

Herman Watson is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been a part of the team since 2007. He leads an advisory team that focuses on helping clients develop goals-based wealth management strategies. Herman's approach emphasizes clear communication, aiding clients in understanding the narratives behind their financial data to facilitate logical decision-making throughout their financial journeys. His expertise encompasses family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. Herman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida and a Master's degree from East Carolina University. He has earned professional designations including the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional responsibilities, Herman spends time with his family engaged in activities such as boating, fishing, swimming, and traveling. He also enjoys exercising, playing the piano, and watching his children participate in sports.

Alec Berger is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. He has worked with Cetera Wealth Services, Commonwealth Financial Group, and Cetera since 2024. Prior to his financial services career, he held various roles including positions at Saltaire Kitchen and Gulfstream Cafe, as well as experience in education at Northern Lehigh High School/Middle School and Coastal Carolina University. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving a nationwide network of independent advisors and their clients, including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform with access to affiliated and third-party managers, spanning discretionary and non-discretionary program structures.

Michael Farish is a CFP® and ChFC® with 36 years of experience in the financial industry. He currently works at Wells Fargo Clearing and has previously held positions at Truist Advisory Services, Truist Investment Services, BB&T Securities, and Scott & Stringfellow. Outside of his advisory work, he co-owns a bridal shop in Myrtle Beach, SC. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates a broad range of investment options, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

James Cunningham III is a financial advisor with Merrill in Myrtle Beach, SC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing four years of industry experience. His career includes positions at Bank of America and Wells Fargo, as well as experience outside finance at an indoor shooting range. Merrill serves a broad range of clients—including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional clients—offering managed account programs, discretionary portfolio management, and brokerage services through dedicated personal financial advisors and affiliated entities. The firm emphasizes tax-focused investment capabilities and benefits from deep integration with Bank of America’s broader banking and capital markets platform.

April Messimer is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She specializes in wealth management strategies, income management, and retirement services for individuals. April also assists clients with their credit and lending needs, including home financing, lines of credit, and securities-based loans through Bank of America, N.A. April earned her Bachelor's degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ designation, and additional professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She served on the Susan G. Komen South Carolina Board of Directors from 2017 to 2019. April lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with her daughter. Her personal interests include golfing, spending time with her family, and traveling.

Curtis Casey is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in North Myrtle Beach, SC, holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. He has worked with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2005. Ameriprise provides a retirement-income planning service aimed at individuals nearing or in retirement with significant investable assets, offering written Recommendation Reports that address income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored retirement income recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Andrew Hazle is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and previously worked at BB&T for one year before joining Edward Jones in 2017. Hazle serves as an active board member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he is involved in event planning. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs, discretionary and non-discretionary managed solutions, and affiliated investment products.

Edward Carfang Jr. is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 32 years of industry experience. His career includes 16 years at Trustmark Financial Group and 10 years with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base—including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations—providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through a network of independent Financial Professionals. The firm offers a range of portfolio management solutions, including proprietary and third-party models, with flexible custody and platform arrangements tailored to client objectives.