Alan Ponce Montes De Oca is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with a Series 66 designation and less than one year of industry experience. His prior work experience includes roles at Coca Cola Consolidated, Allstate, and Amazon.com. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA 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 financial products, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

John Pilkington is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with 21 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Vanguard Group since 2004 and previously worked at Manning & Napier Advisors. Pilkington serves as treasurer and board member of Belmont Trolley, a nonprofit community organization in Belmont, NC. Vanguard Advisers offers automated and human-supported investment advice through digital and personal advisor services, primarily serving retail investors and retirement plan participants. The firm utilizes a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach featuring proprietary asset allocation models and portfolios constructed mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Grace Kellerman is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Vanguard, she worked at Stride Spin & Fitness in a non-investment role. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, utilizing a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios largely composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs. The firm is notable for its scale and digital delivery, managing a large number of client relationships with a team servicing model.

Nicole Mccoy is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 28 years of industry experience. Her career includes nearly two decades at Wachovia Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Clearing. She works with Pinnacle Asset Management in a non-investment capacity, referring clients and collaborating with partners. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse clientele, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors. The firm uses analytical tools and tailored advisory programs, with notable offerings in municipal finance and SIMPLE IRA employer advisory services.

Marcus Johnson is a financial advisor with Merrill in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 14 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, SpreeSocial LLC, and TIAA-CREF. He is also the owner of Top Choice Group LLC, a for-profit holding company. 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth families, and institutional investors.

Zackery Hawkins is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding the CFP® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 10 years of industry experience and has been with The Vanguard Group, Inc. since 2015. Vanguard Advisers provides both automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary methodologies to construct portfolios primarily from Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering a variety of customization and tax-aware features.

Patricia Moore is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and 23 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 1999. Outside of her advisory role, she holds power of attorney for a family trust. Merrill, together 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, and various institutional accounts.

Sean Ryan is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC since 2021 and previously worked at Wells Fargo from 2017 to 2021, as well as Lowe's from 2015 to 2017. 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 grounded in modern portfolio theory, with investment options that include insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Sean Olert is a financial advisor at Merrill in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2009. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations with model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Maxwell Clauss is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Cornelius, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and beginning his advisory career in 2025. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he held roles at River Valley Co-op and various organizations including The Libby Museum of Natural History and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients by providing a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. Their approach includes structured discovery conversations and the use of firm-approved planning tools to model financial outcomes.

Jack Schulte is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with five years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. His career includes roles at various Vanguard entities since 2021, as well as previous positions outside the financial industry. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm utilizes a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach with portfolios primarily composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs, delivering services at scale through a combination of digital platforms and a large advisory team.

Donald Irwin is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors based in Charlotte, NC. He holds the Series 66 designation and has 22 years of industry experience, including sixteen years with Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a committee member for mental health services at Sanctuary Counseling Group and is involved in his local religious organization, St. Francis United Methodist Church. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals, providing a range of portfolio management solutions and model-based strategies tailored to client objectives.

Christopher Zehetmaier is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Gladstone Wealth Partners, LPL Financial, and GWN Securities Inc. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individual, high-net-worth, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients, providing financial planning, broker-dealer services, insurance distribution, and access to third-party asset management programs. The firm operates as a dual-registered SEC investment adviser and broker-dealer and utilizes various LPL-sponsored programs and third-party managers to deliver advisory and brokerage solutions.

Christopher Hart is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. His background includes service in the United States Navy and entrepreneurial involvement with Verde Mexican Nuevo Latin Fusion in Charlotte, NC. He also has experience working at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Aminata Toure is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC. She holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Vanguard, she was involved in various self-employed roles and worked for Legion Cleaning Inc. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice serving retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm’s investment approach is goal-based and algorithm-driven, utilizing proprietary models to set personalized asset allocations primarily through Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Matthew Collins is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Edward Jones in Charlotte, NC, with five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Ameriprise, SECU Brokerage Services, SECU Life Insurance Company, State Employees' Credit Union, and Wells Fargo. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm operates under a fiduciary standard and is notable for its extensive retail advisor and branch network, as well as its affiliated trust and securities-based lending services.

Justin Plante is a financial advisor at Fisher Investments with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Hennion & Walsh, Inc. and Nuveen Securities LLC. Based in Charlotte, NC, he has been with Fisher Investments since 2026. Fisher Investments serves a global mix of institutional and private clients, offering discretionary portfolio management across equity, fixed-income, and blended mandates. The firm utilizes a centralized Investment Policy Committee and employs tax-aware strategies and risk management techniques, serving a diverse client base that includes pension plans, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.

Charles Utz is the Senior Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch, leading the Lake Norman office since 2006. He has more than 20 years of experience in financial services and wealth management, having started his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2000 after two years with The Hartford. Charles and his team of six professionals focus on delivering tailored financial advice and comprehensive service to high-net-worth individuals and business owners. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Charles emphasizes understanding his clients’ financial priorities by listening closely to their current situations, future objectives, and concerns, then designing customized portfolio strategies. His approach is based on disciplined wealth management principles that are adaptable to changing economic conditions, enabling clients to focus on their priorities throughout different stages of life. Residing in the Lake Norman area with his wife and three children, Charles enjoys an active lifestyle that includes triathlons, golf, running, tennis, and lake activities.

Dianne Eller is a financial advisor at Merrill based in Mooresville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with four years of industry experience. She has a long tenure at Bank of America, having worked there from 2000 to 2021 before joining Merrill in 2021. Outside of her advisory role, she owns a small rental business. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Aaron Shaw is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 designations and has one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Envoy Securities, ION Group LLC, and Baker Tilly US LLP. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios largely constructed from Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering a range of customization options and managing hundreds of thousands of client relationships through a digital platform and team servicing model.