Karen Howell is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 19 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2022 and previously spent five years with Stratos Wealth Partners, LTD. Karen also has two years of experience working at Diberville Middle School. 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 serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Sarah Rhodes is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Biloxi, MS, holding a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, she worked as a fitness instructor at Rhodes Club Fitness for eight years and currently teaches Confirmation classes at Saint James Catholic Church. She also operates The Yoga Barre. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,000 financial advisors.

Joseph Pringle is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at Hancock Bank since 2008 and served with Hancock Investment Services, Inc. before joining Cetera. He is also a private banker for Hancock Whitney and serves as a Leadership Gulf Coast Board member for the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm offering a range of investment services to individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm employs a multi-manager platform providing various program structures, including model portfolios, third-party managers, and bespoke strategies, supported by a large network of advisors and significant assets under management.

Jimmy Nguyen is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and has two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at PFS Investments Inc. and Primerica Financial Services. Outside of finance, he has been involved in the hospitality and beauty sectors, including ownership or management of Izakaya Sushi Pub and The Next Generation Hair and Nails Salon. Primerica Advisors sponsors and manages a wrap-fee asset management program primarily serving individual, corporate, and charitable clients. The firm employs model-delivery investment strategies and supports account execution and custody through third-party providers, with approximately $15.5 billion in assets under management across nearly 3,700 advisors.

Timothy Taranto is a financial advisor with LPL Financial and holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. He has 26 years of industry experience, including prior roles at VOYA Financial Advisors, Securities America Advisors, and Edward Jones. 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 range of advisory and brokerage services, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies across various asset classes.

Robert Dienelt Jr. is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 27 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and has worked at firms including Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. and Dienelt Financial Services. He is currently also affiliated with Community Bank of Mississippi. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment services, including access to model portfolios, third-party asset managers, and institutional platforms.

Nicholas Clark is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds a Series 66 designation and has seven years of industry experience. He has held roles at multiple firms, including Avantax Advisory Services and Strojny Financial Services, which he continues to operate. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in software development through Nimic Technologies LLC and owns several business ventures including a tax and accounting practice and an online retail company. He also serves as treasurer for the First Presbyterian Church of Biloxi. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a broad client base that includes individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable entities, and institutions. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with a variety of portfolio management, financial planning, and advisory services, supported by a large nationwide network of advisors.

Justin Jones is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Gulfport, MS, holding a Series 66 designation and 9 years of industry experience. He worked at Chiquita from 2004 to 2016 before joining Edward Jones in 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in residential real estate development as an operation manager for JNS Builders in Pass Christian, MS. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs and investment solutions. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and operates a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Brian Moody is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors in Gulfport, MS, holding a Series 66 designation with 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2014 through various affiliated entities and is a 40% owner of Turnage Moody Investment Group, LLC. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network serves individuals, trusts, and institutional clients by providing investment and fee-based financial planning services tailored to clients meeting a net-worth threshold. The firm offers a broad range of planning services, utilizing research and planning tools to develop tailored recommendations delivered through meetings and written summaries.

Sharon Bentz Mustered is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she leads her team's investment philosophy, wealth management strategies, and portfolio recommendations. With nearly 29 years of experience at Merrill Lynch, she has built a financial services practice grounded in trust, accessibility, and responsiveness. Her expertise encompasses capital preservation, retirement income, risk management, asset management, estate and trust planning, lending, municipal bonds, and insurance planning. Sharon focuses on delivering personalized wealth management solutions tailored to her clients’ priorities and goals. Sharon was one of the first women in south Mississippi to be named First Vice President–Wealth Management. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and has established the Sharon Bentz Annual Graduate Scholarship to reward a deserving young woman from south Mississippi through the university’s foundation. In addition to her professional commitments, Sharon serves her community as a Harrison County Development Commissioner, appointed by Governors Barbour and Bryant. She is actively involved in organizations such as Make A Wish and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Outside of her professional and community endeavors, Sharon enjoys basketball, fishing, genealogy, interior decorating, soccer, volleyball, watching movies, writing, and spending time with her husband, Ken, and their three daughters. She emphasizes the importance of understanding her clients’ life priorities to create wealth strategies that align with what matters most to them.

