James Meiron Jr. is a financial advisor at Synovus Securities, Inc. with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Synovus Securities and SunTrust Advisory Services during his career. Since 2026, he has also been affiliated with Pinnacle Bank. Synovus Securities, Inc. serves individual and high-net-worth investors as well as institutional clients, offering investment advisory and brokerage services including managed accounts, model portfolios, and financial planning. The firm utilizes a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management programs on the Envestnet platform, with a focus on risk-tolerance tailored asset allocation and manager selection.

Stephanie Desear is a financial advisor with Synovus Securities, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and 14 years of industry experience. She has worked at firms including Wells Fargo, SunTrust, and Pinnacle Bank. She serves as a board member and finance committee member of the Morgan Franklin Fellowship, an organization focused on promoting financial literacy. Synovus Securities, Inc. serves individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients, offering both advisory and brokerage services. The firm employs a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management programs and provides access to alternative investments and outside money managers.

Christopher Fernandez is a financial advisor with Synovus Securities, Inc. based in Port Charlotte, FL, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at JPMorgan Chase Bank, J.P. Morgan Securities, Cetera, and Synovus bank. Synovus Securities serves individual and high-net-worth investors as well as institutional clients, offering both investment advisory and brokerage services with a focus on diversified portfolio management through discretionary and non-discretionary programs on the Envestnet platform.

Gregory Schmertmann is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding a Series 66 designation and 15 years of industry experience. He has worked with SunTrust Investment Services and SunTrust Advisory Services since 2015. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by AI-enabled research tools and inter-affiliate integration across Truist’s financial services.

Lidia Granger is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc. in Venice, FL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 10 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank from 2015 to 2019 before joining Fifth Third Securities and Fifth Third Bank in 2019. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank.

Ron Shchemelev is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 and Series 63 designations. Prior to joining Empower in 2023, he worked with Janus Henderson Distributors US LLC and Janus Henderson Investors US LLC from 2022 to 2023. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders. The firm delivers services through an integrated model tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, offering point-in-time financial plans and optional managed account solutions.

Bryan Domian is a financial advisor at Hornor, Townsend & Kent, LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked with Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and BCD Financial, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as treasurer for a donor advised fund that raises and distributes contributions to local nonprofits and is involved with 3D Build Systems, LLC, focusing on additive manufacturing techniques for housing construction. Hornor, Townsend & Kent serves individuals, trusts, businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans by offering advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm provides a combination of advisory and broker-dealer services with a network of advisers managing approximately $8.37 billion in discretionary assets under management as of the end of 2025.

Mark Stoneburner is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network based in Boca Grande, Florida. He holds a Series 63 designation and has 31 years of industry experience. He has operated Stoneburner Wealth Management, LLC since 2009 and has been affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network since 2008. Outside of his advisory work, he is co-owner of a tax and accounting firm and an entity focused on acquiring accounting practices. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs and services and provides operational, trading, technology, compliance, and practice-management support while allowing advisors discretion in portfolio construction.

James Nicholson is a financial advisor at Hightower Advisors with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and has been with Hightower Advisors since 2021. Prior to his advisory role, he worked at Cape Coral High School and the University of North Florida. Hightower Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a wide range of individual and institutional clients, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm’s approach emphasizes manager selection and multi-manager solutions using both affiliated and third-party managers, supported by proprietary research and diverse investment strategies.

Michael Landsberg is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with over 33 years of industry experience. He is currently with Hightower Advisors, where he has worked since 2021, following previous roles at Landsberg Bennett Private Wealth Management and Wells Fargo Advisors. Landsberg is based in Punta Gorda, Florida. Hightower Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, institutions, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm’s approach includes multi-manager solutions featuring affiliated and third-party managers, proprietary research, and a range of investment options such as mutual funds, ETFs, and alternative investments.

John Costello Jr. is a financial advisor with Osaic Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 20 years of industry experience. He previously worked at American Portfolios Financial Services for 19 years before joining Osaic in 2024. Outside of advisory work, he operates as a sole proprietor offering life and health insurance services and provides life, disability, and long-term care insurance through 76 Wealth Advisory LLC. Osaic Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm delivers a range of investment management and financial planning services through multiple program models, utilizing proprietary and third-party platforms and managers.

Brian Canty is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 20 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked in various capacities within Truist and its predecessor firms since 2015. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, utilizing a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting supported by advanced research tools and inter-affiliate resources.

Carl Lutz is a ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with 27 years of industry experience. He is currently affiliated with Primerica Advisors and has held roles at Park Avenue Securities and Guardian Life Insurance Company since 2008. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in coaching at the Soul Purpose Institute and serves as a member of a homeowners association board. Park Avenue Securities LLC serves a diverse retail client base, offering brokerage and fee-based advisory services along with financial and business consulting. The firm utilizes a blend of proprietary and third-party investment strategies and supports a range of account types and services, including lending solutions and donor-advised funds.

Jacqueline Thompson is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 11 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at firms including Morgan Stanley, Truist Investment Services, BB&T Securities, PNC Investments, and Wells Fargo Advisors. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders, using an integrated model tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms.

Ronald Hamilton is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 42 years of industry experience. He has worked at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust and infinex Investments, Inc. since 2008. Hamilton is also involved in health insurance sales, including commissions from Aetna Insurance Company. OSAIC Institutions, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, ERISA retirement plans, trusts, estates, and corporate clients. The firm offers customized advisory services through a network of investment adviser representatives and employs a hybrid adviser/broker-dealer structure that provides clients access to alternative investments, lending solutions, and both discretionary and non-discretionary account management.

Steven Morgan is a financial advisor with First Command Advisory Services and holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. He has 34 years of industry experience and has worked previously at firms including Grove Point Investments, H. Beck, and Mass Mutual Investors Services. First Command Advisory Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporate, and charitable clients, with a focus on active-duty service members and their families. The firm offers financial planning and wrap-fee asset management programs featuring centrally managed model portfolios and third-party managers selected by its Investment Management Team.

Robert Decaro is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment in Englewood, FL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 21 years of industry experience. He has worked at Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc. since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he is licensed to sell individual life insurance and long-term care insurance. Lincoln Investment serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, businesses, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, with a particular focus on educators and 403(b)/457(b) participants. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management services using both strategic and tactical approaches, managing approximately $22.9 billion in advisory assets as of the end of 2025.

Reese Imes is a financial advisor at Hightower Advisors with a Series 65 credential. He joined the firm in 2024 and has prior work experience in building construction and other industries. Hightower Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and pooled investment vehicles, offering services such as portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm employs a multi-manager investment approach, using both affiliated and third-party managers, and provides access to a range of investment products and strategies.

Adrienne Moore is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 20 years of industry experience. She currently works at Hightower Advisors and previously held roles at Landsberg Bennett Private Wealth Management and Wells Fargo Advisors. Moore is based in Punta Gorda, Florida. Hightower Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm emphasizes manager selection and multi-manager solutions, offering portfolio management and financial planning supported by proprietary research and access to a range of investment products.

Stephen Powers is a financial advisor with Janney Montgomery Scott, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses, and has 41 years of industry experience. He has worked at Janney Montgomery Scott since 2020 and previously held roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2020. Powers serves as a trustee on the board of the Gulf N Bay Condo Association in Venice, Florida. Janney Montgomery Scott is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, families, trusts, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, offering brokerage, financial planning, consulting, and advisory services through various portfolio management strategies.