Steve Treutel is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, including more than 25 years with Merrill Lynch. Steve focuses on family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and portfolio management services. His approach to investing emphasizes risk management and is based on assisting clients in clarifying their financial goals, implementing disciplined strategies to achieve those goals, and conducting ongoing reviews to maintain success. Steve holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi and an MBA from the University of New Orleans. He has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Steve resides on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with his wife, Debbie. He participates in community organizations, including the Gulf Coast Mortgage Banker's Association, the Gulfport Kiwanis Club, and the Hancock County Historical Society. His personal interests include football, genealogy, music, reading, running, and traveling.

Elizabeth Sawyer Estrade is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with LPL Financial, bringing five years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2026, she worked for seven years at Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC. Outside of her advisory roles, Estrade has experience in coaching through Betsey Sawyer Coaching, a business she operated for nine years. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and portfolio management services and supports advisors with research, technology, and a broad platform of advisory and non-advisory financial activities.

Thomas Sorrels is a financial advisor at Cetera with 15 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has worked at Cetera and its related entities since 2022 and was previously with Hancock Investment Services, Inc. for 11 years. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a broad range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional accounts. The firm offers various portfolio management and financial planning services through a large network of independent advisors, utilizing multi-manager platforms and a variety of program structures.

Jose De La Fuente is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2001 and holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations. 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 and offers a wide range of advisory programs and investment solutions under a fiduciary standard.

Jason Gass is a financial advisor at Cetera with 22 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. His prior work includes long-term roles at Avantax and Strojny & Strojny. Outside of advisory services, he owns and manages tax and accounting practices through entities such as GCMC LLC and SFS of South Mississippi LLC. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a large SEC-registered firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors. The firm offers diversified portfolio management and financial planning services, using a multi-manager platform with options ranging from automated allocations to bespoke strategies.

John Grantham is a CFP®-certified financial advisor at Edward Jones with seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Edward Jones since 2018 and previously held roles in real estate and hospitality. Outside of advising, Grantham is associated with Grantham Investments LLC, a business focused on managing rental properties, though it currently holds no properties. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and corporate entities. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory services, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

William Schenck III is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He employs an integrated approach to wealth management, evaluating and coordinating investor needs to manage investments accordingly. William regularly meets with clients to help ensure they are on track to meet their financial goals. William graduated from Mississippi State University with degrees in business management and finance. He began his career in the securities industry in March 2000 and has a focus on physicians and small business owners, emphasizing retirement plans and providing access to banking and lending solutions through Bank of America, N.A. He holds the designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He is involved with community organizations including Big Brother Big Sister, Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, and The Boys and Girls Club of South Mississippi. William's experience spans mortgage lending, bank management, and financial advising, which enables him to assist clients effectively on both sides of the balance sheet.

Lawrence Adams is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on managing clients' wealth by developing personalized strategies that adapt to evolving market conditions. Leveraging the investment insights of Merrill and the banking and lending solutions available through Bank of America, he aims to help clients pursue their financial goals through comprehensive wealth management. Lawrence holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and carries the designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He follows the tradition of Merrill in actively participating in community service and dedicates time to volunteering with local organizations. His philosophy emphasizes the importance of meeting with an experienced financial advisor to discuss retirement strategies regardless of how much time remains before retirement.

Lisa Wagoner is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Ocean Springs, MS, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 32 years of industry experience. She has been with LPL Financial (formerly LINSCO/PRIVATE LEDGER CORP.) since 1998. In addition to her advisory role, Wagoner serves as an independent insurance agent for Guardian products and acts as a notary public for clients. 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 range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to third-party asset management, utilizing various portfolio strategies and advisor-support technologies.

Gus Brand is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Biloxi, MS, holding a Series 66 license and with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial, he spent nine years at Community Bank of Mississippi in various roles. He serves as an advisory director on the boards of Community Bank of Mississippi and Community Bancshares of Mississippi, and co-owns a family social club in Mississippi. 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, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives and advanced operational tools.